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This Week in Asia
East Asia
Japan restarts first nuclear reactor since Fukushima under close scrutiny
The No 6 unit at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reached criticality on Wednesday, a key step in Japan’s push for stable energy despite lingering safety fears.
4 hours ago
China-founded Shanda’s AI lab boosts Singapore operation, pulling China research
5 hours ago
At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world
2 hours ago
South Asia
Journalists in Indian Kashmir face censorship as police demand ‘peace’ pledges
Journalists face summons and pressure to vow not to ‘disturb peace’ following reports on state profiling of religious institutions.
5 hours ago
In August 2019, newspapers in Ahmedabad headline Kashmir’s lost special status, as local journalists face pressure to pledge not to ‘disturb peace’. Photo: Reuters
People
Indonesia police arrest 9 in Medan baby trafficking case linked to social media
The arrests come as Singapore scrutinises adoption cases linked to separate baby trafficking allegations involving Indonesia.
21 Jan 2026 - 6:57PM
videocam
Economics
How Asia’s economies could benefit from Trump’s global power plays
Countries such as Canada are looking to diversify their customers, particularly for oil and gas, with ‘a strong focus on Asia’, analysts say.
21 Jan 2026 - 6:56PM
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Southeast Asia
US clears US$2.3 billion jet and torpedo sale to Singapore
Pending US Congress approval, the US$2.3 billion Boeing P-8A deal announced at Pentagon talks will upgrade Singapore’s anti-submarine capabilities.
21 Jan 2026 - 4:45PM
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A P-8A Poseidon aircraft departs Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington in November 2014. Photo: US Navy/Boeing Aircraft/AFP
Health & Environment
Malaysia’s Johor books 5 Singaporeans for littering under new enforcement regime
The cases come as the country enforces new rules sending littering offences to court as the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign rolls out.
21 Jan 2026 - 5:57PM
videocam
Politics
Singapore PM accepts Workers’ Party’s rejection of Leader of the Opposition role
The PMO says the LO office will ‘remain vacant until such time that the WP is ready to nominate someone to take on this responsibility’.
57 minutes ago
Lifestyle & Culture
Malaysia’s primary school changes spur fears of ‘herd effect’ competition
From 2027, children can enter Year One of primary school at age six instead of seven, fuelling fears of limited teaching staff and space.
21 Jan 2026 - 5:33PM
videocam
East Asia
Japan ex-PM Abe’s killer Yamagami gets life term for ‘despicable’ act
Abe’s assassination also ignited scrutiny of alleged ties between prominent conservative lawmakers and the Unification Church.
5 hours ago
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Tetsuya Yamagami is escorted by a police officer as he is taken to prosecutors in Nara, western Japan, in 2022. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters
Politics
Malaysia media groups urge action after reporter allegedly assaulted at event
The incident follows the detention of another journalist under the Sedition Act, sharpening concerns about intimidation and press freedom.
21 Jan 2026 - 3:25PM
videocam
Politics
Foot in the door or trap? Risks of Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Southeast Asia
Nations are likely to try to avoid early commitment while steering clear of outright rejection to minimise US retaliation, analysts say.
21 Jan 2026 - 2:30PM
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Economics
As more nations block Grok for obscene content, calls for Asean-wide curbs mount
The Philippines should push the fight against deepfakes high on the Asean agenda as the bloc’s chair, analysts say.
21 Jan 2026 - 5:20PM
East Asia
South Korea’s ex-PM Han gets 23 years in prison for insurrection
A judge said Han Duck-soo ‘disregarded his duty and responsibility as prime minister until the very end’.
21 Jan 2026 - 3:04PM
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Former South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo (centre) arrives at the Seoul Central District Court for his sentencing trial in the insurrection case on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Health & Environment
Long and short of it: why Okinawa lost crown as Japan’s island of longevity
Okinawan men fell from first to 43rd while women slipped to 16th in the last life expectancy survey, a slide that is expected to continue.
21 Jan 2026 - 4:02PM
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Politics
‘Goat yoked to an ox cart’: Kim Jong-un fires minister amid factory delay
By firing vice-minister Yang Sung-ho on the spot, Kim appears to be asserting his authority ahead of a crucial party congress, experts say.
21 Jan 2026 - 5:28PM
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Politics
Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash
Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.
17 Jan 2026 - 9:34AM
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Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP
Economics
India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind
Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.
10 Jan 2026 - 8:52AM
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Economics
Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact
Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.
3 Jan 2026 - 10:47AM
Economics
Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount
Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.
21 Dec 2025 - 12:33PM
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA
Economics
At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world
2 hours ago
People
Indonesia police arrest 9 in Medan baby trafficking case linked to social media
21 Jan 2026 - 6:57PM
videocam
Economics
How Asia’s economies could benefit from Trump’s global power plays
21 Jan 2026 - 6:56PM
Health & Environment
Malaysia’s Johor books 5 Singaporeans for littering under new enforcement regime
21 Jan 2026 - 5:57PM
videocam
Politics
Singapore PM accepts Workers’ Party’s rejection of Leader of the Opposition role
57 minutes ago
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MULTIMEDIA
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Singapore
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