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Asia

This Week in Asia

US President Donald Trump (left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the Japanese city of Yokosuka in October. Photo: AFP

Politics

Japan’s conservatives turn sour on Trump as ‘fears of abandonment’ deepen

Right-wing media outlets and politicians are now concerned that Trump’s second term would hurt Japan’s trade and security interests.

26 minutes agovideocam

‘I was a victim’: survey reveals surge in men groped on Tokyo transit

2 hours agovideocam

Efficiency or autocracy? What To Lam’s power grab will mean for Vietnam

3 hours agovideocam

Economics

At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world

The city state’s president urges nations to build resilient global alliances and, at a separate panel, calls for ways to boost job creation.

22 Jan 2026 - 12:37AM

Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

World’s oldest cave art discovered in Indonesia

A handprint dating back at least 67,800 years is over a thousand years older than hand stencils in Spain that are attributed to Neanderthals.

4 hours ago

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’.

22 Jan 2026 - 1:10AM

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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

An illustration shows a 3D-printed miniature model of US President Donald Trump, the EU flag and the word “Tariffs”. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Malaysia’s expat salary rules dubbed ‘ridiculous’, stoking talent drain fears

The pay threshold for expatriate visas will be doubled to boost local hiring, sparking concern over reduced foreign talent and rising costs.

21 Jan 2026 - 10:43AM

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 - 6:57PMvideocam

Southeast Asia

Johor businesses prepare for Singaporeans’ Lunar New Year shopping spree

Hampers and plants are in demand ahead of the holidays, with hotels hoping for a late booking surge.

2 hours ago

Life-sized horse lanterns on display at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay to welcome the Year of the Horse. Photo: Xinhua

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 - 5:33PMvideocam

Standard One students attending a class at a primary school in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock

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 - 5:57PMvideocam

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 - 3:25PMvideocam

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 - 2:30PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday. Photo: EPA

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

The Grok AI website displayed on a mobile phone as a nationwide restriction on the service took effect in Malaysia earlier this month. Photo: EPA

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 - 4:02PMvideocam

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 - 5:28PMvideocam

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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 - 9:34AMvideocam

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

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

Illustration: Huy Truong

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Japan’s conservatives turn sour on Trump as ‘fears of abandonment’ deepen

26 minutes agovideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on board the USS George Washington aircraft carrier in the Japanese city of Yokosuka in October. Photo: AFP

People

‘I was a victim’: survey reveals surge in men groped on Tokyo transit

2 hours agovideocam

Commuters travel on a train in Tokyo. Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure for male victims of groping – as revealed in a recent survey – is particularly striking. Photo: AFP

People

Efficiency or autocracy? What To Lam’s power grab will mean for Vietnam

3 hours agovideocam

Communist Party General Secretary To Lam delivers a speech at the party’s congress in Hanoi on Monday. Photo: Vietnam News Agency/EPA

Economics

At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world

22 Jan 2026 - 12:37AM

Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

People

Indonesia police arrest 9 in Medan baby trafficking case linked to social media

21 Jan 2026 - 6:57PMvideocam

A newborn baby lies in a hospital bassinet. Photo: Shutterstock

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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

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TRENDING TOPICS

The Philippines

South China Sea

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