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This Week in Asia
Vehicles travel across the causeway from Malaysia’s southern state of Johor to the Woodlands immigration checkpoint in Singapore on October 10, 2025. Photo: AFP

Economics

Cross-border trips to Johor push Singapore checkpoint traffic to new high

About three-quarters of the record 245 million travellers who crossed Singapore’s checkpoints last year went via the land border.

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Duterte was ‘pivotal’ in murder of thousands, ICC prosecutors say

Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt

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Politics

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

Using AI-generated images and simplified Chinese characters, a network of 3,000 fake accounts reportedly tried to sway Japan’s election.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen on Liberal Democratic Party poster boards in Date, Hokkaido prefecture, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen on Liberal Democratic Party poster boards in Date, Hokkaido prefecture, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia

Authorities in conservative Kelantan are investigating the viral cross-dressing video after online critics accused the men of mocking Islam.

East Asia

Tokyo Skytree tower closed after 20 trapped in lift for 5 hours

Operator apologises after ‘elevator malfunction’ at famous Tokyo landmark traps visitors until 2am.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

The government-backed drive is the latest in a series of creative campaigns aiming to shape public narrative around the maritime dispute.

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Members of the Philippine Navy take part in a collaborative colouring activity during the launch of the nationwide mural contest on February 10. Photo: Raissa Robles
Members of the Philippine Navy take part in a collaborative colouring activity during the launch of the nationwide mural contest on February 10. Photo: Raissa Robles

Lifestyle & Culture

Clocking off: is Japan’s culture of overwork finally dying?

The average hours put in by Japanese workers are lower than those of their American and Italian counterparts.

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South Asia

Bus plunges off Nepal mountain highway: 19 dead, including Chinese national

Dozens were on board the Kathmandu-bound bus when it veered off a highway after midnight.

Lifestyle & Culture

Ancient Chinese astrology gets a Gen Z rebrand in Southeast Asia

Forget rituals and superstitions, today’s young professionals are using ‘bazi’ 10-year luck forecasts to plan their next career pivot.

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An event organised by Joey Yap, one of “bazi’s” most prominent modern practitioners. Photo: Handout

Economics

Thailand ‘buzzing’ with travel boom as Chinese tourists back in droves

The country’s heavy investment in wooing Chinese visitors appears to have paid off as it overcomes safety fears to secure holiday growth.

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A tourist interacts with a lion dance performer in Bangkok’s Chinatown, Thailand, on Monday. Photo: EPA
A tourist interacts with a lion dance performer in Bangkok’s Chinatown, Thailand, on Monday. Photo: EPA

Politics

Where is Kim Ju-ae? Succession question hangs over North Korea’s ruling congress

With Kim Jong-un set to outline his end-of-decade vision, the notable absence of his teenage daughter raises fresh succession questions.

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s tuberculosis cases rise to above 3,000, health ministry flags risks

Higher social interaction during the month of Ramadan may increase exposure risks, the ministry says.

Politics

Will Thailand’s election be voided? Bar code blunder sparks ballot secrecy fears

With counting errors forcing revotes this Sunday, the reformist opposition is seizing on irregularities to demand a fresh election.

An election worker counts ballots at a counting station in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 8. Photo: Xinhua

Health & Environment

‘Just ask for it’: Malaysia’s vape crackdown fails to break the habit

An estimated 1.4 million Malaysian adults vape, despite existing curbs. Many say new laws will simply push them back to cigarettes.

A person vapes during a hike in Negeri Sembilan state, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
A person vapes during a hike in Negeri Sembilan state, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock

Lifestyle & Culture

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Economics

Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

A global index on corruption perceptions shows the Philippines posting its lowest ranking since 2012.

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Economics

Philippines’ AI reckoning puts millions of jobs on the line

The US$30 billion outsourcing sector is fighting to adapt, leaving millions of workers with a stark choice: upskill or be left behind.

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Image: Kevin Wong
Image: Kevin Wong

Economics

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep afloat a sinking global order

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

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Politics

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

With the economy struggling and corruption rife, Thai voters will look to the February 8 election as a chance to turn the country around.

Politics

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?

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Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Economics

Cross-border trips to Johor push Singapore checkpoint traffic to new high

videocam
Vehicles travel across the causeway from Malaysia’s southern state of Johor to the Woodlands immigration checkpoint in Singapore on October 10, 2025. Photo: AFP

Politics

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

videocam
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen on Liberal Democratic Party poster boards in Date, Hokkaido prefecture, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia

An expanded screenshot of the mermaid sales stunt that circulated on Malaysian social media. Photo: X/dahfollowbelum

Lifestyle & Culture

Art as advocacy: Philippine mural contest adds to South China Sea messaging push

videocam
Members of the Philippine Navy take part in a collaborative colouring activity during the launch of the nationwide mural contest on February 10. Photo: Raissa Robles

Economics

Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt

4
US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Friday. Photo: AFP
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