Asia

This Week in Asia

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (centre) looks on as Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow (right) shakes hands with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn during a meeting in China’s Yunnan province on December 29, 2025. Photo: Agence Kampuchea Presse/AFP

Southeast Asia

Ruling Thai party vows to end Cambodia conflict, close scam hubs if it wins poll

Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Bhumjaithai’s second candidate after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, believes his party has popular support.

2 hours agovideocam

Visa suspension tests US priorities in Southeast Asia

4 hours agovideocam

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

6 hours ago

East Asia

BTS’ comeback concert sparks Dynamite price hikes in South Korea’s Busan

The K-pop group’s show in Busan is months away but already room prices have soared beyond the 1 million mark.

6 hours ago

K-pop megastar group BTS performs onstage during the Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022. Photo: AFP

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

Southeast Asia

Malaysian police arrest reporter following controversial question at Gaza forum

Rex Tan has resigned as a Free Malaysia Today reporter and apologised for his question, which raised an uproar for its racial overtones.

17 Jan 2026 - 10:13AM

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Economics

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

Germany, France and Spain have put their project on hold, prompting speculation that some may turn to the Japan-UK-Italy programme.

16 Jan 2026 - 9:37AM

Delegates look at the GCAP sixth-generation fighter jet concept design at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Vietnam’s To Lam seeks to tighten grip on power as party congress begins

The party’s general secretary is eyeing a dual role similar to Xi Jinping’s in neighbouring China.

17 Jan 2026 - 8:53AM

Politics

French ‘intimacy’: Philippines, France near deal for Indo-Pacific strength

The visiting forces deal comes on top of similar pacts with other nations and could help the Philippines attain a ‘muscular defence arsenal’.

17 Jan 2026 - 9:46AMvideocam

People

Malaysia’s Umno chief denies he ‘sidelined’ Najib to save himself

Ahmad Zahid, who has been cleared of corruption charges, says the party has ‘never wavered’ from its position of supporting its ex-leader.

16 Jan 2026 - 6:07PMvideocam

Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reacts after being acquitted of corruption on September 4, 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Why India is losing ground over Bangladesh and Myanmar to regional rivals

Pakistan and China have been drawing closer to Bangladesh and Myanmar in areas such as defence and trade at India’s expense, analysts say.

16 Jan 2026 - 6:35PMvideocam

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets then Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina before a meeting in New Delhi on June 22, 2024. Photo: AP

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s super-rich get cold feet as Langkawi luxury car tax perks vanish

Supercar dealers report cancellations as the tax exemption removal threatens the local economy, tourism and jobs.

15 Jan 2026 - 2:21PM

People

South Korean church deploys ‘special force’ to recruit Australian youths

The Shincheonji church compiles profiles of potential members to draw up personalised recruitment plans, according to a former member.

16 Jan 2026 - 4:54PMvideocam

Politics

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

16 Jan 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

A protester waves the Iranian flag outside UN headquarters in New York during a Security Council meeting on Iran on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Politics

South Korea’s Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison over martial law charges

The ruling comes days after prosecutors in a separate case demanded Yoon Suk-yeol be sentenced to death for masterminding insurrection.

16 Jan 2026 - 6:54PMvideocam

Supporters of South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk-yeol gather in front of the Seoul Central District Court on Friday. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Philippines’ Cebu residents cry foul over mounting garbage, health risks

The fatal collapse of a garbage landfill in Cebu has also exposed lax enforcement and poor waste management.

16 Jan 2026 - 5:35PM

Health & Environment

Thai PM moves to strip scandal-hit firm of contracts after second deadly accident

Amid public anger, PM Anutin issued an order to end two contracts and blacklist Italian-Thai Development after two crane disasters killed 34 people.

15 Jan 2026 - 9:49PMvideocam

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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

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

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

Politics

Visa suspension tests US priorities in Southeast Asia

4 hours agovideocam

Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand are among countries affected by the United States’ 75-country visa suspension. Photo: TNS

Politics

Testing the waters: is Brics evolving into a security alliance?

6 hours ago

A Russian corvette ship is seen near Cape Town, South Africa, on January 9. The Will For Peace exercise brings together navies from Brics-plus countries. Photo: AFP

Economics

In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self-sufficiency

17 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

People wearing face masks walking on a street in Tokyo. Japan imports most of its antibiotics from China. Photo: AP

Politics

French ‘intimacy’: Philippines, France near deal for Indo-Pacific strength

17 Jan 2026 - 9:46AMvideocam

Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Miguel Malvar during a naval exercise in the South China Sea in August 2025. Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines, Public Affairs Office via AP

MORE IN This Week in Asia

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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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