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This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
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Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Chuando Tan is a fashion photographer and former model. Photo: Instagram/chuando_chuandoandfrey

People

Singapore’s ‘ageless’ Chuando Tan turns 60 and fans still swoon over ex-model

While online users continue to marvel over his looks and physique, Tan has said he does not have a secret formula for eternal youth.

Philippine lawmaker slammed for ‘sexist’ remarks in defence of VP Sara

South Korean drink-spike killer quizzed ChatGPT for lethal doses, police say

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Politics

Reality check for Anwar’s reform push after Malaysian parliamentary setback

The failure to pass key reforms reflects ‘looser’ discipline in the ruling bloc and complex political negotiations facing Anwar, analysts say.

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government is facing a period of turbulence as Malaysia edges closer to its next general election. Photo: EPA
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government is facing a period of turbulence as Malaysia edges closer to its next general election. Photo: EPA

Politics

North Korea’s hostage strategy packs more bite in post-Iran US shake-up

The Pentagon wants Seoul to shoulder more of its defence burden. Analysts say it may have strengthened Kim Jong-un’s hand instead.

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Economics

Thailand’s PTT to freeze pump prices as Iran attacks spur panic buying in region

The energy firm will maintain prices for 15 days, even as Thailand says it will still export oil to Laos.

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Health & Environment

Muslims in Japan were falsely blamed for illegal buildings. Then came the fires

It started with social media posts falsely blaming Muslims for building violations. Then came the fires.

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The aftermath of a fire on Saturday at Ebetsu Masjid, a mosque in the city of Ebetsu, central Hokkaido, Japan. Photo: Facebook/Kamran Khan
The aftermath of a fire on Saturday at Ebetsu Masjid, a mosque in the city of Ebetsu, central Hokkaido, Japan. Photo: Facebook/Kamran Khan

People

In Japan, a yakuza’s mansion is now for sale. Here’s why

Set to be sold due to a court order, the house was the target of a drive-by shooting and an arson attack in recent years.

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Politics

Duterte allies use Iran war threat to attack Philippines’ US ties

Social media posts claim US bases in the Philippines are like ‘bullseyes on Filipino soil’, prompting the military to debunk the disinformation.

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Lifestyle & Culture

‘Social morals are dying’: Japan’s under-20s are getting high like never before

The relaxed attitude towards ‘fashionable’ drugs has been cited as one reason for more young Japanese arrested for cannabis offences.

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People take part in a march in Tokyo in 2023 calling for the legalisation of cannabis. Photo: AFP

People

Villagers’ ‘swift action’ stops runaway train in Malaysia’s Sabah

The train had suffered a brake failure during a morning commute in southwest Sabah, prompting calls from officials for a full investigation.

Quick-thinking villagers in Malaysia’s Sabah state sacrificed a vital motorised rail trolley to force the runaway train to stop. The train had suffered a brake failure. Photo: handout
Quick-thinking villagers in Malaysia’s Sabah state sacrificed a vital motorised rail trolley to force the runaway train to stop. The train had suffered a brake failure. Photo: handout

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Too high a cost’: why some Singaporeans are forgoing parenthood

As the city state battles a record low fertility rate, analysts say deeper anxieties and rising opportunity costs continue to shape decisions.

Politics

‘Nothing to them’: Indonesia’s US-Iran peace broker bid faces long odds

Indonesia’s president offered to fly to Tehran in person, but critics say joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ cost Jakarta its neutrality.

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Politics

Gulf states take the fight to Iran as missiles target oil, gas and trade

The UAE, Qatar and others had a plan for staying out of a US-Iran war. It relied on the assumption that Iran would leave them out of it too.

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A plume of smoke rises from the port of Jebel Ali following a reported Iranian strike in Dubai on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysian student charged with desecrating Koran in viral video

The viral post showing a man stepping on the Koran and mocking the Prophet Mohammed has triggered 82 police reports and a national outcry.

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A pupil learns to read Arabic during a Koran memorisation lesson. Photo: EPA
A pupil learns to read Arabic during a Koran memorisation lesson. Photo: EPA

People

Allies of Philippines’ Duterte step up online attacks as drug war trial looms

The efforts have focused on undermining the ICC itself, targeting victims and witnesses and normalising mockery of the dead.

People

She married 2 men at once in Thailand – and her mother is fine with it

The two Austrian grooms each paid a 1 million baht dowry, then celebrated by leaping into a pond.

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Politics

Build fast, grow rich: To Lam’s blueprint for a rising Vietnam

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief is staking his legacy on 10 per cent growth, domestic megaprojects and an overseas charm offensive.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

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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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.

Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Southeast Asia

Philippines arrests Filipino nationals suspected of spying for China

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A screen grab from China’s CCTV news footage shows (from left) David Servañez, Albert Endencia and Nathalie Plizardo, the three Philippine nationals arrested on suspicion of spying in China. Photo: CCTV

People

Singapore’s ‘ageless’ Chuando Tan turns 60 and fans still swoon over ex-model

Chuando Tan is a fashion photographer and former model. Photo: Instagram/chuando_chuandoandfrey

Politics

Philippine lawmaker slammed for ‘sexist’ remarks in defence of VP Sara

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte once admitted imagining herself beheading President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: Kyodo

South Asia

Sri Lanka recovers ‘a few bodies’ after Iran warship sinking

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An ambulance enters Sri Lanka’s southern naval head quarters in Galle on Wednesday to pick up Iranian sailors rescued from Iranian frigate Iris Dena that was sunk off their island earlier in the day. Photo: AFP

Politics

North Korea’s hostage strategy packs more bite in post-Iran US shake-up

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Troops march through Kim Il-Sung Square in Pyongyang for a military parade on February 25. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
David Lam

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia needs AI sovereignty – the Grok scandal proved it

David Lam
Stephen Olson

Opinion | Southeast Asia, do not mistake Trump’s tariff defeat for a reprieve

Stephen Olson
Alex Capri

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Alex Capri
Ivan Franceschini,Charlotte Setijadi,Ling Li

Opinion | Cambodia’s scam factory survivors find no escape in freedom

Ivan Franceschini
Charlotte Setijadi
Ling Li
Sharon Seah

Asian Angle | How Asean can resolve its Myanmar dilemma post-election

Sharon Seah
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MULTIMEDIA
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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
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Video

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
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Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
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Video

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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