Advertisement
Advertisement
-
TOPIC COLLECTION

Asia

Included topics:
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Myanmar

Why China’s Myanmar dilemma still persists, 5 years and 1 election later

Old concerns about stability and security linger as other big players vie for sway over Myanmar’s rare earth bounty and strategic location.

videocam
US-China trade war

After Trump’s tariff setback, will US firms rush to stockpile Chinese goods?

India

India in limbo over Russian oil imports as talks with US on trade deal continues

videocam

Video | North Korea holds military parade to mark ruling Workers’ Party Congress

Analysts say the event reflects a continued emphasis on military strength as a driving force for national development under Kim Jong Un’s leadership.

This picture taken on February 25, 2026 and released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 26, 2026 shows soldiers marching during the military parade commemorating the 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea at Kim Il-Sung Square in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP) / South Korea OUT / SOUTH KOREA OUT / ---EDITORS NOTE--- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS” - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS THIS PICTURE WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY A THIRD PARTY. AFP CAN NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, LOCATION, DATE AND CONTENT OF THIS IMAGE. /
01:05

Malaysia considers royal commission to probe anti-corruption agency allegations

The cabinet said it would decide after reviewing a taskforce report, as pressure mounts for MACC chief Azam Baki to step down.

videocam

China seeks to mediate after Pakistan declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

Beijing calls on Islamabad and Kabul to stay calm and exercise restraint as relations between the neighbours plummet.

videocam
11
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

In Korea, luxury goods are ‘like an ID card’. The Art of Sarah proves it

Netflix’s The Art of Sarah, following a woman running a counterfeit empire, is a harsh reflection of South Korea’s luxe goods fixation.

videocam
Shin Hye-sun as Sarah Kim in The Art of Sarah. The K-drama reflects South Korea’s real-world luxury obsession. Photo: Netflix

Video | Pakistan declares ‘open war’ with Taliban

Air strikes came hours after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops in what the Taliban government said was retaliation.

Anti-corruption agency seeks Malaysians’ help to find Daim’s 4 children

A source from the agency says the late ex-finance minister’s children are under investigation for failing to declare their assets.

47% of Hong Kong employees happy at work, lowest among 8 Asia-Pacific economies

Less than half of local employees report feeling happy at work, compared with 56 per cent from Singapore, according to Jobsdb Hong Kong.

The Jobsdb poll also found 44 per cent of local respondents reported burnout at work and that about 66 per cent were dissatisfied with their stress levels. Photo: Karma Lo

Malaysian politician Fahmi Zainol faces jail term for alleged assault on wife

Both Penang’s youngest executive councillor and his wife claimed they acted in self-defence after a squabble turned physical.

Fahim Zainol and wife Nur Hidayah Abd Jabar celebrate his birthday in October 2024. Photo: Facebook/Fahmi Zainol

Japan trans woman, 64, enjoys slow-paced life with lover, 86, wears princess dresses

Sex reassignment surgery recipient who faces problems using women’s facilities because of her size says she wants to slim down, wear miniskirts.

Indonesia’s bid to execute 6 cargo ship crew in drug case sparks legal debate

Prosecutors allege the crew knowingly transported nearly two tonnes of meth, while lawyers say criminal intent must be assessed individually.

videocam

Thai tourism looks to US$1 billion future as Tomorrowland picks up beat

Around 150,000 young ravers are expected to flood Pattaya for the world’s largest electronic music festival in December.

Fireworks thrill festivalgoers at Tomorrowland, the world’s largest electronic music festival. Photo: Facebook/Tomorrowland

Chinese tourists flock to Seoul, child shoved in Tokyo crossing: 7 highlights

From China tracking military moves near Iran to why tourists are ditching Tokyo for Seoul, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Visitors wear traditional Korean attire in Seoul on February 17. South Korea saw a sharp influx of Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday period that ended on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pertamina corruption trial: 9 jailed over US$17 billion state loss in Indonesia

Kerry Adrianto Riza, son of ‘gasoline godfather’ Riza Chalid, was given 15 years’ jail and ordered to pay US$173 million in restitution.

As China’s firms go global, foreign expertise is becoming a hot commodity

Chinese companies are rushing to hire a range of service contractors to help them expand overseas – from compliance experts to TikTok gurus.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Hong Kong stocks cap worst month since October on AI disruption angst

Concerns over AI’s disruptive impact on traditional industries continue to unsettle investors.

The so-called AI scare trade has roiled global stocks in February. Photo: AFP

Indian tycoon Anil Ambani’s US$410 million building seized in fraud probe

India’s anti-fraud agency said that the Reliance Communications owner had defaulted on over US$4.4 billion worth of bank loans.

Pakistan declares ‘open war’ with Afghan Taliban, attacks Kabul, Kandahar

The air strikes came hours after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops in what the Taliban government said was retaliation.

videocam

Japan on track for hottest summer ever as ocean temperatures surge

Various regions across Japan are expected to register above-normal temperatures between June and August, the weather agency says.

videocam
A man cooling down under a water misting system on a hot day in Tokyo in September last year. Photo: AFP

Singapore jails Malaysian who posed as policeman and raped helper

Sharveen Chetty also issued a threat to blacklist the victim from working in Singapore.

Singapore’s skyline. A Malaysian man was jailed for raping a domestic worker in the city state. Photo: Xinhua

Opinion | US’ 250th anniversary should be about ideals, not aggressive fundraising

The star of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in Asia should be its most enduring export – its founding principles.

videocam

How Pokemon took over the world as the beloved franchise turns 30

On Pokemon Day 2026, we look at the history of the global multimedia phenomenon and how it captured the hearts of children and adults alike.

Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe

Some Manus employees in Singapore move into Meta’s offices and have been given corporate accounts and other access, two sources said.

Manus rose to fame in March 2025 after releasing what it described as the world’s first general AI agent. Photo: Shutterstock

Video | Japan unveils AI robot monk

AI-powered “Buddharoid” offers spiritual guidance and could help ease Japan’s monk shortage.

Japanese researchers have unveiled “Buddharoid”, a two-legged AI-powered robot monk designed to offer Buddhist teachings and spiritual advice.
01:01

Macroscope | Normalisation of Trump’s chaos can only go so far

Markets assuming Trump will chicken out and downplaying risks contribute to the normalisation of the US president’s chaotic behaviour.

videocam

Singapore budget surplus: poor ‘fiscal marksmanship’ or prudent forecast?

MPs have questioned whether the GST rise was necessary after the government projected a US$12 billion surplus in the current financial year.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Asia
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Asia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.