This Week in Asia

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People
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Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Anwar Ibrahim with his daughter Nurul Izzah. Photo: Instagram/n_izzah

People

Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia’s youth aren’t buying it

The rapid ascent of Anwar’s heir apparent Nurul Izzah has alienated many young Malaysians who are tired of old feuds and unfulfilled promises.

Pakistan intensifies Balochistan insurgency crackdown after deadly bus bombing

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‘Friendly neighbour’: China premier congratulates Singapore’s Wong on win

Politics

Singapore’s new Muslim affairs minister condemns ‘divisive rhetoric’ on Gaza issue

Faishal Ibrahim takes a tougher position than his predecessor in defending former president Halimah Yacob against the Critical Spectator.

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Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim is sworn in as Singapore’s Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs on Friday. Photo: AFP
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim is sworn in as Singapore’s Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs on Friday. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Removal of Philippines’ beloved ‘sherpa cat’ Pugal sparks heated debate

Online users berate officials who extracted the animal from popular hiking trail over predatory concerns.

Economics

Indonesia faces calls to boost economy through more support for small businesses

Micro, small and medium enterprises account for over 60 per cent of Indonesia’s economy, and analysts say support for them is critical.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore’s housing challenge: why some young adults still live at home

High property costs and cultural norms keep many Singaporeans living with parents, as singles face challenges buying homes as adults.

High property costs and cultural norms keep many Singaporeans living with their parents, well into their adult years. Photo: Shutterstock
High property costs and cultural norms keep many Singaporeans living with their parents, well into their adult years. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Singapore’s new cabinet: PM Wong vows to steer country through new world order

Speaking at the Istana, Wong pledges to review and update Singapore’s economic strategies to meet the challenges of the new global landscape.

Lifestyle & Culture

Japan’s ‘men’s concept cafes’ face scrutiny over unlicensed adult services

By operating as restaurants, these cafes have managed to skirt Japan’s adult entertainment law licensing requirements.

Economics

India moves closer to trade deals with US and EU with lower tariffs as key aim

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says India and the US are aiming for a ‘mutually beneficial trade agreement’.

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A cargo ship at a port in Gujarat, India. New Delhi and Washington are in talks to seal a first-tranche trade deal. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Jets scrambled in 2 mins: inside South Korea’s secretive air defence centre

Pilots sprint to their planes seconds after an alert goes out at the Korea Air and Space Operations Centre.

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A US F-35B performs a flight demonstration during Osan Air Power Days 2025 at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 60km south of Seoul, on May 9. Photo: AFP
A US F-35B performs a flight demonstration during Osan Air Power Days 2025 at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 60km south of Seoul, on May 9. Photo: AFP

People

ICE raid on Filipino teachers in Hawaii decried as ‘abuse of power’ by senators

The raid, which witnesses described as ‘traumatic’, lasted more than 45 minutes and ended without arrests.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Foo Fighters permitted to swear and drink on stage in Indonesia, promoter says

The US band is also allowed to curse, as long as it does not touch on sensitive topics in the Muslim-majority country.

Politics

Philippines’ 2 new warships: a drop in the ocean amid South China Sea tensions?

The new Miguel Malvar-class ships can help Manila project strength if they are used as ‘part of a broader strategy’, experts say.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (centre) waves from the BRP Miguel Malvar at Subic naval base in the Philippines on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo

Health & Environment

‘Very painful’: Indian mob kills and mutilates endangered Bengal tiger

This is the third recorded tiger death in as many months in Assam, which is home to only 227 of the big cats.

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There are estimated to be fewer than 2,500 Royal Bengal tigers left in the world. Photo: Shutterstock
There are estimated to be fewer than 2,500 Royal Bengal tigers left in the world. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

‘Very vulnerable position’: US allies in Asia nervous about regional security

Return of Trump and his America-first policy seen to be source of anxiety for many partners and allies.

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Health & Environment

Indonesia’s Bali bans small plastic bottles: bold move or industry killer?

Bali’s governor has banned small plastic bottles to combat waste, sparking debate on environmental impact versus industry concerns.

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People

Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia’s youth aren’t buying it

The rapid ascent of Anwar’s heir apparent Nurul Izzah has alienated many young Malaysians who are tired of old feuds and unfulfilled promises.

Anwar Ibrahim with his daughter Nurul Izzah. Photo: Instagram/n_izzah
Anwar Ibrahim with his daughter Nurul Izzah. Photo: Instagram/n_izzah

Economics

Silicon rally: can Malaysia reclaim its semiconductor glory?

Outpacing regional chip rivals won’t be easy for ‘Silicon Malaysia’, but insiders say it has the subsidies, labour and will to succeed.

Politics

Water wars: as India weaponises rivers, Pakistan thirsts for security

India’s suspension of a decades-old water treaty has left Pakistan’s farmers facing ruin. Rivers are becoming battlegrounds elsewhere, too.

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Politics

Exclusive | Mahathir Mohamad on Trump, tariffs – and the end of the American century

Malaysia’s 99-year-old two-time PM delivers a blunt assessment of America’s ‘empire’ mentality and its impact in an exclusive interview.

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Mahathir Mohamad in his office at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: Hadi Azmi
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LATEST Asia NEWS

South Asia

Bangladesh’s interim govt warns of authoritarianism’s return

Nobel laureate and Chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government Muhammad Yunus. Photo: AFP

Politics

Pakistan intensifies Balochistan insurgency crackdown after deadly bus bombing

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Human rights activist hold portraits of children killed in the school bus bombing in Balochistan, during a rally in Karachi on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

South Asia

Monsoon early arrival in India raises hopes for bumper harvests

Motorists drive through a waterlogged street following heavy rainfall in Bengaluru, India, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Southeast Asia

High time Thailand restricts access to cannabis: public health minister

A cannabis dispensary stand on Khao San Road in Bangkok on Friday. Photo: AFP

People

‘Friendly neighbour’: China premier congratulates Singapore’s Wong on win

Chinese Premier Li Qiang at last year’s Asean-China Summit in Laos. Photo: Reuters
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OPINION
Indira Zahra Aridati

Asian Angle | In Southeast Asia’s climate battle, AI could prove a double-edged sword

Joseph Sipalan

My Take | From Russia with love: Anwar’s geopolitical play leaves a confusing trail

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Andrew Latham

Opinion | How the Indo-Pacific got its name – and what China has to do with it

Andrew Latham
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Jayant Menon

Asian Angle | Seeking the silver lining in Trump’s tariff turmoil

Jayant Menon
Jared Bissinger

Opinion | How Myanmar’s devastating earthquake threatens to leave a lasting economic scar

Jared Bissinger
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

How North Korea launched, and lost, its newest naval destroyer

North Korea investigates failed warship launch that infuriated Kim Jong-un
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Video

India and Pakistan to withdraw troops, resume border ceremony

India and Pakistan to withdraw troops from contested region, resume border ceremony
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Drivers protest against potential Grab-GoTo merger in Indonesia

Grab’s GoTo takeover bid: a step too far for Indonesia?
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Video

Why is Rodrigo Duterte still so popular?

Why ex-Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte was re-elected Davao mayor despite his ICC trial
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