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This Week in Asia

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Malaysian activist Arun Dorasamy. Photo: Facebook/arundorasamy

Politics

Malaysia tackles racial tensions as 2 men charged over provocative posts

Police also pursue another suspect, who is believed to have fled to Thailand, amid rising inflammatory rhetoric and temple disputes.

Fate of US-Malaysia trade pact rests on Washington’s next move

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‘Poor’ foreigners not welcome? Japan bets on AI while upping visa fee

Politics

Japan identifies 1,500 new missile shelters as ‘front line’ fears grow

Underground car parks and subways are being repurposed as Tokyo warns of the most severe security threat since the second world war.

Japan has confirmed 1,489 sites – including subway stations and underground car parks – as being suitable for providing short-term protection in the event of an attack. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan has confirmed 1,489 sites – including subway stations and underground car parks – as being suitable for providing short-term protection in the event of an attack. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

‘Catch-22 situation’: South Korea walks tightrope over Trump’s Hormuz call

Seoul is expected to seek national consensus and wait for the outcome of the Takaichi-Trump summit before deciding, observers say.

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People

Arrest of stateless teen in Malaysia highlights Sabah’s citizenship crisis

Rights groups say stateless people in the country are often treated as undocumented migrants without basic protections.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Most Filipino women think a woman’s place is in the home, survey finds

A record 83 per cent of women in the Philippines now say they find domestic life as fulfilling as a career, a 30-year high.

Filipinos take part in a protest in Manila to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8. Photo: Reuters
Filipinos take part in a protest in Manila to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

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Health & Environment

‘Ocean is our income’: the Malaysian fishers being pushed out by progress

Malaysia’s government says the Port Klang expansion is sustainable and essential. Local Mah Meri fishers fear for their livelihoods.

Politics

Myanmar’s junta-proxy parliament meets for first time since 2021 coup

Stacked with military allies and ex-generals, the new assembly aims to legitimise a regime the United Nations and EU have branded a sham.

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Military representatives (in green) and other members of Myanmar’s parliament attend a session in Naypyidaw on Monday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia’s government accused of using law to silence critics

Civil society groups say an investigation into an alleged plot to topple the government risks shrinking civic space.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks in parliament in October last year. Photo: Malaysia’s Department of Information/AFP
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks in parliament in October last year. Photo: Malaysia’s Department of Information/AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Why Philippines’ Jollibee is Southeast Asia’s lone global food chain

The company is the only Southeast Asian name to make the top tier of a recent list of the world’s strongest restaurant brands, placing fifth.

Politics

Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?

The Iran war complicates Trump-Takaichi talks, putting her in a bind between US demands and constitutional limits on military action.

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People

No longer safe: Iran war puts 9 million Indian workers in the line of fire

As missiles fly, drone strikes from Dubai to Doha are shattering the illusion of safety for millions of Indian expats living in the Gulf.

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A worker assesses the damage after a drone strike on a building in Dubai’s Creek Harbour neighbourhood on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Top of the world: why Indonesian workers are happiest in Asia-Pacific

While a survey shows that 82 per cent of Indonesian workers are happy, it also flags increasing burnout among them.

Indonesians walk on a pedestrian bridge in Jakarta. Photo: EPA-EFE
Indonesians walk on a pedestrian bridge in Jakarta. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy

Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.

Economics

Inside the coconut cartel: how Chinese money squeezes Thai farmers

With Chinese investors seizing the supply chain, Thai coconuts now fetch less than a piece of chewing gum, wiping out profits for growers.

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Politics

Graft and gridlock: in Anwar’s Malaysia, reformist cracks widen

Malaysia’s prime minister can’t pass his own reform bills. His coalition appears to be cracking – and time is running out.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

People

‘It’s inevitable’: Singapore’s workers brace for AI disruption

The city state wants 100,000 workers to become ‘AI bilingual’. But with entry-level roles already vanishing, time may not be on its side.

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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.

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
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Southeast Asia

Vietnam warns of April flight reductions as jet fuel shortage fears deepen

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Vietnam faces potential flight cuts from April due to jet fuel shortages. Photo: EPA

Politics

Malaysia tackles racial tensions as 2 men charged over provocative posts

Malaysian activist Arun Dorasamy. Photo: Facebook/arundorasamy

Economics

Fate of US-Malaysia trade pact rests on Washington’s next move

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Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari Abdul Ghani. Photo: Facebook/joharighaniofficial

Asia

Japanese governor turns heads, Nepal’s new PM is a rapper: 7 Asia highlights

Left: Takato Ishida, the 36-year-old governor of Fukui, attends a session of the prefectural assembly. Right: Ishida attending the Special Committee on Anti-Harassment on Monday. Photos: Instagram / ishida.takato

Economics

‘Poor’ foreigners not welcome? Japan bets on AI while upping visa fee

People gather at a port in Shizuoka prefecture, Japan, with Mount Fuji in the background. Photo: AFP
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Barbora Valockova

Opinion | Underwater and unprotected: why Asean and the EU must secure subsea lifelines

Barbora Valockova
Ben Dunant

Opinion | Myanmar’s junta staged an election. It couldn’t stage legitimacy

Ben Dunant
Napon Jatusripitak,Duncan McCargo

Asian Angle | How to win an election in Thailand: stage a rebrand, rely on rural votes

Napon Jatusripitak
Duncan McCargo
Donald Rothwell

Opinion | Australia needs to make its stance on the Iran attacks known

Donald Rothwell
David Lam

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

David Lam
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
03:09
Video

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
02:34
Video

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
02:02
Video

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
04:27
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