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This Week in Asia /

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South China Sea
Malaysia 1MDB scandal
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Garment workers tailor clothes in a factory in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces daunting post-election challenges in economy, garment sector

A key concern for Dhaka is the upgrade to developing nation status, with the key garment sector set to face stiffer competition.

Malaysia

Explainer | What US tariffs mean for Malaysian businesses and workers

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Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Explainer | Why is Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal still casting a long shadow over its economy?

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Malaysia

Explainer | What to know about Najib’s house arrest bid and the existence of a royal ‘decree’

The controversy is growing, as the government evades confirming its existence while Umno pushes for Najib’s release, straining the fragile unity government.

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Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is escorted by prison officers after court proceedings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on January 19, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is escorted by prison officers after court proceedings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on January 19, 2024. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

Explainer | South Korea’s first lady Kim: from Dior bag scandal to martial law fallout

Her husband, President Yoon Suk-yeol, has been accused of using martial law to protect her from investigations, further fuelling public discontent.

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Japan

Video | Will Japan’s economy recover under a new leader?

The island nation slipped into recession in 2024, losing its status as the world’s third-largest economy.

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Thailand

Explainer | Srettha’s exit: are Thailand’s conservatives on the rise, democracy in retreat?

Despite challenges from other parties, Pheu Thai “will almost certainly remain in government”, an analyst says

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A newspaper featuring a photograph of Thailand’s former prime minister Srettha Thavisin, at a news stand in Bangkok. Photo: Bloomberg
A newspaper featuring a photograph of Thailand’s former prime minister Srettha Thavisin, at a news stand in Bangkok. Photo: Bloomberg
Thailand

Explainer | Thai PM next in firing line as country struggles to shrug off political chaos

All you need to know about two decades of political upheavals in the kingdom.

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Bangladesh

Explainer | With Hasina gone, Bangladesh peers into the unknown. Here’s what we know

Elections expected to be held as soon as possible but shape of future government uncertain over role of army, future of protesting students.

Thailand

Explainer | ‘Train-wreck Day’ for Thailand as courts hold political future in their hands

Thailand’s courts will hear evidence against key figures including PM Srettha Thavisin, in cases that could undermine the government and opposition.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has struggled to win over the public despite tireless globetrotting efforts to drum up inward investment into Thailand. Photo: AP
Japan

Talks on China-Japan-South Korea FTA merely ‘symbolic’ given US opposition

Leaders of the three countries have pledged to “speed up negotiations” for a trilateral FTA after a delay of several years.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the eighth business summit among China, Japan and South Korea, in Seoul. Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei
Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the eighth business summit among China, Japan and South Korea, in Seoul. Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei
Iran

Explainer | How Ebrahim Raisi’s death could affect Iran’s leadership and regional ties

Tehran has stressed political continuity, even as analysts caution that a ‘harsh struggle’ is expected in the race to become Iran’s next president.

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India

Explainer | India election: what stands between victory and PM Modi’s ruling BJP?

Voter concerns such as inflation and unemployment are unlikely to derail PM Modi and his ruling BJP’s path to victory, analysts say.

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Indonesia

Explainer | Indonesia election 2024: everything you need to know

Controversies have dogged this election cycle, especially of President Joko Widodo’s influence over state institutions for his preferred candidate Prabowo Subianto.

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A man walks past an election banner in Jakarta introducing presidential candidates. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Explainer | Why are rivals of Malaysia’s PM Anwar ensnared in a corruption investigation?

Malaysia’s ex-minister Daim Zainuddin, the former aide of Mahathir Mohamad, faces questions over his wealth as PM Anwar Ibrahim cracks down on endemic corruption.

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Malaysia’s Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin in parliament in 2001. File photo: AFP
Malaysia’s Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin in parliament in 2001. File photo: AFP
Pacific nations

Explainer | As PNG vows return to normality, will chaos mar its ties with US and China?

Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape has cancelled a trip to Davos as he fends off calls to resign while trying to defuse the national crisis sparked by a police pay dispute.

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Myanmar

Explainer | Could Myanmar’s military be deposed by armed groups fighting across the country?

The junta is facing its gravest challenge from armed groups following their coordinated attacks in Shan State.

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Indonesia

Explainer | Indonesia election 2024: the biggest issues facing the 3 presidential hopefuls

Campaigning is likely to spotlight political dynasties, Indonesia’s new capital Nunsantara, youth and Muslim voters, and intra party rivalry in the ruling party.

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Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, right, and his running mate Mahfud MD greet supporters on October 19. Photo: EPA-EFE
Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, right, and his running mate Mahfud MD greet supporters on October 19. Photo: EPA-EFE
Israel-Gaza war

Analysis | Why Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are struggling to mediate the Israel-Gaza war

Brokering a ceasefire appears all but impossible amid the escalating violence, as fears grow of a massive humanitarian crisis – and Israel vows to wipe the Palestinian militant group ‘off the face of the Earth’.

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Israel-Gaza war

Explainer | Could the Israel-Gaza war become multi-front involving Iran and Hezbollah?

The Israel-Gaza war is set to put the region on a knife-edge with risks of escalation involving Iran, its Lebanon-based ally Hezbollah and even others.

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War and conflict

Explainer | What to know about the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

This week’s offensive was due to ‘decades of frustration after the failure of the international community’ to resolve conflict, say analysts, and with the war in Ukraine distracting Russia.

People take part in an anti-government rally in downtown Yerevan in Armenia on Friday, following Azerbaijani military operations against Armenian separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Explainer | What a weak ringgit means for Malaysia’s economy and PM Anwar in the state polls

Greater exposure to China’s economy and easing commodity prices are among the factors likely to have contributed to the ringgit’s decline compared to its Asean peers, observers say.

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Malaysian 50 ringgit banknotes at a currency exchange store in Kuala Lumpur. The currency has been Southeast Asia’s worst performer so far this year. Photo: Bloomberg
Malaysian 50 ringgit banknotes at a currency exchange store in Kuala Lumpur. The currency has been Southeast Asia’s worst performer so far this year. Photo: Bloomberg
Japan

Explainer | What to know about Japan’s plan to release Fukushima waste water into the sea

The plan to dump treated radioactive waste water from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea has stirred debates in South Korea, and led to boycotts of Japanese goods in China. Japanese fishermen have also vehemently opposed the plan.

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South Korea

Explainer | What to know about South Korea-Japan ties as Yoon, Kishida meet

Building closer security ties to counter North Korea’s threat, expanding economic cooperation are among the issues likely to be the focus of Kishida’s Seoul trip.

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Thailand

Explainer | What to know about the major candidates, parties contesting Thailand’s election

Pro-democrats hope to oust the ruling coalition of former army types and conservatives, in an election set to be Thailand’s most unpredictable in two decades.

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Campaign posters for this year’s general election line a street in Bangkok. Photo: AFP
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