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This Week in Asia /

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Australian sinologist Wang Gungwu (left), speaking about his new book “In No Borders: Journeys Across Islands and Continents” at its launch in Singapore on Thursday. Photo: Jean Iau
Singapore

In his Singapore book launch, Wang Gungwu recounts own journey through history

Wang says in his book that there are no borders between civilisations and that the past provides the ‘guideposts to the future’.

Singapore

Singapore court rules man, 97, mentally fit to marry mistress

Indonesia

Why ‘rampant baby trafficking’ is a growing concern in Indonesia, Singapore

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Japan

Will North Korea compensate Japanese citizens lured into ‘paradise on Earth’?

A Tokyo court has ordered Pyongyang to pay damages, but the plaintiffs are now bracing for a long fight to enforce the ruling.

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Plaintiffs, their lawyers and supporters gather outside the Tokyo District Court after winning its decision ordering North Korea to pay damages over its decades-long human rights violations after luring them to move to the North by Pyongyang’s false promises of living in “paradise on Earth”, on Monday in Japan. Photo: AP
Plaintiffs, their lawyers and supporters gather outside the Tokyo District Court after winning its decision ordering North Korea to pay damages over its decades-long human rights violations after luring them to move to the North by Pyongyang’s false promises of living in “paradise on Earth”, on Monday in Japan. Photo: AP
Singapore

Would you intervene? Singapore train-spitting case spotlights bystander culture

A viral MRT incident has revived debate over whether Singaporeans should intervene when disorderly behaviour plays out in public.

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The Philippines

Filipino’s death fuels concern over coercive recruitment in Ukraine war

Observers say the case of John Patrick reflects human exploitation and the structural pressure on Russia’s manpower resources.

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Japan

Why 25 years after Tokyo rail tragedy, ‘drunk passenger’ problem still persists

The 2001 tragedy, where two men died trying to rescue a drunk passenger, spurred a series of upgrades, including installation of platform doors.

Pedestrians cross the street in front of Shin Okubo station in Tokyo, Japan. A 2001 tragedy at the station spurred a series of safety upgrades. Photo: dpa
Pedestrians cross the street in front of Shin Okubo station in Tokyo, Japan. A 2001 tragedy at the station spurred a series of safety upgrades. Photo: dpa
Malaysia

Corruption suspect’s wheelchair court appearance sparks mockery in Malaysia

The wife of a former army chief was seen walking before later using a wheelchair in court, prompting cynical social media commentary.

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Thailand

Thailand’s Pita hopes to rise again through reformist People’s Party successor

The former leader was blocked from leading government and banned from politics after his party stunned the ruling elite in 2023.

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The Philippines

‘Bitter fruits’: why the Philippines faces a 10-year climb to fix its schools

Its ‘historic’ US$23 billion education budget might not be enough to close long-standing gaps, experts say.

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Children walk to school in Bulacan province, north of Manila, in 2025. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Groomed at 15: Indonesian actress lays bare her stolen youth in viral memoir

Aurelie Moeremans’ book has sparked a national debate in Indonesia on how a teenager could be manipulated and abused in plain sight.

Indonesian actress Aurelie Moeremans’ memoir, “Broken Strings: Fragments of Stolen Youth”, details her experience of being groomed as a teenager. Photo: Handout
Indonesian actress Aurelie Moeremans’ memoir, “Broken Strings: Fragments of Stolen Youth”, details her experience of being groomed as a teenager. Photo: Handout
Thailand

3 children accused of setting man on fire in Thailand for a video

The suspects, aged just nine to 15, allegedly doused the sleeping man in liquid and filmed him as the flames erupted.

Thailand

‘So fake’: viral Lisa image for Thai tourism fuels AI concerns

The image of K-pop star Lisa Manobal framed against blooms of the Red Lotus Sea has sparked a meme wave and debate about AI in creative work.

South Korea

K-drama star Cha Eun-woo’s ad campaigns pulled amid tax scrutiny in South Korea

The actor is contesting an additional tax assessment of more than US$13 million tied to a company registered under his mother’s name.

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South Korean actor Cha Eun-woo. Photo: Instagram/eunwo.o_c
Malaysia

Rohingya refugees at risk of removal as Malaysia begins biometric documentation

Rohingya are often undocumented as Myanmar’s authorities refuse to recognise them as a legitimate community.

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A wooden boat carrying suspected Rohingya migrants is detained in waters off the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, in 2020. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency/AP
A wooden boat carrying suspected Rohingya migrants is detained in waters off the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, in 2020. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency/AP
Malaysia

Malaysian badminton player threatened with knife attack online over performance

Several shuttlers in Malaysia have faced online abuse after their early exits in major tournaments.

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Malaysia

Malaysian ex-army head, wife deny laundering US$544,000 in procurement scandal

Prosecutors say ‘proceeds from unlawful activity’ were banked into accounts of Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his wife from 2024 to 2025.

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South Korea

South Korean court’s harsh jail term for Han sets stage for Yoon’s verdict

The ex-prime minister was jailed for 23 years for his role in Yoon’s martial law decree, deemed an ‘insurrection from above’ by the court.

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Former South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo (right) is questioned by a reporter as he arrives at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Former South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo (right) is questioned by a reporter as he arrives at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Japan

‘I was a victim’: survey reveals surge in men groped on Tokyo transit

Experts say the 15.1 per cent figure is striking and a reminder that women are not the only targets of molestation on public transport.

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Vietnam

Efficiency or autocracy? What To Lam’s power grab will mean for Vietnam

The Communist Party’s general secretary is already behaving as if he ‘expects a mandate’ to add the presidency to his portfolio, experts say.

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World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world

The city state’s president urges nations to build resilient global alliances and, at a separate panel, calls for ways to boost job creation.

Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the 56th annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia police arrest 9 in Medan baby trafficking case linked to social media

The arrests come as Singapore scrutinises adoption cases linked to separate baby trafficking allegations involving Indonesia.

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A newborn baby lies in a hospital bassinet. Photo: Shutterstock
A newborn baby lies in a hospital bassinet. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Malaysia media groups urge action after reporter allegedly assaulted at event

The incident follows the detention of another journalist under the Sedition Act, sharpening concerns about intimidation and press freedom.

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North Korea

‘Goat yoked to an ox cart’: Kim Jong-un fires minister amid factory delay

By firing vice-minister Yang Sung-ho on the spot, Kim appears to be asserting his authority ahead of a crucial party congress, experts say.

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Indonesia

Indonesia strips ex-police officer of citizenship for joining Russian forces

The former Aceh police officer lost his nationality after sending a video claiming he had joined the Wagner Group in Ukraine.

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Image circulating on social media showing former Indonesian police officer Muhammad Rio after he joined Russia’s Wagner Group. Photo: Handout
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