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A woman carrying a dog votes during the general election at a polling station in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

Polls close as Thais seek route out of political decline

No party is forecast to win an outright majority and days of horse-trading likely lie ahead to see who can form a coalition government.

Japan

Japan’s Takaichi poised to regain big majority in election, exit polls show

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US immigration

‘Deported but not defeated’: the Southeast Asians cast out of Trump’s US

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Indonesia

Exclusive | Inside Indonesia’s inner circle: Hashim Djojohadikusumo on Prabowo’s vision

The Indonesian president’s brother talks ‘fried’ stocks, ‘mosquito’ rivals and MSCI’s Turkmenistan insult in an exclusive interview.

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Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s brother and trusted confidant, poses for a photograph after speaking with This Week in Asia. Photo: Rizky Maulana Yanua
Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s brother and trusted confidant, poses for a photograph after speaking with This Week in Asia. Photo: Rizky Maulana Yanua
South Korea

Hope for thaw? Seoul hints at ‘new progress’ in US-North Korea ties

The official’s remarks come amid speculation that US President Donald Trump could seek a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Thailand

As Thailand prepares to vote, can election deliver the change it needs?

Whoever wins will become Thailand’s fourth prime minister in three years but face a daunting task to revive the economy and ease political gridlock.

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Malaysia

Malaysian minister’s use of ‘Alhamdulillah’ sparks PAS’ objections

Nga Kor Ming’s use of the Arabic phrase in parliament prompted a warning by a PAS MP that it could ‘confuse Muslims’.

Malaysian Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming delivering a speech as the president of the UN Habitat Assembly on World Cities Day last year. Photo: YouTube/UN Habitat Worldwide
Malaysian Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming delivering a speech as the president of the UN Habitat Assembly on World Cities Day last year. Photo: YouTube/UN Habitat Worldwide
South Korea

A new start for Pyongyang? Fears mount as US-Russia nuclear pact expires

The end of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will be a blow to efforts to curb North Korea’s nuclear build-up, analysts say.

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South Korea

Coupang data leak threatens South Korea-US ties amid tariff tensions

The breach, which has fuelled public anger, shows how a domestic corporate scandal can escalate into a diplomatic flashpoint.

The Philippines

Filipino activists decry loss of public trust over failed bid to impeach Marcos

Public attention is now turning to two separate impeachment complaints filed against Vice-President Sara Duterte.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr speaking at the Apec CEO summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, in October. Photo: AP
Malaysia

‘Dominated by non-Malays’: study on elected Kuala Lumpur mayor spurs race debate

Critics slam the study as a ‘naive and misguided’ move by Minister Hannah Yeoh that would worsen the country’s ‘cultural war’.

Participants hold the national flag during Independence Day celebrations in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on August 31, 2025. Photo: EPA
Participants hold the national flag during Independence Day celebrations in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on August 31, 2025. Photo: EPA
Pakistan

Pakistan accuses ‘elements supported by India’ of organising Balochistan attacks

The attacks in recent days in the restive province caused the deaths of more than 250 civilians, security personnel and insurgents.

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Canada

‘Devil’s in the details’: why Asia may not sign up to Canada’s alliance call

While Canadian PM Mark Carney’s vision appeals to many, analysts say a lack of detail and divergent interests make a unified front unlikely.

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Japan

Could a ‘shock’ Pyongyang visit cement Japan PM Takaichi’s snap election bid?

Despite scepticism, a leading campaigner claims Pyongyang is ready to return surviving abductees for ‘immediate, large-scale’ aid.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers a speech in support for a local candidate at a campaign rally near Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Chinese buyers top the list in Malaysia’s MM2H golden visa scheme

While Chinese nationals lead the pack, Malaysia’s tourism minister also cites interest from the US, UK, Australia and Bangladesh.

Commercial buildings and residential housing in Kuala Lumpur. MM2H homeowners tend to cluster around prime districts in the Malaysian capital. Photo: AFP
Commercial buildings and residential housing in Kuala Lumpur. MM2H homeowners tend to cluster around prime districts in the Malaysian capital. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia did not cede any land to Indonesia, PM Anwar insists

Claims of a 5,200-hectare territorial handover to Indonesia are ‘a lie’, Malaysia’s prime minister tells lawmakers.

The Philippines

Calls grow for tougher rules to track foreign-paid ‘trolls’ in Philippines

Retired justice says updating the Foreign Agents Act will help deter individuals from espousing pro-Beijing content.

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Japan

As Japan’s Takaichi eyes big election win, will China stance shift?

A solid win will boost Takaichi’s position in foreign affairs but she is unlikely to become more confrontational towards China, analysts say.

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Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, attends an election campaign event in Nagano on Sunday. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters
Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, attends an election campaign event in Nagano on Sunday. Photo: Kyodo via Reuters
South Korea

‘Ruin you’: Cambodians outraged by South Korean president’s anti-scam threat

Critics said Lee Jae Myung should have posted in Chinese, not Khmer, as his warning to foreign syndicates sparked anger across Cambodia.

Malaysia

‘Not political gift’: sultan’s comment on pardons stirs debate over Najib’s case

The former prime minister claims that a decree has been issued allowing him to serve his reduced prison sentence at home.

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Japan

‘People are so polite’: why do Russian spies find Japan such an easy target?

A Russian spy, posing as a Ukrainian citizen, used a simple request for directions to trick a local worker into selling industrial secrets.

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People visit an observation tower in a suburb of Tokyo on Monday. Japan is pushing to strengthen its laws against spying. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan set to revive WWII military titles in controversial shift

While some argue the change aligns Japan with global norms, others say better pay – not historical titles – is what soldiers really need.

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A Japanese soldier watches the suburbs of Shanghai ablaze in this undated colourised photograph. Photo: Getty Images
A Japanese soldier watches the suburbs of Shanghai ablaze in this undated colourised photograph. Photo: Getty Images
South Korea

‘Lopsided deal’: South Korean trade experts warn against US tariff pressure

Washington’s tariff pressure is aimed at pushing Seoul to ‘move as fast as Japan’ in implementing its promised investments, analysts say.

The Philippines

Twin impeachments a ‘stress test’ for Philippine institutional strength

The exercise may risk economic damage, but could also show how a political crisis could be tackled using constitutional means, analysts say.

Singapore

Singapore aims for stars with its new space agency, in a boost for Asia-Pacific

By launching a national space agency, Singapore aims to scale its satellite capabilities and lead the Asia-Pacific in space sustainability.

Singapore is set to launch a national space agency to cement its status as regional innovation hub. Shutterstock/Nasa
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