-

This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Japanese women in Okinawa show off vegetables freshly picked from their garden. Photo: Getty Images

Health & Environment

Long and short of it: why Okinawa lost crown as Japan’s island of longevity

Okinawan men fell from first to 43rd while women slipped to 16th in the last life expectancy survey, a slide that is expected to continue.

videocam

‘Unprecedented’: Japan’s 1-party era under threat as centrists unite

Diversify or die: Asian firms face trade uncertainty amid Trump’s Mexico threats

videocam

Politics

US ambassador to Singapore’s much ‘larger gifts’ call to mark July 4 rankles

In light of recent US actions, Anjani Sinha’s call could be deemed as the embassy trying to ‘shake down businesses’, an analyst says.

8
Then ambassador-nominee to Singapore, Anjani Sinha, facing questions from Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in July. Photo: YouTube/Tammy Duckworth
Then ambassador-nominee to Singapore, Anjani Sinha, facing questions from Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in July. Photo: YouTube/Tammy Duckworth

Economics

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

According to a leaked document, Washington proposed lowering tariffs if Indonesia bought US-made drones and publicly announced the purchase.

videocam

People

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.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

People

Seoul airport ‘suicide flight’ threat sparks police manhunt in South Korea

A self-proclaimed pilot has threatened a crash and stabbing at Gimpo Airport in protest against the merger of Korean Air and Asiana.

videocam
An Asiana Airlines plane takes off from an airport in Seoul on January 14. Photo: Korea Times
An Asiana Airlines plane takes off from an airport in Seoul on January 14. Photo: Korea Times

Politics

Crossing a line: did military spies help a student fly drones into North Korea?

What began as a student’s claim of hunting radioactive waste has spiralled into a scandal linking military spies to dangerous border flights.

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Indecent’ aerobics: viral Zumba video triggers police probe in Malaysia

Headscarf-wearing instructors ignited a social media firestorm and religious backlash after being filmed performing in clothing considered skimpy.

Politics

Bangladeshi student leaders ousted Hasina. Now their political future is unsure

The party born of protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina now finds itself overshadowed by a resurgent Jamaat-e-Islami.

videocam
Members of the National Citizen Party during a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in May 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

Singapore’s retail ownership data sparks debate about foreign chains’ influence

Some observers warn that public perception could be warped since popular foreign chains in places with high footfall may be more visible.

Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping belt. Photo: Singapore Tourism Board
Singapore’s Orchard Road shopping belt. Photo: Singapore Tourism Board

People

Japan weighs disturbing grave of over 700 children to recover WWII relics

A US submarine attack in 1944 claimed 1,484 lives, and officials are now consulting families on whether to raise artefacts or let them lie.

4

Politics

Is first impeachment bid against Philippines’ Marcos an ‘inoculation’?

Observers said the filing could trigger procedural limits that would block more substantive impeachment bids.

videocam

Politics

Japan’s Takaichi rolls dice on snap poll, bets popularity can save scandal-hit LDP

The PM stakes her future on a February 8 vote, but one expert warns her support may not save a ruling party dogged by funding scandals.

videocam
6
Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s prime minister, speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan in December 2025. Photo: Reuters

Politics

King warns of wider corruption ‘hunt’ as military scandal rocks Malaysia

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar says the army procurement scandal is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, as he warns against abuse of power in office.

videocam
Malaysia’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar has warned officials that they will be “traitors to the nation” if they are involved in corrupt practices. Photo: AFP
Malaysia’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar has warned officials that they will be “traitors to the nation” if they are involved in corrupt practices. Photo: AFP

Economics

Silver steps out of gold’s shadow as Southeast Asian investors rush in

Soaring prices, tight supply and geopolitical uncertainty are driving a regional rush into the once-overlooked precious metal.

videocam

People

Anwar’s reform record questioned after Malaysian reporter’s sedition arrest

Rex Tan’s arrest for asking a ‘sensitive question’ shows how a colonial-era act continues to hold back Malaysian reforms, critics say.

5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

videocam
Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP
Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) and Vice-President Sara Duterte are seen at a protest march in Manila. Photo: AFP

Economics

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

8

Economics

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

Economics

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST Asia NEWS

Politics

‘Unprecedented’: Japan’s 1-party era under threat as centrists unite

Japan’s Prime Minister and ruling Liberal Democratic Party president Sanae Takaichi (centre), LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki (left) and LDP Vice-President Taro Aso (right) attend a party meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Politics

US ambassador to Singapore’s much ‘larger gifts’ call to mark July 4 rankles

8
Then ambassador-nominee to Singapore, Anjani Sinha, facing questions from Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in July. Photo: YouTube/Tammy Duckworth

Health & Environment

Long and short of it: why Okinawa lost crown as Japan’s island of longevity

videocam
Japanese women in Okinawa show off vegetables freshly picked from their garden. Photo: Getty Images

People

Seoul airport ‘suicide flight’ threat sparks police manhunt in South Korea

videocam
An Asiana Airlines plane takes off from an airport in Seoul on January 14. Photo: Korea Times

Economics

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

videocam
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his US counterpart Donald Trump shake hands during a world leaders’ summit in Egypt in October 2025. Photo: Reuters
MORE Asia NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Chandran Nair

Asian Angle | China has a worthy blueprint to improve the UN. Why is the West ignoring it?

Chandran Nair
8
Iman Muttaqin Yusof

‘No oil here’: Malaysians turn US embassy space post into foreign-policy satire

Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Marco Kamiya

Asian Angle | To win the future, Southeast Asia must rewrite its industrial rule book

Marco Kamiya
I Gusti Bagus Dharma Agastia

Asian Angle | Indonesia’s digital 2045 ambition rests on a fragile seabed spine

I Gusti Bagus Dharma Agastia
Amani Braa

Opinion | From memes to the streets: Gen Z’s fight back against corruption

Amani Braa
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
Singapore
Malaysia
The Philippines
Indonesia
South China Sea
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MOST POPULAR
1

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

2

Malaysian petrol station operators fume as foreign fuel cheats go unpunished

3

Philippine tourism chief’s magazine cover draws backlash as visitor numbers slip

4

Malaysia’s super-rich get cold feet as Langkawi luxury car tax perks vanish

5

‘No oil here’: Malaysians turn US embassy space post into foreign-policy satire

videocam