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This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

With the economy struggling and corruption rife, Thai voters will look to the February 8 election as a chance to turn the country around.

Malaysia rushes to plug leaks as Sabah’s subsidised fuel flows to Philippines

A tale of two cities: Singapore, Hong Kong and their contrasting paths

Politics

Will India warm to Russia’s bid to revive troika with China?

Analysts say New Delhi may see a ‘limited role’ for the Russia-India-China trialogue amid global tensions and competing priorities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Tianjin, China, in September 2025. Photo: Kyodo
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Tianjin, China, in September 2025. Photo: Kyodo

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore begins ban on ‘undesirable’ visitors, airlines to comply or face fine

Among such visitors barred from entering are those with a criminal record in Singapore or who pose a threat to public safety.

Lifestyle & Culture

SKY’s the limit: behind push to end academic elitism in South Korean hiring

Hiring practices have traditionally been centred around which school a candidate attended, with higher-paying jobs going to elite alumni.

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Economics

Is Philippines falling behind in EV race as Southeast Asia revs up?

Policy uncertainty and the Philippines’ lack of competitiveness in key areas have reinforced investor unease, observers say.

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Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Electric vehicles accounted for only 12 per cent of vehicle sales in the Philippines last year. Photo: Shutterstock
Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Electric vehicles accounted for only 12 per cent of vehicle sales in the Philippines last year. Photo: Shutterstock

Economics

Saudi Arabia set to redraw economic road map as megaprojects scale down

A plunge in construction deals and the postponement of the 2029 Asian Winter Games have cast doubts on Riyadh’s Vision 2030.

People

Meet the PM candidates vying for leadership in Thailand

Reformers, conservatives and populists face off in the coming election with lofty promises to fix the country’s economy and political system.

People

Will young Malaysians play a key role in next election through swing votes?

Gen Z voters are more concerned about practical policies than party ideology, analysts say.

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Voters wait in line at a polling station during Malaysia’s 15th general election on November 19, 2022, in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: TNS

Health & Environment

‘Stay calm’: crocodile sighting pauses water fun at Singapore’s Sentosa

Officials boost patrols, urge residents to follow safety signs and report sightings to NParks.

Singapore’s Sentosa island has suspended all water activities after a crocodile was spotted off Sentosa Cove. Photo: Facebook/coxie
Singapore’s Sentosa island has suspended all water activities after a crocodile was spotted off Sentosa Cove. Photo: Facebook/coxie

Politics

Kim Jong-un set to signal stronger nuclear deterrence posture at congress

After viewing a test of a multiple rocket launcher system, Kim is likely to unveil ICBM plans capable of hitting the US, analysts say.

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Economics

Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

The adverse impact of pollution could lead to significant health and economic costs for India if left unchecked.

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People

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’.

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

Lifestyle & Culture

Can Malaysian football ‘reset’? Mass resignations kick off reboot debate

Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say.

The Football Association of Malaysia’s logo is displayed at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
The Football Association of Malaysia’s logo is displayed at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Base instincts: why US warship visit won’t calm fears over Cambodian port

The USS Cincinnati is the first US warship to dock at Ream Naval Base since its China-funded expansion was completed in April last year.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Will Thai tourism ambassador Blackpink’s Lisa help lure Chinese visitors back?

Chinese visitor arrivals slumped by nearly 30 per cent last year amid concerns over safety, the border war with Cambodia and the strong baht.

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Politics

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

With the economy struggling and corruption rife, Thai voters will look to the February 8 election as a chance to turn the country around.

Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP
Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?

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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.

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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.

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Shoppers walk along a street illuminated with decorative lights ahead of New Year celebrations in Bengaluru, India, last month. Photo: AFP
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LATEST Asia NEWS

East Asia

Do voters expect smiles? Why masks hurt female politicians in Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves to supporters during an election campaign event in Kawasaki on Saturday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters

Economics

Is Philippines falling behind in EV race as Southeast Asia revs up?

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Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Electric vehicles accounted for only 12 per cent of vehicle sales in the Philippines last year. Photo: Shutterstock

People

A tale of two cities: Singapore, Hong Kong and their contrasting paths

People gather around the Merlion statue at Marina Bay in Singapore. Photo: AFP

South Asia

Pakistan bats away India match but stays in T20 World Cup

Pakistani players celebrate winning the series and the third T20 international cricket match between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Lifestyle & Culture

SKY’s the limit: behind push to end academic elitism in South Korean hiring

High-school seniors sit for a nationwide mock test in Seoul on June 4, 2025, ahead of the national college entrance exam. Photo: Yonhap/EPA-EFE
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OPINION
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Asian Angle | South China Sea: 6 risks facing Philippines, China as conflict threshold lowers

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III
Iman Muttaqin Yusof

Will young Malaysians play a key role in next election through swing votes?

Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Sophie Wushuang Yi

Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

Sophie Wushuang Yi
Alan Robles

Opinion | Marcos health problems call to mind past Philippine leaders’ woes

Alan Robles
William Choong,Joanne Lin

Asian Angle | What a US-China ‘grand bargain’ would mean for Southeast Asia

William Choong
Joanne Lin
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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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