Advertisement
Advertisement

This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
An illustration of a digitally altered deepfake. Experts say misuse of identity has become far more frequent in the digital and AI-driven era. Photo: Shutterstock

People

AI deepfakes expose legal vacuum in India’s celebrity rights protection

The rise of AI-generated material has intensified calls for a dedicated personality rights law to curb the misuse of such technologies.

videocam

5 of 7 villagers trapped in flooded Laos cave found alive

Samoan suspect confesses to hired hit in Vietnam on Sydney gangster

Lifestyle & Culture

Reel politik: India tells filmmakers to drop ‘China-bashing’ as ties warm

India’s diplomatic thaw with China is causing films about the 2020 Galwan Valley clash to be retitled, reshot or shelved entirely.

videocam
4
China’s President Xi Jinping shakes hands with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the welcoming ceremony of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin last August. Photo: Indian Press Information Bureau/AFP
China’s President Xi Jinping shakes hands with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the welcoming ceremony of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin last August. Photo: Indian Press Information Bureau/AFP

Economics

Failed M1-Simba merger prolongs Singapore’s cutthroat telco price war

With a major merger scuppered by an official investigation, four telcos remain locked in a costly war to win over local customers.

videocam

Health & Environment

After years in tiny cages, 27 moon bears finally taste freedom in Laos

The raid on a brutal bile extraction facility disguised as a zoo was believed to be the largest in Southeast Asian history.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

Malaysia probes ex-anti-corruption chief over threats to whistle-blower

Azam rejected the claims, saying he ‘never’ contacted Albert Tei who is linked to the Sabah mineral licence scandal.

Malaysia’s former anti-corruption chief Azam Baki. Photo: EPA
Malaysia’s former anti-corruption chief Azam Baki. Photo: EPA

Politics

Russia’s military activity has Japan fearing a dual-front war

Japan scrambled its fighter jets 448 times in nine months last year. Most of the intercepts involved Russian or Chinese aircraft.

videocam

Politics

South Korea eyes first nuclear submarine by mid-2030s, but hurdles run deep

Delayed US talks, non-proliferation concerns and budget pressures stand in the way of Seoul’s bid to boost its defence, analysts say.

Politics

Japan eyes new rules to curb US, China and Russia space arms race

Japan is ‘best placed’ to establish new rules given its space capabilities and strong support for nuclear non-proliferation, analysts say.

4
An illustration shows a military satellite shooting a laser at the Earth. Photo: Shutterstock

People

‘Like an aeroplane landing’: deadly building collapse shocks Philippine city

James Bernardo was delivering food in Angeles City when the structure collapsed behind him, with the wreckage also affecting nearby businesses.

videocam
A resident walks past the rubble of a collapsed building in Angeles City, the Philippines, on Monday. Photo: AFP
A resident walks past the rubble of a collapsed building in Angeles City, the Philippines, on Monday. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Malaysia police’s ‘gay party’ label sparks debate after hotel drug raid

LGBTQ activists were critical of police using terms such as ‘immoral activities’ when describing the raid.

Politics

How US military aircraft repair hub could threaten Indonesian neutrality

If Indonesia turns Kertajati Airport into a Hercules repair hub, it risks being seen as siding with the US in times of war, analysts say.

videocam
15

People

Peta urges Malaysian prison to serve Najib, inmates ‘peaceful’ vegan meals

The animal rights group says vegan meals can help Kajang Prison promote ‘empathy and non-violence’ among its inmates and save costs.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in December 2025. Najib has been held at Kajang Prison since August 2022. Photo: Reuters

People

Why are more men in Malaysia reporting being sexually harassed now?

More than 1,000 complaints involving male victims have been lodged since 2024, but campaigners say shame and fear still keep many men silent.

videocam
Malaysia has recorded a sharp rise in sexual harassment reports involving men, but advocates say the figures reveal changing reporting patterns rather than the full scale of abuse. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia has recorded a sharp rise in sexual harassment reports involving men, but advocates say the figures reveal changing reporting patterns rather than the full scale of abuse. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

As Marco Rubio visits New Delhi, what could it mean for US-India ties?

The US secretary of state’s trip aims to mend bilateral relationship, focusing on trade, defence and Quad unity.

videocam
5

Politics

Marcos’ historic Japan trip: what will Philippine leader seek from Takaichi?

Japan is a key counterweight for the Philippines to deal with its maritime challenges in the South China Sea, analysts say.

videocam
6
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Lifestyle & Culture

Southeast Asia is chasing the AI boom, but at what cost?

A regional dash for digital dominance risks running headlong into an energy crunch and an existential threat to jobs.

videocam
Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

The security chief turned paramount leader is chasing the markets and capital required to reach high-income status by 2045.

Economics

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

videocam

Politics

From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test

Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Putrajaya earlier in April. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP/dpa
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST Asia NEWS

Southeast Asia

Philippine ex-president Duterte’s ICC trial to start on November 30

videocam
A protester holds an image of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte with a message reading, “Hold Duterte Accountable!”, during a rally in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines in March. Photo: EPA

People

AI deepfakes expose legal vacuum in India’s celebrity rights protection

videocam
An illustration of a digitally altered deepfake. Experts say misuse of identity has become far more frequent in the digital and AI-driven era. Photo: Shutterstock

People

5 of 7 villagers trapped in flooded Laos cave found alive

A Thai-led rescue team broke through to an area in a flooded Laos cave where they found five of the seven missing villagers perched on a muddy ledge on Wednesday. Photo: Facebook / Thailand Rescue Diver

South Asia

Bangladesh probes hospital deaths of 6 newborns

A Bangladesh Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime official, from the specialised unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, inspects the scene at the post-operative ward of the Ad-din Hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

People

Samoan suspect confesses to hired hit in Vietnam on Sydney gangster

Steve Tafia, a Samoan suspect who is accused of the gun killing of an Australian gangster in Ho Chi Minh City, stands alongside Vietnamese police officers. Photo: X/Jacob in Cambodia
MORE Asia NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Donghyun Park,Kwanho Shin

Asian Angle | Asia’s silver dividend can offset ageing’s economic toll

Donghyun Park
Kwanho Shin
Hoang Thi Ha

Asian Angle | What the China-US stability pact means for Southeast Asia

Hoang Thi Ha
Zha Daojiong

Asian Angle | China offers Southeast Asia clear advantages in nuclear power

Zha Daojiong
Kishore Mahbubani

Opinion | The West was never the whole world. It’s time to move on

Kishore Mahbubani
28
Ian Storey

Asian Angle | 3 reasons Marcos’ South China Sea energy gambit won’t work

Ian Storey
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

Vietnam sells disgraced tycoon’s Hermes bags to recoup US$27 billion in damages

videocam
2

China’s new US$10.7 billion canal near completion to boost Asean trade links

3

Final report reveals truth behind deadly Singapore Airlines turbulence

videocam
4

Thai Singha beer heir’s sexual abuse claims empower others to come forward

videocam
5

1 dead, ⁠21 missing after unfinished building collapses in Philippines