This Week in Asia

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Analysts note that Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has listened to the views of Singaporeans when deciding on his cabinet changes. Photo: Then Chih Wey/Xinhua

Politics

Singapore cabinet changes show PM Lawrence Wong’s consultative approach

Analysts cite moves including Masagos Zulkifli handing over his minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs role and the omission of Ng Chee Meng.

Malaysia’s Anwar says Asean summit should tackle US tariffs, Myanmar crisis

Indonesia urged to acknowledge mass rapes during 1998 anti-Chinese riots

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Lifestyle & Culture

Japan’s road safety at risk: accidents spark foreign drivers licensing debate

Surge in inbound tourism and immigration, coupled with ease of permit system, has led to more foreigners unfamiliar with Japan’s traffic rules.

While Japan’s roads are widely regarded as safe, challenges abound for newcomers unfamiliar with the country’s traffic rules. Photo:
While Japan’s roads are widely regarded as safe, challenges abound for newcomers unfamiliar with the country’s traffic rules. Photo:

Politics

North Korean warship launch flops before Kim Jong-un, a blow to his ‘prestige’

The vessel was damaged during its launch ceremony attended by Kim Jong-un, who called the incident a ‘criminal act’.

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Politics

‘Go back to China’: South Korea election stokes anti-Chinese hostility in Seoul

Wave of anti-China narratives by far-right groups has left Chinese nationals and ethnic Korean-Chinese in the country afraid for their safety.

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People

Bar bill scams in Japan use dating apps to prey on disabled and lonely victims

In one case a visually impaired man was bilked out of almost US$5,000, with police warning many more have been similarly hit.

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A woman checks her phone near Tokyo Tower in central Tokyo. Japanese police have warned that romance scammers are increasingly using dating apps to target vulnerable individuals. Photo: AFP
A woman checks her phone near Tokyo Tower in central Tokyo. Japanese police have warned that romance scammers are increasingly using dating apps to target vulnerable individuals. Photo: AFP

Economics

‘Let them rest’: Malaysians slam plan to raise civil servant retirement age

Proponents say healthy seniors want to keep working, critics say it would burden older workers and block youth employment.

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Politics

India government accused of ‘mischievous intent’ in Tharoor pick for Kashmir job

Complaints about Shashi Tharoor’s diplomatic role shows the rifts in the Congress Party, which the ruling party can exploit, analysts say.

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Politics

Singapore PM’s new cabinet seen as ‘safe’ choices with room for more changes

When asked about Ng Chee Meng, PM Lawrence Wong says the absence of a labour chief in his cabinet is a ‘temporary arrangement’.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Photo:AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Politics

Can Japan’s Ishiba survive rice blunders, Trump’s tariffs and party infighting?

The prime minister’s ratings have plunged ahead of two major elections as he battles party members’ political gaffes and rising rice prices.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to media after meeting new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to media after meeting new Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

Philippines to deploy Korean-speaking police in response to crime wave

Language-trained officers aim to better protect South Korean nationals in the Philippines from a recent spate of thefts, killings and scams.

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore university’s dumping of Yale-NUS books sparks anger and petition

The National University of Singapore has apologised for the ‘operational lapse’ after the incident angered many Yale-NUS alumni.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysians debate cost of protecting Chinese pandas over native wildlife

Pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi, who returned to China on Sunday, cost Malaysia millions of ringgit in maintenance in their 11 years’ stay.

People pose for photos at the panda habitat in Kuala Lumpur’s National Zoo on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

People

Broken bodies, shattered minds: lasting toll of Singapore Airlines turbulence

SQ321’s catastrophic 54-metre drop in just 4.6 seconds changed lives forever, as medical aftereffects and legal battles continue.

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The interior of Singapore Airlines flight 321 after an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on May 21, last year. Photo: Reuters
The interior of Singapore Airlines flight 321 after an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on May 21, last year. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Indonesia’s online porn crackdown nets 380,000 content removals

Authorities have also blocked dozens of social media groups and accounts, including some promoting incest and child porn.

Politics

Why India is boosting arms sales to Armenia amid Pakistan, Turkey tensions

India’s move is seen as an effort to counter a growing strategic alignment between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

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Economics

Silicon rally: can Malaysia reclaim its semiconductor glory?

Outpacing regional chip rivals won’t be easy for ‘Silicon Malaysia’, but insiders say it has the subsidies, labour and will to succeed.

Malaysia’s early head start in semiconductors has eroded over the decades, but it is determined to reverse the trend. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia’s early head start in semiconductors has eroded over the decades, but it is determined to reverse the trend. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Water wars: as India weaponises rivers, Pakistan thirsts for security

India’s suspension of a decades-old water treaty has left Pakistan’s farmers facing ruin. Rivers are becoming battlegrounds elsewhere, too.

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Politics

Exclusive | Mahathir Mohamad on Trump, tariffs – and the end of the American century

Malaysia’s 99-year-old two-time PM delivers a blunt assessment of America’s ‘empire’ mentality and its impact in an exclusive interview.

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People

Exclusive | Bangladesh’s new leader dreams big, with a little help from China

A popular revolt that ousted the kleptocratic Sheikh Hasina thrust Muhammad Yunus, 84, into power. Now he’s looking to China for help.

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Illustration: Huy Truong
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Politics

Singapore cabinet changes show PM Lawrence Wong’s consultative approach

Analysts note that Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has listened to the views of Singaporeans when deciding on his cabinet changes. Photo: Then Chih Wey/Xinhua

Politics

North Korean warship launch flops before Kim Jong-un, a blow to his ‘prestige’

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Kim Jong-un visits the Choe Hyon warship at an undisclosed location in North Korea on April 29. Photo: EPA-EFE/KCNA

Economics

Malaysia’s Anwar says Asean summit should tackle US tariffs, Myanmar crisis

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during his visit to Moscow on May 14. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Indonesia urged to acknowledge mass rapes during 1998 anti-Chinese riots

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Chinese-Indonesians hold an event to commemorate the 1998 riots. Photo: SCMP

South Asia

‘Haunting silence’ grips Kashmir as India-Pakistan clash keeps tourists away

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A flower vendor rows past anchored traditional wooden boats on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, on May 20. Photo: AP
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OPINION
Andrew Latham

Opinion | How the Indo-Pacific got its name – and what China has to do with it

Andrew Latham
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Jayant Menon

Asian Angle | Seeking the silver lining in Trump’s tariff turmoil

Jayant Menon
Jared Bissinger

Opinion | How Myanmar’s devastating earthquake threatens to leave a lasting economic scar

Jared Bissinger
Cassey Lee

Asian Angle | Will Malaysia gravitate further towards China in ‘new golden era’ of ties?

Cassey Lee
Biman Mukherji

My Take | Facing US tariffs, Asia can transform to lead the world in innovation

Biman Mukherji
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MULTIMEDIA
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India and Pakistan to withdraw troops, resume border ceremony

India and Pakistan to withdraw troops from contested region, resume border ceremony
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Drivers protest against potential Grab-GoTo merger in Indonesia

Grab’s GoTo takeover bid: a step too far for Indonesia?
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Why is Rodrigo Duterte still so popular?

Why ex-Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte was re-elected Davao mayor despite his ICC trial
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