Advertisement
Advertisement

This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
This Week in Asia cover image. Southeast Asia creative economy, April 5-11 2026. Illustration: Mario Rivera

Lifestyle & Culture

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

The region’s creators are going global, but the structures to sustain them are still catching up.

videocam

Malaysia drops appeal on abducted activist’s case, family still seeks answers

New Zealand doctor invoices US embassy for rising fuel costs

Economics

Malaysia urged to take more aggressive action to tackle energy crisis

Analysts warn of escalating risks to Malaysia’s economy and call for adjusting the subsidy scheme to stop the government from ‘burning cash’.

Vehicles are seen near the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 27. Photo: EPA
Vehicles are seen near the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 27. Photo: EPA

Economics

Helium supply shock threatens Asian chipmakers as economic slowdown fears mount

Iranian attacks on Qatar’s LNG facilities are curbing the supply of helium, a crucial gas used in chipmaking.

videocam

Politics

Indonesia and Malaysia require geo-tracking for civil servants working from home

As governments roll out work-from-home policies to cut fuel use, civil servants face location tracking and other productivity measures.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Economics

Indonesia rebalances energy policy as Iran war spurs new projects

As oil prices surge, Indonesia aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and intensify the use of crude palm oil for diesel blending.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Tokyo on Tuesday. Prabowo has invited Japan to develop Indonesia’s nuclear and renewable energy. Photo: Kyodo
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Tokyo on Tuesday. Prabowo has invited Japan to develop Indonesia’s nuclear and renewable energy. Photo: Kyodo

Politics

From general to Myanmar president: Min Aung Hlaing’s ‘cosmetic’ rebrand

His transition from top general to president is a ‘veneer’ that poses a challenge for Asean, which has long shunned him, critics say.

videocam

People

‘Feels unreal’: Indonesian grandma freed from Malaysian death row flies home

Ani Anggraeni spent nearly 15 years in prison for drug trafficking before her death sentence was commuted and she was later pardoned.

videocam

Politics

‘Defining truth’? Worry in Philippines over controversial anti-fake news bills

Critics warn the proposals risk turning legitimate reporting, public-interest speech and fast-moving online discussion into criminal exposure.

videocam
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has called for a “balanced” anti-disinformation law that fights fake news while maintaining freedom of expression. Photo: Shutterstock

Health & Environment

Solomon Islands residents live in fear of WWII bomb explosions

With more people on the islands killed or injured due to the munitions, a UN team calls for international efforts to remove the danger.

Billy, a resident of the village of Yandina in Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, sits next to unexploded munitions near his home. Photo: UNDP Pacific Office/Christopher Teasdale
Billy, a resident of the village of Yandina in Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, sits next to unexploded munitions near his home. Photo: UNDP Pacific Office/Christopher Teasdale

Lifestyle & Culture

Philippines weighs social media ban for minors, but will it be enough?

Analysts warn that restricting access alone will do little to fix the algorithms that expose young users to harmful content.

videocam

Lifestyle & Culture

Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now?

The cases allegedly involving foreign suspects have spurred concerns that gang disputes have moved from other countries to the island.

videocam

People

Malaysian minister steps in with aid for family of drink-driving victim

Amirul Hafiz Omar was on his way to buy his son a mathematics book when a car allegedly driven at high speed rammed his motorcycle.

Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke offers condolences and personal financial aid to the family of Amirul Hafiz Omar, who was killed in a drink-driving accident. Photo: Handout

Economics

How Asean’s neutral stance in Iran war protects its energy security

Granting Southeast Asian vessels safe passage through the strait allows Iran to come across as a diplomatic good guy, analysts say.

videocam
4
An oil tanker sits anchored off Muscat, Oman, on March 10. Photo: Reuters
An oil tanker sits anchored off Muscat, Oman, on March 10. Photo: Reuters

People

Malaysian woman’s apology for damaging double-parked car triggers outcry

Viral videos showed the woman was unable to leave for about an hour after a red Perodua Ativa was left double-parked behind her car.

8

Economics

From ‘Unicorn Land’ to Singapore: Estonian start-ups chase tech dream in Asean

Veriff and other unicorn companies are targeting Singapore for their regional headquarters, citing similarities in digital advancement.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Health & Environment

Burning daylight: Asean’s power grid plans get an Iran war jolt

Oil is up, coal is back and so are fuel queues. As the Middle East burns, Southeast Asia dusts off an old plan to rewire its future.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Health & Environment

Mortal combat: Southeast Asia fights fears of death to plan for the end

Birth rates are falling. Populations are ageing. In Southeast Asia, the business of dying has never been bigger.

videocam

Politics

Graft and gridlock: in Anwar’s Malaysia, reformist cracks widen

Malaysia’s prime minister can’t pass his own reform bills. His coalition appears to be cracking – and time is running out.

People

‘It’s inevitable’: Singapore’s workers brace for AI disruption

The city state wants 100,000 workers to become ‘AI bilingual’. But with entry-level roles already vanishing, time may not be on its side.

videocam
Illustration: Huy Truong
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST Asia NEWS

Lifestyle & Culture

Cultural capitals: Southeast Asia seeks soft power to outlast the buzz

videocam
This Week in Asia cover image. Southeast Asia creative economy, April 5-11 2026. Illustration: Mario Rivera

Middle East

Iran war: French and Japanese-owned ships make first Hormuz crossings

videocam
A container ship operated by the French CMA CGM shipping company runs into the port of Marseille in June 2018. Photo: AFP

South Asia

152 arrested in Sri Lanka in alleged Chinese-run cyberscam

videocam
Over 150 people, including 133 Chinese, have been arrested in Sri Lanka in relation to alleged cybercrime. File image: AFP

South Asia

‘Why are we paying?’ Pakistanis face up to 54% rise in fuel prices

videocam
A petrol station worker fills the tank of a vehicle in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Friday. Photo: EPA
MORE Asia NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Marianne Hanson

Opinion | One rule for Israel and another for Iran risks nuclear disaster

Marianne Hanson
6
Francis C. Domingo

Asian Angle | The Philippine military must transform, not just modernise

Francis C. Domingo
Ian Storey

Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine

Ian Storey
Syaza Shukri

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s LGBTQ crackdowns aren’t hypocrisy, they’re politics

Syaza Shukri
Barbora Valockova

Opinion | Underwater and unprotected: why Asean and the EU must secure subsea lifelines

Barbora Valockova
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

Malaysian woman’s apology for damaging double-parked car triggers outcry

2

Indonesia earthquake kills 1, triggers tsunami waves

videocam
3

Untouchable no more: Nepal to apologise to Dalits for first time

videocam
4

Australia and Japan face jet fuel supply crunch as China cuts exports

videocam
5

Philippines to rename disputed South China Sea islands