This Week in Asia

Asia
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Economics
People
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Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

From Iraq to Iran: the US quest for Israeli military dominance – and its fallout

This decades-long strategy has not only redrawn the regional map but also exposed the limits of China’s Middle East influence, analysts say.

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Malaysian corruption scandal: Sabah lawmakers, whistle-blower plead not guilty

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‘Small wins don’t hide the truth’: Philippine tourism slumps amid Asean’s boom

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Lifestyle & Culture

Arranged to kill? Newlywed wives accused of murdering husbands stun India

From honeymoons to hired assassins, these shocking cases reveal a chilling new pattern disrupting traditional victim narratives.

An Indian woman who was married as a child bride holds her husband’s hands at their home in Maharashtra state. Photo: AFP
An Indian woman who was married as a child bride holds her husband’s hands at their home in Maharashtra state. Photo: AFP

Economics

After the crash, can Air India’s leadership shake-up rebuild trust?

Tata Group’s Natarajan Chandrasekaran has personally assumed command of Air India, leading a Herculean effort to restore passenger confidence.

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People

Claims of police complicity in mystery of missing Filipino cock fighters

Suspect ‘Totoy’ also claims a popular female celebrity is among those who knew about the disappearance of 34 cock fighters in 2021-22.

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Politics

Japanese angered by Trump’s Iran strike comparison to atomic bombings

Donald Trump’s comments have been slammed as ‘unacceptable’ by officials of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and survivors of the 1945 bombings.

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The remains of the Prefectural Industry Promotion Building after the 1945 nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Photo: AFP
The remains of the Prefectural Industry Promotion Building after the 1945 nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Photo: AFP

Politics

Will New Zealand’s ‘patronising’ aid freeze push Cook Islands closer to China?

The funding cut leaves the Cook Islands facing a sudden financial shortfall, prompting warnings that Wellington’s approach could backfire.

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People

‘See motorcycle fly’: Singapore driver jailed after teen killed in rash move

The driver reportedly showed no remorse after the incident, saying that the victim ‘deserved it’.

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Economics

How Israel-Iran war sent ripples of fear through the global maritime trade

The ghost of the 1980s ‘tanker war’ returned as Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz saw ships change course and freight rates soar.

A tanker is seen ablaze in 1987 after being attacked by an Iranian warship as it approached the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

The rat in the room: understanding Indonesia’s hantavirus cases

Medical experts say there is no cause for alarm as the 8 reported cases of a disease linked to the virus happened at a local level.

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Indonesia has reported eight cases of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), one of the diseases caused by the rodent-linked hantavirus. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia has reported eight cases of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), one of the diseases caused by the rodent-linked hantavirus. Photo: Shutterstock

Health & Environment

Japan’s bear attacks surge: is social media clout worth risking life and limb?

Climate change, fewer hunters and shrinking habitats are causing the animals to venture into human territory, naturalist says.

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Politics

Talks over threats: South Korea tries a new tack to sway its nuclear neighbour

From halting border broadcasts to urging diplomacy, South Korea’s new president is making tangible gestures to de-escalate tensions.

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Politics

India eyes lift-off for space economy after astronaut ISS milestone

Mission marks progress in India’s programme to become the fourth country to independently carry out human space flights.

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Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla with fellow astronauts aboard the International Space Station on Thursday. Shukla is India’s second astronaut going into space. Photo: Nasa via AP

People

‘It’s a human issue’: will NTU case prompt rethink on AI use for students?

Saga involving three students accused of academic misconduct reveals gaps in universities’ dispute resolution processes, observers say.

Students at The Hive learning hub at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. Three NTU students were accused of academic misconduct over the use of generative AI. Photo: Shutterstock
Students at The Hive learning hub at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. Three NTU students were accused of academic misconduct over the use of generative AI. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

2 Chinese men arrested in South Korea for using drone to film naval base

A series of similar recent incidents involving Chinese nationals has sparked fears of South Korea’s national security being compromised.

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Politics

Groundhog Day in Thailand as Shinawatra clan faces protests, courts and crisis

Court rulings, street protests and coalition rifts could force Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step down.

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Politics

From Iraq to Iran: the US quest for Israeli military dominance – and its fallout

This decades-long strategy has not only redrawn the regional map but also exposed the limits of China’s Middle East influence, analysts say.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Crisis calculations: Trump’s America has Southeast Asia in a spin

Punitive tariffs and severe aid cuts are shaking the foundations of the US relationship with Asean, deepening a sense of ‘unreliability’.

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Politics

After the ceasefire, India and Pakistan’s leaders seek cover under their flags

Leaders of both countries have sought to relay to domestic audiences competing claims of victory in order to reap political benefits.

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Politics

What South Korea’s new president means for its US, China ties

Expect a nuanced approach to foreign policy as President Lee Jae-myung attempts to pull relations with Beijing back from their ‘lowest ebb’.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone at his residence in Incheon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP
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LATEST Asia NEWS

South Asia

At least 8 killed in reactor explosion at Indian chemical plant

At least 8 people died after a reactor explosion triggered a fire at a Sigachi Industries unit in India’s Telangana state on Monday. Photo: Handout

South Asia

Art of war: culture becomes a casualty of India-Pakistan conflict

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A young boy walks past a poster advertising the film “Love Guru”, featuring Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, in Lahore earlier this month. Photo: AFP

People

Malaysian corruption scandal: Sabah lawmakers, whistle-blower plead not guilty

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Sindumin assemblyman Yusuf Yacob (left) and Tanjung Batu assemblyman Andi Suryady Bandy. Photo: Facebook/ Dr Yusof Yacob and Andi Suryady Bandy

Lifestyle & Culture

‘Small wins don’t hide the truth’: Philippine tourism slumps amid Asean’s boom

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People swim at White Beach on Boracay island, Philippines. Boracay was named the world’s leading luxury island destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards. Photo: Getty Images

East Asia

Afraid of no ghosts? Japan warms to ‘haunted’ homes with dark histories

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A property broker looks on while a worker cleans the floor in a house in Japan classified as a “jiko bukken”. Photo: Reuters
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OPINION
Alessandro Arduino

Opinion | Decoding Israel, Iran and China’s collision of interests in the Middle East

Alessandro Arduino
Melinda Martinus

Asian Angle | Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?

Melinda Martinus
Maria Siow

My Take | Who are these ‘like-minded countries’ politicians are talking about?

Maria Siow
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Brandon Tan Jun Wen

Asian Angle | Not-so-rich kid: meet Bobby Saputra, a viral parody of privilege

Brandon Tan Jun Wen
Natasha Heap

Opinion | Flying into the storm: how Middle East conflict reshapes global air routes

Natasha Heap
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Protests erupt in Thailand for PM’s removal

Thai yellow shirts return to demand Paetongtarn’s removal after leaked Hun Sen call
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Video

Tourists skip Japan after quake prediction in viral manga

Why a viral manga warning of a megaquake has some travellers cancelling Japan trips
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Video

Scam compounds ‘deliberately ignored’ by Cambodia

Amnesty says Cambodia’s multibillion-dollar scam industry thrives with government blessing
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Video

Terrifying moment as packed subway in Seoul set on fire

South Korean prosecutors release video of Seoul subway arson
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