This Week in Asia

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People
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Lifestyle & Culture
Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

‘They’ve smelled blood’: battle for 2028 presidency begins in Philippines

A surprising Duterte-Marcos midterm stalemate has shifted focus to the vice-president’s impeachment fight – and the next presidential race.

Will Indonesia’s Whoosh extension to Surabaya be derailed by Chinese debt?

China’s absence felt at Shangri-La Dialogue, Singapore’s defence chief says

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Politics

‘Too little, too late’? Israel’s Western allies turn against it over Gaza

Britain, Canada, the EU – and even Trump – are finally changing their tune, but experts question if mere rhetoric can halt the suffering.

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Hungry Palestinians wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Jabalia, the northern Gaza Strip, on May 19. Photo: Reuters
Hungry Palestinians wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Jabalia, the northern Gaza Strip, on May 19. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Bitterness reimagined: Bali bomber seeks a second chance through coffee

Once one of the world’s most wanted men, Umar Patek is now launching a coffee brand in Indonesia – leaving a bitter taste for the bereaved.

People

Hegseth draws parallels between Trump and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew

Both men showed a ‘willingness to work with others, while respecting mutual self-interest,’ the US defence secretary said.

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Politics

China’s overtures a ‘pointed signal’ to stabilise ties with Japan: analysts

Beijing has recently removed controversial maritime buoys, eased a politically charged seafood import ban and appeared to temper its rhetoric.

Shoppers examine seafood at a fish store in Tokyo, Japan. China and Japan have agreed on procedures to resume exports of Japanese seafood, 22 months after Beijing imposed a blanket ban on the products. Photo: EPA-EFE
Shoppers examine seafood at a fish store in Tokyo, Japan. China and Japan have agreed on procedures to resume exports of Japanese seafood, 22 months after Beijing imposed a blanket ban on the products. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Double standards in war condemnation would ‘kill our own credibility’: Macron

French president calls on world leaders to be consistent and form a coalition with a rules-based order during keynote address at Singapore forum.

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Politics

Satirical comedy sketch fuels feud between South Korea’s would-be first ladies

A jab on ‘Saturday Night Live Korea’ has revived scrutiny on political spouses and their public roles.

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Lifestyle & Culture

In Japan, a ‘Stop and Stand Squad’ aims to reduce accidents on escalators

Team members are paid for six hours a day to prevent people from walking up escalators in train stations and other areas in Nagoya.

A member of the “Stop and Stand Squad” in Japan’s Nagoya city wears a huge yellow hand as a backpack, emblazoned with a phrase that translates as “Please stop tranquilly”, to stop people from walking up escalators. Photo: ANN News

Politics

South Korean election video pulled after public outcry over misogyny

Local authorities in Gyeongsan issued an apology for a video that showed a male supervisor assaulting a female employee and subsequently removed the clip.

A screenshot of a promotional video created from Gyeongsan city government was removed after a public outcry. Photo: Handout
A screenshot of a promotional video created from Gyeongsan city government was removed after a public outcry. Photo: Handout

Economics

Is Asia ditching the dollar? China’s yuan, gold, and bitcoin drive trade shifts

Asian economies are exploring de-dollarisation, amid geopolitical risks, signalling a monetary shift towards a multipolar monetary system.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Netflix probes mistreatment claims on set of ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’

Users on X allege that extras lacked adequate protection during winter filming and were forced to cut their hair to accommodate wearing wigs.

Politics

US defence chief Hegseth meets Singapore PM Wong, reaffirms strong defence ties

Hegseth also met Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue to discuss US-Singapore security cooperation.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the Istana on Friday on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue. Photo: MDDI

Politics

Can Vietnam navigate China’s Mekong ambitions and regional ties?

China’s Mekong River projects pose strategic and environmental challenges for Vietnam, threatening regional influence and vital agricultural resources.

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A railway bridge under construction over the Mekong River in Laos. Photo: Kyodo
A railway bridge under construction over the Mekong River in Laos. Photo: Kyodo

Economics

Sri Lanka workers in limbo after UK garment factory abruptly shuts

Labour rights advocates say Next Manufacturing’s move violated Sri Lankan law and risks undermining the country’s fragile economic recovery.

Politics

Malaysia’s first AI preacher stirs debate on Islamic principles

Former Islamic affairs minister and mufti unveils avatars built using ChatGPT and trained with thousands of published articles by him.

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Politics

‘They’ve smelled blood’: battle for 2028 presidency begins in Philippines

A surprising Duterte-Marcos midterm stalemate has shifted focus to the vice-president’s impeachment fight – and the next presidential race.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

People

Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia’s youth aren’t buying it

The rapid ascent of Anwar’s heir apparent Nurul Izzah has alienated many young Malaysians who are tired of old feuds and unfulfilled promises.

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.

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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A parched stretch of the Indus River in Hyderabad, Sindh province, Pakistan. Photo: Shutterstock
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Economics

Will Indonesia’s Whoosh extension to Surabaya be derailed by Chinese debt?

A high-speed train leaves Tegalluar Station on the Jakarta-Bandung “Whoosh” railway line in Indonesia on May 20. Photo: Xinhua

Southeast Asia

Brunei’s 78-year-old sultan discharged from hospital in Malaysia

Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during the plenary session at the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 26. Photo: AP

South Asia

India confirms loss of fighter jets in recent Pakistan conflict

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General Anil Chauhan (centre), Chief of Defence Staff of Indian Armed Forces, at the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Politics

China’s absence felt at Shangri-La Dialogue, Singapore’s defence chief says

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Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing (centre right) and other defence chiefs take part in a ministerial roundtable during the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. Photo: AFP

South Asia

At least 22 dead as India monsoon rains wreak havoc in northeast

Women commute in cycle rickshaws through a flooded street after heavy rains in Guwahati, in India’s Assam state, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Chandran Nair

Opinion | Why US exceptionalism and the export of crassness are losing shallow appeal

Chandran Nair
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Biman Mukherji

My Take | Is India poised to rival US universities in a global academic shift?

Biman Mukherji
Lee Hwok-Aun

Asian Angle | Preparing Malaysia’s toolkit to weather Trump’s tariff storm

Indira Zahra Aridati

Asian Angle | In Southeast Asia’s climate battle, AI could prove a double-edged sword

Joseph Sipalan

My Take | From Russia with love: Anwar’s geopolitical play leaves a confusing trail

Joseph Sipalan
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Why is China speeding up work on its dam in Pakistan?

Why is China speeding up work on Pakistan dam after India held Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance?
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Video

1st time voters divided among gender lines in South Korea

Political divide widens along gender lines for young first-time voters in South Korea
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Video

Malaysian PM warns of ‘unsettled’ international order

Asean leaders sign Kuala Lumpur Declaration as Malaysian PM warns of ‘unsettled’ international order
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Video

Indonesia praises China’s backing of Palestinian statehood

Indonesia’s Prabowo lauds China’s anti-colonialism record as Jakarta, Beijing deepen ties
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