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This Week in Asia

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Economics
People
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Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

With the economy struggling and corruption rife, Thai voters will look to the February 8 election as a chance to turn the country around.

Saudi Arabia set to redraw economic road map as megaprojects scale down

A tale of two cities: Singapore, Hong Kong and their contrasting paths

Economics

Is Philippines falling behind in EV race as Southeast Asia revs up?

Policy uncertainty and the Philippines’ lack of competitiveness in key areas have reinforced investor unease, observers say.

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Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Electric vehicles accounted for only 12 per cent of vehicle sales in the Philippines last year. Photo: Shutterstock
Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Electric vehicles accounted for only 12 per cent of vehicle sales in the Philippines last year. Photo: Shutterstock

People

Meet the PM candidates vying for leadership in Thailand

Reformers, conservatives and populists face off in the coming election with lofty promises to fix the country’s economy and political system.

Health & Environment

‘Stay calm’: crocodile sighting pauses water fun at Singapore’s Sentosa

Officials boost patrols, urge residents to follow safety signs and report sightings to NParks.

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Lifestyle & Culture

SKY’s the limit: behind push to end academic elitism in South Korean hiring

Hiring practices have traditionally been centred around which school a candidate attended, with higher-paying jobs going to elite alumni.

High-school seniors sit for a nationwide mock test in Seoul on June 4, 2025, ahead of the national college entrance exam. Photo: Yonhap/EPA-EFE
High-school seniors sit for a nationwide mock test in Seoul on June 4, 2025, ahead of the national college entrance exam. Photo: Yonhap/EPA-EFE

Politics

Will India warm to Russia’s bid to revive troika with China?

Analysts say New Delhi may see a ‘limited role’ for the Russia-India-China trialogue amid global tensions and competing priorities.

People

Will young Malaysians play a key role in next election through swing votes?

Gen Z voters are more concerned about practical policies than party ideology, analysts say.

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Politics

Kim Jong-un set to signal stronger nuclear deterrence posture at congress

After viewing a test of a multiple rocket launcher system, Kim is likely to unveil ICBM plans capable of hitting the US, analysts say.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, oversee a test-fire of a large-calibre multiple-rocket launcher system at an unknown location in North Korea. Photo: EPA/KCNA

Economics

Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

The adverse impact of pollution could lead to significant health and economic costs for India if left unchecked.

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A rally by protesters in New Delhi in November against what they called the Indian government’s lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital. Photo: AP
A rally by protesters in New Delhi in November against what they called the Indian government’s lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital. Photo: AP

People

In his Singapore book launch, Wang Gungwu recounts own journey through history

Wang says in his book that there are no borders between civilisations and that the past provides the ‘guideposts to the future’.

Lifestyle & Culture

Can Malaysian football ‘reset’? Mass resignations kick off reboot debate

Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say.

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore begins ban on ‘undesirable’ visitors, airlines to comply or face fine

Among such visitors barred from entering are those with a criminal record in Singapore or who pose a threat to public safety.

Travellers walk through a transit hall of Changi International Airport in Singapore. Photo: AFP

Politics

Base instincts: why US warship visit won’t calm fears over Cambodian port

The USS Cincinnati is the first US warship to dock at Ream Naval Base since its China-funded expansion was completed in April last year.

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USS Cincinnati docks at Ream Naval Base’s pier in Sihanoukville on Saturday. Photo: AP
USS Cincinnati docks at Ream Naval Base’s pier in Sihanoukville on Saturday. Photo: AP

Lifestyle & Culture

Will Thai tourism ambassador Blackpink’s Lisa help lure Chinese visitors back?

Chinese visitor arrivals slumped by nearly 30 per cent last year amid concerns over safety, the border war with Cambodia and the strong baht.

Health & Environment

Japan child suicides reach record high as experts warn of mounting pressures

The rise in child deaths contrasts with a broader decline in suicides, prompting scrutiny of school pressure and mental health support.

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Politics

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

With the economy struggling and corruption rife, Thai voters will look to the February 8 election as a chance to turn the country around.

Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP
Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?

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Politics

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

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Economics

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

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Shoppers walk along a street illuminated with decorative lights ahead of New Year celebrations in Bengaluru, India, last month. Photo: AFP
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LATEST Asia NEWS

East Asia

Japan’s Takaichi seeks mandate, improved majority with snap election: poll

Japan’s Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi (centre) delivers a speech during the House of Representatives election campaign in Kani, Gifu prefecture on Sunday. Photo: AFP

South Asia

Pakistan says it killed 145 ‘Indian-backed terrorists’ after Balochistan attacks

Pakistani security officials stand guard on a road after militants launched coordinated attacks across Balochistan province, in Quetta, Pakistan on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Southeast Asia

Myanmar junta pledges to remove former civil servants from blacklists

Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, on February 18, 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

Is Philippines falling behind in EV race as Southeast Asia revs up?

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Heavy traffic on the streets of Manila. Electric vehicles accounted for only 12 per cent of vehicle sales in the Philippines last year. Photo: Shutterstock

People

A tale of two cities: Singapore, Hong Kong and their contrasting paths

People gather around the Merlion statue at Marina Bay in Singapore. Photo: AFP
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Asian Angle | South China Sea: 6 risks facing Philippines, China as conflict threshold lowers

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Asian Angle | ‘Old order is not coming back’: Trump’s US, not China, threatens status quo

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Opinion | Marcos health problems call to mind past Philippine leaders’ woes

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Asian Angle | What a US-China ‘grand bargain’ would mean for Southeast Asia

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Jean Iau

Singapore’s opposition chief debate draws comparisons with Westminster system

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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
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Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
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Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
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Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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