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This Week in Asia
An attendant holds a petrol nozzle after refuelling a car at a petrol station in Beijing last week. China imported 159.79 million barrels of Russian crude in the first two months of the year. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

China’s Russian oil imports spike in early 2026, but Iran war changes outlook

China’s need to bolster crude stockpiles amid rising geopolitical risks likely to have been a factor behind pre-war import surge, analyst says.

India steps up regional energy diplomacy, supplies Bangladesh with diesel

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Why Philippines struggles to tap its US$1 trillion mineral wealth

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Politics

Trump’s Pearl Harbour joke falls flat in Japan over his ‘disrespectful remarks’

As Japan faces pressure over the Iran war, some observers commend Takaichi for steering her meeting with Trump towards trade deals.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist while delivering remarks during a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist while delivering remarks during a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

East Asia

South Korean factory fire injures at least 55

The district fire chief said authorities were looking for at least 14 other people.

Economics

South Korea risks US rift over Iran’s Hormuz Strait squeeze

Any deal with Iran could undermine South Korea’s alliance with the US and their US$350 billion trade deal.

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Politics

Is Pakistan building ICBMs? Non-proliferation experts dispute US warning

US fears of Pakistani ICBMs targeting America are overstated as Islamabad’s missile programme remains regional, observers say.

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Pakistan’s Shaheen-3 missile on display during a military parade in Islamabad in 2018. Photo: AP
Pakistan’s Shaheen-3 missile on display during a military parade in Islamabad in 2018. Photo: AP

Politics

Support for Duterte’s ICC trial has halved in a year. Here’s why

Only 30 per cent of Gen Z Filipinos now back the ICC drugs war case, as AI-generated disinformation floods TikTok.

East Asia

Deep snow can’t hide inflation, foreign ‘takeover’ fears in Japan ski hub

An influx of foreign workers, inflated property prices and living costs are testing the patience of Niseko’s residents.

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East Asia

Japan PM conveys to Trump her ‘strong intent’ to meet North Korea’s Kim

Takaichi said she has ‘received full support from the president towards an immediate solution’ to Pyongyang’s abductions of Japanese nationals.

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US President Donald Trump kisses Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a dinner at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Some tourists in Malaysia make most of ‘extended’ holiday amid flight mess

Stranded European visitors in Malaysia navigate visa extensions and rebooking woes as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

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An Instagrammable spot in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/malaysia.travel.my
An Instagrammable spot in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/malaysia.travel.my

Lifestyle & Culture

India’s weight-loss drug price war begins as key patent expires

Generic slimming drugs are expected to flood a market where one in four adults are currently either overweight or obese.

Lifestyle & Culture

Japan gets tough against teachers’ sexual misconduct, voyeurism after arrests

Sexual offences involving mostly male teachers targeting students remain high despite stricter rules against the menace in recent years.

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Southeast Asia

Cambodia boosts Singapore and Malaysia fuel imports to survive energy crisis

Energy Minister Keo Rottanak says ‘an Asean power grid is the way to go’ as Vietnam and China restrict exports to Phnom Penh.

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An employee (second left) pumps fuel into the vehicle of a customer in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 9. Photo: AFP

Politics

Anutin takes charge in Thailand as Mideast chaos pressures economy

Facing economic challenges and border tensions with Cambodia, the prime minister has pledged swift responses to public needs.

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Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reacts at parliament in Bangkok on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reacts at parliament in Bangkok on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Russian hypersonic jets buzz Japan’s coast in ‘thinly veiled threat’

The exercises send a message that Tokyo should avoid antagonising Moscow or risk ‘repercussions’, observers say.

People

Ashes for ransom: the bizarre rise of urn thefts in Malaysia

In the past month, 30 urns in Negeri Sembilan and 22 urns in Johor were reported stolen at two memorial parks.

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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.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

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.

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Politics

Build fast, grow rich: To Lam’s blueprint for a rising Vietnam

Vietnam’s Communist Party chief is staking his legacy on 10 per cent growth, domestic megaprojects and an overseas charm offensive.

Economics

Philippines’ AI reckoning puts millions of jobs on the line

The US$30 billion outsourcing sector is fighting to adapt, leaving millions of workers with a stark choice: upskill or be left behind.

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Image: Kevin Wong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Economics

India steps up regional energy diplomacy, supplies Bangladesh with diesel

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Fuel nozzles at a Bharat Petroleum gas station in New Delhi. Photo: AFP

Economics

Why Philippines struggles to tap its US$1 trillion mineral wealth

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Nickel mining in southern Philippines. Analysts say a lack of a proper road map to realise the country’s mining potential is hindering its ambitions to grow the industry. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

Politics

Trump’s Pearl Harbour joke falls flat in Japan over his ‘disrespectful remarks’

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist while delivering remarks during a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Is Pakistan building ICBMs? Non-proliferation experts dispute US warning

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Pakistan’s Shaheen-3 missile on display during a military parade in Islamabad in 2018. Photo: AP

Economics

South Korea risks US rift over Iran’s Hormuz Strait squeeze

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South Koreans protest against US President Donald Trump’s request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz in front of the US embassy in Seoul on Monday. Photo: TNS
MORE IN This Week in Asia
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OPINION
David Dodwell

Outside In | As Iran war escalates, the US ramps up its trade war

David Dodwell
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | China is weathering the Iran war oil shock better than others in Asia

Nicholas Spiro
Brian McFeeters

Opinion | Tariffs grab headlines, but non-tariff barriers decide winners in Asean

Brian McFeeters
Ambuj Sahu

Opinion | India’s reopening to Chinese investment reflects strategic pragmatism

Ambuj Sahu
Barbora Valockova

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

Barbora Valockova
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MULTIMEDIA
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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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