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A Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel sails along Manila Bay on December 16, 2025. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippines investigates claims of Chinese dredger using ‘30 identities’

A US-based maritime monitoring group has alleged a Chinese ship used different identities and flags while working in Philippine waters.

Malaysia

Why surgery ‘not wise’ for Malaysia’s Mahathir after hip fall

Malaysia

Malaysian rapper Namewee defies scandals to release Lunar New Year single

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Singapore

‘Pasta tasted like grass’: Singapore school battles backlash over meal quality

Hwa Chong Institution defended its hybrid canteen model and promised improvements amid criticism over food standards.

An image of a bento box meal purportedly served to students at Singapore’s Hwa Chong Institution was shared on social media. Photo: Reddit/Taenyfan95
An image of a bento box meal purportedly served to students at Singapore’s Hwa Chong Institution was shared on social media. Photo: Reddit/Taenyfan95
Technology

Singapore, Beijing land in top 10 of Savills’ Matcha Index of global tech cities

Even with its premium-priced matcha drinks, Singapore ranks among the world’s most ‘liveable’ cities for tech workers.

Singapore

Singer Henry Lau calls out Singapore concert venue over blocked views

Lau says he is speaking out ‘for the sake of future artistes’ after the venue layout affected his interactions with fans.

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Thailand

Thailand tightens cannabis sales as dispensaries face closure ahead of election

Thailand, the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, tightens rules to appeal to conservative voters ahead of pivotal election.

A staff member prepares a cannabis flower for a customer in Bangkok in June 2025, after Thailand banned sales without a prescription. Photo: AP
A staff member prepares a cannabis flower for a customer in Bangkok in June 2025, after Thailand banned sales without a prescription. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Indonesian beauty doctor under police probe as row with influencer turns ugly

Police say there is enough preliminary evidence to investigate Richard Lee for possible violations under health and consumer laws.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s criminal law overhaul prompts fears of rights erosion

Observers say the new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code entrench provisions that undermine democracy.

Thailand

Border truce tested as Thailand says soldier wounded in Cambodia strike

Thai PM Anutin said Bangkok had the ‘capability to respond’ to Phnom Penh as provincial governors were ordered to ‘make preparations’.

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Cambodian Buddhist monks and other participants attend a prayer for peace at Win-Win memorial in Phnom Penh on December 29. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysians mock military base ‘parties’ with nuggets, fries memes amid probe

An inquiry has been launched after social media clips purport to show women drinking and socialising with personnel inside military camps.

Screengrabs from a video purporting to show women at a bar in a military base. Photo: Tiktok/tegak.kebenaran
Screengrabs from a video purporting to show women at a bar in a military base. Photo: Tiktok/tegak.kebenaran
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ex-PM Mahathir in hospital after a fall at home – ‘he was conscious’

Mahathir, 100, fell when he was walking from the balcony to his living room in his home in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia

Couple from Singapore surrender to Malaysian police over refuelling case

The man allegedly covered the registration number of his Singapore-registered vehicle to pump subsidised petrol in Johor.

The Philippines

‘Rule of law’: Philippine military lauds ex-general’s sedition arrest

Romeo Poquiz’s limited influence means his arrest is unlikely to spark a ‘chilling effect’ among former officials, observers say.

Romeo Poquiz was detained at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila after returning from a Bangkok holiday on Monday. Photo: Handout
Singapore

How a photo reignited debate on neutrality of Singapore’s NMP scheme

Haresh Singaraju, a newly nominated member of parliament, was spotted in a shirt with the logo of the ruling PAP at an activity in 2023.

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Parliament House in Singapore. Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the city state’s NMP scheme. Photo: Xinhua
Parliament House in Singapore. Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the city state’s NMP scheme. Photo: Xinhua
Vietnam

Vietnam overtakes Thailand as Chinese tourists' top choice for travel

Chinese visitors to Vietnam jumped 41 per cent to 5.3 million, topping the 4.5 million to Thailand, where safety concerns reduced Chinese travellers.

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The Philippines

Trump’s Venezuela move strains Philippines’ rules-based diplomacy, critics say

Critics said the US operation has undercut Manila’s claim to principled diplomacy, given its close alliance with Washington.

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Malaysia

Reform gamble: Anwar to limit Malaysia PM term amid support crisis

The move could ‘excite core supporters’ and help project the image that the ruling coalition remains committed to reform, analysts say.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says his government aims to pass a law this year capping a prime minister’s tenure at 10 years or two terms. Photo: Reuters
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says his government aims to pass a law this year capping a prime minister’s tenure at 10 years or two terms. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippine ex-general arrested after call for military to ‘reset’ society

Romeo Poquiz had publicly called for the armed forces to ‘withdraw their support’ from Marcos over the flood control corruption scandal.

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The Philippines

Philippines approves U$115 billion budget, slashes ‘back door’ allocations

Marcos used his veto powers to cut unprogrammed appropriations, historically prone to corruption, to their lowest level since 2019.

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Malaysia

Gold rush: Malaysia’s Kelantan to let poor residents dig for precious metal

The move comes as gold prices soared and videos of local Kelantanese panning for the metal were shared online.

Gold nuggets. Malaysia’s Kelantan state opened applications for official licences for small-scale gold panning on January 1. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

New ‘command economy’? Indonesia seizes land the size of Switzerland

Prabowo Subianto’s government has taken over 4 million hectares of plantations and mines since last January.

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A truck loaded with oil palm drives on an unpaved road at a plantation in Langsa, Aceh province. Photo: AFP
A truck loaded with oil palm drives on an unpaved road at a plantation in Langsa, Aceh province. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

‘Not very high’ bar: Philippines inherits Thailand-Cambodia border crisis

Given Asean’s policy of non-interference, the Philippines may be better off leaving peace negotiations to the US and China, experts say.

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Malaysia

Malaysia, EU threaten action against X, Grok AI for offensive images

Malaysian authorities said they are investigating images produced by Grok after complaints about the misuse of AI to manipulate images of women and minors.

Indonesia

Body of Spanish football coach found after Indonesian boat tragedy

Fernando Martin, his wife and their 4 children were on a tour boat that sank in the Komodo National Park area on Boxing Day.

Indonesian rescuers on Sunday recover a body believed to be one of the victims of a tourist boat that sank on December 26. Photo: Basarnas / AP
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