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This Week in Asia
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to journalists on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on October 28, 2025. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia’s Anwar faces pressure as allies demand new probe into MACC allegations

Democratic Action Party leaders said a task force does not go far enough to examine the alleged misconduct at the anti-corruption agency.

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

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Malaysia blocks Grindr, Blued for promoting ‘deviant’ relationships

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Politics

Trade and diplomatic reset top the agenda for Canadian PM’s India visit

Both sides are set to boost trade links and repair ties further following a fallout over the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist, analysts say.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meet before the 2025 G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Photo: AP
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meet before the 2025 G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Photo: AP

East Asia

South Korea axes visa barriers for Indonesians in 30 million visitor drive

Citizens of China and Southeast Asian nations who have previously visited the country can apply for multiple-entry visas of up to 10 years.

Politics

South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula

The gesture accompanied Lula’s state visit to Seoul, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.

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People

Shaman’s bribery conviction spells trouble for South Korea’s former first lady

A judge has ruled luxury gifts passed to Kim Keon-hee were ‘grease payments’, contradicting an earlier verdict and threatening her appeal.

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South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for a court hearing in August last year. Photo: Reuters
South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for a court hearing in August last year. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Malaysian police arrest student for desecrating Koran in viral social media post

The post, which reportedly shows a photo of a man stepping on the holy book, has sparked public outrage and concerns over religious harmony.

Economics

Why Brics can’t do away with US dollar even as currency cooperation rises

Brazil says there has been no proposal or talks within Brics to create a common currency across the bloc.

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People

‘They do listen sometimes’: Malaysians cheer US U-turn on controversial envoy

He boasted about eating rare steaks and reading the Bible daily, but the combative US envoy pick proved too tough for Malaysia to swallow.

Malaysians protest outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur on July 18 last year against the proposed appointment of Nick Adams as ambassador to the country. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Singapore prime minister attacked by hundreds of Chinese-language fake AI videos

The videos targeting Lawrence Wong spread false narratives about his leadership being under threat and political infighting in Singapore.

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Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong takes part in the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025. Photo: dpa
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong takes part in the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025. Photo: dpa

Southeast Asia

Malaysian resort owners face huge fines, jail over ‘exotic’ pangolin menu

An official said the establishment’s action tarnished Sabah’s image as a responsible, sustainable nature tourism destination.

East Asia

Japan’s Takaichi defends US$190 election gifts to ruling party lawmakers

The revelation that 315 MPs were asked to pick items from a gift catalogue evokes a slush-fund scandal that engulfed the party in 2023.

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Economics

India and Brazil set sights on US$30 billion trade milestone by 2030

The two founding Brics members are deepening links on rare earths, innovation and AI to diversify growth beyond the West.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold a press conference after a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Health & Environment

Thailand’s captive tiger industry faces backlash after 72 big cats die

‘By the time we realised they were sick, it was too late,’ said an official, as welfare groups decry a life of misery and confinement.

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A tiger chained to be photographed by tourists is seen at a tiger park in Pattaya, Thailand. Photo: AFP
A tiger chained to be photographed by tourists is seen at a tiger park in Pattaya, Thailand. Photo: AFP

Politics

Why Indonesia’s lead role in Gaza peacekeeping force carries high political risk

Jakarta has reiterated that it ‘will not conduct military operations’ after it agreed to assume the role of deputy commander of the force.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Future of Japan’s ‘naked festival’ in doubt after 3 men left unconscious

Organisers said they would review safety rules after six men collapsed during the annual scramble for good-luck talismans.

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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
Image: Kevin Wong

Economics

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep afloat a sinking global order

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

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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.

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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Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Malaysia’s Anwar faces pressure as allies demand new probe into MACC allegations

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to journalists on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on October 28, 2025. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

videocam
Officials inspecting a mosque’s speakers in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Politics

Trade and diplomatic reset top the agenda for Canadian PM’s India visit

videocam
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meet before the 2025 G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Photo: AP

Politics

South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula

videocam
Screenshots from an AI-generated video posted by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung showing young versions of himself and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva embracing as well as the two of them hugging in real life during Lula’s state visit to Seoul. Photo: X / Jaemyung_Lee

People

Shaman’s bribery conviction spells trouble for South Korea’s former first lady

videocam
South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for a court hearing in August last year. Photo: Reuters
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