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This Week in Asia
A voter shows her inked finger after casting a ballot in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Politics

‘Military has destroyed our lives’: Myanmar votes in election amid civil war

The multiphase election, which the junta insists is ‘free and fair’, comes nearly four years after it took power in a coup.

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How the Peranakan Chinese built one of Southeast Asia’s most powerful networks

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Corruption, floods and clan wars rock Philippines in 2025

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East Asia

5-year-old dies after ski lift accident in Hokkaido, Japan

Safety concerns were previously raised over a lack of handrails and the lift’s design.

The site of an accident involving a 5-year-old boy at a ski resort in Otaru, Hokkaido on Sunday. Photo: Kyodo
The site of an accident involving a 5-year-old boy at a ski resort in Otaru, Hokkaido on Sunday. Photo: Kyodo

Politics

From PM purge to border bombs: Thailand’s year of upheaval

As the country mourns the loss of Queen Mother Sirikit amid political chaos and a sluggish economy, Lisa’s global reign lights up Thai public.

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Economics

Can Japan’s space industry regain thrust after H3 rocket failure?

Failure is inevitable, aerospace experts say, so Japan needs to be less afraid of making mistakes and move on.

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East Asia

South Korea’s record low birth rate leads to mass school closures

With student counts half of 1980 levels, South Korea confronts a crisis of empty classrooms and abandoned sites, raising worry over wasted assets.

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An empty classroom in a South Korean high school, with rows of desks and a blackboard. Photo: Shutterstock
An empty classroom in a South Korean high school, with rows of desks and a blackboard. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Trump’s dance, Najib’s 1MDB saga, influencer case: Malaysia leads Asean in 2025

The country hosts the region’s biggest event, sees a new twist in the 1MDB scandal and is at a critical political juncture.

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Southeast Asia

‘It drives me nuts’: why Vietnam’s newest craze is keeping neighbours awake

‘The noise makes it impossible for me to sleep. It just keeps going pop-pop-pop,’ a Hanoi resident says.

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Southeast Asia

Singapore’s Pritam Singh faces leadership test as party seeks special meeting

The request comes after the opposition chief and party secretary general’s conviction for lying to a parliamentary panel.

Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh leaves the Singapore Supreme Court on December 4. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Who is running for Thai PM? Unofficial campaign starts as parties name candidates

PM Anutin seeks re-election in a three-way race against People’s Party and Thaksin’s Pheu Thai amid constitutional referendum in February poll.

Supporters with placards back Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul on the first day of candidate registration in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Supporters with placards back Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul on the first day of candidate registration in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

‘Very happy’: Thailand, Cambodia sign ceasefire deal to end border clashes

Both sides agreed to freeze all troop movements and allow civilians living in border areas to return home as soon as possible.

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Southeast Asia

Spanish father, 3 children missing in Indonesia after tourist boat sinks

High waves are believed to have caused the sightseeing boat to capsize en route to popular tourist destination Labuan Bajo.

Politics

Singapore in 2025: election fever, courtroom drama, pickleball mania

Local politics, tariff concerns, a horrific child abuse case and noise disputes dominate the headlines this year.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of the People’s Action Party thanks voters at an assembly area for the party’s supporters on general election day on May 3. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

‘Built on tofu’: safety fears as Japan prepares to restart nuclear plant

While Fukushima operator Tepco says it is ‘committed to safety’ at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, critics believe it is a disaster waiting to happen.

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The No 5, 6 and 7 reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex operated by Tepco. Photo: Kyodo
The No 5, 6 and 7 reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear complex operated by Tepco. Photo: Kyodo

Politics

‘Lost my future’: Myanmar’s ‘charade’ election dims hopes of diaspora

The junta’s phased election starting on Sunday has been slammed as a ploy for its generals to stay in power.

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Politics

Malaysia’s Najib sentenced to 15 years in jail for abuse of power in 1MDB saga

The ruling comes after a years-long trial in the financial fraud that saw more than US$4.5 billion plundered from the state fund.

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Economics

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Economics

Southeast Asia’s rich buy sky garages while the middle class lose their homes

As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.

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Health & Environment

6 cyclones, 5 weeks: Philippines can’t escape its endless cycle of disaster

Corruption, complacency and climate chaos conspire to turn the Philippines’ natural hazards into man-made tragedies.

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Politics

‘It’s time for us to rise’: India races to rebuild its lost maritime muscle

India is eyeing a future as a leading shipping and shipbuilding nation, backed by big investments – and expertise from South Korea and Japan.

Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Corruption, floods and clan wars rock Philippines in 2025

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Protesters wearing masks depicting the faces of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr march during a rally to mark the International Human Rights Day in Manila on December 10. Photo: AFP

Politics

From PM purge to border bombs: Thailand’s year of upheaval

videocam
Rescue workers extinguishing a fire at a house after it was hit by Cambodian rocket strikes during clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops, at a village in Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket province, Thailand, on December 14. Photo: EPA/Royal Thai Army

Economics

Can Japan’s space industry regain thrust after H3 rocket failure?

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Japan’s H3 rocket carrying the Michibiki No 5 satellite lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre on Monday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters

Politics

‘Military has destroyed our lives’: Myanmar votes in election amid civil war

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A voter shows her inked finger after casting a ballot in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Lifestyle & Culture

How the Peranakan Chinese built one of Southeast Asia’s most powerful networks

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The Khoo elders observe the Tung Chen prayer ceremony in the ancestral hall of the Long San Tong Khoo Kongsi on December 20. Photo: Ushar Daniele
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