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This Week in Asia
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen in the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Photo: pool via Reuters

Southeast Asia

Philippines’ Duterte attends ICC hearing via video link

The 79-year-old was tired after flying to the Netherlands from the Philippines and was permitted to attend the session via video link.

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Can Indonesia pivot towards the Middle East and diversify from China, US?

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Man’s best friend celebrates Holi, the festival of colours

China Economy

Vietnam boosts China’s aviation ambitions with C909 deal move

Hanoi is reportedly paving the way to approve the country’s first deal to lease Chinese-made civilian aircraft.

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The C909 is the smallest narrowbody jet produced by Chinese aviation company Comac. Photo: EPA-EFE
The C909 is the smallest narrowbody jet produced by Chinese aviation company Comac. Photo: EPA-EFE

Southeast Asia

‘You have to kill me to bring me to The Hague’: how Duterte’s arrest unfolded

The ex-president refused to be fingerprinted and his daughter hurled expletives at a police general during the 12-hour stand-off.

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Politics

‘Shameful’ Japanese tourists’ Great Wall prank sparks outrage at home

Two Japanese tourists were detained in China after one exposed himself on the Great Wall, causing outrage in Japan and raising concerns about declining Japanese morals.

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United States & Canada

US hits Thai officials with visa sanctions over deportation of Uygurs to China

A group of at least 40 Uygurs was sent back last month despite warnings from UN experts that they could face torture and ‘irreparable harm’.

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Footage that shows Uygur refugees arriving at an airport in China is shown during a press conference at the Justice Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand in February. Photo: EPA-EFE
Footage that shows Uygur refugees arriving at an airport in China is shown during a press conference at the Justice Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand in February. Photo: EPA-EFE

People

British couple attacked in Thailand found guilty of injuring neighbours

The Byrnes, from Middlesbrough, were handed a suspended jail term and fine despite being beaten up in property dispute.

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People

South Korean firms axe ads with actor Kim Soo-hyun over underage dating scandal

Star’s agency denies claims that he had a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage.

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Politics

Is North Korea a nuclear power? Trump seems to think so

The comments have sparked fears the US might favour talks on nuclear arms reduction with North Korea instead of full denuclearisation.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump meet in Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone on June 30, 2019. Photo: AP

Politics

Will Typhon system feature in Philippines’ full-battle Balikatan drills?

Similar to Balikatan 2024, this year’s drills will feature sinking exercises 12 nautical miles outside the Philippines’ territorial waters.

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The US Typhon mid-range capability missile system being deployed in 2023 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. Photo: US Army/RCCTO
The US Typhon mid-range capability missile system being deployed in 2023 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. Photo: US Army/RCCTO

People

Malaysian reporter acclaimed for migrant syndicate stories denies bribe-taking

Malaysiakini’s Nantha Kumar claims he was acting as an undercover informant for immigration authorities.

East Asia

South Korea says fire on Hong Kong-bound jet possibly caused by power bank

According to the interim probe into the January incident, the blaze may have started because insulation inside the battery had broken down.

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East Asia

Suspect in Japan influencer killing wanted world to know she owed him US$13,000

‘I thought the world would know what she had done if I created an incident and a trial was held,’ Kenichi Takano told investigators.

Japanese police officers at the scene of a stabbing of a woman in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo on March 11. Photo: Kyodo News via AP

Economics

Tokyo’s nightlife gets US$3.8 million makeover to lure visitors after dark

Initiatives include pop-up information offices, projection mapping displays, and subsidies for businesses, all designed to showcase Tokyo’s vibrant after-hours scene.

Tokyo has unveiled a US$3.8 million initiative to revitalise the city’s nightlife. Photo: Shutterstock
Tokyo has unveiled a US$3.8 million initiative to revitalise the city’s nightlife. Photo: Shutterstock

Economics

Myanmar refugees offer hope to South Korean county fighting population decline

Yeongyang county hopes to revitalise its community by welcoming refugees, offering new opportunities and utilising empty properties.

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Politics

Japan, US to mark 80th anniversary of Iwo Jima battle amid trade tensions

Tokyo hopes joint memorial will underline commitment to security alliance, but Hegseth expected to ask Japan to do more to defend itself, analysts say.

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Economics

Emas or gelap? Prabowo’s golden dream and Indonesia’s ‘dark’ realities collide

With a shrinking middle class, falling commodity prices and youth unemployment on the rise, experts warn of an economic paradox in the making.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Economics

Malaysia’s digital economy ambition faces disconnect in workplace and schools

The country’s workers are ill-equipped to meet the needs of the digital economy with AI threatening to leave them in the shade, analysts say.

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Politics

Deadline diplomacy: Arab nations mobilise against Trump’s Gaza ‘Riviera’ scheme

With lives at stake, the Arab world is rallying to counter what analysts described as the US president’s ‘deranged ethnic-cleansing plan’.

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Health & Environment

Toxic tides: life in Indonesia’s most polluted village

Once a pristine fishing hamlet, Tanjung Uma is now drowning in garbage and disease as it bears the brunt of unchecked waste and environmental collapse.

A food stall in Tanjung Uma next to a trash-strewn waterway. Photo: Ken Kwek
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Can Indonesia pivot towards the Middle East and diversify from China, US?

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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto gestures at the launch of a new system for directly transferring allowances to regional public school teachers’ bank accounts in Jakarta on March 13. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Shameful’ Japanese tourists’ Great Wall prank sparks outrage at home

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Two Japanese tourists were detained in China after one exposed himself on the Great Wall, sparking outrage in Japan. Photo: Shutterstock

People

British couple attacked in Thailand found guilty of injuring neighbours

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British couple Desmond and Mary Byrne had moved to Thailand in 2021 and bought a property in Hua Hin. Photo: Handout

Politics

Is North Korea a nuclear power? Trump seems to think so

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump meet in Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone on June 30, 2019. Photo: AP

Economics

Tokyo’s nightlife gets US$3.8 million makeover to lure visitors after dark

Tokyo has unveiled a US$3.8 million initiative to revitalise the city’s nightlife. Photo: Shutterstock
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MULTIMEDIA
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India celebrates colourful Holi festival

Indians mark Holi festival with colourful powder and flower petals
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The women brewing change in India, one beer at a time
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Hundreds rescued from hijacked train in Pakistan

‘Armed men stormed the train’: Pakistan train hijacking ends with hundreds rescued
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Duterte video message tells supporters not to worry

‘Do not worry’: Rodrigo Duterte addresses supporters in video from ICC custody
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