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This Week in Asia
Beijing has pledged to step in if Canberra commits to regaining control of Darwin Port in northern Australia, which is leased to a Chinese firm. Photo: Handout

Global Economy

Why China ties make Darwin Port a bigger test for Australia than Panama

Legal constraints and stronger Beijing-Canberra relations among factors limiting Albanese administration’s options, analysts say.

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Pakistan’s ‘affordable’ China-developed jet: a victim of its own success?

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‘People are so polite’: why do Russian spies find Japan such an easy target?

Politics

‘Lopsided deal’: South Korean trade experts warn against US tariff pressure

Washington’s tariff pressure is aimed at pushing Seoul to ‘move as fast as Japan’ in implementing its promised investments, analysts say.

Protesters shout slogans during a rally against US tariff policies towards South Korea outside the American embassy in Seoul last week. Photo: EPA
Protesters shout slogans during a rally against US tariff policies towards South Korea outside the American embassy in Seoul last week. Photo: EPA

Southeast Asia

Inside an abandoned Cambodian scam centre seized by Thai troops

Fake law enforcement uniforms from nations including China and Singapore were found alongside mock police sets used to intimidate victims.

Politics

Japan set to revive WWII military titles in controversial shift

While some argue the change aligns Japan with global norms, others say better pay – not historical titles – is what soldiers really need.

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Australasia

‘Superhuman’ teen swims 4 hours to save family swept out to sea in Australia

The 13-year-old hero ditched his life jacket halfway through the swim, fearing the drag would stop him reaching shore.

A view of the sea from a closed beach in Sydney, Australia, last month. Photo: Reuters
A view of the sea from a closed beach in Sydney, Australia, last month. Photo: Reuters

East Asia

Japan’s food exports soar despite US tariffs, China seafood curbs

Global appetites for green tea and beef outweighed trade barriers, pushing farm, fish and forest exports to a record US$11 billion in 2025.

People

Thai police arrest 2 Russian men over ‘heinous’ dismemberment of fellow national

Two Russians have been accused of murdering Mikhail Emelianov after his body parts were found across abandoned land near Pattaya.

Politics

Twin impeachments a ‘stress test’ for Philippine institutional strength

The exercise may risk economic damage, but could also show how a political crisis could be tackled using constitutional means, analysts say.

A protester holds a sign calling for the impeachment of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice-President Sara Duterte during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday. Photo: EPA

Economics

Singapore aims for stars with its new space agency, in a boost for Asia-Pacific

By launching a national space agency, Singapore aims to scale its satellite capabilities and lead the Asia-Pacific in space sustainability.

Singapore is set to launch a national space agency to cement its status as regional innovation hub. Shutterstock/Nasa
Singapore is set to launch a national space agency to cement its status as regional innovation hub. Shutterstock/Nasa

East Asia

Australian woman dies after getting caught in Japan ski lift

The 22-year-old woman’s backpack buckle got caught on a Nagano ski lift, dragging her and leaving her suspended in mid-air as she tried to get off.

Southeast Asia

Interpol issues red notice for Indonesian oil tycoon in US$285 million scandal

Mohammad Riza Chalid is wanted in Indonesia for his alleged involvement in corruption at state-owned oil company Pertamina.

Politics

Malaysia’s PM brushes off Epstein speculation with queasy emoji post

Anwar Ibrahim has rubbished an old email describing him as a potential ‘gold mine’, insisting he had no connection to the US sex offender.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his name had merely been “dropped” into the email exchange from the Epstein files, which dated to 2012. Photo: AFP

People

A tale of two cities: Singapore, Hong Kong and their contrasting paths

Historian Wang Gungwu reflects on how political legacies have shaped Hong Kong and Singapore, two of Asia’s economic ‘tigers’.

People gather around the Merlion statue at Marina Bay in Singapore. Photo: AFP
People gather around the Merlion statue at Marina Bay in Singapore. Photo: AFP

People

Indonesian woman collapses after 140 lashes for sex and alcohol

Three female officers took turns striking the woman with a rattan cane before she lost consciousness, witnesses said.

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Economics

India eyes ‘global manufacturing powerhouse’ status with budget boost

The measures aim to boost production in key sectors such as biopharma and semiconductors, and increase support for smaller businesses.

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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.

Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP
Thailand’s prime minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (second from right) greets people at a market during an election campaign at Chinatown in Bangkok on January 20. Photo: AFP

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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Politics

Philippines enters its ‘hour of danger’ in Marcos vs Duterte clash

Analysts warn of a ‘very messy year’ ahead as coup fears swirl, the economy falters and political warfare rages out in the open.

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Economics

India overtakes Japan in economic size – while prosperity trails far behind

Becoming the No 4 economy is a source of pride. Now, the race is on to turn statistical success into 8 million new jobs a year.

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Shoppers walk along a street illuminated with decorative lights ahead of New Year celebrations in Bengaluru, India, last month. Photo: AFP
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

People

‘People are so polite’: why do Russian spies find Japan such an easy target?

People visit an observation tower in a suburb of Tokyo on Monday. Japan is pushing to strengthen its laws against spying. Photo: AFP

Politics

Japan set to revive WWII military titles in controversial shift

5
A Japanese soldier watches the suburbs of Shanghai ablaze in this undated colourised photograph. Photo: Getty Images

Politics

‘Lopsided deal’: South Korean trade experts warn against US tariff pressure

Protesters shout slogans during a rally against US tariff policies towards South Korea outside the American embassy in Seoul last week. Photo: EPA

Politics

Twin impeachments a ‘stress test’ for Philippine institutional strength

A protester holds a sign calling for the impeachment of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice-President Sara Duterte during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday. Photo: EPA

People

Thai police arrest 2 Russian men over ‘heinous’ dismemberment of fellow national

Two Russians have been arrested in Thailand in connection with a “heinous” crime after the dismembered body of a 30-year-old fellow national was found in scrubland near Pattaya. Photo: Handout
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MULTIMEDIA
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