This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Khmer Rouge troops gather surrendered weapons at an intersection in Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975. Photo: Roland Neveu

Politics

Cambodia’s descent into madness remembered, 50 years after the Khmer Rouge

Frenchmen Roland Neveu witnessed the victorious Khmer Rouge enter Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975, heralding a savage era for Cambodians.

Japan weighs new legislation to tackle illegal gambling via online casinos

videocam

Oh, deer: Japan’s Nara boosts police patrols to curb animal abuse

videocam

Politics

Trump tariffs don’t worry Singaporean voters. Here’s what matters more to them

Domestic issues and more perspectives in parliament likely to be on voters’ minds for next month’s election, analysts say.

The facade of the Singapore Parliament building on Tuesday. Singapore will hold a general election on May 3. Photo: Xinhua
The facade of the Singapore Parliament building on Tuesday. Singapore will hold a general election on May 3. Photo: Xinhua

Economics

Singapore PM says US tariff delay ‘little comfort’ amid global uncertainty

Trade war has prompted governments to reassert greater control over resources ‘in case help doesn’t arrive on time’, Lawrence Wong says.

videocam

Economics

Singapore’s task force warns of ‘disorderly’ tariffs’ impact on economy

The task force led by Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong says it is open to adjusting current help measures for businesses and workers.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Health & Environment

‘Fly high, Riley’: Philippine eaglet dies 3 months after birth

Riley’s ‘unassisted natural hatching’ was hailed as a win for the Philippines’ efforts in protecting its natural heritage.

Riley the Philippine eagle chick. Photo: Philippine Eagle Foundation
Riley the Philippine eagle chick. Photo: Philippine Eagle Foundation

People

‘Risking our lives’: Indonesians warn of dangers in Cambodian scam compounds

Indonesians promised employment in Cambodia say they were instead forced to work long hours in shadowy compounds scamming victims.

videocam

Lifestyle & Culture

4 arrested in Japan over sales of AI-generated porn in first such case

One of the suspects was reportedly making sales of as much as US$70,000 over about a year from the images.

videocam

People

North Korean phishing attack used K-pop and horoscope lures: South Korean police

The police said that over 120,000 emails laced with malware and links to spoofed websites were sent to nearly 18,000 individuals.

videocam
The police said that over 120,000 emails laced with malware and links to spoofed websites were sent to nearly 18,000 individuals in South Korea. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

Philippines warns US tariffs could jeopardise US$5.6 billion fighter jet deal

The proposed tariffs’ impact on global supply chains is likely to raise the already hefty price tag on the jets, analysts say.

Two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons soar over the Indo-Pacific. Photo: US Air Force
Two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons soar over the Indo-Pacific. Photo: US Air Force

Politics

Xi’s visit: Malaysia ‘stands with China’ amid US tariff threat, Anwar says

The two countries signed a raft of deals spanning AI, infrastructure and agriculture as both leaders spoke out in defence of open trade.

videocam
26

Economics

As Chinese students pick Malaysia, their parents buy second homes

Anwar could negotiate for more cooperation on education with Xi to capitalise on the momentum, industry insiders say.

Economics

Trump claims Japan security treaty is ‘one-sided’. What does he really want?

The US president’s ‘one-sided deal’ rhetoric is aimed at extracting trade concessions and higher defence payments from Tokyo, observers say.

videocam
5
US President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Photo: AFP

Politics

South China Sea: can Malaysia deliver breakthrough in code of conduct talks?

Talks resumed in Manila earlier this month in search of a ‘substantive and effective’ framework to manage tensions in the disputed waterway.

videocam
Philippine coastguard personnel look on as a China coastguard vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea last year. Photo: Reuters
Philippine coastguard personnel look on as a China coastguard vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea last year. Photo: Reuters

Politics

5 drones with ‘Chinese markings’ found in Philippine waters: navy official

The drones were used to collect data for various applications, including for ‘underwater warfare’, a Philippine navy spokesman said.

videocam

Politics

Why Japan’s PM Ishiba is becoming unpopular with a ‘very disappointed’ public

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is struggling in opinion polls as voters fret about rising prices, stagnant wages and tense regional security.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Economics

Asean’s ‘illusion of solidarity’ splinters amid Trump’s tariff threats

While Malaysia calls for a united front, the reality is a race for bilateral deals, with Vietnam leading the charge – as China watches on.

videocam
16
Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Myanmar’s double disaster: an earthquake and a heartless junta

As quake survivors dig through the rubble for loved ones with their bare hands, the military bombs villages and seeks diplomatic openings.

videocam
5

Politics

What Duterte’s downfall means for Sara, Marcos and the Philippines

Ex-president Duterte is behind bars in The Hague and his daughter is fighting for political survival. But don’t discount a comeback in 2028.

videocam
6

Lifestyle & Culture

Cosmetic cravings: Asia’s Gen Z risk it all to keep their youthful looks

Young Southeast Asians are running a gauntlet of bootleg botox, fake fillers and clandestine clinics in their quest to defy ageing.

videocam
Gen Z beauty seekers appear undeterred by harrowing tales of disfiguring infections, scarring and deaths caused by botulism. Photo: Shutterstock
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST Asia NEWS

Politics

Cambodia’s descent into madness remembered, 50 years after the Khmer Rouge

Khmer Rouge troops gather surrendered weapons at an intersection in Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975. Photo: Roland Neveu

Politics

Trump tariffs don’t worry Singaporean voters. Here’s what matters more to them

The facade of the Singapore Parliament building on Tuesday. Singapore will hold a general election on May 3. Photo: Xinhua

Australasia

Australians’ trust in US sinks amid Trump’s tariffs and tantrums

videocam
8
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and opposition leader Peter Dutton shake hands ahead of the second leaders’ debate of the 2025 election campaign in Sydney on April 16. Photo: AAP Image/Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Japan weighs new legislation to tackle illegal gambling via online casinos

videocam
A study by Japan’s National Police Agency shows online gamblers are mostly in their 20s and 30s, with about 40 per cent saying they did not know that online gambling is illegal. Photo: Shutterstock

East Asia

Japan’s shift to US rice as prices soar 70% may allow leeway in tariff talks

Arata Hirano, owner of the restaurant Shokudou Arata, pours California-grown Calrose rice into a rice cooker at his restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
MORE Asia NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Ooi Kee Beng

Opinion | Decoding Trump’s tariffs and the world’s multipolar future

Ooi Kee Beng
Hoang Thi Ha

Asian Angle | The ‘Tariff Man’ cometh: Vietnam’s misplaced faith in Trump 2.0

Hoang Thi Ha
12
Biman Mukherji

My Take | Is Trump’s tariff reprieve a false dawn for small Asian nations?

Biman Mukherji
Michael Vatikiotis

Opinion | Whose lives matter? Navigating aid and ethics in a divided world

Maria Siow

My Take | Will Trump’s tariffs push Japan and South Korea closer to China?

Maria Siow
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
Video

Annual Balikatan drills with US to test Manila’s defence plans

Philippines vows major exercises in coming Balikatan military drills with US
01:24
Video

Manila says ‘underwater warfare’ drones may be Chinese

Philippines says 5 aquatic drones with ‘Chinese markings’ found in its territorial waters
01:35
Video

Ex Malaysian PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dies at 85

Former Malaysian leader Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who extended political freedoms, dies at 85
01:36
Video

Philippine schools adapt to soaring temperatures

Early holiday, more fans: Philippine schools implement measures to cope with extreme heat
03:49
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
Singapore
Malaysia
The Philippines
Indonesia
South China Sea
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MOST POPULAR
1

Singaporeans rediscover China, what Duterte’s downfall means: 7 Asia highlights

2

Thais reject ‘dark skin’ stigma, Singapore payouts: 7 Asia highlights

3

Kuala Lumpur to see mass Hindu community gathering as temple row rumbles

4

Will Trump’s tariffs on Vietnam mean pricier Nike and Adidas shoes?

5

Japan’s US missile venture comes under fire from North Korea

videocam