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This Week in Asia

A Filipino packs balikbayan boxes at her home in Long Beach, California. Photo: Los Angeles Times

Lifestyle & Culture

Overseas Filipinos feel heartache over missing parcels for loved ones

Balikbayan boxes bound for the Philippines are an important source of comfort for families of Filipinos working overseas.

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Danger, death and devotion: Japan’s festivals face crisis after fatal accidents

Big dreams, growing pains in Indonesia: Prabowo’s turbulent 2 years in power

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Economics

‘Videos made me panic’: France unrest gives jitters to Southeast Asian tourists

Safety alerts and riots lead to itinerary changes at a time when tourism from the region to France is experiencing an uneven recovery.

A tourist uses his smartphone to film burnt cars in Paris, France, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
A French police officer extinguishes burning bicycles during a demonstration against the cost of living and rising fuel prices in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
A man walks past burnt-out vehicles in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP/dpa
A cafe waiter tries to push back tear gas canisters during clashes between protesters and police in Paris on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Economics

What Indonesia’s warnings of energy cuts mean for Asean

Observers say the warnings reflect a broader trend towards resource sovereignty but are unlikely to hinder progress in regional frameworks.

Politics

Economic fears fuel protests in India, France as ‘social contract’ breaks down

A leading Hindu organisation claims that foreign forces are seeking to destabilise India through the protests.

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Health & Environment

Paper straws worse for the environment than plastic, South Korea study finds

The report finds paper and bio-based straws generate higher life-cycle emissions, prompting calls to cut single-use consumption at source.

Paper straws in bar in California in February 2025. A South Korea study has found paper straws may cause more environmental harm than plastic. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Paper straws in bar in California in February 2025. A South Korea study has found paper straws may cause more environmental harm than plastic. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Politics

How the Philippines’ energy crisis is opening doors for deeper US military ties

A proposed US-backed oil stockpile offers the Philippines energy relief while strengthening American military logistics in the region.

Politics

Malaysia’s oil-rich Sarawak heads to polls, forcing Anwar into yet another federal test

Sarawak’s ‘confident’ ruling coalition is pushing for greater autonomy and control over the Borneo state’s vast oil and gas resources.

Politics

‘I am not resigning’: embattled leader digs in as Malaysia royal crisis deepens

Defying calls to step down and a royal rebuke, Ismail Lasim is fighting for survival as his sacked councillors take the throne feud to court.

Negeri Sembilan chief minister Ismail Lasim (left) greets ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on his arrival for Friday prayers at Masjid Kariah Beting in Kuala Pilah. Photo: Kuala Pilah District and Land Office

Economics

Vietnam partners with Denmark to propel its wind energy ambition

Both sides will develop an offshore wind project in line with Vietnam’s goal to boost renewable electricity generation.

King Frederik X of Denmark (right) and Vietnam’s President To Lam (second right) look at offshore wind turbines as they attend a boat trip in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
King Frederik X of Denmark (right) and Vietnam’s President To Lam (second right) look at offshore wind turbines as they attend a boat trip in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Indonesia haze: why Jakarta won’t declare wildfires a national disaster

Indonesia resists declaring the wildfires a national disaster despite health crises, facing criticism over political and budget priorities.

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Politics

Why does India need 4 large amphibious warships?

While the vessels would be useful in humanitarian missions, their deployment in military operations would also be crucial, analysts say.

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Economics

Can ‘Buy Indonesia’ economic nationalism restore investor trust?

Analysts say, however, that Indonesia will need concrete steps to improve market transparency and governance to save its bourse.

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A woman walks past the Indonesia Stock Exchange building in Jakarta on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

Indonesians turn to eco-art as haze sparks anger and diplomatic tension

Frustrated by toxic haze, Indonesians are using performance art to draw attention to the wildfires as anger grows across borders.

Firefighters spray water on a peatland wildfire in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, in September. Fires in Indonesia have caused a regional haze crisis across Southeast Asia. Photo: AFP
Firefighters spray water on a peatland wildfire in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, in September. Fires in Indonesia have caused a regional haze crisis across Southeast Asia. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Haze forces Malaysian fitness groups to swap outdoor runs for shopping mall laps

Air-conditioned retail corridors offer a safe space for runners as toxic air quality disrupts sports across Malaysia.

Politics

What border warnings by Kim Jong-un’s sister reveal about inter-Korean tensions

Kim’s repeated accusations of Seoul provocations appear to build a case for blaming South Korea for any future hostilities, experts say.

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Economics

Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. But is the bargain worth it?

Pinduoduo’s arrival has thrilled bargain hunters, even as direct e-commerce shipments price out local firms and waste chokes landfills.

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Illustration: Dennis Yip
Illustration: Dennis Yip

Politics

Southeast Asia battles Big Tech to protect children online

From Indonesia to Vietnam, governments are making platforms answerable for children’s safety – but bans can only do so much.

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Economics

Going ‘car-lite’: why more Singaporeans are quitting driving

Rail links and cycle routes make it easier for motorists to give up their cars as running costs and road charges rise.

Economics

Thailand has had enough of foreign tourists behaving badly

Viral misbehaviour, crimes and foreign-ownership scandals are exhausting the patience of a country famous for its hospitality.

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Illustration: Kevin Wong
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Europe

Chasing Gothic Lolita demand, Japanese businesses expand to Europe

Gothic Lolita fashion enthusiasts attend a gathering in Berlin in August. Photo: Kyodo

Southeast Asia

Indonesia cuts gas to Singapore amid Borneo, Sumatra wildfire haze

Motorcyclists queue to refuel at a gas station in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on Octover 15. Photo: EPA-EFE

Southeast Asia

4 pilots killed in mid-air collision of Philippine military planes

Philippine Air Force Super Tucano light attack aircraft fly by during drills at San Vicente Airport in Palawan in May. Photo: AFP

East Asia

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un calls for training world’s ‘strongest’ military

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a conference of company commanders for the country’s army in Pyongyang, in a photo released on Saturday. Photo: KCNA via Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Overseas Filipinos feel heartache over missing parcels for loved ones

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A Filipino packs balikbayan boxes at her home in Long Beach, California. Photo: Los Angeles Times
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OPINION
Le Hong Hiep

Asian Angle | Can Vietnam sustain its high-growth ambitions amid capital constraints?

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Asian Angle | Why Asean’s Myanmar peace push needs Japan’s ‘silent diplomacy’

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Michael Vatikiotis

Opinion | Truth needs a treaty in this age of AI disinformation

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Asian Angle | PAS wants urban Malaysia’s vote. Can it win over urban Malays?

Azmil Tayeb
Zha Daojiong

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia faces a false binary in US-China mineral trade

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MULTIMEDIA
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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
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Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
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Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
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Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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