Advertisement

Advertisement

This Week in Asia

Health & Environment

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Putrajaya earlier in April. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP/dpa

Politics

From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test

Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.

2 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Hero or reckless? Bangladeshi man saving baby on train tracks divides opinion

4 May 2026 - 6:22PM

Pitch perfect diplomacy? North Korean footballers head to South Korea

4 May 2026 - 7:05PM

Politics

Between hope and reality – Umno’s plan to go solo a test of political waters

The party says a solo bid can help it win up to 60 seats in the next election and give it leverage to decide on coalition partners.

4 May 2026 - 5:00PM

A United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) flag waves outside the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Health & Environment

South Korean team behind new stroke research, treatment cites Chinese interest

Animals given an experimental drug have shown significant improvement in motor function, with their brain damage reduced.

4 May 2026 - 5:25PMvideocam

People

In Malaysia, Anwar’s former ally Rafizi Ramli grilled over Arm chip deal

The MACC is investigating power abuse claims and irregularities linked to the alliance between the economy ministry and the UK chip designer.

4 May 2026 - 11:23AM

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Economics

‘No longer nice-to-have’: AI skills boost Singapore software engineer pay by 25%

Companies are increasingly prioritising engineers who can work effectively with AI tools, especially in senior roles.

4 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Men work with the help of AI. Salaries of AI-savvy software engineers have shot up in Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock

People

In Philippines, youth suicide crisis exposes struggle for mental health support

Manila faces a rise in youth suicides linked to emotional distress, prompting calls for the nationwide expansion of well-being resources.

3 May 2026 - 1:30PMvideocam

Lifestyle & Culture

The cost of cute: how ‘petfluencers’ are driving Asia’s wildlife crime

Thailand is a key pipeline in a lucrative global trade that animal activists warn risks spreading zoonotic diseases and erasing biodiversity.

3 May 2026 - 12:00PM

Economics

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

3 May 2026 - 10:30AM

The port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on April 17. Photo: EPA/The UAE Presidential Court

Lifestyle & Culture

Indonesia’s aim to lure more K-pop concerts spurs chorus of doubts

While Indonesian K-pop fans applaud Jakarta’s intention, they cite safety, venue capacity and bureaucracy as some of the key hurdles.

3 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Indonesian K-pop idol Carmen poses for photos alongside Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung at a state luncheon in Seoul on April 1. Photo: Instagram/2_jaemyung

Politics

UAE’s Opec exit signals aim to accelerate foreign policy diversification

Iran’s attacks on Gulf states have forced Abu Dhabi to rethink its place within the Saudi Arabia-led diplomatic architecture, analysts say.

2 May 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Politics

Common threats help Japan, South Korea overlook historical rows

Both appear willing to put past differences aside as they confront an assertive China, North Korea and an unpredictable US.

2 May 2026 - 3:58PMvideocam

Politics

Why India’s logistics pact with Russia signals its Arctic ‘footprint’ ambition

The pact allows up to ‘five warships, 10 aircraft and 3,000 troops’ to be stationed in each other’s territory for five years.

2 May 2026 - 1:00PM

Melting ice on the North Pole in the Arctic. Photo: Getty Images

Health & Environment

Rapidly ageing Japan’s ‘macho carers’ lend muscles to benefit elderly, disabled

Japan’s care industry is facing a shortage of workers, and one company is plugging the gap by deploying ‘cool’ and well-toned staff.

2 May 2026 - 9:32AMvideocam

Care worker and bodybuilder Takuya Usui (right) chats with Madoka Yamaguchi as he helps her sit on a bed at a care home for people with disabilities operated by Visionary in Ichinomiya, Aichi prefecture. Photo: AFP

Economics

Why Singapore, Thailand are among the world’s ‘happiest’ economies

Southeast Asian countries outdid larger economies in the 178-nation Hanke’s Annual Misery Index for 2025.

1 May 2026 - 8:58PMvideocam

Economics

Deadly train crash in Indonesia exposes severe safety gaps, dangerous crossings

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledges to spend US$230 million to upgrade level crossings after the accident that killed 16 passengers.

1 May 2026 - 6:53PMvideocam

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Politics

From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test

Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.

2 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Putrajaya earlier in April. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP/dpa

Economics

Mixed bag: Indonesia’s 8% growth dream hits a plastic ceiling

Soaring packaging costs amid the Iran war hint at a deeper malaise as the middle class contracts and growth hits a plateau.

26 Apr 2026 - 10:01AMvideocam

Health & Environment

Shock therapy: war forces oil-addicted Asia to finally go green

Burned by soaring energy prices, Southeast Asian nations are racing to future-proof themselves against the volatility of war.

18 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Politics

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

11 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Storage tanks are seen at an oil refinery in Yokohama, Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture, as Mount Fuji looms in the background. Photo: AFP

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

LATEST Asia NEWS

South Asia

India PM Modi’s party takes control of West Bengal in key state election

1 hour ago

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (waving) arrive at the party headquarters to deliver a victory speech, in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: EPA

East Asia

Seoul says ‘explosion and fire’ on South Korean ship in Hormuz strait

4 hours agovideocam

Cargo ships at sea near the Strait of Hormuz, as viewed from a rocky shoreline near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. Photo: AP

People

Hero or reckless? Bangladeshi man saving baby on train tracks divides opinion

4 May 2026 - 6:22PM

A Bangladeshi man jumped onto the train tracks to shield his baby with his body, sparking both praise and debate about his actions. Photo: Handout

People

Pitch perfect diplomacy? North Korean footballers head to South Korea

4 May 2026 - 7:05PM

South Korea’s Suwon FC Women and North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC walk onto the pitch ahead of their Asian Football Confederation Women’s Champions League group stage match in Myanmar in November. Photo: YouTube/The AFC Hub

Politics

Between hope and reality – Umno’s plan to go solo a test of political waters

4 May 2026 - 5:00PM

A United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) flag waves outside the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Asian Angle | Why Japan-China ties can benefit from promoting people-to-people exchanges

Akio Takahara

3 May 2026 - 9:00AM

Panarat Anamwathana

Asian Angle | A year after corporal punishment ban, Thailand needs to curb resurgence

Panarat Anamwathana

2 May 2026 - 12:00PM

Wesley Morgan,Ben Newell

Opinion | Trump’s oil crisis is accelerating the end of the fossil fuel era

Wesley Morgan

Ben Newell

26 Apr 2026 - 3:00PM

Michael Vatikiotis

Opinion | Blinding the world with lies makes peacemaking an impossible task

25 Apr 2026 - 11:00AM

Asian Angle | The Thucydides Trap is a lie created to justify a US-China war

Chandran Nair

19 Apr 2026 - 1:30PM

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

TRENDING TOPICS

The Philippines

South China Sea

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

MOST POPULAR

1

What’s behind Japan’s novel move to share Mogami warship design with India?

30 Apr 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

2

Singapore charges French teen over vending machine straw-licking stunt

30 Apr 2026 - 3:02PM

3

Pricier than gold: why thieves in Malaysia want your catalytic converter

28 Apr 2026 - 12:36PM

4

Brics to push for intra-currency payments as ‘immunity’ against Western clout

30 Apr 2026 - 4:41PMvideocam

5

How an alleged Malaysian scammer vanished with US$25 billion in life savings

23 Apr 2026 - 11:34AMvideocam