Advertisement
Advertisement
-

This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and daughter Ju-ae attend a military parade to commemorate the Ninth Workers’ Party congress on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP

Politics

Confrontation or dialogue? You choose, North Korea’s Kim tells US

As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.

Did Philippine gig workers help Jeffrey Epstein clean up his online image?

Cash-for-tips scheme in Japan sparks debate over migrant rights

Politics

Japan’s PM revives push to criminalise defacing national flag

It is already a crime to damage a foreign flag in Japan. Now, emboldened by a massive election win, the PM wants to protect her own.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks next to a Japanese national flag during a press conference at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on February 9. Photo: Reuters
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks next to a Japanese national flag during a press conference at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on February 9. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Why Yoon’s life sentence and ‘sympathetic’ ruling divide South Korea

As the ex-president appeals his life sentence for a martial law plot, judicial reform is back on the agenda for a deeply divided nation.

videocam

Politics

Malaysia’s Anwar faces pressure as allies demand new probe into MACC allegations

Democratic Action Party leaders said a task force does not go far enough to examine the alleged misconduct at the anti-corruption agency.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Lifestyle & Culture

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

A New Zealander’s disruption of a prayer session over the use of loudspeakers at a mosque has prompted some to call for a law on their use.

videocam
Officials inspecting a mosque’s speakers in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
Officials inspecting a mosque’s speakers in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Politics

Trade and diplomatic reset top the agenda for Canadian PM’s India visit

Both sides are set to boost trade links and repair ties further following a fallout over the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist, analysts say.

videocam

Politics

South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula

The gesture accompanied Lula’s state visit to Seoul, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.

videocam

People

Shaman’s bribery conviction spells trouble for South Korea’s former first lady

A judge has ruled luxury gifts passed to Kim Keon-hee were ‘grease payments’, contradicting an earlier verdict and threatening her appeal.

videocam
South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for a court hearing in August last year. Photo: Reuters

People

‘They do listen sometimes’: Malaysians cheer US U-turn on controversial envoy

He boasted about eating rare steaks and reading the Bible daily, but the combative US envoy pick proved too tough for Malaysia to swallow.

Malaysians protest outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur on July 18 last year against the proposed appointment of Nick Adams as ambassador to the country. Photo: AFP
Malaysians protest outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur on July 18 last year against the proposed appointment of Nick Adams as ambassador to the country. Photo: AFP

Politics

Philippine Supreme Court ruling adds momentum to same-sex marriage debate

Advocates hailed the ruling as a breakthrough, though observers said its reach remains limited without congressional action.

videocam

Economics

Why Brics can’t do away with US dollar even as currency cooperation rises

Brazil says there has been no proposal or talks within Brics to create a common currency across the bloc.

videocam

Politics

Why Indonesia’s lead role in Gaza peacekeeping force carries high political risk

Jakarta has reiterated that it ‘will not conduct military operations’ after it agreed to assume the role of deputy commander of the force.

9
US President Donald Trump, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and other leaders at the Board of Peace’s first meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

Thailand’s captive tiger industry faces backlash after 72 big cats die

‘By the time we realised they were sick, it was too late,’ said an official, as welfare groups decry a life of misery and confinement.

videocam
A tiger chained to be photographed by tourists is seen at a tiger park in Pattaya, Thailand. Photo: AFP
A tiger chained to be photographed by tourists is seen at a tiger park in Pattaya, Thailand. Photo: AFP

Economics

India and Brazil set sights on US$30 billion trade milestone by 2030

The two founding Brics members are deepening links on rare earths, innovation and AI to diversify growth beyond the West.

Lifestyle & Culture

Future of Japan’s ‘naked festival’ in doubt after 3 men left unconscious

Organisers said they would review safety rules after six men collapsed during the annual scramble for good-luck talismans.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Economics

Philippines’ AI reckoning puts millions of jobs on the line

The US$30 billion outsourcing sector is fighting to adapt, leaving millions of workers with a stark choice: upskill or be left behind.

videocam
Image: Kevin Wong
Image: Kevin Wong

Economics

India’s trade blitz seeks to keep afloat a sinking global order

‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.

5

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.

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?

6
Supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) wave flags during a rally in Kedah in 2012. Photo: AFP
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST Asia NEWS

Southeast Asia

US, Thailand lead 30 nations in Southeast Asia’s largest military drill

videocam
US Ambassador Sean O’Neill attends the opening ceremony of Cobra Gold in Rayong province, Thailand, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Confrontation or dialogue? You choose, North Korea’s Kim tells US

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and daughter Ju-ae attend a military parade to commemorate the Ninth Workers’ Party congress on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP

People

Did Philippine gig workers help Jeffrey Epstein clean up his online image?

Documents that were included in the US Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Photo: AP

East Asia

South Korea axes visa barriers for Indonesians in 30 million visitor drive

Filipino tourists pose for a photo in front of Hongje Falls in the Seodaemun district on February 9. Photo: The Korea Times

Southeast Asia

Malaysia blocks Grindr, Blued for promoting ‘deviant’ relationships

videocam
Malaysia is reviewing laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters
MORE Asia NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Alex Capri

Opinion | Who will save the world from a US-China AI arms race?

Alex Capri
Ivan Franceschini,Charlotte Setijadi,Ling Li

Opinion | Cambodia’s scam factory survivors find no escape in freedom

Ivan Franceschini
Charlotte Setijadi
Ling Li
Sharon Seah

Asian Angle | How Asean can resolve its Myanmar dilemma post-election

Sharon Seah
4
Ian Storey

Opinion | Vietnam’s renewed nuclear power push faces formidable hurdles

Ian Storey
Treethep Srisa-nga

Asian Angle | Thailand’s election will pass verdict on the architecture of elite control

Treethep Srisa-nga
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
Video

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
03:09
Video

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
02:34
Video

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
02:02
Video

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
04:27
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
Singapore
Malaysia
The Philippines
Indonesia
South China Sea
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MOST POPULAR
1

Singapore prime minister attacked by hundreds of Chinese-language fake AI videos

videocam
2

Japan approves world’s first regenerative medicines using iPS cells

3

Indonesia’s tourist visa, Filipino attacked in Singapore mall: 7 Asia highlights

4

#SEAbling: the hashtag uniting Southeast Asia against South Korea

5

Woman jailed for slapping Singapore taxi driver after refusing to pay fare