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This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Illustration: Huy Truong

Lifestyle & Culture

Southeast Asia is chasing the AI boom, but at what cost?

A regional dash for digital dominance risks running headlong into an energy crunch and an existential threat to jobs.

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19 taken to hospital in Japan after suspected tear gas released in Tokyo mall

Trump’s overseas application for US green card rule unnerves Asian workers

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People

Search in flooded cave for 7 gold-mining villagers in Laos enters sixth day

Thai teams have joined the mission, as rescuers share photos of the treacherous conditions in the cave tunnel.

A rescuer navigates through a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province, Laos, where seven villagers who were mining for gold are trapped. Photo: Facebook/Thailand Rescue Diver
A rescuer navigates through a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province, Laos, where seven villagers who were mining for gold are trapped. Photo: Facebook/Thailand Rescue Diver

Health & Environment

Malaysia’s ruling coalition faces test over Selangor non-Muslim worship rules

The dispute began after an MP flagged state planning guidelines stating that non-Islamic places of worship cannot be in commercial zones.

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Politics

Netanyahu increasingly isolated as Trump pursues Iran peace deal

The lack of a decisive victory in the Iran war has led Trump to lose confidence in the Israeli prime minister, analysts say.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Badly behaving visitors push Thailand to remove 60-day visa entry

Only 54 countries and territories will get a 30-day visa exemption as authorities aim to curb illegal activities involving foreign tourists.

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Tourists visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Thailand has announced the removal of the 60-day visa-free entry for tourists. Photo: Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images
Tourists visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. Thailand has announced the removal of the 60-day visa-free entry for tourists. Photo: Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images

Health & Environment

Shock absorber: will Asean’s power grid be up to the task by 2045?

With only eight of 18 links built and a 100-terawatt demand surge looming, analysts say the blueprint may need an overhaul for the AI age.

Economics

US tech supply chain hub tackling China hits Philippine sovereignty wall

Manila pushes back against reports that a US-backed AI industrial hub will come under US laws and diplomatic protections.

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Politics

Budget cuts leave Thailand’s twin-sea navy at risk of falling behind

With submarine projects stalled and frigate funding cut, Thailand’s fleet risks being outpaced by regional rivals.

Thai aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet (rear) accompanies transport ship HTMS Chang (front) before entering a naval base. Photo: Royal Thai Navy

Politics

Why Sara Duterte is altering tone on South China Sea dispute

The vice-president’s calls to ‘defend sovereignty’ are an attempt to please voters at home while not alienating Beijing, experts say.

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Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte delivers a statement following her impeachment on February 7. Photo: Reuters
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte delivers a statement following her impeachment on February 7. Photo: Reuters

People

From Harvard to handcuffs: why Gojek founder’s trial alarms Indonesians abroad

As Nadiem Makarim stares down an 18-year prison term, Indonesians abroad are asking whether public service back home is a legal liability.

Politics

Israel thrusts a reluctant UAE into the open over defence ties

Disclosures about Iron Dome batteries and secret meetings have exposed ties analysts say the UAE would rather handle ‘more discreetly’.

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People

Japanese female prison’s rehabilitation goal faces health, language barriers

A human rights group says Japan’s penal system still fails to treat prison inmates ‘like human beings’.

Inmates in Tochigi Prison’s factory in Japan sew flags and banners. Photo: Julian Ryall

Politics

India’s US$9 billion island megaport sharpens China’s ‘Malacca dilemma’

When completed, the Great Nicobar project would allow India to monitor activities near the Strait of Malacca, a key trade corridor for China.

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A coastline at Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island. India is planning a US$9 billion megaport, airport and city on the remote island. Photo: AFP
A coastline at Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar Island. India is planning a US$9 billion megaport, airport and city on the remote island. Photo: AFP

People

‘So rough’: father of Indonesian on Gaza flotilla claims Israeli mistreatment

Nine Indonesians were among those detained when Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla on Monday.

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Health & Environment

Over 4,300 Southeast Asian species face extinction threat

Tigers, giant catfish, gibbons and pangolins are among the thousands of ‘critically endangered’ or ‘endangered’ species in the region.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Southeast Asia is chasing the AI boom, but at what cost?

A regional dash for digital dominance risks running headlong into an energy crunch and an existential threat to jobs.

videocam
Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

The security chief turned paramount leader is chasing the markets and capital required to reach high-income status by 2045.

Economics

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

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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.

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
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Southeast Asia

Hun Sen pardons detained Cambodia opposition leader Kem Sokha

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Kem Sokha, former leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), arrives to attend a hearing at the Municipal Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

South Asia

India orders new deportation centres days after BJP election victory

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) congratulates newly elected Chief Minister of Assam state Himanta Biswa Sarma (centre), and elected minister Atul Bora after the oath taking ceremony in Guwahati, India, on May 12. Photo: AP

People

19 taken to hospital in Japan after suspected tear gas released in Tokyo mall

Firefighters and police officers stand in front of the Ginza Six luxury shopping centre in Tokyo’s Ginza district after a man allegedly sprayed a substance inside the mall on Monday. Photo: EPA

Economics

Trump’s overseas application for US green card rule unnerves Asian workers

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A US flag is waved outside the White House in Washington. The US remains attractive to high-skilled workers from around the world. Photo: AP

Southeast Asia

Philippine rescuers race to free workers trapped after hotel collapse

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A woman walks beside a collapsed building where nearly 20 people are believed to be trapped in Angeles city in Pampanga province, north of Manila, on Monday. Photo: AP
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Donghyun Park,Kwanho Shin

Asian Angle | Asia’s silver dividend can offset ageing’s economic toll

Donghyun Park
Kwanho Shin
Hoang Thi Ha

Asian Angle | What the China-US stability pact means for Southeast Asia

Hoang Thi Ha
Zha Daojiong

Asian Angle | China offers Southeast Asia clear advantages in nuclear power

Zha Daojiong
Kishore Mahbubani

Opinion | The West was never the whole world. It’s time to move on

Kishore Mahbubani
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Ian Storey

Asian Angle | 3 reasons Marcos’ South China Sea energy gambit won’t work

Ian Storey
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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
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
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