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This Week in Asia

Pupils leave their school after class in Singapore. Photo: Xinhua

Lifestyle & Culture

Southeast Asian families tying house move to top schools spur privilege worries

In Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, a family’s residential address is one of the factors determining admission into schools.

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India’s record US$108b Jio IPO tests market faith as Musk rivalry heats up

As Indonesia faces MSCI downgrade threat, officials vow reforms to ease fears

Health & Environment

In Malaysia, viral air purifier test fans flames of anger over haze

Many online users also posted pictures of their own air purifiers registering similar readings of high pollutant levels.

A video shows an air purifier in Malaysia registering a “hazardous”reading of 318. Photo: Threads / syahierarafie
A video shows an air purifier in Malaysia registering a “hazardous”reading of 318. Photo: Threads / syahierarafie

Politics

Malaysia’s opposition bloc declared invalid, but limited gains for Anwar

Malaysia’s main opposition deregistration before state polls has sparked government bias claims, and rival Umno may reap the rewards.

Politics

Ex-army captain in Singapore jailed 17 months for sex with 15-year-old boy

His co-accused, a former navy cook, was jailed for 12 months for causing a minor to perform sexual penetration.

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Health & Environment

Indonesia backtracks on foreign aid to fight toxic haze choking Southeast Asia

Jakarta insists it can contain forest fires alone, holding back regional aid while refusing to declare a national disaster.

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Firefighters spray water on peatland fires in West Kalimantan, Indonesia in September. Fires in Indonesia have caused a regional haze crisis. Photo: AFP
Firefighters battle to contain a wildfire in South Kalimantan province, Indonesia, in October. Photo: AFP
A tourist wearing a face mask takes a photo as heavy haze covers Singapore’s Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Storm in a coffee cup: racial row simmers over Malaysian menu omission

The row over Oriental Kopi’s omission of Malay in its menu comes just weeks ahead of the Melaka state poll.

Economics

Malaysia’s Anwar promises ‘full disclosure’ as ‘corporate mafia’ scandal grows

The government will publicly release findings on alleged corruption and coerced takeovers involving senior officials within three months.

Economics

Dire straits: why Filipino sailors continue to brave troubled Middle East waters

Financial concerns and blacklist worries outweigh safety fears for some of the Philippines’ over 468,000 sailors around the world.

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Thai‑flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree catches fire after being hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. Photo: Royal Thai Navy/EPA

Economics

Singapore vs Hong Kong: who’s likely to win race for stablecoin dominance?

Singapore is boosting infrastructure while Hong Kong is betting on banks – but ultimately, practicality will decide the winner, experts say.

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Attendees pass cryptocurrency signage at the Token2049 crypto conference in Singapore on October 1, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Attendees pass cryptocurrency signage at the Token2049 crypto conference in Singapore on October 1, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Thailand, Cambodia seek to calm escalating dispute over US$300 billion seabed

Both sides agreed to use a naval hotline and exercise restraint to ease maritime tensions after holding mediation talks at The Hague.

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Lifestyle & Culture

K-pop capital Seoul wants to put brakes on taxi overcharging

A South Korean lawmaker has called for changes after a Taiwanese tourist complained that a taxi driver overcharged him by nearly 10 times.

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Politics

Japan’s dilemma over frosty ties with Russia deepens after reporter’s arrest

Given Japan’s lack of response to recent provocative Russian moves, Moscow could be emboldened to antagonise Tokyo further, analysts say.

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Russian security service footage of the arrest of a Japanese journalist accused of espionage, on a smartphone in Moscow. Photo: AFP

Economics

Calls grow for India to lure tech talent home as US tightens job curbs

Washington has suspended a programme allowing foreign professionals to work in the US and potentially obtain permanent residency.

Visitors arrive at one of the venues for the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February. Photo: Reuters
Visitors arrive at one of the venues for the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Is Philippines’ laws on underwater cables lagging behind its digital hub goal?

A leading telco executive says bureaucracy is slowing cable repairs carried out by specialised vessels in Philippine waters.

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Politics

India needs more fighter jets. It cannot build them fast enough

Delayed engines and assembly bottlenecks leave India’s domestic output falling behind the pace of fleet retirements.

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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

South Asia

Inside scorching Pakistani factories making clothes for global fashion brands

A worker irons garments at factory in Karachi, Pakistan, on Monday. Photo: EPA

East Asia

In Japan, Takaichi’s first-year leadership style threatens hold on power

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the House of Representatives in Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo

Lifestyle & Culture

Southeast Asian families tying house move to top schools spur privilege worries

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Pupils leave their school after class in Singapore. Photo: Xinhua

Global Economy

In Focus | How Thailand is capturing next wave of investments in ‘China plus one’ outlook

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Illustration: Henry Wong

US

US troops in South Korea must be ready for missions beyond peninsula: commander

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US soldiers dismount a Stryker armoured vehicle during the annual Freedom Shield joint military exercise with South Korean forces on March 11, 2026. Photo: US Army National Guard
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Hirokazu Omatsu,Kyi Sin

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

Hirokazu Omatsu
Kyi Sin
Michael Vatikiotis

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

Azmil Tayeb

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

Zha Daojiong
Alexey D Muraviev

Opinion | Why the Global South keeps its doors wide open to Russia

Alexey D Muraviev
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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
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Video

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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TRENDING TOPICS
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‘Forgive us’: Indonesians urge Singapore, Malaysia to sue Jakarta over haze

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How a detour saved a Malaysian trekker from jaws of deadly Nepal floods

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South Korean boss jailed for shooting air gun into Thai worker’s anus

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Haze-hit Singapore open to legal action as air purifiers fly off shelves

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Singapore tops global air pollution ranks again, rolls out haze subsidies

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