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People
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Luhut Pandjaitan, chairman of Indonesia’s National Economic Council, at the Nusa Dua Forum in Bali, Indonesia, on July 17. Photo: Nora Tam

Economics

‘A matter of survival’: Indonesia’s push for a financial hub in Bali

Luhut Pandjaitan wants investors to imagine kamikaze drones over Abu Dhabi, then picture themselves in Bali instead.

How a displaced F1 race could be Malaysia’s ‘blessing in disguise’

Cambodia’s tourism slump leaves Angkor Wat eerily quiet

Politics

Philippines’ Marcos offers relief, but no clear way to pay, in national address

He vowed tax cuts, cheaper rice and corruption cases against “big fish”, but critics questioned how his government would fund the pledges.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on Monday. Photo: AP
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on Monday. Photo: AP

Politics

What North Korea’s ‘rare rebuke’ means for its Asean ties

Kim Yo-jong says Asean’s call for denuclearisation has ‘distorted the essence of the situation in the Korean peninsula’.

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Politics

US criticism of Malaysia’s Israel stance spotlights growing ‘disconnect’

Claims that Malaysia’s ban on Israelis entering the country are antisemitic are unlikely to trigger a major policy shift, analysts say.

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People

Woman rejects links to Singapore ex-minister Faishal’s resignation

Rasidah Caudal tells This Week in Asia she has filed a complaint with Singapore’s Online Safety Commission and intends to take police action.

Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim pictured during his swearing-in ceremony at the Istana in Singapore in May last year. Photo: AFP
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim pictured during his swearing-in ceremony at the Istana in Singapore in May last year. Photo: AFP

Economics

Why Malaysia’s 10% US tariff advantage may be short lived

Malaysia’s lower rate hinges on promised forced-labour reforms, even as an overcapacity investigation threatens higher levies.

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People

Man linked to Indonesia’s former top corruption prosecutor found dead

Sutrimo, who was reported to have managed the household of Febrie Adriansyah, was found unconscious outside a clinic and later declared dead.

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Politics

Why a 30,000-troop deployment suits both Russia and North Korea

Moscow gets more soldiers without risking another mass mobilisation, Pyongyang receives money and military tech.

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North Korean soldiers march in a military parade at Pyongyang’s Kim Il-Sung Square in February. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP

Politics

Marcos faces the nation as corruption crackdown hits Philippine growth

The president enters his final two years in office juggling a corruption crackdown, a slowing economy and rising hunger.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is set to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday. Photo: Kyodo
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is set to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday. Photo: Kyodo

Economics

Indonesia’s plan for a rival to Singapore starts to take shape

A new law lays the legal groundwork, but economists warn governance will decide the financial centre’s fate.

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Politics

Comeback corridor: Syria’s US$216 billion rebuild offers a Hormuz alternative

With US sanctions lifted, Syria is capitalising on the Strait of Hormuz crisis to position itself as a trade and oil bypass.

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Politics

India aims for a 200-ship navy to counter China and Pakistan

Every six weeks or so, an Indian shipyard sends a new warship into service. The pace is no accident.

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INS Mahendragiri, the sixth stealth frigate of India’s Nilgiri-class, test fires a missile. It was commissioned into the navy on July 11. Photo: Instagram/IndianNavy

Lifestyle & Culture

The underdog girl group putting the ‘K’ back in K-pop

While major labels chase global fame, Rescene won over South Korea by putting local culture front and centre.

Rescene members (from left) Zena, May, Minami, Woni and Liv. Photos: Instagram/rescene_official
Rescene members (from left) Zena, May, Minami, Woni and Liv. Photos: Instagram/rescene_official

People

‘Defanging’ Aung San: Myanmar’s generals wage war on memory

Removing statues of the country’s founding father appears aimed at stripping democratic legitimacy from his daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Economics

Why Indonesia needs legal trust, not tax cuts, to build a finance hub

From Singapore to Dubai, global capital favours predictable courts over tax breaks. Experts say Jakarta should take note.

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Health & Environment

Asia’s AI boom has a dirty secret: the coal that powers it

In the rush to build the digital future, regional tech hubs are digging up the past.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Economics

Southeast Asian scammers’ new disguise: your leader’s face

The president is asking for your bank details. He isn’t, of course. But the AI wearing his face is.

Lifestyle & Culture

Is super-ageing Singapore headed for population decline?

With babies in short supply and its birth rate tanking, the city state is weighing a future of robots and immigrants.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia has never had so many Chinese tourists. It wants more

As Thailand loses its allure, Malaysia turns to viral algorithms to entice millions of independent Chinese travellers.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Economics

How a displaced F1 race could be Malaysia’s ‘blessing in disguise’

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen drives during the Formula One Malaysia Grand Prix in Sepang on October 1, 2017. Sepang will host this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix in October. Photo: AFP

Economics

Cambodia’s tourism slump leaves Angkor Wat eerily quiet

Restoration work is seen on a balustrade at the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on July 20. Photo: ANA/Xinhua

Politics

Philippines’ Marcos offers relief, but no clear way to pay, in national address

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on Monday. Photo: AP

Politics

What North Korea’s ‘rare rebuke’ means for its Asean ties

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Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un, attends a reception in the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, on September 3, 2025. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Singapore detains 3 ‘self-radicalised’ teens over planned attacks

People ride bikes past the skyline of the central business district in Singapore. Singapore detained three teenagers over separate plots to carry out shooting, stabbing and bomb attacks. Photo: Reuters
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Anna Fong,Donald Low

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia must embrace reforms for ‘China plus one’ to succeed

Anna Fong
Donald Low
Elbinsar Purba

Asian Angle | Decades of talk, zero barrels stored: why can’t Asean stockpile oil?

Elbinsar Purba
Chheang Vannarith

Asian Angle | Cambodia’s war on scammers needs a blueprint built to last

Chheang Vannarith
Zhang Jiebin,Donald Low

Asian Angle | Vietnam’s economic miracle has a made-elsewhere problem

Zhang Jiebin
Donald Low
Meg Rithmire

Opinion | Southeast Asia must write its own trade rules for China’s ‘flying geese’

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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
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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