This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, a former aide of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, was acquitted of drug and firearms charges. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Politics

Former Anwar aide acquitted of drug and firearms charges, claims persecution

Muhammed Yusoff Rawther has earlier filed a civil suit against the Malaysian prime minister for sexual harassment.

Pakistan eyes more Chinese weapon systems after ‘clear-cut victory over India’

videocam
13

Developing | 1 survivor found in Air India flight AI171 crash that killed more than 200

videocam
42

Health & Environment

‘Overflowing with faeces, urine’: 150 dead cats found in Japanese woman’s home

The rescue group staff member had been taking in the cats without its knowledge.

A stray bobtail cat rests at a park in Nagasaki, southern Japan. Photo: AP
A stray bobtail cat rests at a park in Nagasaki, southern Japan. Photo: AP

Politics

End to inter-Korea ‘loudspeaker war’?

Pyongyang’s cessation of loudspeaker broadcasts does not signal a shift in its indifferent policy towards ties with Seoul, analysts say.

videocam

Politics

Philippines’ Marcos softens stance amid economic pressures but will China bite?

The Philippine president’s close ties with the US could prove a stumbling block to better relations with Beijing, observers say.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysians demand action against Facebook group exploiting schoolgirls’ images

A social media influencer unmasked the ‘dirty group’ after discovering an old picture of herself in her school uniform posted on the page.

A screenshot of the Facebook group before it was taken down. Photo: Facebook/Malaysia Hari Ini
A screenshot of the Facebook group before it was taken down. Photo: Facebook/Malaysia Hari Ini

Politics

Outcome of Thailand-Cambodia border talks in the balance amid ‘trust deficit’

Bangkok’s resistance to Phnom Penh’s attempts to ‘internationalise’ the border dispute is likely to affect the meeting, experts say.

People

BTS’ Jungkook faces break-in attempt hours after South Korean military discharge

The Chinese fan was caught trying to gain entry into his Seoul flat by repeatedly pressing the keypad door lock.

videocam

Politics

Chinese vessel grounding: concern in Philippines over new grey-zone tactic

Experts say China could be ‘testing’ the Philippines’ operational response amid mounting pressure over Manila’s recent defence partnerships.

videocam
A video image shows a Chinese vessel passing through shallow waters off Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea on June 7. Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines, Public Affairs Office via AP

Politics

Is Trump’s Myanmar, Laos travel ban a blow to US-Southeast Asia ties?

Observers say closed channel over terrorist threat ‘illogical’ and a setback to long-standing relations with affected countries.

People walk to transport arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. A new travel ban ordered by US President Donald Trump, restricting entry to citizens from 12 countries, took effect on Monday. Photo: AFP
People walk to transport arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. A new travel ban ordered by US President Donald Trump, restricting entry to citizens from 12 countries, took effect on Monday. Photo: AFP

Economics

Japan weighs tightening rules on visa popular among Chinese nationals

Tokyo mulls raising investment threshold for business manager permits amid concerns it is an ‘easy route’ to permanent residency.

Politics

Is Japan’s increased surveillance of remote islands a link to China activity?

Deployments may be to islands already with radar capabilities, but experts say the plan is not a response to recent Chinese maritime presence.

Economics

Rice imports, policy inertia put ‘future of Filipino farming’ at risk: report

Policy failures and under-investment among factors for exacerbating country’s import reliance to the detriment of the local farming industry, report says.

A farmer plants rice in a paddy field in Pulilan, Bulacan province, in the Philippines. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Sara has momentum’: how Philippine VP won round 1 of impeachment row

The deliberation process on whether to impeach the vice-president has been thrown back to the Lower House for consideration.

videocam
Protesters call for the start of the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte outside the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila on Monday. Photo: AFP
Protesters call for the start of the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte outside the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila on Monday. Photo: AFP

Economics

Jetstar Asia’s exit signals turbulent times for low-cost airlines

The low-cost arm of Australian airline Qantas says it will shut down next month due to rising operating costs and competition.

Politics

Japan eyes 80% cut in 298,000 death toll for potential Nankai monster quake

Measures include fortifying homes and fire safety installations, as well as building more embankments and emergency shelters.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

What South Korea’s new president means for its US, China ties

Expect a nuanced approach to foreign policy as President Lee Jae-myung attempts to pull relations with Beijing back from their ‘lowest ebb’.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone at his residence in Incheon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone at his residence in Incheon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP

Politics

Battle for the Philippines’ 2028 presidency begins: ‘they’ve smelled blood’

A surprising Duterte-Marcos midterm stalemate has shifted focus to the vice-president’s impeachment fight – and the next presidential race.

6

People

Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia’s youth aren’t buying it

The rapid ascent of Anwar’s heir apparent Nurul Izzah has alienated many young Malaysians who are tired of old feuds and unfulfilled promises.

Economics

Silicon rally: can Malaysia reclaim its semiconductor glory?

Outpacing regional chip rivals won’t be easy for ‘Silicon Malaysia’, but insiders say it has the subsidies, labour and will to succeed.

Malaysia’s early head start in semiconductors has eroded over the decades, but it is determined to reverse the trend. Photo: Shutterstock
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST Asia NEWS

South Asia

Air India plane crash makes 2025 deadliest for air travel in years

videocam
Debris lies at the crash site after an Air India aircraft, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed during take-off from an airport in Ahmedabad, India on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Developing | 1 survivor found in Air India flight AI171 crash that killed more than 200

videocam
42
Debris of a plane that crashed in the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat state on Thursday. Photo: X / Central Industrial Security Force / AP

Politics

Former Anwar aide acquitted of drug and firearms charges, claims persecution

Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, a former aide of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, was acquitted of drug and firearms charges. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Politics

Pakistan eyes more Chinese weapon systems after ‘clear-cut victory over India’

videocam
13
Pakistan is seeking to buy more Chinese J-35 stealth fighters. Photo: EPA-EFE

Southeast Asia

Indonesia’s Prabowo skips G7 summit in Canada for talks with Putin in Russia

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (left) shakes hands with Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto during a meeting at the Kremlin on July 31, 2024. Photo: AFP
MORE Asia NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Andrew Cainey,Xie Chengkai

Opinion | China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action

Andrew Cainey
Phar Kim Beng

Asian Angle | Trump, Hegseth, Rubio: a triple threat to global stability – and Asia

Phar Kim Beng
5
Biman Mukherji

My Take | Can Southeast Asia contain growing threat of cyber scams?

Biman Mukherji
Alexander M. Hynd

Opinion | Will South Korea’s next president be able to heal a fractured nation?

Alexander M. Hynd
Chandran Nair

Opinion | Why US exceptionalism, export of crassness are losing their shallow appeal

Chandran Nair
6
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
Video

Air India plane crashes moments after take off in Ahmedabad

Air India plane bound for London crashes moments after take off in Ahmedabad
02:40
Video

South Korea halts propaganda broadcasts aimed at North Korea

South Korea suspends propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts along border to North Korea
01:22
Video

Filipinos protest after senators delay VP Duterte’s impeachment trial

Philippine senators face mounting pressure over delays to VP Duterte’s impeachment trial
02:25
Video

BTS members complete military training

K-pop stars RM and V of boy band BTS discharged from South Korea military, sparking fan frenzy
02:07
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
Singapore
Malaysia
The Philippines
Indonesia
South China Sea
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MOST POPULAR
1

Singaporeans rediscover China, what Duterte’s downfall means: 7 Asia highlights

2

Thais reject ‘dark skin’ stigma, Singapore payouts: 7 Asia highlights

3

Kuala Lumpur to see mass Hindu community gathering as temple row rumbles

4

Will Trump’s tariffs on Vietnam mean pricier Nike and Adidas shoes?

5

Japan’s US missile venture comes under fire from North Korea

videocam