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This Week in Asia

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People
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Health & Environment
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A charging dock at a public electric vehicle charging station in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, in November 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

Can Indonesia build a lasting EV ‘ecosystem’ and not just a market?

Analysts say stricter local-content rules and a stronger production framework will be needed to boost Indonesia up the EV supply chain.

Russia-India rail link plan: a ‘strategic’ shift in energy transport?

South Korea on edge over Trump’s call to cut military drills, goodwill for Kim

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Politics

Malaysia to scrap 55-year-old university law, but will campus reform follow?

Student activists have blamed the law for giving university authorities the power to curb protests, political organising and campus dissent.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. Photo: EPA
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has promised to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971. Photo: EPA

Health & Environment

‘Tipping point’: Singaporeans urge forest protection at rally over housing plans

Activists and residents ask authorities to protect Maju Forest and greenery near Gillman Barracks and consider other sites for development.

Lifestyle & Culture

Shoving incident in Singapore over man patting girl’s head stirs heated debate

Some defend the man for his ‘friendly gesture’ commonly practised by the elderly, while another says he should ‘stay in your lane’.

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Politics

Is Philippines’ aim to become an arms exporter like India overly ambitious?

The timeline for the Philippines to develop self-reliance in defence is long, while the political will may be lacking, analysts say.

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The Indian Army’s BrahMos missile launcher on display during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26. Photo: Reuters
The Indian Army’s BrahMos missile launcher on display during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Anchors aweigh in South Korea as Trump loosens US shipbuilding grip

The president is allowing foreign shipbuilders with US investments to build up to two vessels at their parent shipyards.

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Politics

Japan looks to Australia, India to sustain defence readiness

Tokyo is seeking to mitigate risks linked to potential US munitions shortages and maintain credible deterrence, analysts say.

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People

Lee Kuan Yew’s Montblanc pen sells for US$360,000 in Singapore auction

The sterling silver Montblanc Meisterstuck No 146 fountain pen drew 111 bids and sold for nearly 10 times its highest valuation.

A silver Montblanc Meisterstuck No 146 fountain pen belonging to Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew sells for S$461,500 on Sunday. Photo: Handout

Politics

Malaysia’s DAP backs Anwar’s alliance but faces growing pressure for reform

The party risks further erosion of its credibility unless it can push through concrete reforms before the next general election, analysts say.

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DAP Secretary General Anthony Loke (centre) answers questions from the media after the vote on Sunday. Photo: Joseph Sipalan
DAP Secretary General Anthony Loke (centre) answers questions from the media after the vote on Sunday. Photo: Joseph Sipalan

Economics

How Cambodian worker exodus exposes Thailand’s fragile labour model

An estimated 780,000 Cambodian workers have left Thailand since last year’s border conflicts, affecting a wide range of industries.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Does K-pop need the Grammys? BTS’ boycott reignites debate

BTS’ decision has forced Asian pop artists to weigh Grammy recognition against the risk of being boxed in.

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Economics

Cable ties: Australia urged to lead Indo-Pacific in protecting subsea links

Australia should treat cable resilience not only as a domestic security issue but also as a shared regional project, analysts say.

An underwater cable sits on the sea floor. Australia relies heavily on subsea cables for its data. Photo: Getty Images

Politics

Russia’s role in Middle East politics endures, shifts to being ‘secondary power’

Two Russian military bases will remain in Syria as the region continues to recalibrate its relations with major powers amid the Iran war.

A Syrian rebel fighter stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles before a Russian flag and Russian soldiers behind manning the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in Syria in 2024. Photo: TNS
A Syrian rebel fighter stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles before a Russian flag and Russian soldiers behind manning the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in Syria in 2024. Photo: TNS

Lifestyle & Culture

Meet the Singaporean DJ taking local sounds to the global stage

Likie Low’s playlist at Tomorrowland wove Singapore train announcements and bird calls together with electronic dance music.

People

How Southeast Asia’s monarchies stay relevant in a volatile region

The kings in Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Brunei have to be attuned to societal or economic changes to survive, analysts say.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Bling gamble: how Southeast Asia’s middle class is redefining luxury

Instalments and resales are helping customers from Bangkok to Jakarta bridge the gap between aspiration and affordability.

Illustration: Kevin Wong
Illustration: Kevin Wong

People

Malaysia’s royals rise to the fore in a changing nation

Unstable coalitions have created greater room for the country’s royal institutions to influence government formation, observers say.

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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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.

Illustration: Kevin Wong
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Economics

Can Indonesia build a lasting EV ‘ecosystem’ and not just a market?

A charging dock at a public electric vehicle charging station in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, in November 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Russia & Central Asia

Russia summons Japan envoy over disputed Kuril Islands row after Putin visit

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Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to the Yasny fish processing complex on the Kuril Island of Iturup on Thursday. Photo: Sputnik / Gavriil Grigorov / Pool via Reuters

Politics

Why the Arctic sea route has become so important for China and Russia

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Illustration: Davies Christian Surya

Economics

Russia-India rail link plan: a ‘strategic’ shift in energy transport?

Vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on August 10. Photo: TNS

Politics

South Korea on edge over Trump’s call to cut military drills, goodwill for Kim

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US soldiers seen near military vehicles at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek on Monday as a joint military drill between South Korea and the US kicks off. Photo: AFP
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Nguyen Khac Giang

Asian Angle | How Vietnam’s ‘streamlining revolution’ may lead to uneven success

Nguyen Khac Giang
Donald Low

Asian Angle | Bangkok branches out: how Thai capital moved from concrete to real jungle

Donald Low
Chheang Vannarith

Asian Angle | Cambodia and Thailand must define the border to achieve lasting peace

Chheang Vannarith
Thomas Greminger

Opinion | America and China can be allies against AI catastrophe

Thomas Greminger
Anna Fong,Donald Low

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

Anna Fong
Donald Low
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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
04:27
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