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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (left), alongside his wife, Kim Keon-hee, arrives at London Stansted Airport, in November 2023, for a four-day state visit to Britain. Photo: EPA-EFE
South Korea

Politics

Explainer | South Korea’s first lady Kim: from Dior bag scandal to martial law fallout

Her husband, President Yoon Suk-yeol, has been accused of using martial law to protect her from investigations, further fuelling public discontent.

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Japan

Video | Will Japan’s economy recover under a new leader?

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Thailand

Explainer | Srettha’s exit: are Thailand’s conservatives on the rise, democracy in retreat?

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Explained

Thailand

Explainer | Thai PM next in firing line as country struggles to shrug off political chaos

All you need to know about two decades of political upheavals in the kingdom.

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If Thailand’s Srettha Thavisin is removed from office, the ruling Pheu Thai would have to nominate a new candidate for prime minister. Photo: AP
If Thailand’s Srettha Thavisin is removed from office, the ruling Pheu Thai would have to nominate a new candidate for prime minister. Photo: AP

Politics

Bangladesh

Explainer | With Hasina gone, Bangladesh peers into the unknown. Here’s what we know

Elections expected to be held as soon as possible but shape of future government uncertain over role of army, future of protesting students.

Explained

Thailand

Explainer | ‘Train-wreck Day’ for Thailand as courts hold political future in their hands

Thailand’s courts will hear evidence against key figures including PM Srettha Thavisin, in cases that could undermine the government and opposition.

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Explained

Japan

Talks on China-Japan-South Korea FTA merely ‘symbolic’ given US opposition

Leaders of the three countries have pledged to “speed up negotiations” for a trilateral FTA after a delay of several years.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the eighth business summit among China, Japan and South Korea, in Seoul. Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei
Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the eighth business summit among China, Japan and South Korea, in Seoul. Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei

Explained

Iran

Explainer | How Ebrahim Raisi’s death could affect Iran’s leadership and regional ties

Tehran has stressed political continuity, even as analysts caution that a ‘harsh struggle’ is expected in the race to become Iran’s next president.

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Explained

India

Explainer | India election: what stands between victory and PM Modi’s ruling BJP?

Voter concerns such as inflation and unemployment are unlikely to derail PM Modi and his ruling BJP’s path to victory, analysts say.

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Politics

Indonesia

Explainer | Indonesia election 2024: everything you need to know

Controversies have dogged this election cycle, especially of President Joko Widodo’s influence over state institutions for his preferred candidate Prabowo Subianto.

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A man walks past an election banner in Jakarta introducing presidential candidates. Photo: AP

Politics

Malaysia

Explainer | Why are rivals of Malaysia’s PM Anwar ensnared in a corruption investigation?

Malaysia’s ex-minister Daim Zainuddin, the former aide of Mahathir Mohamad, faces questions over his wealth as PM Anwar Ibrahim cracks down on endemic corruption.

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Malaysia’s Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin in parliament in 2001. File photo: AFP
Malaysia’s Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin in parliament in 2001. File photo: AFP

Politics

Pacific nations

Explainer | As PNG vows return to normality, will chaos mar its ties with US and China?

Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape has cancelled a trip to Davos as he fends off calls to resign while trying to defuse the national crisis sparked by a police pay dispute.

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Politics

Myanmar

Explainer | Could Myanmar’s military be deposed by armed groups fighting across the country?

The junta is facing its gravest challenge from armed groups following their coordinated attacks in Shan State.

Politics

Indonesia

Explainer | Indonesia election 2024: the biggest issues facing the 3 presidential hopefuls

Campaigning is likely to spotlight political dynasties, Indonesia’s new capital Nunsantara, youth and Muslim voters, and intra party rivalry in the ruling party.

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Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, right, and his running mate Mahfud MD greet supporters on October 19. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Israel-Gaza war

Analysis | Why Qatar, Egypt and Turkey are struggling to mediate the Israel-Gaza war

Brokering a ceasefire appears all but impossible amid the escalating violence, as fears grow of a massive humanitarian crisis – and Israel vows to wipe the Palestinian militant group ‘off the face of the Earth’.

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Smoke plumes billow into the air during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Smoke plumes billow into the air during Israeli air strikes in Gaza City on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Israel-Gaza war

Explainer | Could the Israel-Gaza war become multi-front involving Iran and Hezbollah?

The Israel-Gaza war is set to put the region on a knife-edge with risks of escalation involving Iran, its Lebanon-based ally Hezbollah and even others.

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Politics

War and conflict

Explainer | What to know about the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

This week’s offensive was due to ‘decades of frustration after the failure of the international community’ to resolve conflict, say analysts, and with the war in Ukraine distracting Russia.

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Explained

Malaysia

Explainer | What a weak ringgit means for Malaysia’s economy and PM Anwar in the state polls

Greater exposure to China’s economy and easing commodity prices are among the factors likely to have contributed to the ringgit’s decline compared to its Asean peers, observers say.

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Malaysian 50 ringgit banknotes at a currency exchange store in Kuala Lumpur. The currency has been Southeast Asia’s worst performer so far this year. Photo: Bloomberg
Malaysian 50 ringgit banknotes at a currency exchange store in Kuala Lumpur. The currency has been Southeast Asia’s worst performer so far this year. Photo: Bloomberg

Explained

Japan

Explainer | What to know about Japan’s plan to release Fukushima waste water into the sea

The plan to dump treated radioactive waste water from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea has stirred debates in South Korea, and led to boycotts of Japanese goods in China. Japanese fishermen have also vehemently opposed the plan.

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Politics

South Korea

Explainer | What to know about South Korea-Japan ties as Yoon, Kishida meet

Building closer security ties to counter North Korea’s threat, expanding economic cooperation are among the issues likely to be the focus of Kishida’s Seoul trip.

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Politics

Thailand

Explainer | What to know about the major candidates, parties contesting Thailand’s election

Pro-democrats hope to oust the ruling coalition of former army types and conservatives, in an election set to be Thailand’s most unpredictable in two decades.

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Campaign posters for this year’s general election line a street in Bangkok. Photo: AFP
OPINION
Gigi Choy

Explainer | What is the Apec forum?

Gigi Choy
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