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Anwar Ibrahim
Xi Jinping
Narendra Modi
Bea Millan-Windorski will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant in November. Photo: Facebook/Miss Universe Philippines
The Philippines

‘Foreigner won’: Filipinos divided over pageant winner’s US roots

Some social media users have questioned Bea Millan-Windorski’s win, while others say being Filipino is about ‘culture, history and belonging’.

Japan

Scrutiny on Prince Hisahito fuels debate on Japan’s succession crisis

Indonesia

‘I started crying’: Indonesian captain’s wife in agony over pirate attack

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Japan

Japan’s hikikomori recluses are growing old. So are their carers

What happens to more than 1 million social recluses in the world’s fastest-ageing society when the last person who cared for them is gone?

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A Japanese government survey estimated that 1.46 million people were living as shut-ins as of 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
A Japanese government survey estimated that 1.46 million people were living as shut-ins as of 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Bound by anxiety: Japan and Australia deepen ties for an uneasy age

Shared concerns about trade coercion and energy shocks are driving the two middle powers to ‘institutionalise’ their partnership.

South Korea

South Korean judge in Kim Keon-hee’s appeals trial found dead days after verdict

Shin Jong-oh, who was found with severe injuries on the ground near the Seoul High Court, had a suicide note in his pocket, police say.

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Thailand

‘Phantom birth’ scam spooks Thailand as hundreds of babies get fake citizenship

Police believe that some Chinese cyber scammers are using these false registrations to launder money through firms they can fully control.

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A baby is carried in a back sling adorned with the Chinese character meaning “fortune” in Ban Arunothai, Thailand. Photo: Thomas Bird
A baby is carried in a back sling adorned with the Chinese character meaning “fortune” in Ban Arunothai, Thailand. Photo: Thomas Bird
Bangladesh

Hero or reckless? Bangladeshi man saving baby on train tracks divides opinion

Some social media users question how the man could have dropped his son just as they were getting off the moving train.

North Korea

Pitch perfect diplomacy? North Korean footballers head to South Korea

The visit by Naegohyang Women’s FC to South Korea’s Suwon for a competitive match does not signal a thaw in inter-Korea ties, analysts say.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, Anwar’s former ally Rafizi Ramli grilled over Arm chip deal

The MACC is investigating power abuse claims and irregularities linked to the alliance between the economy ministry and the UK chip designer.

Rafizi Ramli (centre) speaks to reporters during a protest on April 25. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli
The Philippines

In Philippines, youth suicide crisis exposes struggle for mental health support

Manila faces a rise in youth suicides linked to emotional distress, prompting calls for the nationwide expansion of well-being resources.

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Manila’s youth suicide surge has sparked calls for urgent mental health interventions across the Philippines. Photo: Shutterstock
Manila’s youth suicide surge has sparked calls for urgent mental health interventions across the Philippines. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Filipino male pageant contestant’s viral swimsuit walk sparks body image debate

Observers said RJ Perkins’ viral moment shows beauty pageants might be ready to move beyond their traditional ideals.

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Malaysia

Malaysian woman jailed 2 years for throwing baby daughter from 38-floor flat

The woman, who was convicted of infanticide for causing the death of her newborn, did not tell her family about her pregnancy.

Malaysia

Malaysian man who was married 9 times faces wife assault case again

The man, who is accused of attacking his pregnant wife until she miscarried, would ‘seek partners with stable jobs’, a police chief says.

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A file photo to illustrate domestic abuse. Rosmaini Abd Raof is accused of assaulting his pregnant wife in Malaysia while facing a separate appeal over a similar offence. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesia domestic worker law faces uphill battle against cultural attitudes

While the new law is a start, real changes will not happen instantly because of ingrained beliefs, women activists say.

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Domestic workers undergo skills training in Indonesia. Photo: International Labour Organization
Domestic workers undergo skills training in Indonesia. Photo: International Labour Organization
Malaysia

‘Barrage of questions’: Malaysian Indians least likely to be scammed, police say

Despite all races being equally targeted, ethnic Indians lost the least because they would keep questioning until the scammers gave up.

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Japan

Mosque disputes expose tensions over Japan’s growing Muslim communities

Muslim leaders say local opposition has been fuelled by negative overseas coverage of Islam and claims circulating online.

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Singapore

More Singaporeans are choosing jobs below their qualifications. Here’s why

A new survey shows 19.4 per cent of Singapore’s resident workforce had academic qualifications beyond what was required for their job in 2025.

Office workers in Singapore’s Central Business District. Photo: Shutterstock
Office workers in Singapore’s Central Business District. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Solidarity or showmanship? Singapore politicians’ train rides split opinion

Public transport posts by ministers and MPs have drawn praise from some Singaporeans and accusations of ‘wayang’ from others.

North Korea

How watching K-dramas spelled death for North Koreans during Covid-19

A new report reveals that the number of people executed for consuming South Korean cultural content surged by 250 per cent during the pandemic.

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Indonesia

‘It happened within seconds’: survivors recount horror of Indonesia train crash

Witnesses said passengers were left trapped in mangled carriages after a long-distance train struck a crowded commuter service near Jakarta.

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Technicians work on site after a deadly collision between a commuter line train and a long-distance train in Bekasi, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Damage control? Philippines’ Sara Duterte hits back against wealth allegations

The vice-president’s husband has also filed a complaint against senior officials and lawmakers for ‘leaking’ the couple’s bank information.

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Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s seat is left vacant after she does not attend a congressional hearing on an impeachment bid against her on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s seat is left vacant after she does not attend a congressional hearing on an impeachment bid against her on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Japan

‘I feel anger’: Japan’s women rise up against constitutional reform push

The women are part of a growing protest wave seeking to protect Japan’s post-war peace commitments.

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Malaysia

Air-sea-land: migrant smugglers target Malaysia entry via Singapore, Thailand

A raid reveals a shift in tactics by syndicates that have long used Malaysia’s porous borders to move undocumented migrants.

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The Philippines

Robredo’s 2028 snub leaves Philippine opposition scrabbling for ‘saviour’

A March survey showed that the popularity gap between Leni Robredo and presidential front runner Sara Duterte-Carpio had narrowed.

Leni Robredo gives a post-election statement from her home in Magarao, Camarines Norte, on May 10, 2022. Photo: Office of the Vice President/AP)
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