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This Week in Asia /

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Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte speaks during the 90th anniversary of the office of the vice president on November 14, 2025, at a hotel in Makati, Philippines. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Sara Duterte leads 2028 Philippine presidential field despite impeachment fight

New polling shows the vice-president with a clear lead, even as impeachment proceedings against her are ongoing.

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Japan

Why Japanese firm’s tie-up with Ukrainian drone maker sparks concerns in Russia

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South Korea

Trump lashed out at Seoul over Hormuz. Will it affect US-South Korea ties?

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Japan

Japan seeks to take back control of the world’s shipbuilding sector. Here’s how

Analysts warn higher costs, labour shortages and lost capacity will affect Japan’s bid for control in a sector now dominated by China.

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A shipyard in Japan’s Mie prefecture. Concern over Tokyo’s declining role in the global shipbuilding sector has persisted for more than a decade. Photo: Shutterstock
A shipyard in Japan’s Mie prefecture. Concern over Tokyo’s declining role in the global shipbuilding sector has persisted for more than a decade. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Indonesian activists target Myanmar’s president in genocide case against him

The complaint seeks to hold Min Aung Hlaing accountable for international crimes in an Indonesian court, following recent legal changes.

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The Philippines

Will Philippine ex-president Duterte stand trial at the ICC, and for how long?

Judges are set to decide by late April whether to send Duterte’s case to trial, with any proceedings expected to move at a ‘glacial pace’.

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North Korea

‘No one loses’: why North Korea’s Kim may shake hands with Trump again

At the US-China summit, Beijing may act as a go-between to bring Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table, analysts say.

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US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un talk before a meeting in the demilitarised zone in Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un talk before a meeting in the demilitarised zone in Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz creates waves in Malaysia

Singapore said it would not be appealing to Iran for access to the strait as transit through crucial trade waterways was a right.

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Malaysia

Malaysian corruption watchdog secures arrest warrant for tycoon Daim’s sons

The move marks the latest development in a years-long probe into the ex-finance minister’s wealth.

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Cambodia

Why Cambodia’s new law may do little to combat its scam centres

Analysts warn the lack of provisions addressing the role officials and networks play in enabling scams may limit the law’s effectiveness.

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Computers and workstations seized by police during an online scam crackdown at a hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in March. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Iran ‘does not forget its friends’ as Malaysia-linked ships pass through Hormuz

The move signals Tehran’s use of access to Hormuz as leverage, analysts say, while drawing scrutiny over Malaysia’s oil transfers.

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A tanker shown in an image posted by Iran’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, which said it was the first Malaysian-linked vessel to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: x / iraninmalaysia
A tanker shown in an image posted by Iran’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, which said it was the first Malaysian-linked vessel to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: x / iraninmalaysia
India

India kicks off crucial state elections for Modi’s BJP amid Iran war turmoil

The ruling BJP is looking to break into opposition strongholds, especially in West Bengal, and secure dominance across India.

Asean

Most in Asean prefer China over US in survey, Trump cited as biggest concern

Support for China was stronger in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, according to the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute survey.

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Malaysia

Daim’s daughter pleads not guilty as Malaysia’s ‘Op Godfather’ probe widens

The charge against the daughter of late former finance minister Daim Zainuddin centres on an allegedly incomplete asset declaration.

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The Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building in Putrajaya. Photo: EPA-EFE
North Korea

Hidden meaning behind North Korea’s warm response to South’s drone apology

While North Korea praised the South’s actions as a ‘wise move’, it continues to rebuff any attempts at reconciliation dialogues.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong (second right) plants a tree in Pyongyang on March 14. Photo by KCNA/AFP
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong (second right) plants a tree in Pyongyang on March 14. Photo by KCNA/AFP
Singapore

Singapore’s Shanmugam slams Bloomberg’s ‘venomous’ emails in defamation hearing

Cabinet ministers K. Shanmugam and Tan See Leng are suing Bloomberg over an article mentioning their personal property deals.

South Korea

‘Remorseless’ Yoon slammed for invoking Jesus in a note from South Korean prison

The ex-president may be a liability to his former People Power Party ahead of local elections on June 3 amid falling approval ratings.

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India

India turns to ‘trusted friend’ Russia for oil supply as Iran war energises ties

The two sides aim to keep their energy trade flowing despite sanctions while balancing against the US and China, analysts say.

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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin speaks with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi in December. Photo: AFP
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin speaks with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi in December. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korea and Indonesia’s fighter jet is ready. But will it sell?

Only a handful of nations have ever built a supersonic fighter jet from the ground up.

South Korea

Softly, softly: why South Korea, France prefer diplomacy over force in Hormuz

Presidents Lee and Macron have agreed to cooperate on safety in the strait but they are likely to wade in only after the war, analysts say.

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Indonesia

Indonesia and Malaysia require geo-tracking for civil servants working from home

As governments roll out work-from-home policies to cut fuel use, civil servants face location tracking and other productivity measures.

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Indonesia and Malaysia have implemented work-from-home schemes for government workers that require strict location monitoring. Photo: Shutterstock
Myanmar

From general to Myanmar president: Min Aung Hlaing’s ‘cosmetic’ rebrand

His transition from top general to president is a ‘veneer’ that poses a challenge for Asean, which has long shunned him, critics say.

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Myanmar’s parliament elected junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as president on Friday. Photo: AFP
Myanmar’s parliament elected junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as president on Friday. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

‘Defining truth’? Worry in Philippines over controversial anti-fake news bills

Critics warn the proposals risk turning legitimate reporting, public-interest speech and fast-moving online discussion into criminal exposure.

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Japan

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

Indonesia

Indonesian peacekeepers’ deaths spur calls for Middle East exit plan

Lawmakers want Indonesia to pressure Israel for answers and urge Jakarta to rethink its Lebanon and Gaza peacekeeping mission.

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UN peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon drive past firefighters clearing the road at the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike in Naqura in southern Lebanon last week. Photo: AFP
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