This Week in Asia /

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Indian Navy sailors take part in Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai last year. Photo: AFP
India

AIKEYME in action: India counters China with African naval outreach

India’s naval diplomacy focuses on building trust and offering a ‘non-coercive’ alternative to China’s investments, analysts say.

The Philippines

Can Manila become Beijing’s ‘plus one’ amid South China Sea tensions?

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The Philippines

Is Duterte’s ‘capable’ daughter reshaping her image for a 2028 presidential run?

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s Danantara fund faces constitutional challenge over corruption concerns

Critics fear the new law underpinning the fund weakens oversight of state-owned enterprises, potentially fuelling corruption risks.

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Exterior facade of the building housing Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, known as Daya Anagata Nusantara or Danantara, in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
Exterior facade of the building housing Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, known as Daya Anagata Nusantara or Danantara, in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan faces 99 times more heatwaves if global warming intensifies, report warns

A new report reveals global warming could cause “once-in-a-century” heatwaves annually.

The Philippines

What Duterte’s downfall means for Marcos – and the Philippines

Ex-president Duterte is behind bars in The Hague and his daughter is fighting for political survival. But don’t discount a comeback in 2028.

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The Philippines

US bolsters Philippines defence with ‘game-changer’ missiles to deter China threat

During a visit to the Philippines, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed alliance, deterring Beijing’s ‘aggression’ in the South China Sea.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Manila on Friday. Photo: AFP
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Manila on Friday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysians trust media more while consumer boycott hits confidence survey

Local companies dominate the most trusted brands across the sectors, according to the Ipsos survey.

Middle East

Kurds ponder future in Turkey, Syria and Iraq with guarded optimism

The mood among the Kurds has changed after Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan urged the PKK to end its struggle against Turkey.

North Korea

Declassified 1994 files show how diplomats doubted North Korea’s ‘goofy’ Kim Jong-il

Newly released files show experts from the US and Russia were sceptical he could hold onto power in the wake of his father’s sudden death.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-il smiles as he inspects the Sinam cooperative farm in Ryongchon county in North Korea, in this undated file photo released by Korea News Service in Tokyo on June 8, 2007. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Philippines pulls Asean card on East Timor over extradition row. Will it work?

Manila is seeking the extradition of Arnolfo Teves Jnr, a former politician, who is facing murder and other charges.

Prime Minister of East Timor Xanana Gusmao (far right) poses for a photo at the 14th Asean-UN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, last year. Photo: Reuters
Prime Minister of East Timor Xanana Gusmao (far right) poses for a photo at the 14th Asean-UN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, last year. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia arrests Muslim preacher as temple relocation row rages on

Controversy refuses to die down even as PM Anwar declared ‘victory’ after laying foundation stone for a mosque to be built on temple site.

The Philippines

Trump’s immigration crackdown hits Filipino green card holder, sparking fears

The detention of a Filipino who has lived in the US for 50 years shows the huge shift in immigration enforcement under Trump, observers say.

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North Korea

Is North Korea’s nuclear submarine a game changer or ‘vanity project’?

North Korea’s first SSBN is likely to lag far behind its US and South Korean submarine rivals, analysts say.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a shipbuilding project at a shipyard at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee Seafoods in landmark forced labour case

The human-trafficking case highlights the exploitation within the seafood industry, emphasising the need for corporate accountability and systemic reform.

Workers load flash-frozen fish onto a truck from a boat near Indonesia’s Bali island. Indonesian fishermen have sued Bumble Bee Seafoods for forced labour, alleging abuse and withheld wages on Chinese-owned vessels in its supply chain. Photo: AFP
Workers load flash-frozen fish onto a truck from a boat near Indonesia’s Bali island. Indonesian fishermen have sued Bumble Bee Seafoods for forced labour, alleging abuse and withheld wages on Chinese-owned vessels in its supply chain. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Thailand offers rewards for reporting e-cigarette use as vaping concerns rise

Thailand’s new initiative aims to curb vaping and protect public health, with fines and jail terms for offenders.

Malaysia

Malaysians question flag on school uniforms rule – pupils ‘do not care’

The education ministry says the rule is in line with the goal of schools to ‘foster the spirit of patriotism among the younger generation’.

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Indonesia

Indonesia military law protests signal fears of democratic erosion under Prabowo

The amended bill brought back bad memories of Suharto-era militarism, when lines between civilian and military spheres were blurred, critics said.

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Anti-riot police put up their shields as students throw stones during a protest against a revision to the armed forces law in Surabaya on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Anti-riot police put up their shields as students throw stones during a protest against a revision to the armed forces law in Surabaya on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
South Korea

‘Phoenix from the ashes’: South Korea opposition chief closer to presidency

A court ruling acquitting Lee Jae-myung of electoral breaches places him as a front runner to succeed embattled incumbent Yoon Suk-yeol.

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Japan

Japanese Alps see record rescue numbers amid rising tourist risk

Experts blame hikers and skiers overestimating their abilities and underestimating harsh terrain and weather.

Japan

‘Impossible to keep up’: Japan ‘stunned’ by Trump trade threats, false claims

Analysts fear this disinformation will strain the US-Japan alliance, risking economic uncertainty, especially in the auto sector.

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US President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Will Malaysia’s chip rules satisfy US concerns over Nvidia diversions to China?

Malaysia is enhancing semiconductor tracking to reassure the US amid investigations into alleged Nvidia chip diversions to China.

A smartphone with a displayed Nvidia logo is placed on a computer motherboard. Photo: Reuters
A smartphone with a displayed Nvidia logo is placed on a computer motherboard. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippines set to host second Typhon unit, signalling Trump’s defence pledge

The second Typhon unit will allow more Philippine troops to train with the system and enhance the country’s sovereignty, analysts say.

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Thailand

Thai tourist gems Chiang Mai and Bangkok among world’s worst for air quality

With both Thai cities listed among the 10 worst in air quality worldwide, emergency measures and regional cooperation are under way to address the crisis.

The Philippines

Brewing justice: Philippines cafe offers healing and hope after Duterte’s ICC arrest

The coffee shop, dedicated to victims of the former president’s drug war, described his arrest as ‘the first step’ towards justice.

Silingan Coffee employs mothers, wives, daughters, sisters who have lost loved ones to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Photo: Sam Beltran
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