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Border Security Force personnel inspect a truck carrying supplies to Bangladesh at the India-Bangladesh border in Fulbari. Photo: AFP

Bollywood star’s stabbing reignites India-Bangladesh border security debate

Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing has sparked political blame, with the ruling BJP accusing the AAP of illegal immigration and the AAP criticising the government’s border security.

5 minutes ago

Uproar, rejection in Indonesia over report of US plan to relocate Palestinians

1 hour agovideocam

The Philippines

Philippines deploys ‘surface action groups’ to counter Beijing in South China Sea

4 hours agovideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Can the Gaza ceasefire hold while Trump attempts to broker Middle East peace?

Analysts say the fragility of the truce agreement and escalating violence in the West Bank threaten US efforts to normalise Arab-Israel ties.

5 hours agovideocam

President Donald Trump, right, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony at the White House on September 15, 2020. Photo: TNS

Why do Singaporeans like Trump? Survey findings hint at their pragmatism

Most respondents say Trump’s return to the White House is positive for Singapore, particularly among older Singaporeans.

24 Jan 2025 - 10:00AM

Indonesia’s Prabowo hits 80% approval in 100 days. Will the ‘honeymoon’ last?

Analysts and activists say Prabowo Subianto’s high approval rating may falter if cabinet discord and militarisation issues persist.

24 Jan 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

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India’s bet on AI-enabled warships needs boost to counter China, experts say

While India’s first AI-enabled warship enhances its capabilities in the Indian Ocean, experts warn that more vessels are needed to counter China’s growing presence.

23 Jan 2025 - 10:54PM

Crew members onboard the naval combatant INS Surat, a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Rubio says US committed to Philippines but could Trump change course?

Observers welcome Rubio’s statements that they say indicate continuity in US policy and ‘more robust support’ for Manila in South China Sea row.

24 Jan 2025 - 8:24AMvideocam

Last laugh? Muslim comedian faces backlash over ham joke in Malaysia

Harith Iskander’s joke about ham sap kopi – a coffee drink – offended some Muslims, leading to police reports and calls for his social media suspension.

23 Jan 2025 - 8:56PM

South Korea’s prosecution asked to charge Yoon Suk-yeol over martial law order

The development comes after the country’s anti-corruption agency was unable to grill Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed martial law bid.

23 Jan 2025 - 6:42PMvideocam

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol attends his impeachment trial in Seoul on Thursday. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Philippines ‘blindsided’ by mounting security woes amid fresh espionage claims

Officials ‘connecting the dots’ between arrest of alleged Chinese spy, underwater drones and Pogos as analysts call for stronger legal frameworks.

23 Jan 2025 - 12:58PMvideocam

Philippine officials say there seems to be a “deliberate and calculated move to map out the country by a foreign power”. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s Anwar faces heat over ‘absurd’ rules on anti-corruption rally

Civic groups and the prime minister’s supporters berate him for imposing strict conditions on the march in a bid to obstruct the event.

23 Jan 2025 - 12:41PM

Japanese mum hopes Trump will get Kim to release her daughter after 48 years

The family of Megumi Yokota, who was 13 when she was abducted by North Korean agents in 1977, met the US president previously in Tokyo.

23 Jan 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Yoon Suk-yeol in spotlight again over soldiers praising him at birthday event

The soldiers sang popular hits with tweaked lyrics to the president at the event in 2023, a South Korean media report says.

22 Jan 2025 - 10:27PMvideocam

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attends his impeachment trial for the first time in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: Kyodo

Singapore takes first step towards election, analysts predict midyear polls

The next election – the first since Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took office – is likely to centre on bread-and-butter issues, analysts say.

22 Jan 2025 - 5:19PM

Voters in Singapore queue to cast their ballots at a polling station during the general election on July 10, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE

‘No chance’: in Myanmar, Asean’s pleas for peace fall on deaf ears

Despite Asean’s call to prioritise peace over a sham election, Myanmar’s military rulers appear bent on clinging to power no matter the cost.

22 Jan 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

‘He’s a nuclear power’: Donald Trump’s North Korea remarks upend US doctrine

Donald Trump’s convention-busting acknowledgement of North Korea as a nuclear power bucks years of US policy – and sets South Korea on edge.

22 Jan 2025 - 9:38AMvideocam

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South Korea seeks Iron Dome-like system as Trump touts friendship with Kim

Seoul is aiming to build the US$330 million defence system to intercept rockets fired by North Korea.

22 Jan 2025 - 9:31AMvideocam

An interceptor missile is fired by a launcher as part of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system. Photo: dpa

In Trump 2.0, Japan faces a familiar uncertainty

Beneath the polite diplomacy lies a current of apprehension about what Donald Trump’s return means for Japan’s place in an upended world.

22 Jan 2025 - 8:00AM

Can AI help Asean beat the scam gangs? Malaysia thinks so

Upskilling workforces, creation of Interpol-style Asean Cybercrime Task Force among proposals from Malaysian ministers to counter online fraud.

21 Jan 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Thai government under pressure to revise visa-free policy for Chinese tourists

Thai senator urges roll-out of visa-on-arrival initiative for Chinese tourists that will require them to give details of their travel itinerary.

21 Jan 2025 - 4:11PM

Chinese tourists do a Thai traditional greeting while posing for photographs at the Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier in January. Photo: EPA-EFE

The Philippines

Philippines’ arrest of Chinese ‘sleeper agent’ sparks fears of widespread spying

A group comprising Deng Yuanqing and two Filipinos is accused of spying on Philippine military bases, including where US troops have access.

21 Jan 2025 - 3:00PMvideocam

Chinese national Deng Yuanqing (middle) with an unidentified Filipino companion in handcuffs escorted to the Department of Justice office in Manila on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

South China Sea

‘It’s a win’: Philippines, China uphold South China Sea resupply deal

Analysts say the agreement ‘commits both states to a status quo’ and urge the Philippines to hold firm on its South China Sea stance.

21 Jan 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

South China Sea

How quiet US-Philippine South China Sea drills sent ‘a clear message’

As the world’s attention turned towards Washington and Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Pentagon was operating decisively under the radar.

21 Jan 2025 - 8:01AMvideocam

Malaysian police probe flags of China on dragon puppet at Johor parade

The other side of the dragon puppet seen at a parade to mark a Muar-based Chinese association’s anniversary was decked with Malaysia’s flags.

20 Jan 2025 - 8:34PM

A giant dragon puppet decorated with flags of China on one side at a parade in Muar, Johor, has prompted a probe by Malaysian police. Photo: Kelab Info Malaysia/Facebook

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