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This Week in Asia /

Politics

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A Taliban guard walks along railway tracks near a TAPI pipeline construction site at the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan border in 2024. Photo: AFP
Central Asia

Trains through the Taliban: Central Asia’s plan to bypass Russia and Iran

The Soviet Union severed Central Asia’s ancient trade routes to the Indian subcontinent. The region’s modern-day leaders want them back.

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North Korea

Dress for succession? Why ‘twin look’ of Kim Jong-un, daughter is sparking talk

Malaysia

Malaysia considers royal commission to probe anti-corruption agency allegations

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Malaysia

Anti-corruption agency seeks Malaysians’ help to find Daim’s 4 children

A source from the agency says the late ex-finance minister’s children are under investigation for failing to declare their assets.

The late ex-finance minister Daim Zainuddin at a court in Kuala Lumpur before being charged with failing to declare assets, on January 29, 2024. He died later that year. Photo: EPA-EFE
The late ex-finance minister Daim Zainuddin at a court in Kuala Lumpur before being charged with failing to declare assets, on January 29, 2024. He died later that year. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘ridiculous’ push to curb LGBTQ apps tests limits of digital control

Officials are examining legislative steps to curb apps like Grindr, though removal from global stores is beyond direct state control.

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Japan

‘Hostage diplomacy’ fears mount over arrest of Japanese journalist in Iran

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, with a large American military force positioned near Iran.

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North Korea

North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘eternal confrontation’ without US dialogue

As long as Washington acknowledges Pyongyang as a nuclear power, there is ‘no reason not to get along’, the North Korean leader says.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and daughter Ju-ae attend a military parade to commemorate the Ninth Workers’ Party congress on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and daughter Ju-ae attend a military parade to commemorate the Ninth Workers’ Party congress on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/AFP
Japan

Japan’s PM revives push to criminalise defacing national flag

It is already a crime to damage a foreign flag in Japan. Now, emboldened by a massive election win, the PM wants to protect her own.

South Korea

Why Yoon’s life sentence and ‘sympathetic’ ruling divide South Korea

As the ex-president appeals his life sentence for a martial law plot, judicial reform is back on the agenda for a deeply divided nation.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar faces pressure as allies demand new probe into MACC allegations

Democratic Action Party leaders said a task force does not go far enough to examine the alleged misconduct at the anti-corruption agency.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to journalists on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur on October 28, 2025. Photo: AFP
India

Trade and diplomatic reset top the agenda for Canadian PM’s India visit

Both sides are set to boost trade links and repair ties further following a fallout over the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist, analysts say.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meet before the 2025 G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Photo: AP
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney meet before the 2025 G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Photo: AP
South Korea

South Korea’s Lee uses AI to honour shared factory worker past with Brazil’s Lula

The gesture accompanied Lula’s state visit to Seoul, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.

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South Korea

Shaman’s bribery conviction spells trouble for South Korea’s former first lady

A judge has ruled luxury gifts passed to Kim Keon-hee were ‘grease payments’, contradicting an earlier verdict and threatening her appeal.

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Malaysia

‘They do listen sometimes’: Malaysians cheer US U-turn on controversial envoy

He boasted about eating rare steaks and reading the Bible daily, but the combative US envoy pick proved too tough for Malaysia to swallow.

Malaysians protest outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur on July 18 last year against the proposed appointment of Nick Adams as ambassador to the country. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippine Supreme Court ruling adds momentum to same-sex marriage debate

Advocates hailed the ruling as a breakthrough, though observers said its reach remains limited without congressional action.

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A same-sex couple joins “Metro Manila Pride”, the longest-running pride march in Southeast Asia, in 2016. Photo: Shutterstock
A same-sex couple joins “Metro Manila Pride”, the longest-running pride march in Southeast Asia, in 2016. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Why Indonesia’s lead role in Gaza peacekeeping force carries high political risk

Jakarta has reiterated that it ‘will not conduct military operations’ after it agreed to assume the role of deputy commander of the force.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s biggest state wants its energy wealth back – and it’s going to court

Sarawak state is challenging oil giant Petronas’ dominance in the highest court, in a test for the prime minister’s unity coalition.

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South Korea

Why South Korea is risking a rare rift with US to slash joint military drills

Washington is reportedly pushing back on Seoul’s request for smaller drills, forcing the postponement of a major joint military briefing.

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US and South Korean armoured vehicles cross a floating bridge as part of last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise. Photo: AFP
US and South Korean armoured vehicles cross a floating bridge as part of last year’s Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan’s ‘Traitor Takaichi’ hit with online smear campaign using fake accounts

Using AI-generated images and simplified Chinese characters, a network of 3,000 fake accounts reportedly tried to sway Japan’s election.

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Thailand

Will Thailand’s election be voided? Bar code blunder sparks ballot secrecy fears

With counting errors forcing revotes this Sunday, the reformist opposition is seizing on irregularities to demand a fresh election.

North Korea

Where is Kim Ju-ae? Succession question hangs over North Korea’s ruling congress

With Kim Jong-un set to outline his end-of-decade vision, the notable absence of his teenage daughter raises fresh succession questions.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae inspect a newly completed music shop in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP
Israel-Gaza war

‘Plan B is war’: Gaza truce faces late April test despite Trump’s peace push

Observers say the unresolved question of Hamas’ disarmament leaves the fragile truce vulnerable to collapse.

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US President Donald Trump raises the gavel during the “Board of Peace” meeting in Washington on Thursday. Photo: EPA
US President Donald Trump raises the gavel during the “Board of Peace” meeting in Washington on Thursday. Photo: EPA
Japan

Japan’s Takaichi pushes to scrap food tax, ignoring economists’ warnings

The newly reappointed prime minister is gambling 5 trillion yen a year on a popular election promise that could backfire badly.

Japan

Why plan by US and Japan to relocate Okinawa airbase is hitting turbulence

The US does not intend to vacate the current airbase for now due to disagreement over runway length at a replacement site, a report says.

The Philippines

US missile deployments in Philippines signal deeper strategic shift in region

Analysts said the move bolsters the First Island Chain strategy and deepens Manila’s role in regional defence planning.

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A US M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, fires during the Balikatan joint military exercises at a naval station in Zambales province, northern Philippines, on April 26, 2023. Photo: AP
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