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This Week in Asia /

Politics

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Asean
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the Asian angle
Houthi supporters rally in Sanaa, Yemen, last month to celebrate advances by Houthi forces along the Red Sea coastline. Photo: Reuters
Houthi fighters and local residents search through the rubble of a house following a strike by Saudi-backed forces in the town of Kadhah, in Taiz province, Yemen last month. Photo: Al-Masirah TV/AP
Pakistan

As Saudi Arabia steps up war against Houthis, Pakistan set to play support role

To rally support among Pakistanis for the move, Islamabad and Riyadh have highlighted the Houthis’ recent drone attack on Mecca.

India

India’s Modi faces dual pressure from ‘cockroach’ movement, opposition parties

Malaysia

Why Sabah has Malaysia watching South China Sea tensions more closely

Indonesia

Can Indonesia’s new police chief repair the force’s image, commit to reforms?

A commission has called for reforms including transforming the police’s work culture and limiting officers holding other public positions.

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Indonesia’s newly appointed National Police chief Suyudi Ario Seto takes the oath during his inauguration at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attaches rank insignia on newly appointed National Police chief Suyudi Ario Seto during an inauguration ceremony at the presidential palace in Jakarta on Thursday. Photo: EPA
Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo turns to technocrats to restore credibility amid criticism

The new line-up suggests that the president, halfway through his term, wants a cabinet that is closely aligned with his agenda, analysts say.

The Philippines

What does Philippines seek with new Thitu map in South China Sea?

By publishing coordinates, charts and the legitimate basis of its position, the Philippines is aiming to reduce legal ambiguity, experts say.

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Donald Trump

Anti-South Asian online hate surges in US under Trump 2.0, study finds

Trump’s immigration crackdown and economic anxiety have led to a spike in racist posts targeting South Asians, especially on X.

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Supporters of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold Indian flags at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, in 2019. Photo: Reuters
Supporters of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold Indian flags at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, in 2019. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo appoints new police chief following scandals at the force

Listyo Sigit Prabowo’s dismissal comes amid allegations of police impunity, abuse of power and brutality.

Japan

Why Japan is looking to Ukraine’s front lines to overhaul its defences

A senior Japanese politician is in Kyiv to study battlefield drone tech as Tokyo seeks low-cost ways to counter rising regional threats.

South Korea

Border mine blasts show why both Koreas urgently need to restore communication

With North Korea stepping up fortification works along the border, constant contact is needed to avoid accidental clashes, experts say.

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A North Korean guard post and military fences in the border county of Gaepung is seen from a South Korean observation deck at Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo on July 1. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Mahathir in hospital for observation a day after wife’s death

The former prime minister’s office says it is waiting for the diagnosis from his doctors.

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad pays his last respects to his late wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, during a prayer ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photo: EPA
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad pays his last respects to his late wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, during a prayer ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Photo: EPA
Vietnam

Vietnam charges 3 men with terrorism as abduction claim emerges

Viet Tan says the pair, who hold Norwegian and Australian citizenship, entered Cambodia legally and planned to leave four days later.

India

India-Europe trade corridor gets Trump’s backing, but can it survive war?

Pitched as a rival to China’s Belt and Road, IMEC must bypass vulnerable Gulf chokepoints if it is ever to become operational, analysts say.

The Philippines

Philippine coastguard warns ‘we will run out of ships’ as budget cuts bite

Ronnie Gil Gavan says his agency is functioning at almost ‘90 per cent operational tempo’, leaving a very short time between overhauls.

A Philippine Coast Guard ship arrives at a port in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in September 2024. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/AFP
South Korea

South Korea’s POW row with Ukraine puts ties and aid at risk

Analysts say Kyiv’s breach of secrecy over the North Korean prisoners of war may cause Seoul to halt non-lethal aid to Ukraine.

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A South Korean lawmaker shows pictures of North Korean POWs transferred from Ukraine to South Korea at the National Assembly in Seoul on Monday. Photo: Reuters
A South Korean lawmaker shows pictures of North Korean POWs transferred from Ukraine to South Korea at the National Assembly in Seoul on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysian police consider sedition charges for ex-Negeri Sembilan officials

Ten ousted executive council members face questioning over an alleged plot to depose the state’s ruler.

The Philippines

After EU-Philippines trade breakthrough, is Asean-wide deal next?

A bloc-to-bloc free-trade agreement offers Asean real economic clout, but analysts warn there is still a ‘long way to go’.

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Pakistan

Why Pakistan’s endless war on militants fails to break the cycle

Tactical wins and retaliatory strikes have not delivered peace, even as two separate insurgencies appear to be converging.

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People gather at site of a bomb attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, on September 18. Photo: Xinhua
People gather at site of a bomb attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, on September 18. Photo: Xinhua
India

India’s ‘cockroach’ movement targets election chief in political pivot

The Gen Z group that forced out an education minister is demanding the election chief’s resignation over alleged voter roll irregularities.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Najib ‘has no money’ to pay fine for house arrest, lawyer says

The ex-prime minister’s legal team also dismisses a ‘stupid question’ about ‘the billions’ donated by the Saudi royal family.

North Korea

Ukraine’s POW transfer reveal deals propaganda blow to North Korea

Zelensky’s UN disclosure punctures Pyongyang’s soldier-loyalty narrative, but risks damaging ties with Seoul and endangering POW families.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

‘So happy’: Philippines pardons death row inmate repatriated from Indonesia

Mary Jane Veloso is expected to be freed after the clemency since there are no other active cases against her.

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The parents of Mary Jane Veloso holding placards demanding clemency for their daughter during a protest in Manila in November 2024. Photo: EPA
The parents of Mary Jane Veloso holding placards demanding clemency for their daughter during a protest in Manila in November 2024. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

Does Philippine rule change clear way to convict vice-president?

Omitting absent senators cuts the votes needed to oust Sara Duterte-Carpio from 16 to 14, setting up a clash over the court’s legitimacy.

Malaysia

Najib Razak’s fundraising in Malaysia draws 1 sen donations, mockery

Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, claims that supporters from Singapore, Brunei, Italy and Canada are willing to contribute to the fund.

South Korea

South Korea has plan for phased denuclearisation. But will North bite?

The South Korean president’s proposal reflects the reality that North Korea already has significant nuclear capabilities, analysts say.

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North Korea test-fires an upgraded 240mm guided rocket at an undisclosed location on Tuesday. Photo: KCNA / AFP
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