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This Week in Asia /

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the Asian angle
The Hayabusa2 space probe makes a close fly-by of the asteroid Torifune, in this illustration by Akihiro Ikeshita. Photo: Ikeshita/JAXA/Kyodo
Japan

Nasa knows how to deflect an asteroid. Can Japan’s Hayabusa2 pull it off?

Analysts say the Torifune fly-by highlights Tokyo’s growing role in global space safety efforts and its ‘goodwill science’ policy.

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Malaysia

Hard questions for Anwar’s PH after BN sweeps Malaysia’s Johor

The Philippines

Sanctioned but defiant: Philippine defence chief says China talks ‘not possible’

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Malaysia

BN cruises to victory in Malaysia’s Johor, in blow to Anwar and PH

Barisan Nasional has won 48 out of 56 seats, with its leaders hoping the victory will ‘trigger a blue wave’ in future elections.

Barisan Nasional leaders cheer at the coalition’s command centre in Johor Bahru as unofficial results show BN leading in the state election in Malaysia on Saturday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Barisan Nasional leaders cheer at the coalition’s command centre in Johor Bahru as unofficial results show BN leading in the state election in Malaysia on Saturday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Artificial intelligence

Southeast Asia’s scammers’ new disguise? Your leader’s face

The president is asking for your bank details. He isn’t, of course. But the AI wearing his face is.

Malaysia

Anwar, Anutin hit diplomatic high notes to mask Malaysia-Thailand tensions

Despite the leaders’ personal chemistry, the seafood row shows the ‘frictions’ embedded within the countries’ relationship, analysts say.

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India

Running on empty? Why India is struggling to plug its fighter fleet gaps

Analysts say a large defence budget will not ‘automatically’ resolve combat aircraft gaps that are affecting India’s overall air power.

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The Indian Air Force’s Tejas fighter jet prepares to take off during the “Aero India 2025” air show in Bengaluru on February 2025. Photo: AFP
The Indian Air Force’s Tejas fighter jet prepares to take off during the “Aero India 2025” air show in Bengaluru on February 2025. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Go big or go home: why numbers matter in Malaysia’s Johor election

Prime Minister Anwar has called on voters to take BN down a peg in its stronghold, accusing his federal partner of ‘arrogance of power’.

United States

US plan to allow Turkey back into F-35 jet scheme faces Israeli opposition

Turkey was ejected from the American F-35 programme in 2019 after it bought Russian air-defence systems.

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Malaysia

Threat of Najib pardon gives Malaysian coalition new battle cry in Johor poll

A win for BN is a sign that Johoreans still love Najib, his son says, in a remark that has stirred up the spectre of 1MDB again.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak, jailed for corruption in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal, is escorted by prison guards at Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in 2025. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

In Malaysia’s Johor, Chinese voters prize affordability over politics

Analysts say issues such as the rising cost of living, jobs and business opportunities now matter more than party loyalty or China money.

Workers repair a rooftop next to the Strait of Johor separating Singapore and Malaysia, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Workers repair a rooftop next to the Strait of Johor separating Singapore and Malaysia, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Why the Philippines is turning to space for a military edge in South China Sea

Having dedicated satellites is ‘something that makes sense’ as it would give the military more control over its territory, experts say.

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Malaysia

Tight postal vote rules lock Malaysians in Hong Kong out of state elections

Hong Kong is home to an estimated 15,000 Malaysians, many of whom remain closely engaged with politics back home.

Singapore

Inside the existential crisis facing Singapore’s smaller opposition parties

Progress Singapore Party and People’s Power Party have been hit by leadership resignations after poor showings at last year’s poll.

Progress Singapore Party supporters wave flags at a nomination centre on Apriil 23, 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
Indonesia

Jakarta joins the BrahMos club to escape superpower crossfire

Analysts say the missile deal aims to give Indonesia a supersonic shield to insulate its waterways from great-power clashes.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto shake hands after attending a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto shake hands after attending a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

After China sanctions Philippines’ defence chief, Marcos breaks his silence

For weeks, Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said nothing about the sanctions on Gilberto Teodoro. Then, on a work trip to Vancouver, he finally did.

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Indonesia

How cheap AI is undermining Indonesia’s academic credibility

A fraud scandal at a medical conference in Denmark exposes the underground WhatsApp groups and paper mills helping lecturers buy promotion.

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Malaysia

Exclusive | Stop ‘one-party dominance’ in Johor to compete with Singapore: Malaysia’s Loke

The transport minister urges voters to flood Saturday’s state election to ensure Malay-led Barisan Nasional does not have its way.

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Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke (centre) during a recent campaign event. Photo: Facebook/Anthony Loke Siew Fook
Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke (centre) during a recent campaign event. Photo: Facebook/Anthony Loke Siew Fook
Malaysia

Rafizi’s revenge? How Bersama could cost Malaysia’s Anwar the Johor poll

Rafizi Ramli’s breakaway party won’t win the state, analysts say, but it could cannibalise the reformist vote and act as a spoiler.

Japan

Japan weighs Myanmar aid restart to counter China’s growing clout

Activists urge Tokyo to reject the request, pointing to evidence that the military weaponised previous Japanese aid vessels.

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North Korea

‘Let me join’: North Korea flexes naval muscle ahead of China-Russia drills

Pyongyang’s new cruise-missile destroyers are built to project power far beyond home waters, analysts say.

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Multiple cruise missiles are test launched from a North Korean destroyer on Friday in this picture released by Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency. Photo: KCNA/Reuters
The Philippines

Philippines’ impeachment showdown: why removing VP Sara could be uphill battle

Prosecutors will need at least 16 votes to convict her but analysts warn the Senate’s shifting loyalties may complicate the task.

Protesters against Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpion carry posters bearing her photo during a rally near the Senate in Pasay city on Monday. Photo: AP
Protesters against Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpion carry posters bearing her photo during a rally near the Senate in Pasay city on Monday. Photo: AP
India

India and Japan to develop stealth tech for warships as faith in US wavers

The pact to equip Indian vessels with radar-evading antennas comes as China expands its own naval cooperation with Pakistan.

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The Philippines

How does an outgunned air force defend the South China Sea?

Manila is spending billions to transform its underfunded air arm into a maritime shield against Beijing.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Minefields, stalled talks keep Strait of Hormuz in strategic limbo

Iran’s grip on maritime traffic through the strait remains both ‘real’ and ‘strong’ even amid the cessation in hostilities, analysts say.

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Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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