Advertisement
Advertisement
-
This Week in Asia /

Politics

Related Topics:
Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
A Taliban fighter holds his weapon beside a Humvee after exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Momand Dara district of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan

‘Managed escalation’: Pakistan-Taliban stand-off enters dangerous new phase

With positions entrenched, mediation efforts by regional powers are unlikely to deliver a swift breakthrough, observers say.

videocam
Central Asia

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

videocam
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

The cabinet said it would decide after reviewing a taskforce report, as pressure mounts for MACC chief Azam Baki to step down.

videocam
Rally organiser Albert Tei, clad in an orange MACC lock-up T-shirt, speaks in front of the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin
Rally organiser Albert Tei, clad in an orange MACC lock-up T-shirt, speaks in front of the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Putrajaya on Friday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin
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.

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.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

The aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison, Iran, in June. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
The aftermath of an Israeli strike on Evin Prison, Iran, in June. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
A supporter of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol reacts following a guilty verdict during the sentencing trial in his insurrection case on February 19. Photo: Reuters
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
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for a court hearing in August last year. Photo: Reuters
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
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.

videocam
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.

9
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

An oil and gas platform off the coast of Malaysia’s Sarawak state. Photo: Shutterstock
An oil and gas platform off the coast of Malaysia’s Sarawak state. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
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.

An election worker counts ballots at a counting station in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 8. Photo: Xinhua
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
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.

videocam
5
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.

Residential buildings are seen near US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Photo: AFP
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW