This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
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the Asian angle
The Philippines
Not for cars: Philippine fugitive accused of building ‘cash basement’
Zaldy Co, who is on the run, has been accused of being involved in the flood-control corruption scandal.
24 Dec 2025 - 5:55PM
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Malaysia
Najib’s children lament Malaysian court ruling – ‘we thought he was coming home’
24 Dec 2025 - 4:57PM
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South Korea
Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan
24 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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Malaysia
Why Malaysian court ruling against Najib is dividing Anwar’s coalition
A comment by a DAP member that is perceived as celebrating Najib’s legal setback has been slammed by Umno’s leaders.
23 Dec 2025 - 4:48PM
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on Monday. Photo: AP
South Korea
South Korean politicians agree to Unification Church special probe in rare move
The ruling DPK has accepted the opposition’s proposal to appoint special prosecutors to look into the church’s political meddling and bribes.
23 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM
India
India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest
India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.
23 Dec 2025 - 11:41AM
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2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict
Malaysia: Cambodia, Thailand set for Christmas Eve truce talks after Asean push
The breakthrough was quickly threatened as Cambodia accused Thailand of bombing border provinces with F-16s just hours later.
22 Dec 2025 - 9:16PM
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Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan speaks at an Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in July. On Monday, he said the bloc had a responsibility to help find a solution to the Cambodia–Thailand conflict. Photo: AFP
Malaysia
Malaysian court blocks Najib’s bid for house arrest
Monday’s decision keeps the former prime minister behind bars as he awaits the outcome of the far larger 1MDB case on Friday.
22 Dec 2025 - 6:40PM
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India
‘Pax Silica’: America’s new AI inner circle and Asia’s chosen few
Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.
22 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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Australia
Bondi Beach attack sparks global misinformation crisis, and AI-driven hate
A leading counterterrorism expert warns that ‘agentic AI’ and political point-scoring are fuelling a toxic symbiosis between extremists.
21 Dec 2025 - 3:30PM
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The Philippines
‘Medical pork’ row exposes political grip over Philippine health assistance
Doctors and health groups say the system allows politicians to influence who receives state medical aid, undermining universal care.
20 Dec 2025 - 3:30PM
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Doctors and health groups in the Philippines said the “medical pork” system allows politicians to influence who receives state medical aid. Photo: Shutterstock
US-ally trade wars
Mexico’s 50% tariff shock shuts Asia’s North American trade bypass
A tariff wall will soon separate protected partners like CPTPP members Singapore and Malaysia from exporters facing a shutout.
20 Dec 2025 - 1:30PM
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Thailand
Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount
Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.
21 Dec 2025 - 12:33PM
Singapore
Anwar’s coalition revives Chinese school certification debate, sparking row
The sensitive issue in the Malay-Muslim majority country has caused a row between Umno and DAP, an insider says.
19 Dec 2025 - 9:08PM
2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict
Russia denies citizens are fighting for Cambodia in border war with Thailand
The Russian embassy in Cambodia says the false assertions could jeopardise Moscow-Bangkok ties and its citizens’ safety in Thailand.
19 Dec 2025 - 3:15PM
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A man inspects a building destroyed by Thai bombing in Poipet town, Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia, on Thursday. Photo: AKP/AP
The Philippines
Is Philippines being unfairly named in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting?
Australian police are looking into a trip the two suspects made to Davao City, but Philippine officials say it is not connected to the shooting.
19 Dec 2025 - 5:24PM
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Myanmar
Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?
The junta has been emboldened to strike as China, Russia and the US are looking the other way to serve their own interests, analysts say.
19 Dec 2025 - 5:31PM
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South Korea
South Korea’s top court seeks to restore trust after martial law controversy
The changes target high-stakes national security cases amid mounting criticism over delays and alleged bias.
19 Dec 2025 - 4:02PM
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South Korea’s Constitutional Court justices attend a hearing in Seoul on Thursday to deliver a verdict on the impeachment of former police chief Cho Ji-ho over his role in former president Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed martial law bid. Photo: EPA
The Philippines
Philippines to get up to US$3.5 billion defence aid to counter ‘serious threats’
A US senator says the support for Manila and other allies reflects the threats posed by China and its partners in the ‘axis of aggressors’.
18 Dec 2025 - 10:12PM
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Japan
Steppe in the right direction? ‘Japan is back’ in Central Asia with new summit
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian nations are expected to establish a new framework for cooperation in AI.
18 Dec 2025 - 5:41PM
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Bangladesh
Bangladeshi politician’s threat targeting India’s northeast deepens row
His claim of Delhi’s election interference comes days after a leader of the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh was shot in Dhaka.
18 Dec 2025 - 5:52PM
The Philippines
Why the Philippine Army is turning to locally built remote weapons systems
The roll-out of the new Cobra weapon system is part of Manila’s push to build a self-reliant defence industry.
17 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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Soldiers from the Armour Division operate the Cobra system during a demonstration in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac on Thursday. Photo: Philippine Army
South Korea
South Korean court rules Yoon’s ‘self-coup’ illegal as walls close in
Judges are fast-tracking verdicts to beat statutory time limits, dashing the ex-president’s faint hopes of walking free early next year.
17 Dec 2025 - 3:02PM
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The Philippines
Can UN anti-corruption pact bring Zaldy Co back to Philippines?
The former lawmaker, who is facing charges linked to the Philippines’ flood control scandal, is suspected to have fled to Portugal.
16 Dec 2025 - 9:04PM
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Malaysia
Malaysia’s Anwar reshuffles cabinet to focus on ‘stronger growth’
The changes come after months of pressure on his government, sparked by several key resignations and rising inflation.
16 Dec 2025 - 7:39PM
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