This Week in Asia

Asia
Politics
Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Team Singapore marches during the parade of athletes at the SEA Games’ closing ceremony in Bangkok on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore’s athletes debate on funding after official’s ‘come to party’ review

The debate was prompted by a sports official’s underwhelming assessment of Singapore’s performance in athletics at the recent SEA Games.

Singapore’s young graduates feel the heat in ‘draining’ job hunt

‘Worse than the tsunami’ – Indonesia’s Aceh residents traumatised by flooding

videocam

Politics

Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan

The two aides’ testimonies give a rare insight into the thinking of the former president, who is charged with leading the ‘insurrection’.

videocam
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul, after then South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Photo: AFP
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul, after then South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Rafflesia flower rediscovery in Indonesia revives push to drop colonial name

The giant flower find has renewed calls among researchers to rename its genus, which honours British colonial official Thomas Raffles.

Economics

Economic ‘pragmatism’ powers Indonesians’ positive view of China, survey finds

Analysts say China’s ‘visible’ investment activities and its ‘soft diplomacy’ in Indonesia have contributed to the positive public perception.

videocam
6
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Politics

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.

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on Monday. Photo: AP
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on Monday. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

Nepal’s plan to tackle uphill task on Mount Everest: clean up waste

Over the years, the authorities have removed a mountain pile of trash and the bodies of climbers on the world’s highest peak.

videocam

Health & Environment

Southeast Asian floods set to threaten more wildlife due to climate change

Environmental crimes and poor oversight are also worsening the risks faced by animals and trees.

videocam

Politics

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.

The entrance to the Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja’s residence in Gapyeong in South Korea. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Mind your language: Japan considers new fluency bar for permanent residents

While some say Japanese knowledge is a fair demand, others worry it will introduce ‘roadblocks’ at a time when the country needs more workers.

videocam
Visitors don traditional outfits to visit the Sensoji Temple at Asakusa district in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: EPA
Visitors don traditional outfits to visit the Sensoji Temple at Asakusa district in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: EPA

Politics

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.

videocam

Politics

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.

videocam

People

Malaysian rapper Namewee acquitted of drug use charge after negative test

The 42-year-old still faces a drug possession charge and remains under investigation following the death of a Taiwanese influencer.

videocam
Malaysian rapper Namewee has been under investigation for drug-related charges and over the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia’s Chingay parade dazzles George Town as Unesco bid gains steam

Once tied to Taoist deity processions, the parade has grown into one of Penang’s largest and most multicultural street festivals.

Participants carry a pink dragon prop through the streets of George Town during the Chingay parade on Sunday. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Participants carry a pink dragon prop through the streets of George Town during the Chingay parade on Sunday. Photo: Ushar Daniele

People

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.

videocam
11

Politics

‘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.

6
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Economics

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.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Economics

Southeast Asia’s rich buy sky garages while the middle class lose their homes

As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.

videocam
6

Health & Environment

6 cyclones, 5 weeks: Philippines can’t escape its endless cycle of disaster

Corruption, complacency and climate chaos conspire to turn the Philippines’ natural hazards into man-made tragedies.

videocam
9

Politics

‘It’s time for us to rise’: India races to rebuild its lost maritime muscle

India is eyeing a future as a leading shipping and shipbuilding nation, backed by big investments – and expertise from South Korea and Japan.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
LATEST Asia NEWS

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore’s athletes debate on funding after official’s ‘come to party’ review

Team Singapore marches during the parade of athletes at the SEA Games’ closing ceremony in Bangkok on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

East Asia

‘Juicy, delicious’ and sold out: culled bear meat sparks Japan feeding frenzy

videocam
People eat bear meat hot pot at a restaurant in Chichibu, Japan’s Saitama prefecture. Photo: AFP

Economics

Singapore’s young graduates feel the heat in ‘draining’ job hunt

The central business district in Singapore. Official data showed the unemployment rate of residents aged below 30 was 5.5 per cent in September. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

‘Worse than the tsunami’ – Indonesia’s Aceh residents traumatised by flooding

videocam
A staff member works to clean a submerged medical equipment after a flash flood at a hospital in Aceh Tamiang, northern Sumatra, on December 16. Photo: AFP

Politics

Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan

videocam
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul, after then South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Photo: AFP
MORE Asia NEWS
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
OPINION
Arnold Puyok

Asian Angle | Sabah’s election proves Malaysians want results, not slogans

Arnold Puyok
JC Punongbayan

Asian Angle | Greed and pork barrel politics fuel the Philippines’ fatal floods

JC Punongbayan
Iman Muttaqin Yusof

‘Just say thank you’: Malaysians fume as Indonesian minister belittles flood aid

Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Frances Mangosing

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

Frances Mangosing
Walter Woon

Opinion | From Singapore to Taiwan, Japan must face its past for Asia’s future

Walter Woon
29
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
Video

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
03:09
Video

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
02:34
Video

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport
02:02
Video

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
04:27
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
Singapore
Malaysia
The Philippines
Indonesia
South China Sea
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MOST POPULAR
1

Mexico’s 50% tariff shock shuts Asia’s North American trade bypass

2

Escaped Malaysian reveals torture, rape inside Cambodia job scam centre

videocam
3

Energy Asia 2025 offers clear road map for sustainable global net-zero transition

In partnership with:
Energy Asia
4

China eases visa rules for India, tapping into US$21.6 billion travel market

videocam
5

Japan dismayed over Finnish beauty queen’s ‘slanted eyes’ photos