This Week in Asia

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Lifestyle & Culture
Canadian singer-songwriter Henry Lau performing at the Singland Festival at the Marina Bay Sands convention centre in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Aaron Chang

Lifestyle & Culture

Singer Henry Lau calls out Singapore concert venue over blocked views

Lau says he is speaking out ‘for the sake of future artistes’ after the venue layout affected his interactions with fans.

Indonesian beauty doctor under police probe as row with influencer turns ugly

Indonesia’s criminal law overhaul prompts fears of rights erosion

Lifestyle & Culture

Japan’s fix for a shrinking workforce? Corporate dating apps

Companies like Toyota are playing cupid, betting that matching staff with partners from supportive firms will prevent burnout and resignations.

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People cross a road near Tokyo station. The rising popularity of corporate-only dating apps in Japan comes as its birth rate continues to fall. Photo: AFP
People cross a road near Tokyo station. The rising popularity of corporate-only dating apps in Japan comes as its birth rate continues to fall. Photo: AFP

People

Malaysia’s ex-PM Mahathir in hospital after a fall at home – ‘he was conscious’

Mahathir, 100, fell when he was walking from the balcony to his living room in his home in Kuala Lumpur.

Politics

US’ Asian allies reluctant to slam Trump’s ‘cowboy tactics’ against Venezuela

These countries fear the consequences of criticising the US, particularly given Trump’s willingness to use the tariff threat in trade talks.

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Politics

‘Rule of law’: Philippine military lauds ex-general’s sedition arrest

Romeo Poquiz’s limited influence means his arrest is unlikely to spark a ‘chilling effect’ among former officials, observers say.

Romeo Poquiz was detained at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila after returning from a Bangkok holiday on Monday. Photo: Handout
Romeo Poquiz was detained at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila after returning from a Bangkok holiday on Monday. Photo: Handout

People

How a photo reignited debate on neutrality of Singapore’s NMP scheme

Haresh Singaraju, a newly nominated member of parliament, was spotted in a shirt with the logo of the ruling PAP at an activity in 2023.

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Politics

Trump’s Venezuela move strains Philippines’ rules-based diplomacy, critics say

Critics said the US operation has undercut Manila’s claim to principled diplomacy, given its close alliance with Washington.

Politics

Reform gamble: Anwar to limit Malaysia PM term amid support crisis

The move could ‘excite core supporters’ and help project the image that the ruling coalition remains committed to reform, analysts say.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says his government aims to pass a law this year capping a prime minister’s tenure at 10 years or two terms. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Asian economies to face volatile oil prices over Venezuela, US plans for Caracas

After the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, oil and gas prices are set to continue fluctuating this year due to geopolitical issues, analysts say.

Venezuela’s captured President Nicolas Maduro is led by US Drug Enforcement Administration agents after arriving at a heliport in New York City on Saturday. Photo: Handout via Reuters
Venezuela’s captured President Nicolas Maduro is led by US Drug Enforcement Administration agents after arriving at a heliport in New York City on Saturday. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Politics

North Korea doubles down with missile test, slams ‘US hegemony’ over Maduro

The test also appears to indicate Pyongyang’s objection to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Beijing.

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People

Malaysians mock military base ‘parties’ with nuggets, fries memes amid probe

An inquiry has been launched after social media clips purport to show women drinking and socialising with personnel inside military camps.

Economics

Gold rush: Malaysia’s Kelantan to let poor residents dig for precious metal

The move comes as gold prices soared and videos of local Kelantanese panning for the metal were shared online.

Gold nuggets. Malaysia’s Kelantan state opened applications for official licences for small-scale gold panning on January 1. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

‘Not very high’ bar: Philippines inherits Thailand-Cambodia border crisis

Given Asean’s policy of non-interference, the Philippines may be better off leaving peace negotiations to the US and China, experts say.

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People stand beside a crater in front of a damaged police station following clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on Saturday. Photo: AFP
People stand beside a crater in front of a damaged police station following clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Economics

‘It’s paying off’: India spreads its trade bets to beat Trump’s 50% tariff

With exports hitting a record US$825 billion and a spate of new trade pacts, India is finding success diversifying away from the US.

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Economics

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

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Economics

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

A woman shops at a wet market in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is bracing itself for a surge in shipments of American poultry. Photo: Reuters
A woman shops at a wet market in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is bracing itself for a surge in shipments of American poultry. Photo: Reuters

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.

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.

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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.

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Satellite imagery shows Super Typhoon Fung-wong as it approaches the Philippines on November 9. Photo: NOAA/EPA
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Lifestyle & Culture

Japan’s fix for a shrinking workforce? Corporate dating apps

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People cross a road near Tokyo station. The rising popularity of corporate-only dating apps in Japan comes as its birth rate continues to fall. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Singer Henry Lau calls out Singapore concert venue over blocked views

Canadian singer-songwriter Henry Lau performing at the Singland Festival at the Marina Bay Sands convention centre in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Aaron Chang

Politics

Indonesia’s criminal law overhaul prompts fears of rights erosion

People walk along a sidewalk in Jakarta’s main business district. Indonesia’s new Criminal Code and revised Criminal Procedure Code came into force on Friday. Photo: EPA

People

Malaysia’s ex-PM Mahathir in hospital after a fall at home – ‘he was conscious’

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad leaves a protest event against Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur last July. Photo: AFP

People

Indonesian beauty doctor under police probe as row with influencer turns ugly

Doctor Richard Lee (left) and Samira Farahnaz, known online as Dokter Detektif or Doktif (right). Photos: Instagram/dr.richard_lee/ dokterdetektifreal
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OPINION
Xu Peng

Asian Angle | How uneven borders fuel Myanmar’s vast and resilient scam economy

Xu Peng
Kamal Ahmad

Asian Angle | Bangladesh needs ‘structural’ change, but how will it get there?

Kamal Ahmad
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
Frances Mangosing

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

Frances Mangosing
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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
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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
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