This Week in Asia

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People
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Health & Environment
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People walk to transport arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. A new travel ban ordered by US President Donald Trump, restricting entry to citizens from 12 countries, took effect on Monday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Is Trump’s Myanmar, Laos travel ban a blow to US-Southeast Asia ties?

Observers say closed channel over terrorist threat ‘illogical’ and a setback to long-standing relations with affected countries.

Japan weighs tightening rules on visa popular among Chinese nationals

Is Japan’s increased surveillance of remote islands a link to China activity?

Economics

Rice imports, policy inertia put ‘future of Filipino farming’ at risk: report

Policy failures and under-investment among factors for exacerbating country’s import reliance to the detriment of the local farming industry, report says.

A farmer plants rice in a paddy field in Pulilan, Bulacan province, in the Philippines. Photo: AFP
A farmer plants rice in a paddy field in Pulilan, Bulacan province, in the Philippines. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Sara has momentum’: how Philippine VP won round 1 of impeachment row

The deliberation process on whether to impeach the vice-president has been thrown back to the Lower House for consideration.

Economics

Jetstar Asia’s exit signals turbulent times for low-cost airlines

The low-cost arm of Australian airline Qantas says it will shut down next month due to rising operating costs and competition.

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Politics

Japan eyes 80% cut in 298,000 death toll for potential Nankai monster quake

Measures include fortifying homes and fire safety installations, as well as building more embankments and emergency shelters.

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Waves of a tsunami hit residences after a powerful earthquake in Natori, Miyagi prefecture on March 11, 2011. Photo: AP
Waves of a tsunami hit residences after a powerful earthquake in Natori, Miyagi prefecture on March 11, 2011. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

Indonesia’s green groups welcome move to axe mining permits in Raja Ampat

Prabowo cancels four mining permits in Raja Ampat, but concerns remain over nickel exploitation on Gag Island and other small islands in Indonesia.

People

US$900 million seized as China helps Malaysia dismantle Tedy Teow’s scam empire

MBI Group’s Malaysian founder has been called ‘Jho Lo 2’ because of the sheer scale of his operation.

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Politics

Is acceptance by India’s Modi to attend G7 summit in Canada a ‘Pyrrhic victory’?

The belated invitation by Canada has sparked debate on whether ties between New Delhi and Ottawa are on the mend.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted the invitation from his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney to attend the G7 summit in Alberta. Photo: dpa

Health & Environment

Japan’s Osaka Expo water shows suspended as Legionella levels top safety limit

Resumption of the shows will depend on the results of stepped-up sanitisation measures, including pipe cleaning and chemical disinfection.

The waterfront area of Expo 2025 Osaka. Photo: AFP
The waterfront area of Expo 2025 Osaka. Photo: AFP

Economics

How Indonesian fintech firm is bridging funding gaps for women entrepreneurs

Amartha leverages technology to provide loans to women running small businesses in remote areas, but challenges such as lack of digital literacy remain.

Lifestyle & Culture

Restaurant chain in Thailand in hot soup over buffet shortage complaints

MK Restaurants’ US$9.17 buffet promotion drew long wait times and led to food shortages, prompting the chain to apologise to its customers.

People

‘Uncertainty has costs’: the Asian students rethinking US education plans

International students caught in the crosshairs of shifting policies are questioning whether the rewards of studying in the US still outweigh the risks.

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People enter and exit the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photo: AFP

People

Fans of Malaysia’s Rafizi face police probes as internal party feud intensifies

At least 20 social media users are under investigation by the communications commission, the former minister says.

The popularity of Rafizi Ramli (centre) has been growing since he resigned on May 28. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli
The popularity of Rafizi Ramli (centre) has been growing since he resigned on May 28. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli

Politics

Will Kim Jong-un reciprocate first move by South Korea’s Lee to ease tensions?

A proposed halt to the launch of anti-North propaganda leaflets may signal a major policy shift by President Lee Jae-myung, analysts say.

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Politics

Man in Japan arrested over suspected attempt to repeat 1987 attack on reporters

The man is believed to have been inspired by a gunman who killed a reporter and injured another at an Asahi newspaper office in 1987.

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Politics

What South Korea’s new president means for its US, China ties

Expect a nuanced approach to foreign policy as President Lee Jae-myung attempts to pull relations with Beijing back from their ‘lowest ebb’.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone at his residence in Incheon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks on the phone at his residence in Incheon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP

Politics

Battle for the Philippines’ 2028 presidency begins: ‘they’ve smelled blood’

A surprising Duterte-Marcos midterm stalemate has shifted focus to the vice-president’s impeachment fight – and the next presidential race.

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People

Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia’s youth aren’t buying it

The rapid ascent of Anwar’s heir apparent Nurul Izzah has alienated many young Malaysians who are tired of old feuds and unfulfilled promises.

Economics

Silicon rally: can Malaysia reclaim its semiconductor glory?

Outpacing regional chip rivals won’t be easy for ‘Silicon Malaysia’, but insiders say it has the subsidies, labour and will to succeed.

Malaysia’s early head start in semiconductors has eroded over the decades, but it is determined to reverse the trend. Photo: Shutterstock
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Australasia

Australia ‘confident’ Trump won’t sink Aukus deal after review

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A Virginia-class submarine is seen off the coast of Western Australia in March. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Is Trump’s Myanmar, Laos travel ban a blow to US-Southeast Asia ties?

People walk to transport arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. A new travel ban ordered by US President Donald Trump, restricting entry to citizens from 12 countries, took effect on Monday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Is Japan’s increased surveillance of remote islands a link to China activity?

A Japan coastguard patrol ship and helicopter during an operation in southwestern Japan. Photo: Kyodo

Economics

Jetstar Asia’s exit signals turbulent times for low-cost airlines

Singapore-based Jetstar Asia will shut down permanently in July. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Sara has momentum’: how Philippine VP won round 1 of impeachment row

Protesters call for the start of the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte outside the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila on Monday. Photo: AFP
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OPINION
Andrew Cainey,Xie Chengkai

Opinion | China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action

Andrew Cainey
Phar Kim Beng

Asian Angle | Trump, Hegseth, Rubio: a triple threat to global stability – and Asia

Phar Kim Beng
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Biman Mukherji

My Take | Can Southeast Asia contain growing threat of cyber scams?

Biman Mukherji
Alexander M. Hynd

Opinion | Will South Korea’s next president be able to heal a fractured nation?

Alexander M. Hynd
Chandran Nair

Opinion | Why US exceptionalism, export of crassness are losing their shallow appeal

Chandran Nair
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

BTS members complete military training

K-pop stars RM and V of boy band BTS discharged from South Korea military, sparking fan frenzy
02:07
Video

Japan’s last ‘hidden Christians’ face extinction

‘It will likely end with our generation,' Japan’s last ‘hidden Christians’ face extinction
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Video

Japanese Nintendo fans get their hands on Switch 2

Nintendo launches highly anticipated Switch 2 amid heavy demand in Japan
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Video

At least 11 killed in India stampede

At least 11 killed in India after stampede at cricket victory celebrations
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