Asia /
Southeast Asia
Related Topics:
Malaysian politics
Malaysia 1MDB scandal
the Asian angle
Singapore
Thailand
South China Sea
Malaysia
31 Malaysians repatriated from Myanmar job scam syndicate
The job scam victims rescued from a Myawaddy job syndicate return home safely after intensive diplomatic negotiations and a 26-hour land journey.
4 hours ago
videocam
Malaysia
‘One of the biggest ever’: Malaysia busts US$375 million drug ring
20 Dec 2025 - 7:19PM
The Philippines
Bondi shooter visited Philippine gun shop before attack: police
20 Dec 2025 - 6:15PM
videocam
4
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
videocam
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
8
Malaysia
Malaysia allows halal hotels, eateries to deck halls with boughs of holly
The multiracial country’s religious affairs minister says festive decorations or images are allowed where halal food is served.
20 Dec 2025 - 1:04PM
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Thailand
Rivals, rain and rising costs: Thailand’s tourism crown slips
As a border war with Cambodia flares and Malaysian tourism surges ahead, Thailand battles to save its holiday image.
20 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
Illustration: Huy Truong
Singapore
Malaysian cook’s toddler abuse at Singapore school covered up by deleting CCTV
School management admit to reformatting CCTV to hide the abuse, claiming one of the victims was ‘unaware’ because they were asleep.
19 Dec 2025 - 10:19PM
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
China-Russia relations
Secure Arctic shipping route essential for China, senior official says
Trade lanes using Strait of Malacca, Red Sea and Suez Canal could be disrupted during ‘major international crisis’, Beijing forum told.
19 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM
Singapore
Singapore cracks down on scammers with mandatory caning
The new law with tougher penalties for fraud syndicates and money mules to fight rising cybercrime takes effect December 30.
19 Dec 2025 - 8:08PM
videocam
People take pictures next to the Merlion statue at the Marina Bay waterfront in Singapore. Photo: AFP
Malaysia
‘Was he the Hulk?’: Malaysian officer goes viral after ripping off car door
The officer became an unlikely internet sensation when a dashcam video showed him ripping apart a suspect’s car door ‘like a banana leaf’.
19 Dec 2025 - 5:24PM
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
videocam
Asia travel
‘Limits’ to hospitality: 10 times Asia overtourism became a problem in 2025
From Japan to Indonesia, excessive tourism has created issues in some of Asia’s travel hubs this year.
19 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM
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
videocam
4
People visit a floral tribute outside the Bondi Pavilion on Friday following Sunday’s shooting. Photo: AP
The Philippines
Philippines struggles to win back Chinese tourists as regional rivals surge
New data shows Chinese arrivals to the Philippines hit 312,000 last year, only 18 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
19 Dec 2025 - 2:15PM
videocam
4
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
videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Indonesia
Indonesian elephants tasked to help in flood recovery spur conservation debate
The four elephants deployed to lift debris in Aceh last week after flooding were also involved in the 2004 post-tsunami recovery efforts.
19 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM
Sumatran elephants deployed to help clear tree debris last week following flash floods in Meureudu, Pidie Jaya district, Aceh province, Indonesia. Photo: AFP
Singapore
Singapore arrests US-sanctioned yacht captain linked to tycoon Chen Zhi
Police said Nigel Tang was arrested for his ‘suspected involvement in money laundering offences’ related to the alleged scam empire boss.
19 Dec 2025 - 10:54AM
videocam
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
24
Malaysia
Paws for thought: Malaysian mall reverses pet-friendly policy after uproar
The reversal comes after videos of a dog being wheeled through the mall in a trolley stirred anger in the Muslim-majority country.
18 Dec 2025 - 7:08PM
videocam
Indonesia
Don’t build on ‘active zones’, experts warn Indonesia as Sumatra recovery begins
Jakarta has pledged US$3.6 billion and a special agency to help restore homes and public facilities destroyed in last month’s cyclone.
18 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM
videocam
A fallen tree spray painted with “Help” lies among debris in Aceh Tamiang, northern Sumatra, on Tuesday in the aftermath of last month’s flash floods. Photo: AFP
Cambodia
Thai-Cambodia border dispute reignites with bombing claims of casino hub
Cambodia accuses Thailand of bombing Poipet amid escalating border disputes, prompting Asean emergency talks and global ceasefire appeals.
18 Dec 2025 - 4:26PM
videocam
Indonesia
Indonesian helper who died in Hong Kong fire ‘was always there’ for others
Desi Widiana, one of nine Indonesian helpers killed in the Tai Po fire, was found huddled together with her elderly ward.
18 Dec 2025 - 3:51PM
videocam
Singapore
Singapore fines man US$9,300 over vaping videos in deepening crackdown
Krish Khalifa became the first person to be prosecuted in the city state for posting clips of himself vaping on social media.
18 Dec 2025 - 12:53PM
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW