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This Week in Asia
People check a hospital that was hit by a military air strike in Mrauk-U in Myanmar. Photo: AP

Politics

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.

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Indonesian elephants tasked to help in flood recovery spur conservation debate

Violence erupts in Bangladesh after shot leader of youth uprising dies

Politics

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.

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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
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

Politics

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’.

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Southeast Asia

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.

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East Asia

Is Japan’s nuclear stance set to change under PM Takaichi?

Source close to PM Takaichi urges Japan to acquire nuclear arms; policy shift from pacifism may spark backlash at home and abroad.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks after an extraordinary parliamentary session on Wednesday. Photo: Kyodo
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks after an extraordinary parliamentary session on Wednesday. Photo: Kyodo

Lifestyle & Culture

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.

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Health & Environment

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.

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Southeast Asia

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.

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A view of the closed Poipet international border checkpoint between Cambodia and Thailand in Poipet town in June. Photo: AFP

People

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.

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Desi Widiana was one of nine Indonesian helpers who died in the fire at Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Handout
Desi Widiana was one of nine Indonesian helpers who died in the fire at Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Handout

Economics

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.

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Politics

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.

East Asia

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

Sarah Dzafce was stripped of her Miss Finland title after an image of her making the offensive gesture went viral.

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Finnish beauty queen Sarah Dzafce competes in the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand last month. Photo: EPA

Lifestyle & Culture

Viral golden logo find turns old AC units into hot property in South Korea

A YouTube video revealing a pure gold logo on certain LG air conditioners has sparked a nationwide hunt for the 20-year-old units.

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A gold shop owner examines gold letters taken from an LG air conditioner. Photo: YouTube/Ringring Unnie
A gold shop owner examines gold letters taken from an LG air conditioner. Photo: YouTube/Ringring Unnie

Lifestyle & Culture

Why Southeast Asia’s move to protect children online may fuel state surveillance

Measures to rein in tech companies risk opening the door to tighter state oversight of online platforms, analysts say.

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People

Vietnamese woman’s death amid raid in South Korea spurs visa policy debate

The 25-year-old, who reportedly hid at a factory’s air-conditioning unit, was just two weeks into her illegal part-time job when she died.

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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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Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

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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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.

Politics

Malaysia’s poorest state prepares a poll shock for the prime minister

Decades of neglect and withheld resource revenue have left short-changed Sabah seething and primed for a political fight.

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A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during a previous election in Malaysia. Photo: AFP
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?

videocam
People check a hospital that was hit by a military air strike in Mrauk-U in Myanmar. Photo: AP

World

China’s heat pump tech, Tokyo clarifies Taiwan stance: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Excavators unload coal in Binzhou, in eastern China’s Shandong province. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Indonesian elephants tasked to help in flood recovery spur conservation debate

Sumatran elephants deployed to help clear tree debris last week following flash floods in Meureudu, Pidie Jaya district, Aceh province, Indonesia. Photo: AFP

Politics

South Korea’s top court seeks to restore trust after martial law controversy

videocam
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

Politics

Philippines to get up to US$3.5 billion defence aid to counter ‘serious threats’

24
US and Filipino soldiers fire a howitzer during the annual joint “Balikatan” military exercises in Aparri, Cagayan province, Philippines in May. Photo: Reuters
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