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This Week in Asia

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Economics
People
Opinion
Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Illustration: Huy Truong

Health & Environment

Asia’s AI boom has a dirty secret: the coal that powers it

In the rush to build the digital future, regional tech hubs are digging up the past.

Malaysian snap poll threatens to chip away at Negeri Sembilan’s tech hub goals

Malaysia’s Network School probe raises questions over openness to tech talent

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Politics

Philippines’ plan to fortify coastal defences: deterrence or target?

The plan to establish coastal defence assets in Palawan is unlikely to close the country’s military gap with China, analysts say.

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Oyster Bay naval facility in Palawan province, the Philippines. Photo: AFP
Oyster Bay naval facility in Palawan province, the Philippines. Photo: AFP

Economics

Philippines’ Pax Silica AI hub plan slammed for mineral ‘plunder’

The proposed US-led plan is another example of the authorities’ insincerity in addressing the concerns of affected communities, critics say.

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Politics

Why South Korea is racing to build a sovereign AI model for cybersecurity

Fears over access to foreign AI models have accelerated Seoul’s push to control the systems used to defend critical infrastructure.

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Economics

‘Gateway to Asean’: South Korea bets on Vietnam hub for food expansion

Vietnam will be positioned as a logistics and distribution base aimed at growing demand for South Korean food products across the region.

A food vendor (right) talks to a customer at Gwangjang market in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
A food vendor (right) talks to a customer at Gwangjang market in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Politics

Why Ukraine’s Patriot missile request may be a step too far for Japan

Agreeing to Kyiv’s co-production proposal risks triggering a backlash from Beijing and Moscow, analysts say.

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Politics

Philippine military assures ‘no vacuum’ over top officer’s retirement

The transition comes at a sensitive time due to ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and Manila’s row with some retired officers over Marcos.

Politics

Can Malaysia’s PAS deliver the votes in Negeri Sembilan despite Johor wipeout?

The party says it helped BN secure victory in Johor and has promoted cooperation with the coalition for the coming Negeri Sembilan election.

Supporters of PAS, Malaysia’s largest Islamist party, in 2018. Photo: AFP

Politics

Sheikh Hasina’s return bid threatens to upend Bangladeshi politics

The ousted leader, who has been sentenced to death, plans a December homecoming in a high-stakes bid to resurrect her banned party.

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Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's then prime minister, attends a security conference in Munich in 2024. Photo: dpa
Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's then prime minister, attends a security conference in Munich in 2024. Photo: dpa

Economics

New Johor rail link: a US$815m challenge for Singapore’s retail and F&B

A new study has proposed measures to help Singapore businesses seize opportunities from the cross-border link, set to open in 2027.

Economics

Philippines’ iconic jeepneys sputter up a costly climb to go electric

Observers point to the high costs of owning an e-jeepney and a lack of government support in enabling the electric shift.

Politics

‘Very worried’: US campaign against ICC leaves Japan in a bind

The initiative will make Tokyo weigh its international law commitments against its dependence on the US security umbrella, analysts say.

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The International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands. Photo: AP

Politics

UK grooming gangs scandal deepens Labour’s woes amid voter backlash

Analysts warn the failure to protect vulnerable girls and deport a convicted ringleader has ‘undermined’ the ruling party.

Placards for the Labour party and Reform UK on display outside houses in Wigan, Britain, on June 15. Photo: EPA
Placards for the Labour party and Reform UK on display outside houses in Wigan, Britain, on June 15. Photo: EPA

Politics

Sunk deals: why South Korea’s submarine exports are running aground

After losing bids in Canada and Poland, analysts say Korean shipyards are learning how strategic alignment can trump commercial merit.

Economics

Anwar warns any Israelis at Johor tech commune to be ‘deported immediately’

The Network School in Forest City came under scrutiny after its founder claimed the commune was ‘Silicon Valley outside Silicon Valley’.

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Health & Environment

Asia’s AI boom has a dirty secret: the coal that powers it

In the rush to build the digital future, regional tech hubs are digging up the past.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Economics

Southeast Asian scammers’ new disguise: your leader’s face

The president is asking for your bank details. He isn’t, of course. But the AI wearing his face is.

Lifestyle & Culture

Is super-ageing Singapore headed for population decline?

With babies in short supply and its birth rate tanking, the city state is weighing a future of robots and immigrants.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia has never had so many Chinese tourists. It wants more

As Thailand loses its allure, Malaysia turns to viral algorithms to entice millions of independent Chinese travellers.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Health & Environment

Asia’s AI boom has a dirty secret: the coal that powers it

Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Malaysian snap poll threatens to chip away at Negeri Sembilan’s tech hub goals

Barisan Nasional supporters attend the announcement of the party’s slate for the Negeri Sembilan election. Photo: Facebook/barisanasional

Southeast Asia

Malaysia can’t block MMC Port chief as it’s a company matter: minister

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem is interviewed as DP World chairman and CEO in Hong Kong on October 8, 2024. Photo: Edmond So

Economics

Malaysia’s Network School probe raises questions over openness to tech talent

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Network School is a private co-living and co-working community based in Johor, Malaysia. Photo: YouTube/Jake Explains

Economics

Philippines’ Pax Silica AI hub plan slammed for mineral ‘plunder’

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Protesters hold a rally against the US-led Pax Silica project and defence deals between the US and the Philippines in Manila on July 4. Photo: EPA
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Roland Rajah

Asian Angle | Why a second ‘China shock’ is good for Southeast Asia

Roland Rajah
James Dwyer

Opinion | Panic over China’s missile test is born of Western bias

James Dwyer
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Alessandro Arduino

Opinion | Oman and China: the real winners of Trump’s Iran deal?

Alessandro Arduino
Tristan Eng

Asian Angle | Singapore’s trade pacts prove small states can shape global rules

Tristan Eng
Ary Hermawan

Asian Angle | Liberal Islam in Indonesia is sliding into irrelevance

Ary Hermawan
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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
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
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