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This Week in Asia

Asia
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People
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Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

‘We are a small country’: why Malaysia is resisting US defence spending call

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India rolls out welcome mat for Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing

People

Shotgun sacrifice: anger as Malaysian state leader shoots Eid cow

A viral 38-second clip of Perlis chief minister Abu Bakar Hamzah shooting a cow with a shotgun has sparked a police investigation.

A still from the 38-second clip showing Perlis chief minister Abu Bakar Hamzah shooting at a cow with a shotgun at an Eid ul-Adha event. Photo: X
A still from the 38-second clip showing Perlis chief minister Abu Bakar Hamzah shooting at a cow with a shotgun at an Eid ul-Adha event. Photo: X

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia bars under-16s from social media as new rules come into force

Malaysia’s roll-out of strict age-gating rules follows on the heels of Australia and Indonesia in the push to protect children online.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Jakarta deploys troops against muggers, stirring dark memories

While residents welcome tougher action on street crime, rights groups fear a return to authoritarian-era security crackdowns.

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Politics

Myanmar’s China-backed mega dam revival risks Kachin rebel backlash

Restarting the shelved US$3.6 billion Myitsone Dam project could ultimately come down to Beijing’s ‘risk tolerance’.

A Kachin Independence Army rebel stands at frontline outpost in northern Kachin state, Myanmar. Photo: AP
A Kachin Independence Army rebel stands at frontline outpost in northern Kachin state, Myanmar. Photo: AP

People

AI ‘slopaganda’ and the battle for Philippine political reality

Generative AI lets Filipinos mock the powerful with cinematic flair, but it’s also handing new tools to the country’s disinformation machine.

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Politics

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

Health & Environment

Bali’s taxi wars: why Grab and Gojek drivers fear the island’s ‘no-go zones’

An unseen battle between ride-hailing giants and traditional village councils is forcing tourists to pay inflated rates – or walk.

Cars drive along a road in Denpasar, on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali, at sunset. Photo: AFP

Economics

Chasing billions: Indonesia’s commodity export crackdown sows confusion

New export rules promise billions in recovered revenue, but analysts warn the ensuing chaos could cost more than the gains.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto speaks at the parliament complex in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 20. Photo: Xinhua
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto speaks at the parliament complex in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 20. Photo: Xinhua

Politics

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

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Politics

Philippines says Beijing main hurdle to South China Sea code of conduct

Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, defence chief Teodoro blamed China for stalling the pact and stressed Asean’s unity on the issue.

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Politics

Malaysia blasts ‘conspicuously muted’ response over axed Norway missile deal

Defence Minister Khaled told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Oslo’s move was ‘destructive’ to the credibility of the rules-based global order.

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The Naval Strike Missiles produced by a Norwegian company are meant for the Malaysian navy’s littoral combat ships. Photo: Kongsberg

Politics

From submarines to trade, South Korea and US remain deadlocked ahead of talks

The two allies are also expected to discuss the transfer of military control and a data breach involving a US firm at their talks next week.

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A US Virginia-class fast-attack submarine docks in Rockingham, Western Australia, last year. South Korea is reportedly aiming to build nuclear-powered submarines similar to the Virginia-class vessels. Photo: AFP
A US Virginia-class fast-attack submarine docks in Rockingham, Western Australia, last year. South Korea is reportedly aiming to build nuclear-powered submarines similar to the Virginia-class vessels. Photo: AFP

Politics

Sustained security can’t come from ‘barrel of a gun’: East Timor’s Ramos-Horta

At the Shangri-La Dialogue, the East Timor president cites Asean as an example of how communication can prevent conflict and yield dividends.

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People

5 villagers trapped in flooded Laos cave freed after 10-day ordeal

The men emerged weak and dazed to an outpouring of emotion from rescuers and relatives on the muddy topside. Two others remain missing.

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Politics

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Lifestyle & Culture

Southeast Asia is chasing the AI boom, but at what cost?

A regional dash for digital dominance risks running headlong into an energy crunch and an existential threat to jobs.

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Politics

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

The security chief turned paramount leader is chasing the markets and capital required to reach high-income status by 2045.

Economics

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Southeast Asia

Philippine lawmaker charged with corruption to surrender

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Philippine Senator Jinggoy Estrada (right) is escorted by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (left), as Estrada leaves the Senate to surrender to police authorities, in Metro Manila on Monday. Photo: EPA

Politics

‘We are a small country’: why Malaysia is resisting US defence spending call

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Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

India rolls out welcome mat for Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing

Indian Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi (right) shakes hands with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Monday. Photo: EPA

East Asia

Fire kills 5 in South Korea after blast at defence giant’s factory

A firefighting vehicle enters the main gate at the Hanwha Aerospace plant in Daejeon, South Korea, on Monday. Photo: Yonhap/AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Jakarta deploys troops against muggers, stirring dark memories

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Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel march during anniversary celebrations in Banda Aceh in 2024. Photo: AFP
MORE Asia NEWS
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OPINION
Irna Nurlina

Asian Angle | Where Southeast Asians really want to live, work and travel

Irna Nurlina
Syaza Shukri

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s 3R catch-all risks turning every grievance into a threat

Syaza Shukri
Donghyun Park,Kwanho Shin

Asian Angle | Asia’s silver dividend can offset ageing’s economic toll

Donghyun Park
Kwanho Shin
Hoang Thi Ha

Asian Angle | What the China-US stability pact means for Southeast Asia

Hoang Thi Ha
Zha Daojiong

Asian Angle | China offers Southeast Asia clear advantages in nuclear power

Zha Daojiong
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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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