This Week in Asia

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Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Illustration: Huy Truong

People

Exclusive | Bangladesh’s new leader dreams big, with a little help from China

A popular revolt that ousted the kleptocratic Sheikh Hasina thrust Muhammad Yunus, 84, into power. Now he’s looking to China for help.

Remembering Nora Aunor: actress, ‘rebel’ and the Philippines’ ‘Superstar’

Why do people keep getting into trouble over Malaysia’s flag?

Politics

Why Japan’s unified defence zone proposal with US makes South Korea uneasy

Despite US enthusiasm, South Korea fears being drawn into conflicts beyond the Korean peninsula, such as the Taiwan Strait.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (left) with Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo on March 30. Photo: EPA-EFE
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (left) with Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo on March 30. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

Pakistan’s mining push: a chance to equal Indonesia’s nickel success?

A landmark deal unlocking vast copper and gold reserves has Pakistan eyeing a transformative economic shift.

Politics

Yemen prepares ‘biggest offensive ever’ against Houthi rebels with US support

Yemen is reportedly launching an offensive against Houthi rebels to reclaim key ports and diminish the influence of the Iranian-aligned group.

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Politics

Singapore election: do politicians ‘abandon’ residents when they switch wards?

The debate arose after Health Minister Ong Ye Kung accused SDP chief Chee Soon Juan of abandoning Bukit Batok to contest in Sembawang West.

Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan has been criticised by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung for “abandoning” Bukit Batok residents and contesting in another ward in the 2025 election. Photo: EPA-EFE
Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan has been criticised by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung for “abandoning” Bukit Batok residents and contesting in another ward in the 2025 election. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

Philippines urged to ‘strategically’ work with China amid US tariff tensions

It follows a call from a Chinese envoy for the Philippines and fellow Asean members to be united in safeguarding free trade.

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Politics

Singapore election rallies are back, but will they sway voters?

With the competing parties holding their first rallies in 10 years, there is strong interest to hear what their candidates have to say.

Economics

South Korea, US aim for ‘July package’ to resolve tariff disputes

Seoul has offered to partner with Washington in shipbuilding and energy, and says it aims to address their bilateral trade imbalance.

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(From left) South Korea’s Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer ahead of their trade talks in Washington on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysians poor? ‘We have free healthcare, grandpa,’ they tell Bill O’Reilly

The US political commentator drew the ire of Malaysians by suggesting they were too poor to buy a hat or afford a proper meal.

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Bill O’Reilly hosts the No Spin News channel on YouTube. Photo: Instagram/Bill O’Reilly
Bill O’Reilly hosts the No Spin News channel on YouTube. Photo: Instagram/Bill O’Reilly

Economics

Malaysia vows to buy more US goods in break from united Asean front on tariffs

Malaysia is looking for ways to reduce its US$25 billion trade surplus with the US in a bid to ease the pain of a proposed 24 per cent levy.

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People

‘I’m sorry’: man arrested after fatal Seoul supermarket stabbing spree

Local police are investigating whether the suspect has a history of mental illness and the reason for the attack.

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Economics

Indonesia stays committed to EV battery hub goal despite LG’s ‘significant’ exit

China-backed Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt will replace LG Energy Solution, which pulled out due to ‘market conditions’, in a mega EV project.

An electric car at an Indonesian auto show in 2023. Indonesia will keep its plan to build its electric vehicle battery supply chain despite LG’s exit from a mega project. Photo: EPA-EFE

Economics

AI-generated image of durian farm in Malaysia raises stink over land dispute

Image fuels speculation about more illegal planters in Pahang’s forests, while analysts also warn of lack of safeguards against manipulated content.

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A worker harvesting a durian that has been secured with rope at a farm in Raub in Malaysia’s Pahang state. Photo: AFP
A worker harvesting a durian that has been secured with rope at a farm in Raub in Malaysia’s Pahang state. Photo: AFP

Politics

Japan’s sovereignty museum shrugs off South Korea’s ‘immediate closure’ call

The museum in Tokyo centres around three separate sets of islands whose ownership Japan disputes with South Korea, China and Russia.

Lifestyle & Culture

Japan’s World Expo struggles with low visitor figures amid a litany of woes

Despite hitting 1 million visitors, Osaka Expo 2025 has been plagued by a bomb scare, methane explosion and long queues.

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People

Exclusive | Bangladesh’s new leader dreams big, with a little help from China

A popular revolt that ousted the kleptocratic Sheikh Hasina thrust Muhammad Yunus, 84, into power. Now he’s looking to China for help.

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Illustration: Huy Truong
Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

From Bandung to Brics: Indonesia’s evolving quest for Global South autonomy

Seven decades after hosting a summit that birthed the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia prioritises pragmatic ties over grand gestures.

Economics

Asean’s ‘illusion of solidarity’ splinters amid Trump’s tariff threats

While Malaysia calls for a united front, the reality is a race for bilateral deals, with Vietnam leading the charge – as China watches on.

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Politics

Myanmar’s double disaster: an earthquake and a heartless junta

As quake survivors dig through the rubble for loved ones with their bare hands, the military bombs villages and seeks diplomatic openings.

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People in Sagaing, the epicentre of the March 28 earthquake, reach out for food aid being distributed on Thursday. Photo: AFP
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LATEST Asia NEWS

East Asia

Lee Jae-myung wins party primary for snap presidential election

South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung celebrates after winning the Democratic party’s nomination for the June 3 presidential snap election, on Sunday. Photo: AP

People

Remembering Nora Aunor: actress, ‘rebel’ and the Philippines’ ‘Superstar’

Filipino actress Nora Aunor at a photocall for “Sinapupunan (Thy womb)“ during the 69th Venice Film Festival in September 2012. Photo: AFP

Politics

Why Japan’s unified defence zone proposal with US makes South Korea uneasy

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (left) with Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo on March 30. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Why do people keep getting into trouble over Malaysia’s flag?

Giant Malaysian national flags are seen inside a shopping mall ahead of Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur in September 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Singapore election: do politicians ‘abandon’ residents when they switch wards?

Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan has been criticised by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung for “abandoning” Bukit Batok residents and contesting in another ward in the 2025 election. Photo: EPA-EFE
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OPINION
Paul Teng

Asian Angle | How Asean can turn short-term tariff pain into long-term gain

Paul Teng
Pou Sothirak

Opinion | Trump world: the unravelling of American global leadership

Pou Sothirak
Enrico Gloria

Asian Angle | Why ignoring China’s Southeast Asia pivot could cost the Philippines

Enrico Gloria
Joseph Sipalan

My Take | As US tariffs put jobs on the line, can Malaysia afford to cut petrol subsidies?

Joseph Sipalan
Han Fook Kwang

Opinion | Can the PAP stem a rising opposition tide in Singapore’s election?

Han Fook Kwang
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

South Korea says DeepSeek sent data and prompts to China

South Korea says DeepSeek sent data to ByteDance-owned servers in China without consent
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Video

India downgrades ties with Pakistan after Kashmir attack

India and Pakistan rivalry intensifies after deadly Kashmir attack
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Video

Dozens of tourists killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least 26 killed in ‘heinous’ attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir
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Video

How will Vietnam deal with Trump’s 46% tariffs threat?

After Vietnam threatened with 46% US tariffs, how will Hanoi strike a deal with Washington?
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