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Anwar Ibrahim
Xi Jinping
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Mahathir Mohamad in his office at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya, on Monday. Photo: Hadi Azmi
Malaysia

Malaysia’s evergreen Mahathir, older than Superman and sliced bread, eyes 100

The two-time PM who had planned to retire in his seventies is now approaching a century, having outlived political allies and foes alike.

Vietnam

50 years since the war ended, US-Vietnam ties show signs of strain again

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Singapore general election 2025

Singapore election: PAP’s potential seat loss vs balanced parliament narrative

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s anti-graft agency seeks powers to claw back billions in illicit funds

The MACC is seeking new powers to negotiate the return of large sums of money without first having to press charges.

Malaysia attorney-general Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar (second left) and his team arrives to appeal against a royal addendum for jailed former prime minister Najib Razak at the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia attorney-general Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar (second left) and his team arrives to appeal against a royal addendum for jailed former prime minister Najib Razak at the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Thailand

‘Is this the Thailand we want?’ Brutal murder exposes tourist boom’s dark side

Police say a Chinese national confessed to the horrific killing of a transgender woman in Pattaya, fuelling concerns about visitor screening.

South Korea

Student in South Korea injures 7 during stabbing rampage at Cheongju high school

Police are investigating the motive behind the shocking attack that injured educators, staff and a parent.

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Japan

Did Japan kill 30 million? US historian’s book ignites nationalist fury

Accusing US historian Bryan Rigg of ‘propaganda’, Japanese conservatives are actively working to discredit his account of WWII atrocities.

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Japanese troops are seen in Nanking after the city’s conquest, in a photographic imprint dated 1937. Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Japanese troops are seen in Nanking after the city’s conquest, in a photographic imprint dated 1937. Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Japan

Man’s rescue from Mount Fuji twice after bid to retrieve phone sparks anger

Many in Japan are demanding that the 27-year-old Chinese man, who lives in the country, pay for the costs of rescuing him twice.

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US-Asean relations

The Southeast Asians facing exile from the US to a land they’ve never known

After surviving a CIA-led war and building lives in America, Laotian migrants are now being detained and deported with little warning.

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The Philippines

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

Filipino screenwriter Ricardo Lee pays tribute to Aunor, who spent her career fighting stereotypes and giving voice to the marginalised.

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

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
South Korea

‘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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Malaysia

Malaysian journalist in bribe scandal returns, vows to report ‘without fear’

B. Nantha Kumar has been allowed back to Malaysiakini after an internal inquiry cleared him, although he still faces a criminal trial.

Indonesia

Indonesians mourn Pope Francis’ death: ‘we were so proud of him’

Indonesians across the Muslim-majority nation share warm messages of support as they remember the late pontiff’s compassion and humility.

A teacher lights a candle next to a portrait of the late Pope Francis on display at St Stanislaus junior school in Surabaya on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Lee Jae-myung leads South Korea polls amid political turmoil and US tariffs

Support for Lee keeps rising while his rival, acting President Han Duck-soo, stays coy about his intentions for the June 3 snap elections.

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South Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 11. Photo: AP
South Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 11. Photo: AP
The Philippines

‘We grieve like orphans’: Filipinos mourn death of Pope Francis

Many Filipinos recall the pontiff’s supportive and caring ways, saying he ‘gave voice to the marginalised, the voiceless and powerless’.

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Japan

Japan’s youth suicide crisis worsens with record student deaths reported in 2024

School anxiety, depression and family struggles were cited as major causes.

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Malaysia

Malay-speaking Chinese journalists become overnight sensation in Malaysia

In soft-power win, viral video of Chinese journalists describing their lunch in fluent Malay has earned praise from Malaysians.

In this combined photo, Husna Liang (right) of the China Media Group and her colleague Latifah (left) describe their lunch in fluent Malay at a restaurant in Putrajaya. The Chinese journalists were part of the press corps that followed President Xi Jinping on his week-long tour of Southeast Asia. Photo: Handout
In this combined photo, Husna Liang (right) of the China Media Group and her colleague Latifah (left) describe their lunch in fluent Malay at a restaurant in Putrajaya. The Chinese journalists were part of the press corps that followed President Xi Jinping on his week-long tour of Southeast Asia. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

As Sara Duterte backs Imee Marcos, will it sway Philippine Senate elections?

A last-minute political gamble sees the president’s sister seeking to revive her campaign by tapping into the vice-president’s popularity.

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Indonesia

‘Risking our lives’: Indonesians warn of dangers in Cambodian scam compounds

Indonesians promised employment in Cambodia say they were instead forced to work long hours in shadowy compounds scamming victims.

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South Korea

North Korean phishing attack used K-pop and horoscope lures: South Korean police

The police said that over 120,000 emails laced with malware and links to spoofed websites were sent to nearly 18,000 individuals.

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The police said that over 120,000 emails laced with malware and links to spoofed websites were sent to nearly 18,000 individuals in South Korea. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

US tourist deported from Bali after rampage at medical clinic

Footage depicts the 27-year-old man screaming and destroying property in the clinic in Badung despite attempts to stop him.

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A 27-year-old US citizen was deported from Bali after a violent outburst at a medical clinic. Photo: Handout
A 27-year-old US citizen was deported from Bali after a violent outburst at a medical clinic. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

‘Stamp out cross-dressing’: Malaysian sarong event under fire for LGBTQ exclusion

The organiser of Keretapi Sarong is facing backlash after saying gender-nonconforming participants are not welcome.

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South Korea

South Korea probes claim teen caught filming F-16s is son of Chinese official

Authorities said the teen and another Chinese student were in possession of nearly 100 images of military aircraft taken at an airbase.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s brain drain deepens as 1 in 6 state-funded scholars opts to work abroad

Government data shows over 2,800 scholarship recipients have chosen not to return and fulfil their public service commitments since 2010.

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Students prepare for an exam in front of their computers at Kuala Lumpur-based Asia e University (AeU). Photo: AFP
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