This Week in Asia

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Filipino policemen (from left) Jeremiah Pereda, Arnel Oares, and Jerwin Cruz attend a Senate inquiry in Pasay City on August 24, 2017. Photo: EPA

People

Philippine court upholds murder verdict in Duterte’s drug war case

While the ruling has been hailed as a win for human rights, it may not have much impact on Duterte’s ICC case, legal analysts say.

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Hair-raising: Malaysia arrests 2 over video of man in headscarf drinking alcohol

Gaffes, breaches and sinkhole stars: Singapore’s 2025 social storms

Health & Environment

Seeking climate justice: Indonesian fishermen’s case against Holcim to proceed

The lawsuit states that Holcim has ‘significantly contributed to climate change with its massive CO2 emissions’.

Edi Mulyono and Asmania, two of four plaintiffs who have filed a lawsuit against cement company Holcim for its role in climate change, stand in front of Holcim’s Eclepens cement plant in 2023. Photo: Lorenz Kumme/HEKS/EPER
Edi Mulyono and Asmania, two of four plaintiffs who have filed a lawsuit against cement company Holcim for its role in climate change, stand in front of Holcim’s Eclepens cement plant in 2023. Photo: Lorenz Kumme/HEKS/EPER

People

Indian doctor suspended, charged after allegedly assaulting patient

Dr Raghav Narula is accused of speaking disrespectfully to a patient at a hospital in Shimla, but has denied wrongdoing in the confrontation.

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Health & Environment

Thai marines rescue starving lions, bears from Cambodian border casino

Officials say the two lions, two Asiatic black bears and one sun bear suffered from underfeeding and prolonged neglect at Thmor Dar Casino.

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Politics

Not for cars: Philippine fugitive accused of building ‘cash basement’

Zaldy Co, who is on the run, has been accused of being involved in the flood-control corruption scandal.

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Anti-corruption prosecutors in the Philippines have accused Zaldy Co, a former congressman, and others of defrauding the state through “ghost” and substandard flood-control projects. Photo: Captured off YouTube
Anti-corruption prosecutors in the Philippines have accused Zaldy Co, a former congressman, and others of defrauding the state through “ghost” and substandard flood-control projects. Photo: Captured off YouTube

Economics

India’s new law to fuel energy needs, drive nuclear power growth

The new law, which will end years of near-exclusive state control, could unlock stalled investment and boost nuclear capacity, analysts say.

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Politics

Najib’s children lament Malaysian court ruling – ‘we thought he was coming home’

The ex-prime minister has lost his case to have his imprisonment commuted to house arrest based on a supposed royal decree.

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Lifestyle & Culture

South Korean webtoon slammed for heroine resembling Kim Jong-un’s daughter Ju-ae

Critics say the romantic comedy ‘Princess Goes to School’ risks softening perceptions of North Korea’s regime.

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Left: The cover image for Princess Goes to School, a South Korean webtoon on Naver. Right: Kim Jong-un walks with his daughter Kim Ju-ae in April. Photos: Naver, EPA-EFE

Economics

India’s gem exports defy US tariffs as Asia, Middle East demand grows

Shipments rose 19.64 per cent year on year to US$2.51 billion in November, reflecting a successful diversification push, analysts say.

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A salesman checks the quality of a diamond necklace through a magnifier at a jewellery store in Chennai. India is the world’s largest exporter of diamonds due to its dominance in gem cutting and polishing. Photo: AFP
A salesman checks the quality of a diamond necklace through a magnifier at a jewellery store in Chennai. India is the world’s largest exporter of diamonds due to its dominance in gem cutting and polishing. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Singapore’s athletes debate on funding after official’s ‘come to party’ review

The debate was prompted by a sports official’s underwhelming assessment of Singapore’s performance in athletics at the recent SEA Games.

Economics

Singapore’s young graduates feel the heat in ‘draining’ job hunt

A dearth of entry-level jobs has forced some young Singaporeans to pivot to stopgap roles and entrepreneurship.

Health & Environment

‘Worse than the tsunami’ – Indonesia’s Aceh residents traumatised by flooding

A month after the disaster, residents are still struggling to recover as anger against Jakarta’s slow rescue response mounts.

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A staff member works to clean a submerged medical equipment after a flash flood at a hospital in Aceh Tamiang, northern Sumatra, on December 16. Photo: AFP

Politics

Yoon’s ex-aides express ‘disbelief’ over South Korean martial law plan

The two aides’ testimonies give a rare insight into the thinking of the former president, who is charged with leading the ‘insurrection’.

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Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul, after then South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Photo: AFP
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul, after then South Korea president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Rafflesia flower rediscovery in Indonesia revives push to drop colonial name

The giant flower find has renewed calls among researchers to rename its genus, which honours British colonial official Thomas Raffles.

Economics

Economic ‘pragmatism’ powers Indonesians’ positive view of China, survey finds

Analysts say China’s ‘visible’ investment activities and its ‘soft diplomacy’ in Indonesia have contributed to the positive public perception.

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Economics

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

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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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.

Illustration: Huy Truong
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LATEST Asia NEWS

People

Philippine court upholds murder verdict in Duterte’s drug war case

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Filipino policemen (from left) Jeremiah Pereda, Arnel Oares, and Jerwin Cruz attend a Senate inquiry in Pasay City on August 24, 2017. Photo: EPA

Politics

Gaffes, breaches and sinkhole stars: Singapore’s 2025 social storms

A still from a social media video shows a submerged car after it fell into a sinkhole in Singapore on July 26. Social media users hailed migrant workers for their quick response in saving the driver. Photo: X/HaggerDarren

Economics

Singapore’s young graduates feel the heat in ‘draining’ job hunt

The central business district in Singapore. Official data showed the unemployment rate of residents aged below 30 was 5.5 per cent in September. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Hair-raising: Malaysia arrests 2 over video of man in headscarf drinking alcohol

Malaysian police have arrested two people over a video showing a man in a headscarf drinking alcohol. Photo: Shutterstock

Health & Environment

Seeking climate justice: Indonesian fishermen’s case against Holcim to proceed

Edi Mulyono and Asmania, two of four plaintiffs who have filed a lawsuit against cement company Holcim for its role in climate change, stand in front of Holcim’s Eclepens cement plant in 2023. Photo: Lorenz Kumme/HEKS/EPER
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OPINION
Arnold Puyok

Asian Angle | Sabah’s election proves Malaysians want results, not slogans

Arnold Puyok
JC Punongbayan

Asian Angle | Greed and pork barrel politics fuel the Philippines’ fatal floods

JC Punongbayan
Frances Mangosing

Asian Angle | Is the new Philippines-Germany defence pact built to last?

Frances Mangosing
Walter Woon

Opinion | From Singapore to Taiwan, Japan must face its past for Asia’s future

Walter Woon
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Dien Nguyen An Luong

Asian Angle | Vietnam’s anti-drug police are speaking Gen Z, and it’s working

Dien Nguyen An Luong
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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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