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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA
Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally last month. Photo: AP

Economics

Will Trump’s ‘tariff tantrums’ spark a US-Southeast Asia trade war?

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting at the Convention Centre in Lima on November 16. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysian PM Anwar denies conflict of interest in corporate sponsor row

People walk past damaged buildings, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, in Lebanon on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

As Israel-Lebanon war intensifies, US-led ceasefire talks hang by a thread

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Bharatiya Janata Party supporters shower confetti and flower petals as Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, centre, arrives to address them at the party headquarters after winning the state elections in politically significant Indian state of Maharashtra, in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: AP

Politics

Big win in Maharashtra polls signals BJP’s renewed dominance of Indian politics

Muslims prepare to offer Friday prayers at the Jameh Masjid (mosque) in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia operates parallel civil and sharia legal systems, with sharia law imposing an additional set of rules on Muslims. Photo: AFP

Politics

Outcry after Malaysian state issues public caning order under sharia law

MORE IN THIS WEEK IN ASIA
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OPINION
Daniele Carminati

Opinion | Japan’s soft power renaissance will help it attract the talent it needs

Daniele Carminati
Charlie Grahn

Opinion | North American ports must automate or risk losing out to Asia and Europe

Charlie Grahn
Ya-chi Chiang,Lucio Blanco Pitlo III

Asian Angle | Asia’s digital future hangs by a thread beneath the ocean waves

Ya-chi Chiang
Lucio Blanco Pitlo III
David Dodwell

Outside In | It’s goodbye to ‘peace dividend’, hello to wars and defence binges

David Dodwell
Joseph Sipalan

My Take | As Sabah faces new bribery case, will it pay dividends for power seekers?

Joseph Sipalan
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Fire engulfs hundreds of shanty houses in Manila

03:17
Video

How AirAsia’s Tony Fernandes is steering his budget airline toward post-pandemic recovery

12:27
Video

Black magic cult corpse rituals investigated in Thailand

01:41
Video

Tourists in Laos die from alcohol poisoning

01:47
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Asia

Australasia
East Asia
Southeast Asia
South Asia
This Week in Asia
A general view of Myanmar’s Myawaddy town is seen from across the Thai side in Mae Sot district. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Malaysian among 39 foreigners to flee Myanmar scam centre, seek refuge in Thailand

The foreigners include citizens of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, and Russia. The incident highlights the growing problem of online scams in the region.

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Malaysian PM Anwar denies conflict of interest in corporate sponsor row

Big win in Maharashtra polls signals BJP’s renewed dominance of Indian politics

Southeast Asia

Swatch wins court battle over seized LGBTQ-themed watches in Malaysia

The decision comes after the government banned LGBTQ references on Swatch products, citing concerns about morality and public interest.

Logo of Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group is pictured on a store in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Reuters
Logo of Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group is pictured on a store in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Outcry after Malaysian state issues public caning order under sharia law

Malaysia operates parallel civil and sharia legal systems, but critics argue authorities should not dictate people’s lives.

Southeast Asia

Landslide and flash floods hit Indonesia’s Sumatra, 16 dead, 6 missing

Rescuers use excavators, farm equipment and their bare hands to sift through the rubble looking for the dead and missing.

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South Asia

Bollywood’s Aamir Khan almost retired during Covid, but Kiran Rao changed his mind

Khan, famous for “Laal Singh Chaddha,” credits his ex-wife Kiran Rao for his comeback, saying he felt guilty and needed to re-evaluate his priorities.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and director Kiran Rao (left)) display ink marked fingers after casting their votes at a polling station on May 20. Photo: AFP
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and director Kiran Rao (left)) display ink marked fingers after casting their votes at a polling station on May 20. Photo: AFP

Global Economy

Global Impact | New leaders in Asia, as well as the US, create questions as Trump return looms

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look at how the Trump administration will fare across a much-changed political landscape in Asia.

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East Asia

‘Existential challenge’: South Korea hosts final round of global plastic treaty talks

Delegates from 175 countries gather in Busan for the fifth round of talks aimed at securing an international treaty to curb plastic pollution.

Southeast Asia

‘Everything is gone’: fire engulfs hundreds of shanty houses in Manila

Drone footage shared by the city’s disaster management office shows the extent of the blaze.

Australasia

‘Incredible’ community effort saves dozens of stranded whales in New Zealand

This event highlights the ongoing challenge of whale strandings in the region.

Rescuers rope off an area around a dead pilot whale that was stranded on Ruakākā Beach in northland, New Zealand on November 24. Photo: New Zealand Department Of Conservation/AP
Rescuers rope off an area around a dead pilot whale that was stranded on Ruakākā Beach in northland, New Zealand on November 24. Photo: New Zealand Department Of Conservation/AP

World

China hits jackpot with gold reserves, Japan’s first kiss rate: 5 weekend reads

From China discovering gold reserves to Japan’s youth kissing less, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Health & Environment

‘Migrate while you can’: Malaysian nurses seek better pay overseas

Healthcare workers look to destinations such as Saudi Arabia amid burnout and meagre pay back home.

Politics

Philippine defence chief raises concerns of disguised Chinese vessels

Latest comments also spark espionage fears as lawmaker claims Chinese intelligence officers may be working in to-be-banned offshore gaming hubs.

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Chinese militia vessels pictured near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Hope grows for India-China economic ties amid Trump’s tariff threats

Will the new-found optimism from their border thaw endure escalating trade tensions with the US?

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shakes hands with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar in Brazil, on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shakes hands with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar in Brazil, on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

South Asia

Pakistan strikes 7-day ceasefire deal between warring sectarian groups

Deal comes after days of bitter sectarian gunfights in the country’s northwest Kurram district that have killed dozens.

Lifestyle & Culture

Pioneer Sabah indigenous language film Sinakagon to make Netflix debut

The ‘fully Sabah’ production, directed by Timothy Stephen and shot entirely in the Dusun dialect, is based on the legend of the goddess Huminodun.

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Economics

Will Trump’s ‘tariff tantrums’ spark a US-Southeast Asia trade war?

US protectionism was good for some Asian nations when China was the main target. But this time nowhere looks safe.

Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally last month. Photo: AP
Donald Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally last month. Photo: AP

Politics

As Singapore’s ruling PAP turns 70, can its dominance last?

Amid rising living costs and shifting voter sentiments, the People’s Action Party faces unprecedented challenges on its 70th anniversary.

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Health & Environment

‘Change is coming’: will Southeast Asia have to abandon universal healthcare?

Across Southeast Asia, rising costs and funding struggles are threatening the very foundations of public health systems.

Economics

Kuala London: aspiration, class and the Malaysian dream of a British education

In a country still shaped by its colonial past, the pursuit of a UK education by Malaysia’s elites reveals a stark opportunity gap at home.

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Illustration: Huy Truong