double-skinned crabsVietnamese crab exporter
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Asia

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, in 2025. Member states are locked in negotiations over the bloc’s next long-term budget. Photo: AP

Politics

EU’s Southeast Asia push hits funding crunch as China widens lead

Net payers force a deep cut to Europe’s overseas aid, leaving Asean clean-energy projects short just as Beijing tightens its regional lead.

Malaysia’s Najib closer to house arrest as Umno pays US$12.3 million fine

Malaysia’s Sarawak locks election date amid autonomy, resource control push

Politics

Will Japan press Vietnam on labour rights or prioritise security goals?

Human Rights Watch’s Tokyo office has urged Takaichi to confront To Lam over Vietnam’s failure to deliver promised labour reforms.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) and Vietnamese President To Lam shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on May 2. Photo: AFP
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) and Vietnamese President To Lam shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on May 2. Photo: AFP

Economics

How Singapore confronts AI fears of ‘broken’ career ladder, no pause button

Minister Josephine Teo outlines five imperatives that guide Singapore’s AI policy at the Family Business Summit in Hong Kong.

East Asia

Post-US midterms AI worries pummel shares in Japan, South Korea

The tech rout in the US also battered chip-related shares of Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Kioxia.

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People

Malaysia Hindu rites row: live stream of Muslim youth’s repentance fuels fury

The public spectacle highlights the tightening boundaries of religious tolerance and state control over personal worship in multiracial Malaysia.

The Batu Caves temple complex in Selangor, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A 21-year-old Muslim man was sentenced to faith rehabilitation after participating in Hindu rituals at the shrine. Photo: Shutterstock
The Batu Caves temple complex in Selangor, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A 21-year-old Muslim man was sentenced to faith rehabilitation after participating in Hindu rituals at the shrine. Photo: Shutterstock

People

Slums, day labour and forged IDs: how Japan’s 660 most wanted stay hidden

In a society ruled by red tape, police are still hunting murderers and radical bombers who slipped off the grid decades ago.

Politics

Philippines’ project budget allocations spur accusations of pork barrel politics

Two budget watchdogs claim there are proposed projects whose coordinates show that they are located far away from the country.

People

South Korea apologises for classing gay teens as delinquents

A counselling manual put homosexuality in the same bracket as theft and drug abuse, triggering a hasty climbdown.

People pose for photos in front of anti-homosexuality slogans during a gay rights march in Seoul, South Korea, in 2017. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

A son in prison, a daughter gone: Singapore parents face heartbreak

Huang Bocan, once his sister’s carer, gets a life term for her murder as their parents grapple with grief and regrets.

Singapore’s skyline. A man was sentenced to life for his sister’s murder in the city state, leaving their parents heartbroken. Photo: Reuters
Singapore’s skyline. A man was sentenced to life for his sister’s murder in the city state, leaving their parents heartbroken. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Singapore denies power cut caused causeway jam, blames maintenance, breakdowns

The border authority says that while maintenance works were going on at one checkpoint, truck clearance continued at Woodlands.

Health & Environment

Inside Thailand’s race to save its last dugong herd – by testing its poop

Scientists are collecting poop samples to test for stress hormones and other health indicators in a bid to prevent the mammal’s extinction.

Southeast Asia

Indonesian wiretapping scandal exposes widening Prabowo-Jokowi rift

Lawmakers are considering a parliamentary inquiry into Jokowi’s son Gibran’s eligibility to serve as vice-president.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, (centre) walks with, Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka (left) and then national police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo (right) upon arrival from an overseas trip at Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta, on July 16, 2025. Photo: AP

Southeast Asia

Philippine police probe Meghan’s brother as Markle child abuse inquiry widens

Interior Secretary Juanito Remulla said witnesses had alleged that underage girls were brought to the younger Markle’s home.

Thomas Markle Jnr is the older half-brother of Meghan Markle. Photo: Instagram / therealthomasmarklejr
Thomas Markle Jnr is the older half-brother of Meghan Markle. Photo: Instagram / therealthomasmarklejr

Southeast Asia

UK man charged over hidden camera in toilet on Japan-Singapore flight

A Scoot cabin crew member who used the toilet found the device, removed it and alerted a colleague.

Economics

India vows to dig its way out of China machinery curbs

The curbs have intensified calls for India to develop its own advanced tunnelling equipment and boost its manufacturing sector.

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Economics

‘I’m terrified’: AI comes for Southeast Asia’s graduate jobs

From Bangkok to Singapore, AI dread grips young jobseekers as the bottom rung of the career ladder starts to buckle.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

People

Big dreams, growing pains in Indonesia: Prabowo’s turbulent 2 years in power

The president says he sees a ‘bright future for Indonesia’ even as citizens worry about rising costs and a lack of job opportunities.

7

Economics

Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. But is the bargain worth it?

Pinduoduo’s arrival has thrilled bargain hunters, even as direct e-commerce shipments price out local firms and waste chokes landfills.

10

Politics

Southeast Asia battles Big Tech to protect children online

From Indonesia to Vietnam, governments are making platforms answerable for children’s safety – but bans can only do so much.

Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

EU’s Southeast Asia push hits funding crunch as China widens lead

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, in 2025. Member states are locked in negotiations over the bloc’s next long-term budget. Photo: AP

Politics

Malaysia’s Najib closer to house arrest as Umno pays US$12.3 million fine

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court complex last month. Photo: AP

Politics

Trump’s Israel aid cut reveals push to trade grants for tech cooperation

US President Donald Trump points towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a December 2025 meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Trump surprised officials this week by announcing plans to end roughly US$4 billion in annual military aid to Israel. Photo: Reuters

China

Democrats’ win could squeeze China; star mathematician leaves US: 7 highlights

Democrat James Talarico celebrates with his supporters after winning the US Senate race in Texas on Tuesday night. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Politics

Malaysia’s Sarawak locks election date amid autonomy, resource control push

Sarawak’s state assembly was dissolved on October 26, four months before its term was due to expire in February. Photo: Shutterstock
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