Malaysia tightens grip on major social media platforms – will it make the internet safer?

By Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia on Thursday moved to bring some of the world’s biggest social media and messaging platforms under its licensing regime, closing a year-long gap in which several tech giants had operated without formal approval. From January 1, platforms with more than eight million users in Malaysia are automatically treated as licensed […]

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Indonesia reaffirms Yemen’s territorial integrity, backs stability efforts amid tensions

JAKARTA: Indonesia has called for respect for Yemen’s territorial integrity and commended efforts to maintain stability in the region, a day after Saudi Arabia bombed a weapons shipment from the UAE at a Yemeni port city that Riyadh said was intended for separatist forces. Saudi Arabia carried out a “limited airstrike” at Yemen’s port city […]

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Thai fortune-teller predicts client’s bad luck, then gets arrested over stealing her phone

A Thai fortune-teller was arrested in Pattaya on Thursday after being accused of telling a client she would soon face bad luck and lose a valuable possession on New Year’s Day, then allegedly making good on the prophecy by stealing her phone. The suspect, identified by local media as Udomsap Mueangkaew, 38, allegedly denied the […]

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Thai election: border row aids Anutin as Shinawatras fight for survival, reformists chase

By Aidan Jones Campaigning for Thailand’s February 8 general election has begun with a frenetic three-way battle defined by corruption allegations, a tense border conflict with Cambodia and the emergence of a new frontman for the once all-conquering Shinawatra political dynasty. But the caravans of politicians criss-crossing the nation and blitzing social media have so […]

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Myanmar’s military-backed party claims strong lead in election’s first phase

Myanmar’s military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed a dominant lead in the first phase of the country’s general election, even as the state election commission has yet to announce official results. The initial round, held Sunday in 102 of 330 townships, saw the USDP reportedly secure 88 of 102 contested lower house seats. […]

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Malaysia’s Anwar says Asean to assess Myanmar after ‘premature’ polls

Agence France-Presse Asean will assess developments in Myanmar following the first phase of elections and avoid actions that would “confer premature legitimacy” to any party, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday. His comments came as Myanmar’s dominant pro-military party claimed an overwhelming victory in the first phase of the elections after democracy watchdogs […]

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After key official’s death, can Philippines’ flood-control probe still deliver answers?

By Sam Beltran The death of a senior public works official alleged to have played a central role in the billion-peso flood-control scandal in the Philippines has cast fresh doubt over the future of a months-long corruption probe, with investigators now facing questions over lost testimony and compromised evidence. Legal analysts say the investigations now […]

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Thailand delays release ‍of Cambodian troops over alleged truce breaches

Thailand has said it is delaying the transfer of 18 captured Cambodian soldiers amid the Southeast Asian nations’ simmering border conflict due to alleged breaches of a renewed truce agreement, as the ceasefire passed the 72-hour mark that was supposed to trigger their release. Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said on Tuesday that Bangkok […]

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Philippines in 2025: a year of crisis, from corruption scandal to South China Sea tensions

By Sam Beltran As the Philippines wraps up a tumultuous year punctuated by colourful barbs thrown across warring political houses, an ongoing corruption scandal surrounding flood control projects threatens to derail President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s administration. Externally, Manila has been embroiled all year in a long-standing territorial row with Beijing in the South China Sea […]

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