Inside Singapore’s love affair with the lottery
Singaporeans wagered a record US$9.5 billion on gambling in FY2023-2024, 7 per cent higher than the previous year’s US$8.9 billion.
Rethinking the Taliban doctrine
Four years on from the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the optimism surrounding what was being hailed as a geopolitical victory for Pakistan has…
Malaysia’s scam victims face trauma of losses
Despite record-breaking enforcement – 2.1 billion suspicious calls and messages blocked between 2022 and August 2025, and over 112,000 scam posts removed – predators are…
From ashes of war to arsenal of world: South Korea’s defence industry boom
As top 10 among global arms exporter, Seoul’s modern weapons soar globally, but guarding technology and talent remains a challenge.
78 volatile years of Pakistan: Torment and triumph
The creation of Pakistan represents the first-ever realisation of Muslim nationalism achieving independent statehood anywhere, not just in South Asia.
Philippines’ ‘internal’ challenge if US-China war breaks out over Taiwan
President Marcos pointed out the Philippines’ geographic location, as well as the need to evacuate 150,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan.
What changes are being proposed to marriage laws in Nepal?
A new bill to amend the Criminal Code would prevent automatic annulment of certain polygamous marriages if a child is born or the woman is pregnant.
From would-be fifth tiger to Asia’s sick man: pressure to restructure Thai industry
The World Bank reclassified Thailand as a lower middle-income economy (per capita income above US$1,036) in 1988, amid hopes it would follow Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and…
China’s “emotional economy” fast evolving into a powerful engine for growth: experts
Data from marketing consultancy iiMedia Research showed that the "guzi" economy in China reached a market size of 168.9 billion yuan in 2024, up 40.63 percent from 2023, and is…
Bangladesh’s former Awami League government’s secret surveillance state
Such a powerful surveillance system can be abused to suppress political opponents and snoop on ordinary citizens in violation of their constitutional right to privacy, experts…