TOP NEWS The Erdogan era lives on, as does the power of populism Schism between India and China widens The deteriorating Imran-establishment ties make it unlikely for him to regain power soonMORE HEADLINES INDO-PACIFIC, AUKUS AND ASIA The Korea HeraldYoon to host Pacific islands summit China DailyProtest staged in Aussie town against AUKUS nuke sub base The Straits TimesAustralia says no single power should dominate Indo-Pacific China DailyChinese embassy: AUKUS deal jeopardises peace in Asia-Pacific The Japan NewsJapan to emphasise proactive aid offers to developing nations The Japan NewsJapan Plans Military Aid for 4 Countries Under New Framework The Yomiuri ShimbunTPP members seen opening door to Britain The StatesmanDeciphering the Indo-Pacific focus The Jakarta PostPNG minister’s visit a sign of Pacific’s growing importance The Japan NewsJapan and Cook Islands Agree to Strengthen Cooperation in Meeting The Jakarta PostNuclearising the Indo-Pacific The Japan NewsKishida to Expand ODA in Move Toward Free and Open Indo-Pacific Philippine Daily InquirerAustralia gives Philippine military chief heads up on nuclear submarine deal China DailyAUKUS nuclear submarine ‘cooperation’ reckless acceleration on a dangerous road: China Daily editorial The Jakarta PostRussia says West readying for ‘years of confrontation’ in Asia The Jakarta PostAustralia, US, Britain leaders to meet, submarine deal expected NATIONAL AFFAIRS VIEW MORE As Pyongyang's satellite launch has deteriorated security, Seoul should give it urgent attention, says the writer. National Affair Opinion Right, National affairs Opinion, OPINION Erdogan and Jokowi ... Home News, National Affair Opinion Right, National affairs Opinion, OPINION, The Asian View, Top News Upcoming AI policy may turn out to be an exercise in futility ... Home News, National Affair Opinion Right, National affairs Opinion, OPINION, The Asian View, Top News Spare the child ... ECONOMIC AFFAIRS VIEW MORE The key to making this sovereign wealth fund a success is to have it run by professional managers and insulate them from the vagaries of politics, notes the paper. The use of a redistributive fiscal policy is a solution to the rising inequality, notes the writer. REGIONAL AFFAIRS VIEW MORE The success of events conducted in locations objected to by China or Pakistan indicates that India has gained by projecting its territorial claims. The writer says, there does not seem to be much space for a serious dialogue on nuclear risk reduction measures, even as risks continue to grow in the foreseeable future. SPECIAL REPORTSVIEW ALL MORE HEADLINES Vietnam needs stronger solutions for a smoke-free future ... E-cigarette use, secondhand smoke exposure in Shanghai fall ... China starts drilling superdeep borehole in landmark deep-Earth exploration ... Moody’s downgrades Bangladesh’s credit rating ... Sixty of Vietnamese rescued from forced labour in Philippines return home ... Smuggler jailed for 8 years over 180 million won of chocolate-coated meth ... FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC The Korea HeraldSouth Korea lifts most Covid-19 restrictions The Jakarta PostIndonesia simplifies Covid-19 jab regimen as part of endemic policy Philippine Daily InquirerMetro Manila’s Covid-19 positive cases rate drops even further Viet Nam NewsVietnam to consider downgrading Covid-19 to flu-like status The Phnom Penh PostCambodia donates one million vaccines to Myanmar The Kathmandu PostNepal to continue Covid vaccination despite waning severity of infection The Straits TimesPM Lee Covid-19 positive for the first time, says he is ‘generally feeling OK’ Viet Nam NewsVietnam to consider announcing the end of Covid-19 pandemic The NationThailand sees big jump in new Covid cases and fatalities The StatesmanIndia shipped almost 300 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to over 100 countries Philippine Daily InquirerPhilippines Covid-19 positivity rate at 24.3% as of March 20: Octa Research The Straits TimesAs China’s herd immunity wanes, citizens navigate living with Covid-19 China DailyCovid-19 widespread, vaccines needed fast: Expert China DailyHong Kong Disneyland eyes post-Covid recovery as revenues increase Philippine Daily InquirerNCR’s Covid-19 positivity rate increases to 25.4% — Octa China DailyCovid-19 oral drugs prescribed in Hong Kong are safe, effective: Government THOUGHT LEADERSHIP VIEW MORE Plastic waste is not unique to Bali, but Bali can lead the way to inspire new approaches to plastic waste management. So long as political elites are engaged in conflict and seeking to pull the military to their own side, security sector reforms will never be possible, the author writes. WORTH A READ VIEW MORE The writer says changes in hygiene culture remind us that despite what we think we know, we really cannot predict how societies will respond to a health crisis and how such responses will change over time. The paper says both the government and lawmakers are urged to set up proper regulations to prevent AI-generated hoaxes. SOCIETY VIEW MORE Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people possessing more than $1 million of wealth in Bangladesh increased by 43 per cent in 2021. The paper says both the government and lawmakers are urged to set up proper regulations to prevent AI-generated hoaxes. MORE HEADLINES South Korean military decides not to view homosexual intercourse as harassment ... Rohingya ‘criminal’ killed in ‘gunfight’ in Cox’s Bazar ... Cambodia: Officers told to prepare for July general election ... Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo to visit Singapore in June ... ‘Tech neck’ and other musculoskeletal disorders from using devices more prevalent ... German Chancellor Scholz to visit Seoul on May 21 for summit with Yoon ... 15 decisions expected from SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa ... Yoon celebrates opening of children’s garden on ex-US military base ... GLOBAL WARMING The Straits TimesAsia climate woes mount as heat shatters May records The Daily StarHeatwave in Bangladesh likely to continue for a week China DailyHebei moves to secure cleaner air by 2025 The Straits TimesPrepare N95 masks, air purifiers as haze may hit S’pore from June, says Met Service The Daily StarShanghai records hottest May day in 100 years Viet Nam NewsParliaments should play stronger role in protecting environment: Vietnam official The NationHow air treatment solutions can help tackle Thailand’s PM2.5 pollution problem The Jakarta PostReturn of sea sand exports sparks controversy in Indonesia The Straits TimesProlonged, intense heat expected from June to October, raising risk of haze, fires in south Asean China DailyFragile ecosystem, species at centre of protection efforts Philippine Daily InquirerTyphoon Betty’s slow down continues; Signal No. 1 over 12 provinces stays The StarFive areas record level one hot weather status: MetMalaysia China DailyFragile ecosystem, species at centre of protection efforts Viet Nam NewsPM urges stronger wildfire prevention measures amid strong heatwaves The NationTyphoon Mawar expected to bring unseasonal rains to Thailand this week The Jakarta PostIndonesia seeks to block curbs on raw plastic production SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA Viet Nam NewsVietnam opposes forced labour, as hundreds rescued from Philippines’ illegal casino China DailyFor some travellers, slow is the way to go The Korea HeraldKorea seeks to boost medical tourism as future growth engine The Korea HeraldWomen, under-40 most frequently victimised by ‘romance scams’: Study The Korea HeraldNew Korean service will quit your job for you The Straits TimesMeet kAI, the robotic dog assisting in train inspections in Singapore KuenselBhutan: Citizen’s well-being and happiness increases to 93.6 percent The StarThe long, agonising wait on death row The Straits TimesGrisly find at temple paves way for overhaul of Thai abortion laws DawnKey takeaways for Pakistan for reducing military interventionism The Korea HeraldAre slang terms and abbreviations degrading the Korean language? The Straits Times42 promising young individuals from S’pore in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list China DailyTaiping set to regain past glory as chocolate township The Jakarta PostSoutheast Asia seeks global recognition for ‘kebaya’ craft Viet Nam NewsRestoring French villas – keeping Hanoi’s cultural heritage The Korea HeraldS. Korea No country for working moms? GO DEEPER WITH ANN Coming Soon ANN Newsletter Sign up here Follow us: