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Bhavan Jaipragas

Deputy Opinion Editor

Bhavan has been a journalist for more than a decade and was previously Asia editor for the South China Morning Post. During his 2016-2023 tenure at the Hong Kong daily, he rose through the ranks from correspondent to editor and played a defining role in building up its pace-setting news coverage of South-east Asia. His journalism career began when he joined news agency Agence France-Presse in Singapore as a correspondent. He has degrees from Nanyang Technological University and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Latest articles

Climate activists must beat populists at their own game

Oxfam activists wearing oversized masks representing world leaders including US President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the Cop30 summit.

The BBC’s bias scandal holds lessons for public service media everywhere

This episode shows that the royal charter binding the BBC is no magic bullet for ensuring impartiality.

Singapore’s message to cyber crooks: Do not use us as a launchpad

data security, security, data, online, computer, castle, symbol, internet, crime, cyber, bullying, hacker

No shame in the art of the fawn – Asia’s way with Trump and China

US President Donald Trump walks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during a high honor presentation ceremony, where Trump was presented with a replica of a crown worn by the kings of Silla, at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju on October 29, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

Clippers, chatter and curry: A kampung echo at my heartland barber shop

From the radio’s croon to debates on what to have for lunch, the barber’s chair offers small joys and homely comfort.

What Asean and buoyant Manchester United have in common

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (with gavel) during a symbolic handover of the Asean chairmanship to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 28.

As cyber piranhas circle, uncomfortable alliances must hold the line

What stands between chaos and order in the cyberworld is not consensus among the like-minded, but real-world talk with those you fundamentally disagree with, says the writer.

Gaza ceasefire is Trump’s show but don’t forget the supporting cast

A damaged building in Doha after an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital on Sept 9.

AI v Hollywood: One battle after another to save the human performance

jomovie24a - From left: Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro in the drama One Battle After Another.

given caption: There are big question marks over whether film studios still need Hollywood stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Benecio Del Toro when they could be replaced by AI-generated replicas.

Source: WBEI 2025

UN-likely saviours: Small states to the rescue as the mighty undermine UN

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan addressing the UN General Assembly in New York on Sept 27.