Straitstimes.com header logo

Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship of Asean to test Marcos’ balancing act on regional issues

It is taking the helm at a time when Asean faces deepening divisions over the South China Sea, among other challenges.

maasean14 - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivers a speech as he leads the launch of the Philippines chairmanship of Asean in 2026 in a ceremony held in Manila on November 14, 2025. ST PHOTO: MARA CEPEDA

‘Every day is a shopping holiday’: China holds longest Double 11 sale but buyers hold back

image-alt

Paris police shoot and wound man armed with knife at rail station

image-alt

Man who rushed at Ariana Grande at Universal Studios Singapore charged with being a public nuisance

image-alt

‘I did everything I could to save her’: Malaysian rapper Namewee on death of influencer Iris Hsieh

image-alt

‘Waterfall’ in KL airport after heavy downpour; probe into cause of leak under way

SIA shares fall as Air India losses weigh on earnings, but group stands by long-term investment

Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim should be granted judicial mercy, like tycoon Ong Beng Seng: Defence

Trending
Shorts
Water leaks from KLIA T1 ceiling during heavy rain

0:23

Singapore charges man who rushed at Ariana Grande during Wicked premiere

0:50

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo talk special sisterhood and Wicked’s end at Singapore premiere

0:26

Wicked cast Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum on Wicked songs and the end of the Wicked journey

0:56

Fan jumps barricade at Singapore's premiere of Wicked: For Good

0:33

Russia’s Aidol humanoid robot falls moments after unveiling

0:32

Wicked stars, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo greet fans ahead of Singapore premiere of Wicked sequel

0:32

Fire breaks out at 1,500-year-old temple in Jiangsu, China

0:27

‘How many wives?’ Trump asks Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa

0:29

Singapore

MRT reliability dips for second straight month in Sept; North-South Line the least reliable

The Downtown Line remained the best-performing MRT line.

The EWL emerged third, posting 1.7 million train-km between delays, an increase from 1.68 million train-km the previous month.

Punctuality, passenger impact among LTA’s new reliability indicators; 99% of trains on time in Sept

Man, 68, dies after slashing incident at Marine Parade condo; 23-year-old man to face murder charge

Reading corners at 7 public spots, including malls, to bring books closer to people

COP30

S-E Asia protesters at COP30 highlight regional vulnerability, call for more adaptation finance

Developing countries’ access to funding for climate adaptation is a key focus of the 2025 summit.

aqadapt14 - Ms Ellenor Bartolome, 25, senior executive officer at the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice. She speaks about the typhoons that hit the Philippines last week. Credit to: Jason Valenzuela of Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development

Sharing renewable energy sources in S-E Asia key to dealing with rising heat: Climate scientist

image-alt

Rewards, rivalry, rebellion: Inside the COP30 battle for attention

image-alt
Asia
image-alt

‘Every day is a shopping holiday’: China holds longest Double 11 sale but buyers hold back

image-alt

So near yet so far: Sabah grapples with water woes ahead of election

image-alt

No Grab-GoTo merger notification yet, says Singapore competition watchdog

image-alt

Philippines’ 2026 chairmanship of Asean to test Marcos’ balancing act on regional issues

Opinion

How to keep your country safe from Trump’s whims

Vikram Khanna

avatar-alt

Processed food, allergies and the challenge of feeding kids

Jieun Wrigley

The morning brew: Coffee helps me navigate life’s transitions

Faye Ng Yu Ci

The movies need Sydney Sweeney

Ross Douthat

Visual stories

Like a fairy godmother: The mascot maker who brings characters to life

image-alt

The Week in Pictures: Supermoon rises in Australia, Typhoon Kalmaegi hits Philippines

image-alt

Singapore Stories: The Heart of a Nation - Iconic photos from ST’s archives go on display

image-alt

Love is in the hair: How a wig loan scheme helps restore cancer survivors’ confidence

image-alt

More than a convenience store: Disappearing mamak shops

image-alt

Typhoon Ragasa: How heavy rainfall led to a barrier lake bursting in Taiwan

image-alt

How hawker signboards tell the story of Singapore

image-alt

What makes swim star Yip Pin Xiu fast? Discover the science of her technique

image-alt

Inside the confusing world of women’s clothing sizes

image-alt
Your S'pore Story

‘I hope to leave a positive impact on the football scene in S’pore’

On the cusp of a budding auditing career, he quit his job to work on creating football-related content.

your-singapore-story-st180-shuan-ye-football-content-creator

'I am trying to help humans and animals live in harmony'

image-alt

‘Just take every opportunity to put yourself out there’

image-alt
Podcasts
image-alt

Asian Insider Podcast

Inside the mind of Japan’s first woman PM Sanae Takaichi
image-alt

The Usual Place Podcast

How can we get Singapore consumers to buy locally farmed eggs, seafood and veggies?
image-alt

In Your Opinion Podcast

Are teachers in Singapore multi-tasking too much?
image-alt

The Usual Place Podcast

What’s with the fixation over brand-name schools?
navigation-bar-logo
Headstart
Latest
Money Mentor
Work Bestie
Life Guide
About Headstart

Video: Secretly falling apart at work? You could be quiet cracking

We ask an expert why some people struggle in silence at the workplace, and what could go wrong.

Like a fairy godmother: The mascot maker who brings characters to life

Video: Here’s what goes on at Meet-the-People Sessions, and why MPs hold them

‘Spend first, worry later’: Why Buy Now, Pay Later is making a comeback in 2025

Young and Savvy: I used a money insights app for 3 months – here’s what I learnt

Getting insights into my spending patterns, rather than simply tracking expenses, proved a fruitful exercise.

Me and My Money: Third-generation jeweller helped revive family business

Mr Gabriel Tan is the co-founder and director of Mark Gabriel Fine Jewellers.

9 in 10 young women in S’pore not taking active steps to safeguard breast health: Poll

Financial adviser Jamie Ng was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer three years ago. Now cancer-free, she helps out at the Breast Cancer Foundation as a befriender.

Headstart On Record Podcast

Will AI steal Singapore jobs? What young workers need to know

Find out how to choose the right employers, training and career paths to ride the wave.
Most popular

1

NTU student arrested after being filmed walking naked on campus

2

61-year-old man caught on CCTV reversing car into elderly woman in AMK is helping with police probe

3

2 Singaporean men deported from Thailand, Cambodia to be charged over scam-related offences

4

New Zealand citizens depart in record numbers as economy stalls

5

A week’s jail for woman who lied about address to enrol daughter in primary school

6

Man who rushed at Ariana Grande at Universal Studios Singapore charged with being a public nuisance

7

Penang orders removal of panda drawn by Chinese tourist on Chew Jetty mural

8

Ex-Wirecard Asia director nabbed in S’pore; German linked to global ring that defrauded 4.3m victims

9

Britain’s Princess Anne meets President Tharman, PM Wong at Istana, has orchid named after her

10

Thailand reverses afternoon booze ban after tourism backlash

Branded content
Meet the S'porean farmers feeding you fresher, home-grown food
Local farmers Singapore Aquaculture Technologies, Green Harvest and N&N egg farm
‘Covid-19 is still a force to be reckoned with’: Why updated protection is recommended
Doctors say Covid-19 variants are still emerging but herd immunity levels in the community have fallen over time.
Beyond the green: How China's leading liquor brand is driving into key markets
Kweichow Moutai is headlining the Singapore Open for the first time.
What to know before deciding if preventive skin tightening is right for you
According to Halley Medical Aesthetics’ Dr Terence Tan, collagen-remodelling treatments like Ultherapy Prime are gaining traction as more people embrace a maintenance-first approach to skin health.
From waiting to winning: How SMEs can turn unpaid invoices into growth capital
Access to financing and smart technology enables SMEs to stay resilient and concentrate on growth.
Games and glory: Why you’ll love Hong Kong’s year-end buzz
Offering world-class sporting action and festive attractions, Hong Kong may be the ideal year-end getaway for Singapore travellers.

E-paper

Newsletters

Podcasts

RSS Feed

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Need help? Reach us here.

Advertise with us

Download the app

Get unlimited access to exclusive stories and incisive insights from the ST newsroom
Subscribe Placeholder
MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.