Former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's youngest son, who fled to Britain to seek asylum from what he describes as a campaign of persecution, says the city-state has become much more repressive and that corruption has worsened in the decade since his father died.

Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged brother of former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, says he is now a “political refugee” after the British government granted him asylum from what he described as persecution at home.

With large parts of the world in turmoil and deep uncertainty over the future direction of America’s global role, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sought this week to project an aura of calm normalcy as he traveled through Asia on his first overseas mission since President Joe Biden jolted the 2024 presidential race with his withdrawal.

Singapore’s new prime minister has vowed to make “tomorrow better than today” as he took his oath of office in a carefully planned political succession designed to ensure stability in the Asian financial hub.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will relinquish his office on May 15 and hand the post to his deputy Lawrence Wong, his office said Monday.

One burning issue dominates as the 2024 session of China’s legislature gets underway this week: the economy.

At 97, two-time former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is back in the election race.

The U.S. says Russia has asked China to provide military equipment to assist with its war in Ukraine and that China has responded affirmatively.

Wearing masks and plastic gloves, Singaporeans began voting Friday in a general election that is expected to return Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's long-governing party to power. The health crisis and concerns over an economic recession are a bonanza for Lee's People's Action Party, with voters likely to opt for stability. The younger Lee joined an opposition party last month but is not running in the election. The prime minister has said the polls are about securing the country's future, not his family feud. Polls will be open 12 hours and results are expected to begin arriving late Friday,___Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Singapore Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the People's Action Party Lee Hsien Loong, second left, wears a face mask while talking to food vendors at a local market at Yio Chu Kang while on the campaign trail in Singapore July 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Ee Ming Toh)Singaporeans vote Friday in Southeast Asias first election since the coronavirus pandemic began, with the health crisis and a grim economy expected to bolster Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs party and extend its unbroken rule. Lee Hsien Loong is the country's third prime minister and has led the government since 2004. Singapore's elections follow polls in Mongolia last month and in South Korea in April, when governing parties in both countries scored resounding victories. Only ownself check ownself. This is dangerous for the future of Singapore, Lee Hsien Yang said in a final election message on Facebook.

(AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim)Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's estranged brother is not running in next month's general election but said Tuesday he hopes to be a catalyst for change" as campaigning began. I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee," Lee Hsien Yang said in a statement on Facebook. Prime Minister Lee, 68, told reporters after submitting his candidacy Tuesday that he wasn't worried about his brother's sway over voters. As for Lee Hsien Yang, I have no comment. The public will assess which ones are worth listening to, which ones make sense," the prime minister said.