This Week in Asia /

Health & Environment

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Coronavirus pandemic
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Wellness
A diagnostician holds a positive HIV test. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Malaysian minister’s claim of ‘Yolo’ mindset driving HIV cases draws ridicule

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni says the ‘you only live once’ mindset encourages individuals ‘to try something new’.

Japan

What happens if Mount Fuji erupts? Japan lays out ‘major disaster’ action plan

Laos

In Laos, 1 in 3 children has stunted growth – despite surplus rice

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Singapore

AI chatbots throw Singapore’s young people a mental health lifeline

Nearly one-third of young people in Singapore report mental health struggles. They’re turning to chatbots like Wysa for emotional support.

Artificial intelligence chatbots have become a first line of defence for a generation struggling with their mental health. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence chatbots have become a first line of defence for a generation struggling with their mental health. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Cosmetic cravings: Asia’s Gen Z risk it all to keep their youthful looks

Young Southeast Asians are running a gauntlet of bootleg botox, fake fillers and clandestine clinics in their quest to defy ageing.

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Singapore

Is Singapore still smiling after a drop in the world happiness report?

Singapore remains Southeast Asia’s happiest nation despite its lowest global ranking in a decade, with strong GDP but weak social support affecting citizens.

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Indonesia

Can Jakarta’s ‘cat island’ boost tourism and solve its stray cat problem?

Jakarta’s innovative “cat island” plan aims to solve its stray cat crisis, promote tourism and establish a safe feline haven.

Cats are fed at a shelter in Bogor, West Java province, Indonesia, in December 2019. Photo: Reuters
Cats are fed at a shelter in Bogor, West Java province, Indonesia, in December 2019. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia denies marijuana farm cover-up after video of cannabis crops emerges

Indonesia denied claims that officials grew cannabis near Mount Semeru following the release of drone footage, asserting the marijuana farm was raided in 2024.

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Thailand

British woman trapped in toilet dies in Thai dive boat fire

A crew member was reportedly filling diving tanks with oxygen when the equipment malfunctioned and fire engulfed the boat.

South Korea

Vietnamese woman gives birth in South Korean ambulance amid doctor shortage

South Korea is facing a 13-month-long medical crisis after doctors walked out over a plan to increase admission quotas at medical schools.

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An ambulance seen in Pocheon, South Korea. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Indonesia’s clean energy transition in doubt after US withdrawal from JETP

Despite Jakarta’s ambitious net-zero goals, analysts say the country has limited political will to fulfil its climate commitments on its own.

A fisherman looking at the Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Cilegon in Indonesia’s Banten province. Photo: AFP
A fisherman looking at the Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Cilegon in Indonesia’s Banten province. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korean medical schools threaten to expel striking students

The government proposed increasing the medical school admission quota to address a doctor shortage, but students argue poor working conditions are the real issue.

Indonesia

Is Jakarta prepared for climate change and more frequent floods?

Extreme weather and poor urban planning have exacerbated Jakarta’s annual flooding, displacing residents and highlighting critical infrastructure failures.

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Singapore

Singapore bans Malaysian coffee brand for containing erectile dysfunction drug

The Singapore Food Agency warned consumers not to consume Kopi Penumbuk, citing potential health risks including heart attack and stroke.

Singapore has ordered the recall of a Malaysian coffee product due to the presence of a drug used for treating erectile dysfunction. Photo: Lazada
Malaysia

Malaysia mandates safety tests after Chinese woman loses leg in ceiling collapse

The accident could have been caused by the age of the building in Sabah’s Kota Kinabbalu and structural weakness in the ceiling, authorities say.

Handout photo from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department showing the collapsed ceiling of the Malaysian restaurant. Photo: JBPM Sabah
Handout photo from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department showing the collapsed ceiling of the Malaysian restaurant. Photo: JBPM Sabah
Japan

Fears mount in Japan of a massive 2011-style earthquake on disaster anniversary

Scientists warn seismic energy accumulating under the Chishima Trench off Hokkaido has the potential to trigger a magnitude-8.8 earthquake.

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Malaysia

Should there be an age limit for climbers on Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu?

Industry player says the state’s natural attractions are ‘too special to only be marketed to hardcore adventurers’.

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Indonesia

Set sail for convenience: Bali eyes water taxis to tackle traffic woes

The Indonesian island’s ambitious maritime plans don’t stop at water taxis, either – seaplane services could soon be on the way as well.

Traffic on the road in Bali, Indonesia, in 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
Traffic on the road in Bali, Indonesia, in 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Thousands flee as Japan’s biggest wildfire in decades rages on

An area of at least 2,100 hectares in Ofunato, Iwate prefecture, has been destroyed by the blaze. At least one person has died.

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India

Can Modi’s call to cut down on cooking oil help address India’s obesity crisis?

The prime minister calls it a small change for better health, but experts say bigger action is needed to prevent a crisis.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s Bali warns tourists of rabies risk after local death from dog bite

The man, 35, died six months after getting bitten and not reporting his injury to receive a post-bite vaccine.

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A dog in Bali being given rabies vaccination. Photo: AP
Thailand

‘Zombie cigarettes’: Thai authorities warn of deadly drug-laced vapes

The e-cigarettes contain the narcotic etomidate, an anaesthetic agent that is potentially fatal.

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Authorities say “zombie cigarettes” are laced with the potentially fatal drug etomidate.
Authorities say “zombie cigarettes” are laced with the potentially fatal drug etomidate.
Australia

Australia hospital under fire after 3 child deaths occur within 6 weeks

Latrobe Regional Hospital in Victoria is facing scrutiny over the allegedly preventable deaths and accusations of mismanagement.

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The Philippines

Birth of rare Philippine eagle chick lifts survival hopes

Riley was born at the National Bird Breeding Sanctuary in Davao City, the first Philippine eagle chick hatched without human help.

Sri Lanka

Blackout exposes Sri Lanka’s precarious path to greater reliance on renewables

Experts warn of further grid instability as Sri Lanka pushes for 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

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A grocery vendor illuminates his shop with candlelight amid power cuts in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Photo: EPA-EFE
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