This Week in Asia /

Health & Environment

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Coronavirus pandemic
Climate change
Wellness
A wildfire-damaged house in a coastal village in Yeongdeok, South Korea, on Friday. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korea mulls giving Indonesian wildfire hero a long-stay visa

He carried elderly villagers on his back to a sea wall about 300m from the hamlet as the fast-moving flames approached.

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Thailand

‘Earthquake drunk’ Thais given advice on how to deal with post-quake dizziness

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The Philippines

Deaths from future big quake in Philippines may surpass 50,000: seismologist

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Malaysia

Malaysians angry over Selangor gas pipeline fire, blame ‘haphazard’ works

More than 100 people were injured in the huge blaze that happened near a residential area, with 65 of them hospitalised.

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The site of a gas pipeline fire in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia on Tuesday. More than 100 people were injured in the blaze. Photo: Xinhua
The site of a gas pipeline fire in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia on Tuesday. More than 100 people were injured in the blaze. Photo: Xinhua
Thailand

Massive Myanmar earthquake reveals cracks in Bangkok’s ‘tofu buildings’

The Chinese embassy in Bangkok has called for full cooperation with the Thai authorities’ investigation into the State Audit Office collapse.

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Japan

Japan’s second ‘baby hatch’ for abandoned infants opens amid economic strain

With thousands of product prices rising, the cost of raising a child is becoming an impossible burden for some young Japanese women.

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Thailand

Thai man arrested after faking story about pregnant wife buried in quake rubble

The man reportedly collected around US$300 in donations before his lie was exposed.

Somnit Duangnet claimed his pregnant wife was under the rubble of the Myanmar quake. Photo: Facebook/Big Kren
Somnit Duangnet claimed his pregnant wife was under the rubble of the Myanmar quake. Photo: Facebook/Big Kren
Myanmar

Malaysian rescuers in Myanmar’s quake epicentre face aftershocks, landmines

Hopes of finding survivors are ‘diminishing’ as the critical 72-hour window in which people can survive without water closes.

Australia

Jetstar flight turns back to Bali after woman tries to open plane door mid-flight

A reality TV star who was also on the flight said the incident was sparked by a dispute over a reclining seat.

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Japan

Japan warns up to 298,000 could die in potential Nankai Trough ‘megaquake’

The figure is revised from previous projections of 323,000 deaths, but economic damage is estimated to increase to US$2 trillion.

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A wave approaches Miyako City from the Heigawa estuary in Iwate prefecture, Japan, after an earthquake struck the area on March 11, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Earthquakes

Myanmar diaspora rallies for quake victims with 1 rule: do not help the junta

Those living overseas have urged international donors not to send aid via the junta, saying the military will weaponise relief efforts to increase exploitation.

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People inspect the site of a damaged building in the aftermath of a 7-7-magnitude earthquake, in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
People inspect the site of a damaged building in the aftermath of a 7-7-magnitude earthquake, in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

‘The sooner, the better’: Bali governor wants island waste-free by 2027

A sustainable waste management facility which can convert rubbish to energy is in the works for the resort island.

Japan

Japan to spend a record US$133 billion on earthquake resilience

One focus will be on strengthening essential services affected by recent disasters, such as the Noto Peninsula earthquake last January.

Myanmar

‘We are on our own’ in quake-hit Myanmar, as rescuers wait for aid to arrive

‘The cemetery is packed with bodies, there are so many that we are cremating them every three minutes,’ a Sagaing resident says.

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Rescuers work to save residents trapped under the rubble of a destroyed condominium in Myanmar’s Mandalay on March 29. Photo: AFP
Environment

Black carbon: the super pollutant melting Asia’s glaciers

While CO2 gets the spotlight, black carbon’s potent, short-lived warming effect is pushing Asia’s glaciers past the tipping point.

The Rikha Samba glacier in Nepal photographed in 2024. Photo: Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa/ICIMOD
The Rikha Samba glacier in Nepal photographed in 2024. Photo: Tenzing Chogyal Sherpa/ICIMOD
Myanmar

‘It’s like apocalypse’: Myanmar, Thailand quake death toll tops 1,600

Over 3,400 people have been injured, with deaths and injuries expected to rise significantly amid devastating and widespread damage.

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Japan

Japan faces 99 times more heatwaves if global warming intensifies, report warns

A new report reveals global warming could cause “once-in-a-century” heatwaves annually.

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Thailand

Over 150 dead across Myanmar, Thailand as quake traps scores under rubble

A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok as rescuers rush to the site of a collapsed building where at least 80 workers are unaccounted for.

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Rescue personnel near a building in Bangkok that collapsed after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Rescue personnel near a building in Bangkok that collapsed after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

South Korean mayor sparks outrage by blaming female workers for wildfire woes

Kim Doo-gyeom of Ulsan city cites limitations in fighting the devastating blaze, saying it is not easy to send women into ‘rugged mountain areas’.

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SCMP Highlights

Chiang Kai-shek’s great grandson, Coldplay ticketing mess: 7 highlights

From a cross-straits move to Coldplay’s ticketing mess, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Thailand

Thailand offers rewards for reporting e-cigarette use as vaping concerns rise

Thailand’s new initiative aims to curb vaping and protect public health, with fines and jail terms for offenders.

Thailand has launched an initiative offering cash rewards for reporting e-cigarette use. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Norovirus cases in Japan hit decade high amid ‘unseasonal’ outbreak

The spread of norovirus nationwide has prompted health warnings about hygiene and food safety.

Pedestrians walk down a shopping area in Japan, which is dealing with a nationwide rise in cases of norovirus. Photo: AFP
Pedestrians walk down a shopping area in Japan, which is dealing with a nationwide rise in cases of norovirus. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Thai tourist gems Chiang Mai and Bangkok among world’s worst for air quality

With both Thai cities listed among the 10 worst in air quality worldwide, emergency measures and regional cooperation are under way to address the crisis.

South Korea

As South Korea burns, officials suspect human error to blame for wildfires

At least 24 people have died and a 1,300-year-old temple has been destroyed. Investigators say tomb clearing or welding may be the culprit.

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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’.

A diagnostician holds a positive HIV test. Photo: Shutterstock
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