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South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has been accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron from when she was 15 years old. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

South Korea’s ‘Kim Soo-hyun’ petition urges tougher statutory rape law

Kim Soo-hyun, the star of Queen of Tears, is accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-ron from when she was 15 years old.

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Japan

Japan bento chain’s ‘no rice’ April Fool’s joke goes down the wrong way

Japan

‘Malicious’ Japan TV clip claiming Chinese eat crows ruffles feathers in China

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South Korea

Did ‘clickbait journalism’ contribute to South Korean politician’s death?

Chang Je-won was found dead in his office on Monday. Hours before, footage said to support sexual assault allegations against him was aired.

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Chang Je-won, a member of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, was found dead in his office on Monday. Photo: AP
Chang Je-won, a member of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party, was found dead in his office on Monday. Photo: AP
South Korea

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun files lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family

Actor’s team seeks damages against the late actress’ family, an unidentified person claiming to be her aunt and operators of YouTube channel Garo Sero.

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Japan

Japan ‘becoming very angry’ with misbehaving social media influencers

Ice Poseidon and Johnny Somali are among the foreign streamers who have been arrested for trespassing and making a nuisance of themselves.

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Pacific nations

‘Glassman’ jailed: PNG hopes ruling can curb tribal sorcery violence

After a horrific machete killing, a landmark ruling in Papua New Guinea aims to curb deadly sorcery accusations driven by jealousy and greed.

Neighbours gather near the home of a 55-year-old mother of two in the Tsak Valley in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea after she was accused of sorcery and tortured. Photo: AFP
Neighbours gather near the home of a 55-year-old mother of two in the Tsak Valley in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea after she was accused of sorcery and tortured. Photo: AFP
Singapore

‘It’s easy’: as Singaporeans rediscover China, young travellers lead the way

Fuelled by visa-free entry and social media buzz, tech-savvy Gen Z travellers are discovering a modern China that shatters old stereotypes.

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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.

Malaysia

Alamak! 12 words in Malaysia, Singapore enter Oxford dictionary

Food names form the bulk of additions, but other notables include the Malay expression ‘alamak’ and a colloquial meaning for the word ‘terror’.

Nasi lemak, a Malay dish of rice cooked in coconut milk and flavoured with pandan leaf topped with other garnishes. Photo: Shutterstock
Australia

Australia to warn young travellers about methanol poisoning after Laos deaths

Foreign ministry warns travellers to ‘be suspicious of unusually cheap drinks’ following the death of two 19-year-olds.

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Australia is warning its youngsters about alcohol dangers. Photo: Shutterstock
Australia is warning its youngsters about alcohol dangers. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Japanese Alps see record rescue numbers amid rising tourist risk

Experts blame hikers and skiers overestimating their abilities and underestimating harsh terrain and weather.

Japan

Japan’s Kyoto approves higher lodging tax from March 2026 to curb overtourism

The city plans to use the additional revenue from the tax in areas such as improving infrastructure and repairing cultural sites.

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The Philippines

Brewing justice: Philippines cafe offers healing and hope after Duterte’s ICC arrest

The coffee shop, dedicated to victims of the former president’s drug war, described his arrest as ‘the first step’ towards justice.

Silingan Coffee employs mothers, wives, daughters, sisters who have lost loved ones to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Photo: Sam Beltran
The Philippines

Piracy threat prompts dark sail for cruise ship in Philippine waters

For passengers aboard the Queen Anne, their cruise holiday took a dramatic turn as they approached the Philippines.

The Queen Anne is a veritable floating city capable of hosting nearly 3,000 passengers and more than 1,200 crew members. Photo: Shutterstock
The Queen Anne is a veritable floating city capable of hosting nearly 3,000 passengers and more than 1,200 crew members. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Bali to crack down on ‘naughty’ foreigners with new rules and tourism levy

The new guidelines for foreign tourists were issued to curb their misbehaviour.

Japan

Japan welcomes cherry blossom season but China sands threaten to spoil views

The season began in Tokyo on Monday, while Nagasaki, Kochi and other prefectures have also reported their first sakura blossoms.

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Thailand

Bangkok brawls: Thai minister calls for tougher mall security after fights

Latest fracas between rival students of two schools near MBK Centre sparks vow from education official to ‘do whatever it takes’.

A brawl between rival students inside a Bangkok shopping centre popular with tourists, left five injured, and has prompted calls for tougher security measures. Photo: SCMP
A brawl between rival students inside a Bangkok shopping centre popular with tourists, left five injured, and has prompted calls for tougher security measures. Photo: SCMP
Malaysia

Bid to relocate Hindu temple for mosque in Malaysia’s capital stirs debate

The government land on which the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple sat was sold to Jakel in 2014.

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Thailand

‘Scared of dark skin’ no more? Young Thais reject stigma as beauty norms evolve

With a new generation of Thais challenging biases and redefining beauty norms, fair skin’s once-unquestioned dominance appears to be fading.

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Malaysia

In Malaysia, one chef’s daily grind preserves Melaka Peranakan food traditions

Sharon Ann De Souza’s mission is to preserve Malacca Peranakan cuisine, by embracing traditional methods in a modern world.

The ubiquitous Peranakan style udang masak lemak nenas, or prawn and pineapple stewed in a delectable coconut curry, paired with a flavour-packed nasi ulam or rice mixed with raw herbs. Photo: Joseph Sipalan
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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Gen Z beauty seekers appear undeterred by harrowing tales of disfiguring infections, scarring and deaths caused by botulism. Photo: Shutterstock
Gen Z beauty seekers appear undeterred by harrowing tales of disfiguring infections, scarring and deaths caused by botulism. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Slap heard around Malaysia: viral Ramadan altercation sparks memes, debate

Social media users are poking fun at the absurdity of the viral video of an elderly Malay man confronting a non-Muslim for not fasting.

Malaysia

Malaysian ‘budgie smuggler’ caught on camera stuffing Labubu toys down his shorts

A Malaysian shoplifter, dubbed the “blind box bandit”, was filmed smuggling Labubu toys down his trousers at a Kuala Lumpur megamall.

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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Singapore topped Southeast Asia for happiness, despite a decade-low global ranking. Photo: Shutterstock
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