This Week in Asia

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A fake version of the Buldak spicy chicken ramen. Photo: Facebook/Seo Kyoung-duk

Economics

From soju to noodles, South Korean food brands are targeted by copycats

If counterfeit products are left unchecked, South Korean food companies could suffer damage to their reputation, analysts say.

‘Eternal peace’: Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border deal opens path to visa-free zone

Malaysia’s PM says ‘no way’ to US$10 million ransom after airport cyberattack

Politics

Delivery of dead rats to Indonesian reporters sparks fears over freedom curbs

The incident allegedly targeting Tempo happened three days after a severed pig’s head was sent to a reporter from the magazine.

A box of headless, dead rats that was sent to Tempo’s journalists in Jakarta is the latest incident of press intimidation in Indonesia. Photo: Shutterstock
A box of headless, dead rats that was sent to Tempo’s journalists in Jakarta is the latest incident of press intimidation in Indonesia. Photo: Shutterstock

People

Sinkhole in Seoul claims motorcyclist’s life after he plunges into collapsing road

Subway construction work near the site is under scrutiny as officials probe the cause of the disaster.

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Economics

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.

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Economics

Malaysia’s Perlis port vows faster halal deliveries to China, but Thai support key

Malaysia’s Perlis mega-port aims to revolutionise halal cargo delivery to China, contingent on Thai rail agreements and regional stability.

A container truck leaves the Padang Besar Container Terminal in Perlis, Malaysia. The northern state bordering Thailand is a key transit point for exports from the kingdom’s southern provinces. Photo: Joseph Sipalan
A container truck leaves the Padang Besar Container Terminal in Perlis, Malaysia. The northern state bordering Thailand is a key transit point for exports from the kingdom’s southern provinces. Photo: Joseph Sipalan

Lifestyle & Culture

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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Health & Environment

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’.

People

Singapore Law Society vice-president resigns over rape comments

The online comments made by Chia Boon Teck, a senior lawyer in Singapore, were denounced as ‘victim shaming’.

Chia Boon Teck. Photo: Chia Wong Chambers

Health & Environment

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

An eruption of the iconic mountain could release 10 times the amount of debris generated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Cherry blossom trees at Lake Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji in the background. Photo: Reuters
Cherry blossom trees at Lake Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji in the background. Photo: Reuters

Politics

‘Two-faced diplomacy’: China pledges peace, then chases Japan’s fishing boat

The incident stirred online anger in Japan, with demands for stronger action against China’s ‘tyrannical violations of international law’.

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People

South Korean man jailed for rape after washing machine’s reflection captures assault

Forensic scientists were able to enhance video of the reflection enough that the man confessed to his crime upon seeing it.

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Politics

Philippines eyes Subic Bay islands as South China Sea ‘sentinels’

Experts say it might be legally and logistically difficult to repurpose Grande and Chiquita Islands but political will might hold sway.

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Philippine Navy vessels docked at Subic Bay in Zambales. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

Politics

Supporters of Philippine’s Duterte call on God, Trump to bring him home

Experts say there is little chance of the 80-year-old gaining early release due to a lack of legal avenues to challenge his ICC detention.

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A supporter of Rodrigo Duterte holds a placard during a demonstration in support of the Philippines ex-president in The Hague on Sunday. Photo: dpa
A supporter of Rodrigo Duterte holds a placard during a demonstration in support of the Philippines ex-president in The Hague on Sunday. Photo: dpa

Economics

Indonesia set to allow domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia after 10-year ban

Jakarta is expected to send 600,000 domestic helpers and skilled labourers to Saudi Arabia, but rights groups are concerned about the move.

Economics

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’.

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Lifestyle & Culture

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

Politics

How Singapore’s opposition hopes to loosen the PAP’s 66-year grip on power

The Workers’ Party aims to build on its gains. Tan Cheng Bock’s PSP is back in the fray, too. Can they chip away at the PAP’s supermajority?

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Economics

Emas or gelap? Prabowo’s golden dream and Indonesia’s ‘dark’ realities collide

With a shrinking middle class, falling commodity prices and youth unemployment on the rise, experts warn of an economic paradox in the making.

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Economics

Malaysia’s digital economy ambition faces disconnect in workplace and schools

The country’s workers are ill-equipped to meet the needs of the digital economy with AI threatening to leave them in the shade, analysts say.

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Kuala Lumpur city skyline. Malaysia’s goal to become a digital economy faces challenges such as a shortage in skilled manpower. Photo: Shutterstock
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LATEST Asia NEWS

Southeast Asia

Indonesia’s currency takes a severe beating as US tariff deadline nears

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The Indonesian rupiah has slumped more than 3 per cent this year. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Malaysia’s PM says ‘no way’ to US$10 million ransom after airport cyberattack

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he refused to provide a ransom to hackers over a cyberattack at the Kuala Lumpur airport. Photo: Reuters

Southeast Asia

Move over Singapore, Vietnam is now Southeast Asia’s third-most-visited country

A tourist takes photos of a pagoda in Hanoi earlier this month. Vietnam is the regional leader in terms of its tourism recovery pace. Photo: EPA-EFE

People

Sinkhole in Seoul claims motorcyclist’s life after he plunges into collapsing road

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Dashcam footage capturing the moment when a sinkhole suddenly opened up in front of the motorcyclist. Photo: X/@Tedchangsigi

Economics

From soju to noodles, South Korean food brands are targeted by copycats

A fake version of the Buldak spicy chicken ramen. Photo: Facebook/Seo Kyoung-duk
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OPINION
Elisha M. Sonthra

Opinion | The gravity of ‘space oil’: understanding Hong Kong teens’ new drug of choice

Elisha M. Sonthra
Sundeep Waslekar

Opinion | A nuclear war started by AI sounds like science fiction. It isn’t

John Keane

Opinion | The decline of the American empire: how Trumpism threatens democracy worldwide

John Keane
6
John Keane

Opinion | The rise of China and the retreat of the US: a new global empire takes shape

John Keane
15
Samantha Boh

Asian Angle | Singapore was once polluted, too. Asia could learn much from its transformation

Samantha Boh
10
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Protests against new military law in Indonesia

Indonesian demonstrators and police clash during Surabaya protest against new military law
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Video

Giant sinkhole in Seoul kills motorcyclist

Twenty-metre-deep sinkhole in South Korea kills motorcyclist
01:13
Video

South Korean court dismisses impeachment motion against PM

South Korea’s impeached PM Han Duck-soo reinstated as acting president
04:07
Video

Four killed in South Korea’s wildfires

At least 4 people killed in deadly wildfires in South Korea
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