This Week in Asia

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Andrew Chiang You-ching, the great-grandson of Taiwan’s former leader Chiang Kai-shek, announced on social media that he is moving to Hangzhou to build a career and promote cross-strait ties. Photo: Douyin/Andrew Chiang

World

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.

Trump’s immigration crackdown hits Filipino green card holder, sparking fears

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Is North Korea’s nuclear submarine a game changer or ‘vanity project’?

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Politics

Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee Seafoods in landmark forced labour case

The human-trafficking case highlights the exploitation within the seafood industry, emphasising the need for corporate accountability and systemic reform.

Workers load flash-frozen fish onto a truck from a boat near Indonesia’s Bali island. Indonesian fishermen have sued Bumble Bee Seafoods for forced labour, alleging abuse and withheld wages on Chinese-owned vessels in its supply chain. Photo: AFP
Workers load flash-frozen fish onto a truck from a boat near Indonesia’s Bali island. Indonesian fishermen have sued Bumble Bee Seafoods for forced labour, alleging abuse and withheld wages on Chinese-owned vessels in its supply chain. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

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’.

Health & Environment

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.

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Health & Environment

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

Australasia

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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Economics

Name your ‘wish’: Johor-Singapore special zone dangles more investor perks

Malaysian official reveals more benefits on sidelines of Korea-Asean Business Forum in Seoul, as UOB bank rolls out support for Korean firms eyeing the region.

Politics

Malaysians question flag on school uniforms rule – pupils ‘do not care’

The education ministry says the rule is in line with the goal of schools to ‘foster the spirit of patriotism among the younger generation’.

Tourists walk past a mural featuring the Malaysian national flag in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Indonesia military law protests signal fears of democratic erosion under Prabowo

The amended bill brought back bad memories of Suharto-era militarism, when lines between civilian and military spheres were blurred, critics said.

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Anti-riot police put up their shields as students throw stones during a protest against a revision to the armed forces law in Surabaya on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Anti-riot police put up their shields as students throw stones during a protest against a revision to the armed forces law in Surabaya on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Phoenix from the ashes’: South Korea opposition chief closer to presidency

A court ruling acquitting Lee Jae-myung of electoral breaches places him as a front runner to succeed embattled incumbent Yoon Suk-yeol.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Japanese Alps see record rescue numbers amid rising tourist risk

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

Politics

‘Impossible to keep up’: Japan ‘stunned’ by Trump trade threats, false claims

Analysts fear this disinformation will strain the US-Japan alliance, risking economic uncertainty, especially in the auto sector.

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US President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Will Malaysia’s chip rules satisfy US concerns over Nvidia diversions to China?

Malaysia is enhancing semiconductor tracking to reassure the US amid investigations into alleged Nvidia chip diversions to China.

A smartphone with a displayed Nvidia logo is placed on a computer motherboard. Photo: Reuters
A smartphone with a displayed Nvidia logo is placed on a computer motherboard. Photo: Reuters

Economics

Japan police propose ATM curbs for elderly to combat fraud

The plan calls for a daily withdrawal or transfer limit of almost US$2,000 via ATMs for bank accounts belonging to those aged 75 and above.

Lifestyle & Culture

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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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

US, Manila must stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ to tackle China threat: Hegseth

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Manila on Friday. Photo: AFP

Australasia

Australia PM calls election for May 3, amid inflation and housing challenges

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Politics

Trump’s immigration crackdown hits Filipino green card holder, sparking fears

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A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer talks to a group of undocumented immigrants detained in Kansas. Photo: TNS

Politics

Is North Korea’s nuclear submarine a game changer or ‘vanity project’?

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a shipbuilding project at a shipyard at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photo: AFP

South Asia

Pakistan’s Parsi community shrinks as young migrate

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Garbage pickers sort waste strewn around the corner of the formerly clean and tidy Sohrab Katrak Parsi Colony, which was nearly deserted by its original inhabitants, in Karachi. Photo: AFP
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OPINION
Joseph Sipalan

My Take | Flags on Malaysian school uniforms a badge of honour or a burden to parents?

Joseph Sipalan
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
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John Keane

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

John Keane
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Who’s behind the scam network in Southeast Asia?

The Chinese criminal gangs behind Southeast Asia’s scam centres
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Video

Trump goes ahead with 25% car tariffs

Trump presses ahead with 25% tariffs on imported cars, ratcheting up trade war
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Video

What happens if Mount Fuji erupts?

Japan lays out ‘major disaster’ action plan to cope with possibility of Mount Fuji eruption
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18 dead in South Korean wildfires, heritage temples razed

Parts of South Korea and Japan ravaged by wildfires, forcing thousands of people to flee
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Indonesia’s richest woman loses half her wealth in 3 days

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

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‘No way’: Malaysia’s PM refuses US$10 million ransom demand after cyberattack