This Week in Asia /

Health & Environment

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Coronavirus pandemic
Climate change
Wellness
Rescue workers attempt to reach Juliana Marins, a Brazilian tourist who fell into a ravine on Mount Rinjani, Lombok island, on June 21. Her body was spotted by drone and later recovered after days of search efforts hampered by bad weather and rough terrain. Photo: Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency / AFP
Indonesia

Mount Rinjani tragedy puts spotlight on Indonesia’s adventure tourism safety

The death of Brazilian climber Juliana Marins follows a string of accidents at some of Indonesia’s most popular natural attractions.

Vietnam

Vietnam’s fake cooking oil scandal shakes trust in food safety

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Japan

Japan quake swarm and volcano reignite fears linked to viral manga prediction

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Indonesia

‘No, thank you’: is Indonesia set to follow Hong Kong with its own tiny homes?

Housing authorities are mulling reducing the floor space for affordable homes to a mere 18 square metres (194 sq ft).

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A mock-up of a “mini” home in Jakarta. Photo: Instagram/Kementrianpkp
A mock-up of a “mini” home in Jakarta. Photo: Instagram/Kementrianpkp
Climate change

Asia is heating up at double the global rate amid climate crisis, UN warns

Asia’s vast land mass is intensifying extreme heatwaves as its sea surface warms at twice the global average, a new UN report reveals.

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Malaysia

Singaporean trio held in Malaysia’s US$1.7 million cocaine vape bust

The latest arrests spotlight Malaysia’s emerging role as a ‘transit point’ for narcotic trafficking.

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Tourism

‘I just felt sick’: how a free shot in Laos cost a British backpacker her life

Bethany Clarke’s dream backpacking trip turned into a nightmare when seemingly harmless free shots proved to be poison.

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Simone White (back) and Bethany Clarke (front) tubing down a river in Laos on November 12, last year. Both would fall ill with methanol poisoning within 24 hours. Photo: Facebook/Bethany Clarke
Simone White (back) and Bethany Clarke (front) tubing down a river in Laos on November 12, last year. Both would fall ill with methanol poisoning within 24 hours. Photo: Facebook/Bethany Clarke
Japan

Japan on alert against scorching temperatures after 4 die of heatstroke

Meteorological agency issues precautions against early heatwave, as experts warn temperatures this year are likely to be ‘above normal’.

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Japan

Japan plans to expand nuclear risk payouts for towns, critics call it a ‘bribe’

The proposal would expand subsidies to towns within a 30km radius of nuclear facilities, up from the current 10km.

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South Korea

Blood cancer cases at Seoul Metro spark workplace safety concerns

Thirteen maintenance workers affected so far, with new study citing prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene as possible cause.

Commuters use their phones while travelling in a metro train in Seoul on May 28. Thirteen maintenance workers with Seoul Metro have so far been diagnosed with blood cancer. Photo: AFP
Australia

Australian woman dies of caffeine overdose after ‘unacceptable’ wait for help

The delay in dispatching an ambulance to Christine Lackmann – found to have dangerously high levels of caffeine – was a factor in her death, coroner rules.

Christina Lackmann, 32, died of a caffeine overdose after a series of ambulance delays. Photo: Handout
Christina Lackmann, 32, died of a caffeine overdose after a series of ambulance delays. Photo: Handout
Japan

Young Japanese women twice as likely to take extended sick leave as men: study

Mental health conditions and pregnancy-related complications are the most cited reasons for being absent for over a month, survey shows.

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Singapore

Singapore study reveals 1 in 4 young people have self-harmed

Cutting and severe scratching were among the most common forms of self-injury, the report found.

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Japan

Fatal virus fears rise in Japan after first suspected animal-to-human SFTS death

A Japanese veterinarian’s puzzling death from SFTS highlights the danger of this tick-borne virus for which there is no known cure.

A vet developed symptoms of the tick-borne SFTS virus after treating a cat at his practice in Japan’s Mie prefecture in May. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Japan hospital sued after dementia patient swallows 12cm key

Some have voiced concern that hospitals worried about accountability would stop taking in dementia patients.

X-ray of the key that was lodged in the elderly man’s throat. Photo: Handout
X-ray of the key that was lodged in the elderly man’s throat. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

Singaporean cyclist’s death sparks fury over Malaysian road safety

His death, barely a week after 15 students were killed in a bus crash, has led to renewed criticism of Malaysia’s poor safety record.

Japan

‘Overflowing with faeces, urine’: 150 dead cats found in Japanese woman’s home

The rescue group staff member had been taking in the cats without its knowledge.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s green groups welcome move to axe mining permits in Raja Ampat

Prabowo cancels four mining permits in Raja Ampat, but concerns remain over nickel exploitation on Gag Island and other small islands in Indonesia.

A leopard coral grouper and soft corals in the waters of the Raja Ampat Islands. Indonesia revoked permits on June 10 for four mining companies operating in Raja Ampat. Photo: AFP
A leopard coral grouper and soft corals in the waters of the Raja Ampat Islands. Indonesia revoked permits on June 10 for four mining companies operating in Raja Ampat. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan’s Osaka Expo water shows suspended as Legionella levels top safety limit

Resumption of the shows will depend on the results of stepped-up sanitisation measures, including pipe cleaning and chemical disinfection.

Japan

Nara’s famed deer could face food crisis in winter as acorn trees cut down

A reduction in acorn trees, which provide food and shelter for the deer, could result in more aggressive food-seeking behaviour, researchers warn.

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Malaysia

Malaysia faces searing heatwave as temperatures hit high of 37 degrees

Health experts warn that the methods used in Malaysia to assess health risks from extreme heat are inadequate.

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Six areas in Peninsular Malaysia experienced maximum daily temperatures of between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days last week. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Singapore’s 1880 shuts in Hong Kong, Japanese men on staying young: 7 highlights

From Singapore’s 1880 club shutting in Hong Kong to Japanese men’s tips on staying young, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

The Customs and Excise Department confirmed it has received complaints and is investigating the abrupt closure of the club. Photo: 1880 Hong Kong
The Customs and Excise Department confirmed it has received complaints and is investigating the abrupt closure of the club. Photo: 1880 Hong Kong
Indonesia

Indonesian villagers urge China to stop funding mine project after permit loss

Residents in the earthquake-prone area have been protesting against the underground project since 2019.

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The Philippines

Philippines urged to ratify UN marine resource treaty or risk being sidelined

France is seeking ratification of the High Seas Treaty by at least 60 countries ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice next week.

Japan

Japan faces ‘critical’ demographic crisis as birth rate hits historic low

Record-low births and an ageing population are driving Japan to implement urgent measures to encourage marriage and boost fertility rates.

Japan’s birth rate plummets to historic lows, sparking fears of an accelerating demographic crisis. Photo: Shutterstock
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