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This Week in Asia /

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Thomas Markle Snr, Meghan Markle’s estranged father, seen in a still from an interview he gave with a British television show in 2021. Photo: YouTube/GMB
The Philippines

‘Disgusting monster’: Meghan Markle’s dad slammed by son amid Philippine probe

Investigators expect to complete digital forensics on alleged child abuse material linked to Thomas Markle Snr by the end of the week.

SCMP Highlights

Why paper straws are worse than plastic; haze in Indonesia: 7 Asia highlights

Singapore

Woman admits conspiring to abuse Megan Khung, helping dispose of her body

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South Korea

‘Is this real?’: fury as South Korea cuts CEO’s jail term despite 23 deaths

One Chinese mother, who lost her 24-year-old daughter, wants to continue the legal fight against battery maker Aricell.

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A bereaved family member weeps outside the Supreme Court in Seoul on Tuesday after it upheld a four-year jail sentence for Aricell CEO Park Soon-kwan over a fire at the company’s plant in Hwaseong in 2024 that killed 23 workers. Photo: EPA
A bereaved family member weeps outside the Supreme Court in Seoul on Tuesday after it upheld a four-year jail sentence for Aricell CEO Park Soon-kwan over a fire at the company’s plant in Hwaseong in 2024 that killed 23 workers. Photo: EPA
Vietnam

Novel idea: Thailand, Vietnam take books on the road in reading drive

Two independent publishers travel through regional provinces, offering discounted titles to spark curiosity and connect local communities.

Japan

Why more Japanese women are choosing ‘silver divorce’ after decades of marriage

As children leave home and with changing pension rules, more older Japanese women are choosing to walk away from distant marriages.

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Indonesia

Big dreams, growing pains in Indonesia: Prabowo’s turbulent 2 years in power

The president says he sees a ‘bright future for Indonesia’ even as citizens worry about rising costs and a lack of job opportunities.

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Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. Photo: Pool via AP
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. Photo: Pool via AP
Malaysia

Malaysian teen arrested after live-streaming axe attack on teacher in class

Police in Sarawak have detained a 16-year-old student following a classroom assault, amid growing concern over violent internet broadcasts.

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The Philippines

Why a Gen Z jet-setter’s appointment struck a nerve in the Philippines

The government has defended the appointment of Zofia Canlas amid public concern about her lavish lifestyle, qualifications and connections.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s border chief charged with assaulting police in viral airport clash

Facing up to a year in prison over a KLIA confrontation, top official Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain’s defence has downplayed the charges as a petty offence.

Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, then police CID director, speaking in Kuala Lumpur in May 2024. Shuhaily is now head of Malaysia's border agency, and pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to assaulting two officers at KLIA. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘Go away’: Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan crisis deepens with ruler’s rebuke

In a video, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir is seen giving Chief Minister Ismail Lasim a public dressing-down over efforts to unseat him.

Negeri Sembilan Chief Minister Ismail Lasim (left) greets ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on his arrival for Friday prayers at Masjid Kariah Beting in Kuala Pilah. Photo: Kuala Pilah District and Land Office
Negeri Sembilan Chief Minister Ismail Lasim (left) greets ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir on his arrival for Friday prayers at Masjid Kariah Beting in Kuala Pilah. Photo: Kuala Pilah District and Land Office
Thailand

Thai raid foils cross-border cable ruse powering Myanmar scam centre

Authorities found a 48-core fibre optic cable, reaching 350 metres across the border, supplying an illegal casino and suspected scam centre.

The Philippines

The Filipino OFWs risking war to provide for families back home

Analysts point to economic difficulties and insufficient assistance initiatives, as large numbers continue to remain abroad for work.

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South Korea

Stabbing spree exposes ‘serious gaps’ in South Korean offender tracking

Justice ministry statistics show that repeat sexual offences by people wearing electronic monitoring ankle tags continue to occur.

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South Korean police officers and firefighters are mobilised outside a shopping centre in Incheon following a stabbing incident on Tuesday. Photo: Yonhap via AP
Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia’s Najib loses bid to suspend 15-year 1MDB sentence on medical grounds

According to his defence’s arguments, he faces 14 health issues, including heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers and glaucoma.

Malaysia’s ex-prime minister Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Wednesday for a hearing on his bid to stay the execution of a 15-year jail sentence over a case linked to the 1MDB corruption scandal. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia’s ex-prime minister Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Wednesday for a hearing on his bid to stay the execution of a 15-year jail sentence over a case linked to the 1MDB corruption scandal. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Trump’s China-savvy spokeswoman, Hong Kong trail emergencies: 5 weekend reads

From a museum replica sparking US-China collaboration to Malaysian doctors shunning Borneo, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

Myanmar

How shadow banking feeds Myanmar while starving its military

Myanmar’s exiles and migrants rely on informal currency swaps to fund their families while starving the military regime.

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Malaysia

Why Malaysian doctors are turning down permanent posts in Borneo

Over a third of doctors offered permanent posts in Sabah and Sarawak are no-shows, driven away by isolation, costs and career doubts.

A nurse moves a patient in a wheelchair at Kuala Lumpur Hospital in Malaysia in April 2020. Photo: Getty Images
A nurse moves a patient in a wheelchair at Kuala Lumpur Hospital in Malaysia in April 2020. Photo: Getty Images
The Philippines

Can the Philippines lead Southeast Asia’s fight against child labour?

As Manila puts together a new road map to end child labour by 2028, analysts warn policies alone cannot overcome poverty.

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Singapore

Asia’s tuition trap: why parents can’t stop spending on extra lessons

From Singapore to South Korea, fear of falling behind fuels a costly cycle of extra lessons despite the toll it takes on children.

Malaysia

To retire or not to retire? Malaysia divided over working past 60

Calls to raise the retirement age come amid warnings over inadequate savings, and experts say a one-size-fits-all policy could hurt workers.

An elderly woman waits to vote during Malaysia’s general election in Kuala Lumpur in May 2018. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Myanmar bet? Repatriations pave way for diplomacy

Malaysia’s move ahead of Min Aung Hlaing’s visit has raised concerns that Asean’s efforts to resolve the Myanmar civil war would be futile.

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/Myanmar Presidential Press and Information Bureau
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/Myanmar Presidential Press and Information Bureau
Singapore

Singaporean massage parlour boss added to US ‘worst criminal aliens list’

Prostitution ring operator Jing Emtage becomes the third Singaporean named on the US list ahead of her deportation.

Singapore

AirAsia chief mocks Singapore Airlines’ food – and social media hits back

Tony Fernandes claimed AirAsia’s in-flight meals beat Singapore Airlines’, but travellers tell him to concentrate on fixing flight delays.

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India

Indian pride swells as Flydubai pilot who saved 174 lives hailed as hero

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Smit Machchhar for unlocking the cockpit door to avert a crash after his co-pilot’s attack.

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Indian pilot Smit Machchhar in an unidentified portrait released on Wednesday. Machchhar was praised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for saving passengers after he was stabbed by his colleague during an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai flight. Photo: Israel Foreign Ministry/Handout via Reuters
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