This Week in Asia

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People
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Health & Environment
Lifestyle & Culture
Gen Z beauty seekers appear undeterred by harrowing tales of disfiguring infections, scarring and deaths caused by botulism. Photo: Shutterstock

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

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

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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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Politics

‘Victim-shaming’ or ‘awareness’? Singapore lawyer under fire over rape comments

The comments by Chia Boon Teck, a senior lawyer in Singapore, over a rape case have sparked calls for his resignation from the Law Society.

Chia Boon Teck, a senior lawyer in Singapore who is vice-president of the Law Society of Singapore. Photo: Chia Wong Chambers
Chia Boon Teck, a senior lawyer in Singapore who is vice-president of the Law Society of Singapore. Photo: Chia Wong Chambers

Politics

Did negative online reviews prompt North Korea to stop foreign tours?

The measure for visits to the Rason special economic zone comes as North Korea aims to boost its tourism revenue.

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Lifestyle & Culture

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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Economics

Malaysia’s police urged to undergo robust AI training to combat crime

The call comes after Malaysia reported a sharp rise in commercial crime cases, especially online fraud.

An illustration of an online crime perpetrator. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

South Korea’s impeached PM reinstated as acting president

Han Duck-soo took over as acting leader from Yoon Suk-yeol, who was himself impeached over a brief declaration of martial law last year.

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Han Duck-soo took over as South Korea’s acting leader from impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo: Reuters
Han Duck-soo took over as South Korea’s acting leader from impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo: Reuters

Health & Environment

In Laos, 1 in 3 children has stunted growth – despite surplus rice

In some poorer areas, stunting is even more prevalent. Experts say a lack of dietary diversity is a big part of the problem.

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Health & Environment

AI chatbots throw Singapore’s young people a mental health lifeline

Nearly one-third of young people in Singapore report mental health struggles. They’re turning to chatbots like Wysa for emotional support.

Lifestyle & Culture

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

Politics

Australia’s two-party system faces its biggest challenge yet: young people

Angry and frustrated young Australians want to make mainstream politicians ‘feel their hurt’ in this year’s election, observers say.

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School students attend a climate rally in Melbourne. For the first time, baby boomers will be outnumbered by millennials and Gen Z voters at Australia’s next federal elections. Photo: AFP
School students attend a climate rally in Melbourne. For the first time, baby boomers will be outnumbered by millennials and Gen Z voters at Australia’s next federal elections. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘Mission accomplished’: US-Philippines drills return in full battle mode

As 16,000 troops gear up for the 40th Balikatan, one Philippine general says he ‘doesn’t care’ how China reacts: ‘if they’re angry … good’.

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Lifestyle & Culture

‘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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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.

videocam
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

Philippine defence chief labels Beijing’s South China Sea claims ‘fiction and lie’

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A Chinese coast guard ship in the South China Sea in December 2023. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

People

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

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Footage of the assault reflected in a washing machine proved to be crucial evidence in the investigation. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

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

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

Southeast Asia

‘Dream team’ of Jokowi, ex-Thai PM, Bridgewater’s Dalio to advise Indonesian fund

A sign for Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara is seen in front of its headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Reuters

Politics

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

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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
MORE Asia NEWS
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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
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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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Samantha Boh

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

Samantha Boh
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MULTIMEDIA
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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Video

Why Southeast Asia is a hotbed for Chinese gangs

Why Southeast Asia is a hotbed for Chinese criminal gangs
08:07
Video

Indian slums get cool roofs to beat summer heat

Indian slums get cool roofs to combat extreme heat
01:00
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