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This Week in Asia /

Health & Environment

Related Topics:
Coronavirus pandemic
Climate change
Wellness
A health worker dries gumboots and gloves under the sun at the Mulago National Referral Hospital isolation unit in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday, amid the Ebola outbreak. Photo: AFP
Ebola virus

Asia on Ebola alert: could the virus slip through regional defences?

While the risk of Ebola reaching Asia is low, experts urge governments to prioritise early detection over border controls.

Japan

Japan braces for historic typhoon season with up to 14 landfalls forecast

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The Philippines

At least 35 dead, 200 injured, after magnitude 7.8 quake hits Philippines

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The Philippines

Mindanao quake a stark reminder of Metro Manila’s ‘Big One’ threat: experts

Limited evacuation routes in densely populated Metro Manila would make rapid, orderly evacuation a major challenge, disaster planners warn.

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People collect their belongings from a damaged house following an earthquake off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday. Photo: Reuters
People collect their belongings from a damaged house following an earthquake off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia’s gas-guzzling data centre boom clashes with its clean energy goals

Across Malaysia, dozens of data centres hum around the clock, powered by electricity that increasingly comes from gas-fired turbines.

Malaysia

How Malaysia’s island paradise became a haven for smugglers

Traffickers exploit Langkawi’s scattered geography and proximity to Thailand to smuggle drugs, fuel and migrants.

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Environment

Asia’s marine pledges face credibility test at global ocean conference

Experts say even as momentum on ocean commitments grows in Asia, gaps in implementation and delivery remain.

A mangrove forest in Balikpapan, Indonesia. Photo: AFP
A mangrove forest in Balikpapan, Indonesia. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Deformed fish in river, pollution from rare earth mines in Myanmar fuel fears

Russian and Chinese firms are also competing to be the first to reach a tungsten mine in a conflict zone, sparking concerns of NGOs.

Indonesia

A hidden ecological shift is sparking a wave of crocodile attacks in Indonesia

Logging and other deforestation activities have led to an increased likelihood of human-wildlife conflicts.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces further measles risk due to lack of vaccinations, travel

Nearly 600 people have died from the disease, with over 60,000 suspected cases in the country since mid-March.

Children suffering from measles receive treatment at a hospital in Dhaka amid the disease’s outbreak in Bangladesh. Photo: dpa
Malaysia

Could Malaysia’s under-16 social media ban expose children to new online risks?

Experts warn age checks could expose sensitive identity data while pushing determined minors towards harder-to-monitor spaces.

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A child looks on his mobile phone in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA
A child looks on his mobile phone in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA
Indonesia

Bali’s taxi wars: why Grab and Gojek drivers fear the island’s ‘no-go zones’

An unseen battle between ride-hailing giants and traditional village councils is forcing tourists to pay inflated rates – or walk.

Laos

After years in tiny cages, 27 moon bears finally taste freedom in Laos

The raid on a brutal bile extraction facility disguised as a zoo was believed to be the largest in Southeast Asian history.

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Malaysia

Malaysia police’s ‘gay party’ label sparks debate after hotel drug raid

LGBTQ activists were critical of police using terms such as ‘immoral activities’ when describing the raid.

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The sun sets behind the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ruling coalition faces test over Selangor non-Muslim worship rules

The dispute began after an MP flagged state planning guidelines stating that non-Islamic places of worship cannot be in commercial zones.

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A Taoist temple in Klang, Selangor. Photo: Shutterstock
A Taoist temple in Klang, Selangor. Photo: Shutterstock
Asean

Shock absorber: will Asean’s power grid be up to the task by 2045?

With only eight of 18 links built and a 100-terawatt demand surge looming, analysts say the blueprint may need an overhaul for the AI age.

Asean

Over 4,300 Southeast Asian species face extinction threat

Tigers, giant catfish, gibbons and pangolins are among the thousands of ‘critically endangered’ or ‘endangered’ species in the region.

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Malaysia

In Malaysia, drug-laced vape seizures stoke US-like ‘zombie epidemic’ fears

Viral ‘zombie vape’ videos prompt arrests and warnings of a growing substance abuse crisis in the country.

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Tobacco and vaping products on display at a convenience store in Penang, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
Tobacco and vaping products on display at a convenience store in Penang, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Russian hiker becomes Japan’s latest bear attack victim as a new record looms

After a year with more than 50,000 sightings and 238 injuries, Japan’s vanishing hunting communities are struggling to contain the problem.

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Japan

How a Japanese deal to appease Trump resulted in Texans protesting in Tokyo

Community groups from the Freeport area are urging Japanese financiers and ministries not to back fossil fuel infrastructure.

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Thailand

‘Lives are cheap here’: Thailand reels from deadly Bangkok train crash

A drug-positive train driver with no licence. A barrier raised too late. Thailand’s capital asks: when will the city finally fix itself?

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Residents inspect the site of Saturday’s deadly train crash in Bangkok where flowers have been laid in memory of the eight people killed. Photo: Aidan Jones
Thailand

Face forward: why Thailand is the next big thing in beauty trends

The T-beauty industry is growing by 5 per cent each year and is estimated to be worth over US$10 billion by 2030.

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Shoppers look at beauty products at a store in Bangkok. Photo: AFP
Shoppers look at beauty products at a store in Bangkok. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Thai researchers make huge discovery with Southeast Asia’s largest dinosaur

Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, named after a snake from folklore and the province where it was found, weighed as much as nine adult elephants.

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Britain

Turning over a new leaf: why UK’s green mandate is a win for Asia

The Green Party’s record-breaking gains in UK council elections are a sign voters are taking climate change seriously, analysts say.

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Climate change

‘Godzilla El Nino’: Southeast Asia warned of punishing climate whiplash

Experts warn the heat could increase the risk of localised flooding, put pressure on drainage systems and threaten agricultural production.

A man shields his face from the sunlight as he leaves a train station in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 29. Photo: AFP
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