Advertisement
Advertisement
This Week in Asia /

Health & Environment

Related Topics:
Coronavirus pandemic
Climate change
Wellness
A gas-fired power plant in Melaka. Gas-fired power generation has surged in Malaysia, driven by data-centre growth, electrification, climate stress and electric-vehicle uptake. Photo: Shutterstock
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

videocam
Environment

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

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.

A drone view shows a gold mine in Shan State, Myanmar, as seen from Chiang Rai province, Thailand, last year amid increased rare earth and gold mining at the Kok River’s source in Myanmar. Photo: Reuters
A drone view shows a gold mine in Shan State, Myanmar, as seen from Chiang Rai province, Thailand, last year amid increased rare earth and gold mining at the Kok River’s source in Myanmar. Photo: Reuters
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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

videocam
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.

5
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.

4
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.

videocam
8
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.

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.

videocam
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.

videocam
A bear is spotted on a riverbank in Morioka, Iwate prefecture, in October 2025. Photo: Kyodo
A bear is spotted on a riverbank in Morioka, Iwate prefecture, in October 2025. Photo: Kyodo
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.

videocam
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?

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
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
South Korea

‘She was just a human’: the world forgot K-pop’s suicides. These fans never did

Years after three high-profile K-pop suicides shook South Korea’s idol machine, the grief – and guilt – remains.

12
Tearful K-pop fans gather to mourn their idol at a hospital in Seoul in 2017. Photo: AFP
Tearful K-pop fans gather to mourn their idol at a hospital in Seoul in 2017. Photo: AFP
India

Can India’s rice farmers reap from US$30 million Amazon carbon credit deal?

The pact promises green farming and methane emission cuts, but raises questions over payouts and corporate climate accountability.

videocam
Singapore

Asia faces low hantavirus risk as Singapore isolates 2 from cruise over cases

Eight hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been reported so far, including three deaths, the WHO says.

videocam
Singapore

Knives out: sea robbery fears stalk Southeast Asia’s busiest straits

Opportunistic nighttime raids in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are testing security in a vital maritime chokepoint.

videocam
Vessels are seen at anchor in the Singapore Strait as a drone flies on April 21. Photo: AFP
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW