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This Week in Asia /

Health & Environment

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Coronavirus pandemic
Climate change
Wellness
One of the moon bears rescued from an illegal bear bile farm in Laos. Photo: Free the Bears
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

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Malaysia

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

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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.

The sun sets behind power lines in San Fernando town, Pampanga province, the Philippines, last month. Photo: AFP
The sun sets behind power lines in San Fernando town, Pampanga province, the Philippines, last month. Photo: AFP
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.

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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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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.

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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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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
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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An artist’s impression of the Cretaceous period sauropod dinosaur Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis. Photo: Patchanop Boonsai/AFP
An artist’s impression of the Cretaceous period sauropod dinosaur Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis. Photo: Patchanop Boonsai/AFP
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.

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.

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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.

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A farm worker holds rice saplings as he prepares to plant them in a field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India. Photo: Reuters
A farm worker holds rice saplings as he prepares to plant them in a field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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.

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Malaysia

Malaysia warns of health risks from heatwave, 2 deaths recorded this year

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered cloud-seeding operations to be carried out in the worst-affected states.

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The sun sets behind the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Temperatures in Malaysia have soared to the mid-30s degrees Celsius. Photo: AP
The sun sets behind the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Temperatures in Malaysia have soared to the mid-30s degrees Celsius. Photo: AP
South Korea

South Korean team behind new stroke research, treatment cites Chinese interest

Animals given an experimental drug have shown significant improvement in motor function, with their brain damage reduced.

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Japan

Rapidly ageing Japan’s ‘macho carers’ lend muscles to benefit elderly, disabled

Japan’s care industry is facing a shortage of workers, and one company is plugging the gap by deploying ‘cool’ and well-toned staff.

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Malaysia

Elephants never forget? Malaysians demand Japan return ‘homesick’ trio

One video shows Dara, Amoi and Kelat responding to their names in Malay while another reportedly reveals one of the elephants ‘weeping’.

The three Malaysian elephants stand in their enclosure at the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka. Photo: Facebook/The Patriot Studio
Japan

Japan survey finds sexual abuse at 15% of hospitals. Is the true scale higher?

Under-reporting is a concern as children and severely disabled patients may not know how to voice their complaints.

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A doctor discussing with a senior man sitting in a wheelchair in a hospital ward in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Getty Images
A doctor discussing with a senior man sitting in a wheelchair in a hospital ward in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Getty Images
Japan

Japan aims to build world’s largest wind farm. Can it power on by 2035?

The plan calls for wind turbines to supply power to the Izu Islands and Tokyo, with an eventual capacity of 1 gigawatt.

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Indonesia

Can Indonesia’s front-of-pack nutrition labels help fight rising obesity?

Indonesians welcome the new labelling system to reduce sugar, salt and fat intake, but experts warn it is not a ‘silver bullet’.

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Vietnam

Pangolin win: Vietnam sends scale smugglers to prison for 8 years

The Asian pangolin has been hunted for its meat and scales to the point of extinction, causing poachers to turn to its African cousins.

A rescued pangolin bought off a wildlife seller rests at the Green Finger Garden in Lagos, Nigeria. Photo: Reuters
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