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This Week in Asia /

Lifestyle & Culture

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A view of traffic during evening rush hours in the business district in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 3. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesians weigh peril and promise of Jakarta – the world’s most populous city

Extreme heat, floods, pollution, congested traffic and a tough job market are some of the major challenges faced by the city’s residents.

South Korea

Why do South Korea’s Hallyu heroes find taxes so … taxing?

Thailand

Thailand plays down ‘too expensive’ concerns from South Korean visitors

The Philippines

Almost half of Filipinos willing to trust cheating partners again, survey says

The survey covers six types of cheating: physical, emotional, cyber, object and financial infidelity, as well as micro-cheating.

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About 6 per cent of Filipinos have experienced cyber cheating, according to a survey. Photo: Shutterstock
About 6 per cent of Filipinos have experienced cyber cheating, according to a survey. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

‘We didn’t cry easily’: Philippine senator slammed for calling Gen Z ‘weak’

Robin Padilla was criticised for downplaying depression and not being sensitive to the social and economic problems faced by young Filipinos.

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Artificial intelligence

Dopamine over babies: Asia’s births crisis worsens in the age of AI

AI is putting pressure on Asian workers to upgrade their skills, while the technology also provides ‘cheap fun’ diversions.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s 68,000-year-old handprint: the birth of human art?

Found hiding beneath a chicken sketch, the faded outline proves ancient humans were capable of reflecting on their existence, scientists say.

Handprints with sharpened fingertips on a cave wall in the Maros region of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photo: Ahdi Agus Oktaviana/Maxime Aubert/AP
Handprints with sharpened fingertips on a cave wall in the Maros region of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photo: Ahdi Agus Oktaviana/Maxime Aubert/AP
Nepal

‘Tip of the iceberg’: arrests in Nepal over fake mountain rescues welcomed

The suspects are believed to be among a network of scammers who have cheated insurers by staging fake rescue operations for years.

South Korea

Outrage in South Korea over ‘importing virgins’ proposal to raise birth rate

Critics slammed a governor’s ‘crude’ suggestion to marry ‘Sri Lankan and Vietnamese virgins’ to local men as a fix for population decline.

Thailand

Thai funeral ‘food court’ blunder: tourists looking for buffet attend wake

The tourists who were served food by a family at the funeral were impressed with the kindness of the people in Thailand.

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A Thai family offering food to a group of tourists who are searching for a restaurant and wander into a funeral by mistake in the city of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Photo: Facebook/Charantorn Chaloemkiad
Indonesia

Indonesian woman collapses after 140 lashes for sex and alcohol

Three female officers took turns striking the woman with a rattan cane before she lost consciousness, witnesses said.

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The woman reacts while being publicly caned by a member of the sharia police in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Thursday. Photo: AFP
The woman reacts while being publicly caned by a member of the sharia police in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Thursday. Photo: AFP
South Korea

SKY’s the limit: behind push to end academic elitism in South Korean hiring

Hiring practices have traditionally been centred around which school a candidate attended, with higher-paying jobs going to elite alumni.

Malaysia

Can Malaysian football ‘reset’? Mass resignations kick off reboot debate

Nothing will change if the same officials are re-elected with no one held accountable for the ‘heritage players’ fiasco, observers say.

Singapore

Singapore begins ban on ‘undesirable’ visitors, airlines to comply or face fine

Among such visitors barred from entering are those with a criminal record in Singapore or who pose a threat to public safety.

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Travellers walk through a transit hall of Changi International Airport in Singapore. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Will Thai tourism ambassador Blackpink’s Lisa help lure Chinese visitors back?

Chinese visitor arrivals slumped by nearly 30 per cent last year amid concerns over safety, the border war with Cambodia and the strong baht.

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Thai singer and actress Lalisa Manobal arrives for the Amazing Thailand Ambassador Exclusive Night at the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Thai singer and actress Lalisa Manobal arrives for the Amazing Thailand Ambassador Exclusive Night at the Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Bangladesh

Not cricket? Political sticky wicket forces Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 has brought tensions among the South Asian neighbours to the forefront.

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Japan

Japan’s ‘new-wave yakuza’: tokuryu gangs take control of lucrative sex business

The arrest of a leader of Japan’s largest tokuryu has put the spotlight on how the gangs are edging out the yakuza and worrying the police.

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Asean

Just 1 visa to rule them all? How European-style pass could help Asean tourism

While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.

Tourists have fun in the Cambugahay Falls on the Philippine island of Siquijor on December 10 last year. Photo: AFP
Tourists have fun in the Cambugahay Falls on the Philippine island of Siquijor on December 10 last year. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Who are ‘we’? Why some Singaporeans bristle at ‘we first’ inclusive society call

Several ministers have spoken about a “we first” society, prompting some Singaporeans to question whether it benefits foreigners more.

Indonesia

‘Cruellest’ practice: Elephant rides banned in Bali parks over welfare concerns

Asian countries, such as Cambodia and India, have ended commercial elephant rides due to the same concerns.

Japan

Has Japan’s tourism peaked? Row with China set to slow arrivals from record high

A major travel firm says tourist arrivals in Japan are expected to fall this year from a record 42.7 million in 2025.

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People walk along Takeshita Street, Harajuku, Tokyo. The number of tourist arrivals in Japan rose by 15.8 per cent to a record 42.7 million last year. Photo: EPA
Music

Welcome to the black parade: how Southeast Asia’s Gen Z is reviving 2000s music

From My Chemical Romance to Blue, early-2000s acts are selling out venues across the region as younger fans seek raw, emotional music.

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Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance performs during the opening night of the band’s “Long Live the Black Parade” tour on July 11 in Seattle. Photo: AP
Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance performs during the opening night of the band’s “Long Live the Black Parade” tour on July 11 in Seattle. Photo: AP
South Korea

Dubai chewy cookie: K-pop post sparks viral South Korean snack frenzy

South Korea’s highly interconnected culture has fuelled a series of viral food crazes, the latest being a chocolate-loaded cookie known locally as ‘dujjonku’.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s primary school changes spur fears of ‘herd effect’ competition

From 2027, children can enter Year One of primary school at age six instead of seven, fuelling fears of limited teaching staff and space.

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Malaysia

‘Indecent’ aerobics: viral Zumba video triggers police probe in Malaysia

Headscarf-wearing instructors ignited a social media firestorm and religious backlash after being filmed performing in clothing considered skimpy.

The aerobics session, live streamed on Saturday morning, quickly triggered a social media pile-on. Photo: Facebook
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