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This Week in Asia
Constable Scott Dyson, injured during a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, has woken from his medically-induced coma. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Australasia

‘Almost daily surgery’: policeman hurt in Bondi attack wakes from coma

Scott Dyson, 25, woke on the day New South Wales, where the December 14 attack took place, was set to approve new laws cracking down on guns.

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Rafflesia flower rediscovery in Indonesia revives push to drop colonial name

Economic ‘pragmatism’ powers Indonesians’ positive view of China, survey finds

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Politics

Why Malaysian court ruling against Najib is dividing Anwar’s coalition

A comment by a DAP member that is perceived as celebrating Najib’s legal setback has been slammed by Umno’s leaders.

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on Monday. Photo: AP
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on Monday. Photo: AP

Southeast Asia

Asia’s year in extreme weather and natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods

From the deadly earthquake in Myanmar to tropical cyclones in the Philippines, Asia went through its share of natural disasters in 2025.

Southeast Asia

Prabowo, Trump to sign Indonesia-US trade deal as issues resolved

The pact removes tariffs on major Indonesian exports and boosts economic ties between the two countries.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Mind your language: Japan considers new fluency bar for permanent residents

While some say Japanese knowledge is a fair demand, others worry it will introduce ‘roadblocks’ at a time when the country needs more workers.

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Visitors don traditional outfits to visit the Sensoji Temple at Asakusa district in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: EPA
Visitors don traditional outfits to visit the Sensoji Temple at Asakusa district in Tokyo on Friday. Photo: EPA

Health & Environment

Nepal’s plan to tackle uphill task on Mount Everest: clean up waste

Over the years, the authorities have removed a mountain pile of trash and the bodies of climbers on the world’s highest peak.

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Health & Environment

Southeast Asian floods set to threaten more wildlife due to climate change

Environmental crimes and poor oversight are also worsening the risks faced by animals and trees.

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East Asia

A year after South Korea’s Jeju Air crash, the fight for truth continues

Families of the victims say they harbour deep mistrust over how the investigation into the disaster that killed 179 people has been handled.

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Lee Hyo-eun reacts outside a memorial altar for victims that includes her daughter, who died in last year’s Jeju Air plane crash at South Korea’s Muan International Airport. Photo: AFP

Politics

South Korean politicians agree to Unification Church special probe in rare move

The ruling DPK has accepted the opposition’s proposal to appoint special prosecutors to look into the church’s political meddling and bribes.

The entrance to the Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja’s residence in Gapyeong in South Korea. Photo: AFP
The entrance to the Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja’s residence in Gapyeong in South Korea. Photo: AFP

Politics

Malaysia: Cambodia, Thailand set for Christmas Eve truce talks after Asean push

The breakthrough was quickly threatened as Cambodia accused Thailand of bombing border provinces with F-16s just hours later.

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Lifestyle & Culture

Malaysia’s Chingay parade dazzles George Town as Unesco bid gains steam

Once tied to Taoist deity processions, the parade has grown into one of Penang’s largest and most multicultural street festivals.

Asia

Philippines’ Chinese tourism woes, police officer goes viral: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s anxiety over US-Pakistan deals to South Korea’s visa policy debate, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Chinese tourists from Beijing enjoying Cambugahay waterfalls in Siquijor, Central Visaya, Philippines. Photo: SCMP / James Wendlinger

East Asia

How North Koreans use ‘laptop farms’ in US to land tech jobs abroad

Amazon said it has blocked more than 1,800 North Korean workers from remote IT jobs, citing a rise in applications.

Many North Koreans exploit US “laptop farms” to secure remote tech jobs. Photo: Shutterstock
Many North Koreans exploit US “laptop farms” to secure remote tech jobs. Photo: Shutterstock

Politics

India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.

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East Asia

‘Widespread cheating’ scandal hits South Korean universities amid AI concerns

Seoul National and Yonsei universities face new cheating scandals despite tighter controls, signalling need for stronger online exam and AI rules.

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Economics

Thailand’s tourism crown slips as troubles in paradise mount

Border clashes with Cambodia, fierce competition from Malaysia, deadly floods and a strong baht threaten the kingdom’s holiday appeal.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Economics

Southeast Asia’s rich buy sky garages while the middle class lose their homes

As wealthy buyers seek penthouses with living-room supercar parking, struggling families battle banks to keep a roof overhead.

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Health & Environment

6 cyclones, 5 weeks: Philippines can’t escape its endless cycle of disaster

Corruption, complacency and climate chaos conspire to turn the Philippines’ natural hazards into man-made tragedies.

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Politics

‘It’s time for us to rise’: India races to rebuild its lost maritime muscle

India is eyeing a future as a leading shipping and shipbuilding nation, backed by big investments – and expertise from South Korea and Japan.

Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Lifestyle & Culture

Rafflesia flower rediscovery in Indonesia revives push to drop colonial name

A close-up of the rare Rafflesia flower rediscovered in West Sumatra last month by flower-hunter Septian Andriki, a team led by researcher Joko Witono, Oxford scientist Chris Thorogood and local guide Iswandi. Photo: X/Chris Thorogood

Economics

Economic ‘pragmatism’ powers Indonesians’ positive view of China, survey finds

videocam
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping shake hands during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, in November 2024. Prabowo is seen as “close” to Xi in a new survey. Photo: Pool via AP

Politics

Why Malaysian court ruling against Najib is dividing Anwar’s coalition

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak escorted by prison officers on his arrival at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Complex on Monday. Photo: AP

Health & Environment

Nepal’s plan to tackle uphill task on Mount Everest: clean up waste

videocam
A Nepalese sherpa collecting garbage left by climbers at an altitude of 8,000 metres during the Everest clean-up expedition at Mount Everest in 2010. Photo: AFP

Health & Environment

Southeast Asian floods set to threaten more wildlife due to climate change

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An elephant clearing logs and debris on December 8 in a village affected by flooding in Pidie Jaya, Aceh province, Indonesia. Photo: AP
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MULTIMEDIA
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Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters

Filipino fishermen worry about Chinese nature reserve in disputed waters
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Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji

Centenarian becomes oldest person to climb Mount Fuji
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Cambodia unveils new Chinese-built airport

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Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra to serve 1 year in jail
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