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This Week in Asia /

Lifestyle & Culture

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K-pop, Mandopop and other Asian pop
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Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal
Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Indonesia

Why Indonesia’s president wants clay roofs on all homes

Singapore

Is Singapore’s plan to regulate blind boxes ‘paternalistic’ or ‘harm reduction’?

Japan

‘Enormous failure’: naked man exposes gaps in Japan’s royal security

Princess Kako reportedly witnessed the chaos firsthand as a shrieking intruder stripped off and scaled a barrier below the royal balcony.

(From left) Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Prince Hisahito, Princess Nobuko and Princess Akiko attend the traditional new year’s greeting ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP
(From left) Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Prince Hisahito, Princess Nobuko and Princess Akiko attend the traditional new year’s greeting ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2. Photo: AFP
Singapore

A match made in Singapore? ‘Aunties, not algorithms’ aims to woo US singles

Burnt-out US-based singles could win a free luxury trip if they ditch the dating apps and opt to let outspoken older women play Cupid.

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.

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South Korea

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

As K-culture conquers the world, its wealthy stars keep falling foul of a tax system ‘that has not yet fully caught up’.

South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho stars in the Netflix series “Can This Love Be Translated?”. Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix
South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho stars in the Netflix series “Can This Love Be Translated?”. Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix
Thailand

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

The perceived squeeze on the wallet is a result of exchange rate volatility rather than the kingdom’s inflation, tourism officials say.

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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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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Philippine Senator Robin Padilla carrying a cardboard cutout of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte on a bus. Photo: handout
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.

A health worker checks on newborn babies at a hospital in Chennai, India. Photo: EPA-EFE
A health worker checks on newborn babies at a hospital in Chennai, India. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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.

Nurses take care of babies at a postnatal care centre in Seoul. South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world. Photo: EPA-EFE
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
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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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.

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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.

The Football Association of Malaysia’s logo is displayed at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
The Football Association of Malaysia’s logo is displayed at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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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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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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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Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain (right) is congratulated by teammate Mahmudullah during a T20 World Cup cricket match on June 20, 2024. Photo: AP
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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Pedestrians walk past an entrance at Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo. Natural, a leading tokuryu criminal group, started its operations in the nightlife district in 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE
Pedestrians walk past an entrance at Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo. Natural, a leading tokuryu criminal group, started its operations in the nightlife district in 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE
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.

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.

Tourists ride on elephants at Mason’s Elephant Park and Lodge, Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Dave Smith
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