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More middle-aged Japanese men are involved in acts of violence, which analysts attribute partly to workplace stress. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

‘Life is getting harder’: more Japanese middle-aged men lose their cool

In the past week alone, three men were arrested after allegedly being involved in separate incidents of slapping and using an ice pick.

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Malaysia

Malaysia gripped by Sports Toto lottery fever, even 2 ‘lucky’ snakes show up

Malaysia

‘Shameful’: outrage in Malaysia as disabled man assaulted in video as people watch

India

India faces digital riddle to spread education among its young people

Stark gaps in tech access in schools and lack of digital proficiency will leave millions of students unprepared for future workforce, analysts warn.

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Students at a university campus in India. A recent government report has revealed that only a fraction of the country’s schools are equipped with functional computers. Photo: Shutterstock
Students at a university campus in India. A recent government report has revealed that only a fraction of the country’s schools are equipped with functional computers. Photo: Shutterstock
Thailand

Sweet surrender? The Thai sugar farmers being pushed to the brink

Farmers say they feel besieged as global price collapse, Chinese ban on syrup imports and government’s fight against air pollution add to dilemmas.

Malaysia

Battle of the bulge: Malaysia’s police order officers to lose excess body fat

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain says any officers whose BMI reading is above 28 could lose out on promotion.

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Malaysia

Malaysians rebuke businessman over his ‘difficult’ Malay workers rant in video

The businessman says Malay employees tend to take leave very often, refuse to work overtime and have poor financial management.

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A video by a man, whom online users identified as a businessman from China, claims that Malay workers in Malaysia have a poor work ethic. Photo: Nor Azam Budin/X
A video by a man, whom online users identified as a businessman from China, claims that Malay workers in Malaysia have a poor work ethic. Photo: Nor Azam Budin/X
Malaysia

Ham sandwich scandal exposes tensions over halal certification in Malaysia

The discovery of a sandwich with a fake halal label at a convenience store has ignited outrage and debate over certification standards.

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India

‘More dangerous than Covid’: outrage over call for 7-day work week in India

The comments betray a traditional mindset that equates productivity with long hours of work and are ‘removed from reality’, experts say.

Malaysia

Muslim Malaysians promote mosques on TikTok after discontent over tourism video

Many highlight religious sites’ architecture after Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign clip failed to feature any mosques.

The Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Philippines

Meet the poor Filipinos living in Manila’s cemetery for the rich

The final resting places for the most affluent in Manila have become a last resort for the city’s poorest looking for a home.

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A Filipino grave dweller cooks food on top of a tomb at a cemetery in Manila, the Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE
A Filipino grave dweller cooks food on top of a tomb at a cemetery in Manila, the Philippines. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia

Ecstasy and agony: Malaysia’s festival drug deaths spur calls for testing kits

Experts say the risks are heightened by a lack of harm-reduction infrastructure to help festival attendees make informed choices.

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Japan

Japan eyes mandatory ID checks for scrap metal trading to stop surge in thefts

National Police Agency proposes registration scheme for those dealing in scrap metal as thieves target businesses and disrupt operations.

Japan

Kyoto to sharply raise hotel tax in bid to curb overtourism – will it work?

Some analysts say the higher accommodation tax may lead to tourists staying in nearby cities and making day trips to Kyoto.

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Thousands of people attending a procession ahead of the climax of the Gion festival in Kyoto. Photo: AFP
Japan

Work less, live more: is Japan finally starting to reject death from overwork?

Younger Japanese are turning their backs on grind culture. The result? Shorter workweeks, higher wages, and hope for an end to karoshi.

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Younger Japanese workers are clocking fewer hours in the office than at any time since the turn of this century, fuelling hopes that deaths from overwork may finally begin to decline. Photo: Shutterstock
Younger Japanese workers are clocking fewer hours in the office than at any time since the turn of this century, fuelling hopes that deaths from overwork may finally begin to decline. Photo: Shutterstock
Indonesia

Singapore couple drops legal action against Indonesian teens over harassment

Police say investigations into the incident in Bandung have stopped after the perpetrators apologised to the couple.

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Japan

Short on workers, Japan retailer hires remote cashiers living overseas

Lawson, a 24-hour convenience store chain, is looking for staff based in Europe and the Americas to serve customers at its outlets in Japan.

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India

Shock and gore: why Indian street plays resort to the outrageous and grotesque

Street theatre in India has had to adapt to the digital age and ideological threats to stay relevant amid a changing cultural landscape.

A dramatic moment from the street play “Door Se Kisi Ne Awaaz Di” (Someone Called from Afar) performed in India. Photo: Manjul Bhardwaj
A dramatic moment from the street play “Door Se Kisi Ne Awaaz Di” (Someone Called from Afar) performed in India. Photo: Manjul Bhardwaj
Japan

Sky-high swindlers: passengers warned as in-flight thefts soar in Japan

The thefts onboard airlines flying into and out of Narita International Airport could be linked to crime syndicates, analysts say.

Malaysia

‘Appalling cruelty’: Malaysians outraged over suspected cat killer on campus

In the latest incident, a cat was found with its internal organs exposed outside the medicine faculty of Universiti Malaya.

Singapore

Singapore wants to host more mega-events in 2025, boosting regional growth

Singapore’s rise as a concert hub, highlighted by Taylor Swift’s shows, has sparked envy from neighbours. But, experts argue, it could encourage tourism growth.

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Taylor Swift performs at tSingapore’s National Stadium on March 02, 2024. Photo: Getty Images
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