58 h. ago Filipinos target ‘nepo babies’, Malaysia’s electric train: 7 Asia highlights

We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. What Vietnam’s South China Sea island-building spree means for Asean Vietnam’s rapid expansion of artificial island construction in the disputed Spratly Islands has put it on track to surpass China’s land reclamation in the South China Sea, according to new satellite...

Events

60 h. ago What’s the rail truth behind North Korean leader Kim’s special green train?

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un crossed the border into Beijing on his signature green train early on Tuesday to attend China’s celebration of the formal surrender of Japan in World War II, relying on a slow but specialised form of transport that the reclusive country’s leaders have used for decades. Compared with North Korea’s ageing fleet of passenger aircraft, the bulletproof trains offer a safer and more comfortable space for a large entourage, security guards, food and amenities, and a...

Politics

3 d. ago Flood of anger: why Filipinos are turning to social media to expose corruption

As public scrutiny intensifies over anomalous flood control projects in the Philippines, Filipinos have turned to social media spaces such as Reddit to expose the lavish lifestyles of the children of the contractors and public officials linked to the ongoing investigations. Social media accounts and online communities have emerged over the past week, reuploading and collecting videos and posts of certain individuals flaunting their lavish lifestyles, from riding private jets and expensive...

Events

3 d. ago Flood of anger: why Filipinos turn to social media to expose ‘nepo babies’

As public scrutiny intensifies over anomalous flood control projects in the Philippines, Filipinos have turned to social media spaces such as Reddit to expose the lavish lifestyles of the children of the contractors and public officials linked to the ongoing investigations. Social media accounts and online communities have emerged over the past week, reuploading and collecting videos and posts of certain individuals flaunting their lavish lifestyles, from riding private jets and expensive...

Events

9 d. ago Malaysia’s new electric train service set to bring travel boom

Malaysia’s 1,000km north-south electric train service (ETS), which was belatedly relaunched on Saturday, halves cross-country travel time and could open remote rural towns to tourism in a country famously dependent on its cars. But to unlock its real potential, the travel industry says more of the line’s Chinese-made trains need to be deployed, while the route – which runs along west Malaysia from the Thai border down to Singapore – needs a major publicity campaign to capture the imagination of...

Politics

1 week ago Rail treat: Malaysia’s king takes control on inaugural electric train journey

Beaming, Malaysia’s king welcomed passengers on a special train from the capital of Kuala Lumpur to the historical railway town of Kluang – and back – marking the launch of the long-delayed southern stretch of the electric train service (ETS). Saturday’s ride was a royal treat for the guests who sat back while the king, an avid train aficionado, took the controls, driving the six-car train for the entire six-and-a-half-hour return journey. “Hi everybody! Welcome, welcome, welcome,” Sultan...

Politics

1 week ago Malaysia’s king takes the controls on inaugural electric train journey

Beaming, Malaysia’s king welcomed passengers on a special train from the capital of Kuala Lumpur to the historical railway town of Kluang – and back – marking the launch of the long-delayed southern stretch of the electric train service (ETS). Saturday’s ride was a royal treat for the guests who sat back while the king, an avid train aficionado, took the controls, driving the six-car train for the entire six-and-a-half-hour return journey. “Hi everybody! Welcome, welcome, welcome,” Sultan...

Politics