India’s newlywed killer brides, Singapore’s NTU and AI: 7 Asia highlights

SCMP | July 1, 2025, 12:15 a.m. | Original

Tourists at Chocolate Hills in Bohol province in the Philippines. Only 5.7 million tourists visited the country in 2024, well short of the government target of 7.7 million. Photo: Shutterstock

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 .
Vietnamese tycoon Truong My Lan was convicted last year of plundering US$12.5 billion from the Saigon Commercial Bank. Photo: EPA-EFE
Vietnamese tycoon Truong My Lan was convicted last year of plundering US$12.5 billion from the Saigon Commercial Bank. Photo: EPA-EFE
People swim at White Beach on Boracay island, Philippines. Boracay was named the world’s leading luxury island destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards. Photo: Getty Images
People swim at White Beach on Boracay island, Philippines. Boracay was named the world’s leading luxury island destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards. Photo: Getty Images
Indian brides at a mass marriage ceremony in Mumbai. Photo: AFP
Indian brides at a mass marriage ceremony in Mumbai. Photo: AFP

China-funded smelter fires up Indonesian defence concerns On anniversary of Hong Kong handover, John Lee vows to be a ‘reformer’