This week on WTF, we look at the growing risks of zoonotic disease spillovers as avian flu and hantavirus outbreaks raise fresh global health concerns, the emerging “plastic shock” hitting Asia as oil disruptions squeeze petrochemical supplies, and the debate sparked by Perlis’ ambition to position itself as a future regional trade hub.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

This week on WTF, we look at the growing risks of zoonotic disease spillovers as avian flu and hantavirus outbreaks raise fresh global health concerns, the emerging “plastic shock” hitting Asia as oil disruptions squeeze petrochemical supplies, and the debate sparked by Perlis’ ambition to position itself as a future regional trade hub. Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Morning Run crew condenses the top conversations from the week, and keeps you clued in on the stories you might have missed. 

What's the Focus

WTF: Virus Spillovers, Plastic Shock and Perlis Dreams

This week on WTF, nothing is quite what it seems. A woman in China cracks open a durian to find a cooked potato and modelling clay inside. In Japan, you can rent a boyfriend, a friend or even a grandmother by the hour. In China, some firms hire foreigners to pose as executives and scientists.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

This week on WTF, nothing is quite what it seems. A woman in China cracks open a durian to find a cooked potato and modelling clay inside. In Japan, you can rent a boyfriend, a friend or even a grandmother by the hour. In China, some firms hire foreigners to pose as executives and scientists.Image Credit: Shutterstock

Fake Durians, Rented Boyfriends, ‘Actor’ CEOs

On this week's WTF, or What's the Focus, thieves in France make off with a 210kg, diamond-studded book illustrated by Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau. Meanwhile, an AI-generated internet sensation called Tung Tung Tung Sahur is at the centre of a legal battle over who owns AI-created characters. And in Japan, the social-media app BeReal is getting a little too real, with workers accidentally exposing confidential workplace information. Plus, the team's recommendations for the weekend.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

On this week's WTF, or What's the Focus, thieves in France make off with a 210kg, diamond-studded book illustrated by Salvador Dalí and Jean Cocteau. Meanwhile, an AI-generated internet sensation called Tung Tung Tung Sahur is at the centre of a legal battle over who owns AI-created characters. And in Japan, the social-media app BeReal is getting a little too real, with workers accidentally exposing confidential workplace information. Plus, the team's recommendations for the weekend.Image Credit: Shutterstock

Stolen Books, Brain Rot & BeReal Blunders

Since August, Japan's second-hand bookshops have been getting mysterious bulk orders, and more than 50 tonnes of books have been shipped to the US. Booksellers suspect AI companies are behind it. We also look at why young Chinese workers are asking whether a Golden Week holiday counts if they have to work weekends to make up for it. Then Joseph Gordon-Levitt questions why AI creation Tilly Norwood is called an actress when nobody calls Donald Duck an actor. Plus the Shortlist, our weekly round-up of what to watch.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Since August, Japan's second-hand bookshops have been getting mysterious bulk orders, and more than 50 tonnes of books have been shipped to the US. Booksellers suspect AI companies are behind it. We also look at why young Chinese workers are asking whether a Golden Week holiday counts if they have to work weekends to make up for it. Then Joseph Gordon-Levitt questions why AI creation Tilly Norwood is called an actress when nobody calls Donald Duck an actor. Plus the Shortlist, our weekly round-up of what to watch.Image Credit: Shutterstock

WTF: Virus Spillovers, Plastic Shock and Perlis Dreams

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