Ramadan in Gaza, Malaysians feel the pinch, Taylor Swift’s impersonator: 6 weekend reads you may have missed

From the devaluation of Malaysia’s ringgit to a Taylor Swift impersonator making a mark in Singapore, here are stories you may have missed over the weekend

SCMP Highlights

SCMP

Published: 12:00pm, 18 Mar 2024

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1. In Gaza at Ramadan, starvation adds to deaths amid Israel-Hamas truce impasse

A man stirs a giant pot as displaced Palestinians queue to receive food donated by a charity organisation ahead of the fast-breaking “iftar” meal during Ramadan, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on March 16, 2024. Photo: AFP

2. As Malaysians feel the pinch from the ‘shringgit’, what can PM Anwar do?

A worker arranges packaged fish crackers at a store in Terengganu. Ordinary Malaysians have been hit by the ringgit’s drop in value, as the cost of shopping surges with each depreciation. Photo: Bloomberg

3. Shrinking families in Indonesia spark concern about impact on economy

A groom puts a face mask on his bride before their wedding ceremony in Jakarta. Indonesia recorded only 1.79 million marriages in 2020. Photo: AFP

4. Japan teachers demand end to ‘excessive’ hours as many are pushed to the brink

Japanese primary school pupils on a field trip in Osaka. Photo: Shutterstock

5. Singapore Swifties, enchanted after Eras Tour, turn to Taylor Sheesh for solace

Taylor Sheesh, a Philippine drag act who impersonates American pop star Taylor Swift, performs in Singapore on March 16, 2024. Photo: SCMP

6. Library or forest? World’s biggest library reading space, in Beijing, is both

The world’s largest library reading space, in the Beijing City Library in China’s capital, was inspired by nature and designed to be something of a social space. Photo: Yumeng Zhu