UN Reps Call for Regional Coordination Against Growing Terrorist Activity
As other regions in the world combat the rise of extremist groups, two UN representatives are warning that Southeast Asia could face an uptick in terrorist activities in 2017.
Japan to Make 2020 Olympics Medals From Recycled Phones
When athletes stand atop their podiums at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, their sparkling gold, silver and bronze medals will all share a special ingredient – recycled mobile phones.
Syrian Refugees in Thailand: A Life in Limbo
Instead of heading westward towards Europe – and risk drowning in the Mediterranean during the arduous journey, a slew of Syrian refugees decided to try their luck in Southeast Asia instead. However, ...
First-Ever Direct China-UK Freight Train Arrives in London
You can now travel directly from China to the UK by train – well, sort of – if you’re willing to spend the entire trip with socks, clothes and an assortment of other household products.
[Photos] Here Are 7 Southeast Asian Birds You Might Never See Again
We’ve written at length about the bleak future of the Mekong River, which is suffering major environmental degradation due to human activity. But it isn’t only the animals living in the waters of the ...
Philippines President Lifts Ban on Contraceptives
President Rodrigo Duterte’s government recently repealed a ban on contraception – a rather surprising move in the predominantly Catholic Philippines – in an effort to reduce poverty and boost economic...
Taiwan to Start Teaching Vietnamese in Grades 3-12 in 2018
Starting in 2018, Taiwanese students will have the option to learn Vietnamese, among other Southeast Asian languages, from grades 3-12.
[Video] Taiwanese Official’s Funeral Features Pole Dancers, Giant Puppets
We’re scarcely into 2017, but perhaps the best funeral of the year has already taken place.
China Vows to End Ivory Trade in 2017
In an unexpected move, China announced late last week that it would shut down the world’s largest ivory market by the end of 2017.
Taiwan's Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passes First Legislative Hearing
Taiwan is getting closer and closer to becoming the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
Trump's Taiwan Phone Call and What His Presidency Means for Southeast Asia
Last Friday, United States President-elect Donald Trump threw political convention out the window once again by speaking on the phone with the leader of Taiwan.
Myanmar Conducting Ethnic Cleansing Against Rohingya: UN Official
As a campaign of collective punishment against the Rohingya ethnic group continues in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, Bangladeshi border guards are forcibly repatriating refugees back to Myanmar.
Indonesia Wants to Build a $40bn Bird-Shaped Wall to Save Jakarta From the Sea
A fantastically ambitious plan has been put forth to save Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, from the sea.
Japan Reopens Street Swallowed by Sinkhole in Just a Week
Japan has once again proven to the world that its construction personnel are nothing short of miracle workers after Fukuoka authorities filled a massive sinkhole in just 48 hours.
Indonesia Crowns Its Miss Transgender in Secret Amid Increasing Threat From Religious Hardliners
Last week, in a Jakarta theater, Indonesia crowned its annual Miss Transgender in secret.
Pen Sovann, Cambodia’s First Post-Khmer Rouge PM, Dies at 80
Cambodia’s first prime minister after the defeat of the Khmer Rouge, Pen Sovann, passed away last Saturday at 80 years old.
China Punishes Environmental Officials for Falsifying Air Quality Data
Five environmental protection officials in Xi’an, China have been detained after an investigation found they had stuffed cotton into local air-monitoring equipment in order to alter air quality data.
[UPDATED] Thailand on Edge as King's Health Deteriorates
[UPDATE] At 3:52pm on Thursday, October 13, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away at age 88, according to The Guardian. Tensions are high in Thailand as citizens await further news on th...
Zika Likely to Spread to Northern Vietnam, Across Asia-Pacific
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed two new Zika cases over the weekend, bringing the total number of nationwide cases since April to five.
Thailand Reports First Cases of Zika-Linked Microcephaly in Southeast Asia
Thailand recently reported Southeast Asia's first confirmed cases of microcephaly, a birth defect characterized by an abnormally small head, which are linked to mosquito-borne Zika, prompting the Cent...
