All Asia Pacific
In China鈥檚 Belt and Road initiative, environmentalists see risky businessEnvironmentalists and local villagers have raised concerns about a hydroelectric dam being built on the Batang Toru River 鈥� part of China's massive "Belt and Road" infrastructure program.聽
In Philippines' 'city of the future,' smart planning goes greenSixty miles north of Manila is the site of New Clark City, designed to be a smart, resilient, green metropolis. Some hope it could provide a model for more environmentally sound cities elsewhere.聽
First LookKorean generals discuss easing decades-long military standoffNorth and South Korean officials met for rare high-level military talks, which concluded with no agreement. Experts say it is unclear聽what progress can be made in the near future聽because easing tensions must include North Korea's denuclearization.聽
First LookNew memo reveals Japanese leaders' thoughts on eve of Pearl HarborA used bookshop owner in Japan found the memo tucked away in a journal. The document gives the first glimpse into conversation between Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Hideki Tojo on the eve of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
In Malaysia, a new attempt to know one's neighbor 鈥� and his faithProximity doesn't always breed familiarity. In religiously diverse Malaysia, many people feel they tolerate each other's faiths without understanding them. But a new government may offer new opportunities, some hope.
First LookNew Zealand approves paid leave for domestic violence survivorsIn a country where police respond to a domestic violence incident every four minutes, employers must now give survivors escaping abusive situations up to 10 days paid leave. New Zealand is the second country after the Philippines in 2004 to pass this kind of policy.
For Malaysia鈥檚 democracy advocates, huge hurdles remain after surprise winIn the first 100 days of their country鈥檚 first democratic transfer of power, Malaysian democracy advocates are keeping the pressure on their new government to deliver promised reforms.
First LookNew images show North Korea dismantling missile facilitiesThe report from a Washington D.C.-think tank comes amid concerns about North Korea's willingness to live up to the commitments made at the June summit with President Trump. The images are claimed to show dismantling work at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station.
First LookAmid Bali trash crisis, local heroes fight to keep island cleanAs tourism rapidly increases in Bali,聽garbage collection services and infrastructure have failed to keep up. But citizens are making efforts with initiatives like self-funded apps, green camps for children, and volunteer cleanups, to counter the growing trash problem.
A Sumatran fishing town's message for Rohingya refugees: WelcomeMore than 1 million Rohingya have fled persecution in Myanmar, with most headed to crowded camps in Bangladesh. But about 1,740 have landed in Indonesia's Aceh province, where some locals say shared faith has guided their response.聽
First LookAustralia's polarizing policy deters migrants, leaves many in limboFive years after imposing a policy to stem the tide of asylum seekers, hundreds remain stuck in immigration camps in the nearby Pacific island nations of Papua New Guinea and Nauru.聽
First LookWon't you be my neighbor: Melbourne experiments with community-led housingAs Melbourne 鈥� like many cities in Asia-Pacific and around the world 鈥� continues to grow, services and infrastructure struggle to keep up. Five innovative housing initiative in the city hope to reduce that strain by building stronger community bonds.
First Look As NATO seeks to prove relevance, Canada offers to lead Iraq missionCanada offered to lead NATO's new training mission, pledging to provide 250 troops and an unspecified number of military helicopters to help Iraq fight against a future power grab by the Islamic State.
First LookMyanmar opens peace conference with ethnic rebel groupsThe Myanmar government is convening with the military and ethnic rebel groups at a major peace conference in an attempt to reach a formal cease-fire. This is the third attempt to reach an agreement as some rebel groups are reluctant to sign until political terms are made clearer.
Beijing gets tough on trashIt鈥檚 a perennial problem for governments across the world: how to encourage best practices like recycling. After trying incentives, China鈥檚 authoritarian government is now turning to punitive measures.聽
First LookFormer Malaysian leader arrested for theft, money launderingTwo months after being voted out of office, former Prime Minister Najib Razak has been arrested and will be charged for graft as a result of his suspected connection to the聽grand theft of millions of dollars from state investment firm聽1MDB.
Why young professionals are taking up farming in ThailandAs Thailand's rural population ages, a new initiative is encouraging young professionals to return to the countryside and establish farming communities with modern technology.
Soccer World Cup spurs Chinese sporting ambitionsThe Chinese government used not to care much about soccer, but President Xi Jinping has chosen it as a marker of global influence. How long till a Chinese captain hoists the World Cup? Local fans are not holding their breath.
First LookAmnesty International: Myanmar military should be prosecuted for crimes against humanityAmnesty International's newly released report provides evidence of atrocities committed by the Myanmar military on the Rohingya population from a nine-month investigation.聽
First LookAustralia approves bill to make foreign influence on politics more transparentAustralia passed two bills that would criminalize any covert, foreign activity intended to influence domestic politics. While the聽 government says the legislation is not aimed at any specific country, there are reports that the bills were created in response聽to Chinese interference in Australian聽policy.聽
