Stories about Asia
Burqa ban in Sri Lanka would undermine national security and human rights
Many in Sri Lanka and abroad are condemning the impending ban on wearing burqas and other full-face coverings in public as a breach of human rights.
Azerbaijan’s former ‘graffiti prisoner’ Bayram Mammadov found dead in Turkey
"I find things extremely difficult to believe in; that it's been exactly five years and that exactly five years from now, and the following years, will be spent without Bayram."
Inside Myanmar: Testimonies of survival and resistance
"The military junta could only terrorize our country but they can't rule. They could shoot, kill and arrest our young heroes called 'Spring flowers' but they can't avoid Burma's Spring."
Hong Kong activists sentenced to jail for commemorating Tiananmen Square Massacre in 2020
Hongkongers have been gathering to commemorate the June 4 Tiananmen Massacre since 1990. The court's ruling signals that anyone participating in commemorations this year risks being charged with unlawful assembly.
Georgia toughens penalties for administrative offences
Georgian MPs have passed legislative amendments that introduce harsher fines and longer periods of pre-trial arrest for offenses that are routinely used by police to detain street protesters.
Viral video sparks debate on sexual harassment in Azerbaijan
The video caught ex-MP and university professor Huseynbala Miralamov inappropriately touching a female employee.
Women leaders discuss campaign for digital rights in Thailand
'...the government must learn to use technology as a tool to create more positive connections with the people on the ground, not using technology to oppress people.'
Community pantries inspire hope amid pandemic and economic crisis in the Philippines
In a span of less than three weeks, around 800 community pantries have been set up nationwide to help those in need amidst worsening COVID-hit economy, sparking government backlash.
Alternative Indian movies: Is Netflix at last embracing cultural diversity?
Netflix, which has become the entertainment go-to for millions during the pandemic's prolonged lockdowns, is exploring new Indian productions that stray away from the typical plotlines and visuals.
Taiwan, ‘the most dangerous place on Earth'? Not according to Taiwanese.
This week's cover story by the British magazine The Economist labeled Taiwan "the most dangerous place on Earth," eliciting a lot of reaction on Taiwanese Twitter.
China pledges to improve conditions of delivery workers. Arrest of a labor activist suggests otherwise.
Earlier this year, Chen Guajiang, a delivery worker who helped organize dozens of WeChat groups for drivers, was arrested and charged for "picking quarrels." He faces five years in prison.
As India grapples with COVID-19, Pakistan extends support, prayers
India's dire COVID-19 situation drew solidarity and support from Pakistan, its neighbour and longtime arch foe, as nations come closer together by the pandemic.
As legislative elections draw to a close, will the Congress Party reclaim Assam state from the BJP?
The Indian National Congress (INC) ruled Assam's legislative assembly from 1951 to 2016 when control switched to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Tweeting to remember: Twitter account commemorates Japan's 1945 Battle of Okinawa
"On This Date During the Battle of Okinawa, 76 Years Ago" shares daily links to blog posts that describe the battle, typically from the point of view of citizens of...
Organiser of Hong Kong’s mass pro-democracy demonstrations faces police probe
Many see the police's allegations as a sign of a further crackdown on civic groups.
Merkel, Macron or Biden? No, Latin America is relying on China for vaccines
"Only China helped Latin America and the countries in the region all began dancing to China's tune, not due to shared ideologies but due to the desire to resolve an...
Singapore bloggers crowdfund defamation damages due to PM Lee Hsien Loong
"The contribution to the crowdfunding movement is an example of targeted resistance against the government's financially based persecution method against individuals."
Chinese state media instrumental in smear campaign against wife of former US diplomat, research firm DoubleThink Lab says
According to the Taiwanese firm's research report, Chinese media amplified the mass trolling targetting popular food blogger Chuang Tzu-i amid a diplomatic row with the US.
Harnessing the power of social media, Indian netizens support one another during the second wave of COVID-19
As India's healthcare system reels under mounting cases of COVID-19, citizens rally the power of social media to help one another and keep hope alive.
In Azerbaijan, pandemic restrictions pose unique obstacles for people with disabilities
New regulations introduced last year require that people with disabilities prove they've received hospital care in order to collect pensions. But with rehabilitation centers closed because of COVID-19, the community...
