Stories about Asia
17 October 2018
Hong Kong Free Expression Week features Umbrella Movement activists and political cartoonist Badiucao
In recent years, Hong Kongers who support democratic rights and territorial independence have faced fierce repression.
11 October 2018
‘Gabbie’ chatbot helps victims of sexual harassment in the Philippines
"Gabbie provided an additional platform for victims who want to keep a level of anonymity, or when Facebook is more accessible to them compared to phone or face-to-face counseling."
10 October 2018
Japanese television program turns migrant raids and deportations into entertainment
"With no deep insights, without even a shred of critical analysis and the stupidity of superficial entertainment, [this] is the worst television program on Japanese television today."
8 October 2018
Journalists across India share their testimony on the deteriorating state of media — and vow to fight back
Four journalists have been killed because of their work in 2018. Killings have evoked public outrage, but little response from the government.
Hong Kong rejects visa of Financial Times editor who hosted pro-independence talk
"The Hong Kong authorities’ visa renewal rejection—without explanation—of a journalist who’s done nothing more than his job smacks of Beijing-style persecution of critics".
7 October 2018
Despite proven flaws, India's biometric ID scheme was upheld by the Supreme Court. Now what?
Legal scholars and social scientists are likely to pore over this significant judgment for its far-reaching impact on civil liberties and socio-economic issues.
6 October 2018
Osaka cuts sister city ties with San Francisco over “comfort women” statue
The mayor of Osaka wrote a 10-page letter in English listing -- often in bolded, underlined text -- a litany of reasons for the breakup.
5 October 2018
Japan mortgages its future, choosing growth over environment
"One could speculate that the Japanese militarism of the early Showa period has simply been channeled into fanatical devotion to the principle of economic growth."
‘My message is my car': Afghan innovator challenges youth to make something from nothing
"Just start your work. Do your work with what you have now. It's time to start."
3 October 2018
This wiki is helping to keep the Balinese language alive in Indonesia
Basa Bali–which means "Balinese language" in Balinese–has an online dictionary, a library of Balinese culture, word games, translation materials and videos.
Nepal roars with pride to become the first country to double its wild tigers by 2022
"We are proud to have helped protect these endangered cats. It’s good for conservation and for tourism."
28 September 2018
Indian football is fighting a losing battle to keep its fans
A decent outing for the national team at next year's AFC Asian Cup might help lift some of the gloom surrounding the sport.
Free speech advocates say Bangladesh's new Digital Security Act is ‘ripe for abuse’
"Journalism is surely not for increasing conflict, or for tarnishing the image of the country," said PM Hasina, in response to critics.
25 September 2018
Nepalese citizens fight against impunity with the “Rage Against Rape” campaign
"...what is happening to girls who are suffering in silence? Are we always going to play reactionary politics or improve our justice system?"
A new indie film festival features the struggles and triumphs of indigenous Papua, Indonesia
The film festival "highlights the issues of the indigenous people of Papua through documentary films as well as to build public awareness of the important issues impacting them.”
23 September 2018
A sea-change in Maldives politics as opposition presidential candidate declares a win
As of 2 a.m. in the Maldives (GMT+5) Solih "said he had won by a 16 percent margin over incumbent Abdulla Yameen" and urged for a peaceful transition.
22 September 2018
Amidst typhoon rescue efforts in Japan, a Taiwanese diplomat dies. Did misinformation play a role?
Some hearsay even claimed that Taiwanese had to proclaim themselves as Chinese in order to get on the buses. The news had enraged [Taiwanese] netizens.
Beijing authorities slam Swedish police for humiliating Chinese tourists, but there's another side to the story
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wanted to make use of the incident to stir patriotic sentiment to exercise pressure on Swedish government. But netizens know ... what’s right and wrong."
20 September 2018
Uighurs in the laogai: how China's persecution of a minority turned my fiction into fact
"In 2017, 21% of all arrests made in China took place in Xinjiang Province, a region where only 1.5% of the Chinese population lives."
19 September 2018
Riverbank erosion disaster in Bangladesh leaves thousands homeless
"The devastating erosion of the Padma River is ongoing for the last couple of years, no initiative to build a dam or embankment was taken by the local administration."
