All Asia Pacific
First LookIn China's 'Solar Valley,' solar cookout aims to woo chefs, reduce carbonA solar cooker company held a cookout to show that traditional Chinese dishes can be made in its devices. China is a "global hotspot" for black carbon emissions, half of which comes from residential kitchens and heaters.
First LookChristians in China's heartland face government suppressionChinese President Xi Jinping is waging the most severe systematic crackdown on Christianity since religious freedom was written into the country's constitution in 1982, experts and activists say.
First LookJapanese students create VR experience of Hiroshima bombingThe Japanese high school students are using virtual reality to transport users back in time to before, during, and after the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima 73 years ago today.
First LookNew Zealand prime minister joins ranks of working momsJacinda Adern, New Zealand's third female and youngest ever prime minister, has returned to office after six weeks of maternity leave, hoping one day her path "will be normal" among elected leaders.
First LookSoutheast Asian nations and China come closer to South China Sea agreementChina and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have been working to prevent conflict in the disputed waters of the South China sea for years. In a new sign of progress, an early draft of the negotiations has been agreed upon.
In China’s 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 – part of China's massive "Belt and Road" infrastructure program.
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.
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 what progress can be made in the near future because easing tensions must include North Korea's denuclearization.
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 – 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’s democracy advocates, huge hurdles remain after surprise winIn the first 100 days of their country’s 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, 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.
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.
First LookWon't you be my neighbor: Melbourne experiments with community-led housingAs Melbourne – like many cities in Asia-Pacific and around the world – 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’s a perennial problem for governments across the world: how to encourage best practices like recycling. After trying incentives, China’s authoritarian government is now turning to punitive measures.
