All Asia Pacific
First LookCoffee brews peace, business between communities in the PhilippinesA social enterprise is training Filipino farmers on how to produce high-quality coffee while encouraging native and settler communities to harvest and process the beans together.
First LookWith reusable plastic bag, Malaysian shoppers encouraged to limit wasteIn effort to cut down on waste and single-use plastic, British supermarket group Tesco has launched reusable plastic bags with barcodes that give customers discounts on shopping every time they reuse the bag.
First LookAs climate change worsens, more Filipino women migrateThe number of women searching for jobs within and beyond the Philippines is increasing as harsh weather conditions make life at home harder. These women often have little support when they migrate, and are subject to abuse and low wages.
Beijing's message for young Taiwanese: We mean businessChina's effort to bring Taiwan under mainland control uses plenty of sticks, like the fear of military force. But it's also using carrots – like financial incentives to woo young Taiwanese people fed up with their island's sluggish economy.
First LookSkyline farms in Hong Kong reap happiness along with foodTapping into the growing interest in organic food, a number of rooftop farms are popping up on Hong Kong's skyscrapers. The farms help overworked Hong Kongers relieve stress through interacting with friends and nature.
First LookMalaysia to punish fake news with 10-year jail sentenceThe government proposed anti-fake news legislation that would punish offenders with a 10-year jail sentence. But critics say the proposal is a way to further muzzle the media and crack down on dissent ahead of a general election.
First LookPhilippines plans a city bigger and greener than ManhattanThe aim is to build a city equipped to deal with climate shocks in one of the world's most cyclone-affected regions. But many hope New Clark City will simply ease the pressure on Manila's congested and polluted streets.
First Look#MeToo takes off in South Korea, but how far will it go?Although the movement has begun to affect the reputations of men in power, whether or not the victims will be able to seek justice and transform the patriarchal society depends on the male-centered views of the judicial system and workplaces.
First LookCommunist Party aims for more 'unity of thought' in state mediaThe Chinese Communist Party will soon exert more direct control over all state media outlets. The move is part of a push to use the media for ideological efforts at home and to improve China's image overseas, analysts say.
First LookUS works to compensate exploited laborers in SaipanThe US commonwealth of Saipan relies mostly on Chinese migrant laborers for development. But after discovering companies weren't fully paying these workers on a recent casino project, the US announced last week a $14 million settlement in back wages.
First LookJapanese prisons begin to address different needs of aging inmatesNearly 20 percent of Japan's prison population was 60 or older in 2016. Elderly inmates face a host of unique challenges and struggle with recidivism in a society that does little to accommodate senior citizens with criminal records.
First LookChina's new anti-graft body gives Xi power to rule indefinitelyChina has passed a constitutional amendment abolishing presidential limits, enabling President Xi Jinping to rule without restrictions. The country is poised to give Mr. Xi a new tool that will allow him to police the state and further cement his power.
Japan builds a head of steam for an alternative to nuclearHot springs are popular for relaxation in Japan. A government-based push to expand geothermal electricity capacity since the Fukushima nuclear disaster worries innkeepers who fear losing out to power plants.
First LookTrump agrees to meet North Korea's Kim Jong-unPresident Trump said he would meet with Kim Jong-un, in what would be the first meeting between a sitting American president and a North Korean leader. South Korean officials who met with Mr. Kim last week say Kim is 'committed to denuclearization.'
First LookAustralia and East Timor reach historic international agreementEnding a decades-long conflict over access to oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea on Tuesday, Australia and East Timor made the first ever successful negotiations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
First LookGentrification threatens Bangkok's slum dwellersInhabitants of the Klong Toey slum live under the constant threat of eviction in a rapidly expanding and modernizing city. Prateep Ungsongtham, who grew up in Thailand's largest slum, established a school for children who, without birth certificates, could not earn an education otherwise.
First LookNorth Korea shows willingness to hold nuclear talksA South Korean delegation wrapped up a two-day visit to North Korea, the first in about 11 years, and reports North Korea said it would not need to keep its nuclear weapons if military threats against it are removed and it receives a credible security guarantee.
First LookSeoul delegation will meet with Kim Jong-unFor the first time since Kim Jong-un took power in 2011, envoys from South Korea will meet with the North Korean leader at the start of a rare two-day diplomatic trip to Pyongyang.
Shantou University was a model for China’s reform. Now, why is it toeing the line?President Xi has proclaimed the Chinese Communist Party 'leader of all' – including college campuses. The double-down on official party values has been especially palpable at Shantou University, once praised as a model for education reform.
Xi for life? China turns its back on collective leadership.After the Mao era, China's leaders have emphasized collective leadership and orderly succession. But a proposal to remove presidential term limits clears the way for Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely, as he seeks to restore what he considers China's rightful place in the world.
