Southeast Asia

June 10, 2020

A recent bust on the Myanmar-China border was too massive to fit inside any room. The police had to spread out their haul in a pasture.

Top of The World

Workers' movements advocate for rights on May Day; Saudi activists allege man killed over megacity plans; Doctors wait hours as Venezuela faces fuel shortages

May 01, 2020

As May Day celebrations and rallies have been curtailed, workers around the world are pushing for their rights. Fuel shortages are making life harder for Venezuelans, especially essential workers. And even as Lebanon teeters on the edge of economic collapse, some Americans are choosing to ride out the pandemic there. Meanwhile, Sweden's gardeners have become real party poopers.

Health & Medicine

COVID-19 brings new scrutiny to illegal wildlife trafficking

April 17, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is once again calling attention once to the illegal trade of endangered species and its consequences for human health.

Rare mouse-deer spotted in Vietnam for the first time in 30 years

April 15, 2020

The forests of coastal Vietnam are among the most biodiverse on Earth. But in the face of rampant poaching, many species are vanishing. Recently a species of mouse-deer was spotted for the first time in nearly 30 years, handing a much-needed bit of hope to conservationists.

Conflict & Justice

They were CIA-backed Chinese rebels. Now you’re invited to their once-secret hideaway.

August 28, 2019

Former CIA-backed guerrillas — rivals of Chairman Mao Zedong — are now embracing the tourism industry, years after setting up the arteries and networks that sustain the Golden Triangle drug trade to this day.

Health & Medicine

Thailand is betting big on cannabis. Visit its first legal lab.

August 06, 2019

Thailand once issued severe penalties for marijuana users. But the perception of cannabis is rapidly changing, with talk of churning out “world-class cannabis” from Thailand's lush farmlands. A few months ago, scientists started the first-ever cannabis laboratory — one of the few legal facilities of its kind in Asia.

Global Politics

Philippines security at risk over escalating tensions between US and China in South China Sea

GlobalPost

April 26, 2019

Between Chinese expansion and US “freedom to navigate” missions in the South China Sea, security and sovereignty is a growing concern for the Philippines.

How single women are driving gentrification in Hong Kong and elsewhere

The Conversation

April 09, 2019

Not only are single women emerging as a growing and critical aspect of the economy in cities around the world, they are also driving increasingly unaffordable real estate markets. But women at the other end of the income spectrum, particularly single mothers, bear the brunt of gentrification.

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Lifestyle & Belief

As Protests Continue in Egypt, a Look at Democracy in Southeast Asia

The Takeaway

February 09, 2011

In Southeast Asia, Muslim nations like Indonesia and Malaysia have relatively successful democracies. What makes democracy in those populous Muslim countries work? We talk with Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's former deputy prime minister.

Java trees

December 14, 2007

Indonesia planted millions of trees to absorb the greenhouse gases caused by the December 2007 Bali climate conference, but the nation's record on tree conservation has been dismal. Java used to be home to one of the world's oldest teak forests, but illegal logging, fires, and government mis-management have destroyed the trees.

Laos' sticky situation

September 25, 2009

The Laos government has set a goal to reforest their nation. Now, scientists are working with farmers to produce profitable harvests by finding higher yielding varieties of the rice that Laotians prefer - sticky rice. On Living on Earth.

The battle over farmland and forests in Sumatra

December 11, 2009

The UN's REDD project may help rural villagers whose livelihoods depend almost entirely on the land and forests currently threatened by the pulpwood industry in Sumatra. From Living on Earth.

Indonesia reconsiders Suharto

January 22, 2008

Indonesia's former dictator Suharto is still in critical condition after coming close to dying recently; the 85-year-old Suharto ruled the country for more than three decades and was responsible for many human rights abuses

The global spread of supermarkets

January 24, 2008

The World's Jason Margolis reports on the global spread of supermarkets, as in recent decades, supermarkets have become much more common in some developing countries than they used to be

Thailand's Islamic separatist movement

February 01, 2008

Thailand's parliament has a new civilian prime minister who faces the challenge of restoring civilian rule after 18 months of military rule

Criticizing the king in Thailand

February 01, 2008

It's against the law in Thailand to criticize the King; Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Giles Ungpakorn, professor of political science in Bangkok, who's fallen afoul of that law.

Global hit Borneo

February 01, 2008

Reporter Michael Switow tells us how young Malaysian singers on the island of Borneo are reviving musical traditions that were on the verge of dying out. Borneo is the island shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

Arts, Culture & Media

Burma and Rambo