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.
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.
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.
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.
Between Chinese expansion and US “freedom to navigate” missions in the South China Sea, security and sovereignty is a growing concern for the Philippines.
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.
When the group debuted in the mid-2000s, AKB48 was more easily dismissed as a novelty act. But in recent years, the group has expanded into a bona fide musical empire — one that has spread across Asia.
It’s difficult to overstate how silly the Western dislike for durian looks from East and Southeast Asia. Across Asia, durian is actually selling like never before. Long a coveted fruit, the durian has, in recent years, become the focus of a full-on food craze.
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.
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.
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 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'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 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
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.
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.
Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Ja So, a member of the Overseas Burmese Patriots Group in Singapore about the group's recent screening of the latest Rambo movie in which John Rambo is pitted against the repressive Burmese military
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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.
Environment
Java trees
Living on Earth
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.
Environment
Laos' sticky situation
Living on Earth
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.
Environment
The battle over farmland and forests in Sumatra
Living on Earth
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
The World
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
The World
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
The World
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
The World
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
The World
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
The World
February 06, 2008
Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Ja So, a member of the Overseas Burmese Patriots Group in Singapore about the group's recent screening of the latest Rambo movie in which John Rambo is pitted against the repressive Burmese military