Hidden amidst the lush greenery of Riau province, the heartland of Indonesia’s palm oil production, a startling revelation has sent shockwaves through the palm oil industry. According to a groundbreaking report published by Eyes on the Forest (EoF), a coalition of NGOs in Sumatra, nearly half of the oil palm plantations in this region operate illegally, sparking a unique and …

In the bustling city of Zaozhuang, China, a group of high school students inadvertently set the internet ablaze with their unconventional performance.  On October 10, 2023, their portrayal of the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left audiences in shock. But what stole the show was a banner condemning Japan’s decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima …

In a world where cat videos and dance challenges mingle with global crises, the European Union has taken a stand, waving a virtual red flag at TikTok and Meta. The reason? To ensure the safety of the digital darlings – our kids – and to combat the wildfire of misinformation.  Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner, didn’t mince words. He essentially …

Amid Japan’s tranquil mornings, a dramatic legal tango unfolds. This is not just a battle in courtrooms; it’s a complex tale that threads through the fabric of Japanese society, raising profound questions about faith, accountability, and political influence. The Unification Church, officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, finds itself at the center of a storm. …

It was a routine evening for the passengers and crew of Singaporean flight TR16, cruising toward their destination. The sun painted the horizon with hues of orange and pink as they soared through the vast expanse of the sky. But then, a sudden jolt of tension disrupted the peaceful journey. A mid-air bomb threat transformed the ordinary into an extraordinary …

In the turbulent landscape of the Israel-Gaza conflict, where headlines narrate tales of violence and chaos, an extraordinary story unfolds – one that often remains untold. It is a story of human resilience and heroism, where migrant caregivers from Southeast Asia become unsung heroes, silently shouldering their responsibilities amidst the mayhem. Tales of Migrant Caregivers Amid the War Irene Repuela …

Imagine a nation’s concern taking center stage on the global social media platform TikTok. Malaysia’s Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, has raised the alarm, pointing to the platform’s shortcomings in dealing with defamatory or misleading content within the country. But it doesn’t end there – he also hints at TikTok’s non-compliance with certain local laws, leaving questions hanging in the digital …

Imagine a symphony of trade, where exports become the melodies, echoing the global economy’s tempo. In this harmonious composition, Taiwan’s exports played a unique tune, as they rose for the first time in 13 months, dancing to the rhythm of AI-driven semiconductor chips. Last month, the Ministry of Finance delivered the crescendo – overall exports swelled by 3.4% year-on-year, reaching …

Picture a weightlifter’s intense focus as she gears up for a pivotal moment at the Asian Games. South Korean weightlifter Kim Suhyeon was just about to tackle the clean and jerk in the women’s 76-kilogram event when an unexpected moment unfolded, painting a unique human story amidst the sporting arena. A North Korean coach approached Kim with an air of …

Picture this: the online world collided with the real world when TikTok decided to step back from the e-commerce dance floor in Indonesia, all thanks to the government’s new rules on social media e-commerce. It’s not your usual story of politicians picking winners and losers; it’s a tale of struggling businesses tugging at the strings of power, shaping policies to …