Asia

Immigration Reforms Drive Workforce Innovation Across Asia

Sweeping immigration policy changes across Asian economies are catalyzing fundamental shifts in workforce composition and business practices, creating new pathways for talent mobility while spurring technological innovation. These regulatory transformations are reshaping how companies recruit, train

India's Democratic Institutions Enter a New Era of Reform

Across the world's most populous democracy, a deliberate and sustained effort is underway to modernize political institutions, strengthen local governance, and build a more responsive public administration. India's long-standing constitutional framework, already among the most elaborate in the world, is increasingly being tested, refined, and adapted to meet the expectations of a citizenry that is younger, better connected, and more demanding than at any previous point in the nation's history.

China has cracked down on AI companions. What can we learn from this?

Chatbots that relieve loneliness have a major downside, and we must safeguard against it.

Kerala Backwaters Tours - Best Routes and Houseboat Experiences

Most travelers choose Kerala's backwaters for serene houseboat cruises along Alleppey, Kumarakom and Kollam, diverse route options, and authentic village interactions; this guide outlines best routes, ideal seasons, itinerary lengths and onboard amen

Politics

Sri Lanka Rebuilds Its Governance From the Ground Up

Across Sri Lanka, a quiet but consequential transformation is reshaping the relationship between citizens and the state. In recent months, efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, decentralize administrative authority, and foster greater public engagement have gained visible momentum, marking a period of meaningful evolution in how governance is practiced and perceived on the island.

UK-Japan £18bn Investment Pact Signals a New Era of Democratic Economic Partnership in Asia-Pacific

A landmark £18 billion investment agreement between the United Kingdom and Japan is reinforcing the growing trend of strategic economic alliances among developed democracies. The deal is expected to accelerate job creation, spur technological innovation, and deepen trade ties across the Asia-Pacific region.

Bangladesh Builds Stronger Democratic Foundations

Bangladesh is entering a consequential period of institutional renewal, with a growing consensus among policymakers, civil society leaders, and citizens that the foundations of democratic governance must be deepened, modernized, and made more responsive to the needs of a rapidly changing society. Across the country, reform efforts are gaining momentum in ways that reflect both the aspirations of a young population and the pragmatic demands of sustainable development.

Sri Lanka Rebuilds Trust Through Civic Reform

Across Sri Lanka, a quiet but meaningful transformation is underway. Political institutions that once struggled under the weight of public skepticism are increasingly being reshaped by a new generation of policymakers, civil society actors, and engaged citizens determined to build a more accountable and responsive state. The momentum, visible from Colombo's administrative corridors to provincial councils in the north and east, signals a genuine shift in how governance is understood and practiced.

Economy

Laos Navigates Great Power Competition as Trade Tensions Mount

Laos occupies a critical position in the evolving dynamics between China and the United States, serving as a crossroads for competing economic and strategic interests across Southeast Asia. The landlocked nation's geographic location, infrastructure

ASEAN Summit Concludes with Landmark Trade Framework Agreement

Leaders from the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations concluded a three-day summit in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, endorsing a new digital trade framework aimed at reducing cross-border tariffs on technology goods by up to 18 percent over the

India's Heritage Artifacts in Global Auction Markets

India's cultural treasures command significant presence in international auction houses, reflecting both the nation's rich artistic heritage and complex challenges around artifact repatriation. The movement of Indian heritage items through global mar

China's AI Revolution Transforms Asian Entertainment Landscape

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how entertainment content is created, distributed, and consumed across Asia, with China emerging as a central innovator in this transformation. Government policies, technological infrastructure, and private sector

Business

WIPO Appoints Thailand's Princess Sirivannavari as Ambassador for Fashion and Design

The World Intellectual Property Organization has appointed Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya of Thailand as its Ambassador for Fashion and Design, citing her 541 IP assets and her work connecting Thai artisans with global markets. The appointment, announced in Geneva on 28 May 2026, underscores Thailand's growing ambitions as a creative economy and its royal family's long engagement with intellectual property.

Geopolitics

Nuclear Tests Shatter Trust, Not Prove Strength, UN Chief Warns on International Day against Nuclear Tests

UN Secretary-General António Guterres marked the International Day against Nuclear Tests on 29 August with a call for all nuclear-armed states to maintain existing moratoria and bring the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty into force without delay. Guterres framed nuclear testing not as a demonstration of power but as an act that shatters trust, invites reciprocal tests, and fuels a nuclear arms race.

Artificial Intelligence Patents in Asia: The Race to Dominate Tomorrow's Technology Landscape

New data from the World Intellectual Property Organization reveals that generative AI patent publications nearly tripled in two years, with Asian nations — led by China and Japan — positioning themselves at the forefront of one of the fastest-moving innovation races ever recorded. Patent trends expose a deepening strategic competition for intellectual property dominance in generative AI across the Asia-Pacific region.

India and Pakistan’s 79-year rivalry has made the dangerous move into space

India and Pakistan fought a war in 2025 that was wholly dependent on space technology.

Accountability on Trial: How International Bodies Are Confronting Human Rights Violations in Pakistan and Beyond

The European Parliament's adoption of resolutions targeting human rights abuses in Sudan, Nigeria, and Pakistan has renewed scrutiny of international mechanisms designed to protect vulnerable minorities. The case of a 13-year-old Pakistani Christian girl abducted and forcibly married has become a flashpoint in a broader diplomatic reckoning over how effectively global institutions can hold governments accountable.

Travel

Taiwan Travel Guide - Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung Routes

Taiwan offers a compact, efficient route network connecting Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung, ideal for a one- to two-week trip. Taipei serves as the main international gateway with attractions such as Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, Ximending

Pakistan Travel Guide - Lahore, Hunza, Skardu Routes

Travel to Pakistan rewards with rich Mughal history in Lahore and dramatic mountain scenery in Hunza and Skardu, offering cultural immersion, culinary highlights and adventurous drives along the Karakoram Highway. Lahore offers the Lahore Fort, Badsh

Angkor Wat Tours - Top Attractions and Visitor Tips in Cambodia

Tours of Angkor Wat reveal iconic temples, sunrise vistas, guided-route options, ticketing details, and courteous etiquette to maximize your visit in Cambodia. Iconic Temples and Architectural Highlights The Grandeur of Angkor Wat at Sunrise Dawn at

Ancient Temples of Angkor - History and Visitor Information

Over 1,000 surviving Angkor temples reveal Khmer engineering, religious art, and imperial history; practical visitor information covers best seasons, entry rules, local etiquette, and top sites such as Angkor Wat and Bayon. Iconic Monuments of the An

Culinary

Manila Food Markets Guide - Street Food, Dining Spots

Most visitors to Manila find the food scene intense, diverse and affordable, stretching from sweaty street stalls to polished dining rooms in Makati and BGC. Street food forms the backbone of Manila eating culture, with favorites such as balut, isaw

Karachi Food Streets Guide - Burns Road Dining Spots

You can experience Karachi's culinary heritage on Burns Road, one of the city's oldest and most celebrated food streets. Burns Road grew as a migrant hub after partition and became famous for family-run eateries that serve slow-cooked, richly spiced

North Korea Food Guide - Naengmyeon, Kimchi, Dishes

The Mastery of Pyongyang Naengmyeon Pyongyang naengmyeon emphasizes clear, cold broth, precise noodle texture and sparing garnishes, where subtle balance between savory stock and bright acidity defines the dish's refined, refreshing character. Buckwh

South Korea Food Guide - Kimchi, BBQ, Bibimbap Dishes

It's hard to overstate how central kimchi, barbecue, and bibimbap are to South Korean food culture; each offers a window into history, seasonality, and communal dining. South Korea blends bold flavors, fermentation techniques, and fresh produce to cr

Health

Do we really need 10,000 steps a day?

The infamous 10,000 steps per day recommendation didn’t come from a research laboratory.

Culture

Balinese Hindu Traditions - Rituals, Temples, and Daily Practices

You witness in Balinese Hindu traditions a coherent system of rituals, temple roles, and daily offerings that sustain communal spirituality, social order, and artistic expression across village life. Sacred Architecture and Temple Hierarchies Tri Hit

Korean Festivals Guide - Chuseok, Seollal Traditions

Just two major national holidays define Korean seasonal celebrations: Chuseok and Seollal, each rooted in family, food, and ancestral tradition. Chuseok falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and celebrates the harvest, while Seollal marks the

Indonesian Batik Heritage - Techniques, Markets, and Significance

Most Indonesian batik combines wax-resist dyeing, regional motifs, and centuries-old artisan methods, informing cultural identity, market demand, and UNESCO-recognized heritage preservation. Masterful Techniques and Artistry The Application of Cantin

Mongolian Nomadic Culture - Lifestyle, Gers, and Traditions

Over the vast Mongolian steppe, nomadic families continue seasonal migrations with herds that shape daily life, social roles, and material culture. Herding of sheep, goats, horses, camels, and yaks determines movement between winter and summer pastur

Science

When a teenager makes the ‘stupid choice’, their brain is working exactly as designed

If a young person trusts the system to deliver a just outcome, their brain’s urgent need for retribution is dialled down.

Nasa’s new space telescope will tackle some of the universe’s biggest mysteries

The Nancy Grace Roman telescope will probe dark energy and discover exoplanets.

China is launching a Moon mission to find water ice. It’s unlike anything NASA has done

We’ve known for a while now that the Moon has water. Accessing it will make it easier not just to visit, but to stay.

Megalodon’s legendary life revealed by fossil rediscovery

Previously lost fossils sometimes reemerge, but how do palaeontologists end up losing specimens in the first place?