In Laos, in the capital of the Golden Triangle, drops of legality in an ocean of crime (November 12, 2024, Le Monde) (Subscription required)
Dark stories are circulating about a new city along the Mekong River, leased in 2007 for 99 years to Chinese gambling magnate Zhao Wei.
A toddler, a student, a family of nine: who were the victims of Jeju Air flight 7C2216? (January 4, 2024, The Guardian)
As authorities rushed to establish the cause of Sunday’s crash, in which all but two passengers and crew on the Boeing 737-800 died, heartbreaking stories and tributes emerged as grieving families and friends shared the pain of their loss.
Two Lost Cities Discovered Along the Silk Road–the Iconic Ancient Trade Route (November 12, 2024, Good News Network)
A pair of lost cities in the highlands of Uzbekistan recently found by archaeologists using lidar demonstrate that the bounty of the Silk Road trade was so lucrative, it allowed urban populations to flourish without agriculture to support them.
Anime, M&A and the expo: What to watch for in Japan’s 2025 (January 2, 2025, The Japan Times)
The tragedy and triumph set the tone for what was an unusually intense 12 months. It was a time of political upheaval, a most unexpected new prime minister — and some of the country’s most iconic brands becoming acquisition targets. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average set both its first record high in more than 30 years and its biggest one-day drop since 1987 while the central bank raised rates for the first time in 17 years. No doubt 2025 has more surprises in store.
New Syrian government's school curriculum changes spark concern (January 3, 2024, BBC)
The Facebook page of the transitional government's education ministry has posted the new curriculum for all age groups, which will take on a more Islamic slant, as well as dropping any reference to the Assad era across all subjects. The phrase "Defending the nation" has been replaced by "Defending Allah", among other changes.
Confirmed: Earth Has a Second Amazon, It’s Underwater and Covers 6 Countries (January 3, 2025, The Moment: Riazor.org)
Hidden beneath the waves lies a marvel that rivals the Amazon rainforest in ecological richness and global importance: the Coral Triangle. This underwater world that spreads across six countries in the region of the Pacific is a haven for a variety of marine species, thus supporting millions of peoples’ and businesses’ lives. Known as the Amazon of the Seas, the Coral Triangle is home to wonders that inspire scientists, divers, and conservationists and confront the world with issues that require its attention.
U.S. satellites reveal China's solar dominance (January 11, 2025, Mashable South East Asia)
The sun's energy is plentiful. And China is capitalizing. Images captured by two Earth-observing satellites, operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, revealed a rapid expansion of solar farms in a remote northern Chinese region, the Kubuqi Desert.
What is HMPV? China steps up emergency measures amid new virus outbreak (January 5, 2025, The Independent)
China is experiencing a surge in infections of a respiratory virus, leading to overcrowded hospitals, emergency measures, and public concerns about an outbreak. The virus, identified as human metapneumovirus (HMPV), has seen cases spiking across northern Chinese provinces this winter, particularly among children.
Welcoming Chinese visitors: can Nepal cash in on Beijing’s tourism campaign? (November 9, 2024, South China Morning Post) (Subscription required)
Nepal should introduce more incentives and use Chinese social media platforms to promote itself to bring in visitors. Over the past decade, China has become a major tourist source for the Himalayan nation known for its trekking trails in the foothills of the Everest and Annapurna mountain ranges.
'Mounting stress and pressure': Can a national hotline help address mental health issues in China? (January 6, 2025, Channel News Asia)
An increasing number of people in the country are coming under “mounting stress and pressure” and grappling with mental health problems amid “fast economic development, rapid urbanisation and a swiftly ageing society…”