Is this the year Laos breaks through? (January 9, 2024, Oman Daily Observer)
Only the most intrepid travellers followed, as Laos, Southeast Asia’s only landlocked country, operated few — and no long-haul — flights, and potholed, shoddy roads were the norm. Those who made it…tacked Laos onto multi-country itineraries that included neighbouring Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, all well-oiled tourism machines. Laos wants to change that.
‘Lack of humanity’: Why Azerbaijan is angry with Russia over plane crash (January 1, 2025, Al Jazeera)
Russia’s failure to let the plane land and its refusal to take responsibility for the crash are upsetting a key partner in the South Caucuses.
The world's sixth 'Blue Zone': Why Singapore values both quantity and quality of life (December 24, 2024, BCC)
When it comes to longevity, few places in the world have seen such a drastic jump in life expectancy as the island city-state in Southeast Asia. A child born in the country in 1960 was only likely to live (at the time) to 65, but a child born in Singapore today can expect to live to more than 86 according to estimates.
Opinion | Social Media’s Dark Side: A Breeding Ground For Radicalisation In Bangladesh (January 10, 2024, CNN News18)
In a world increasingly driven by social media, Bangladesh finds itself grappling with a dangerous phenomenon—online radicalisation. While the rapid digitisation and growth of internet users in the country mark progress, the misuse of these platforms by extremist groups is raising alarm bells.
The Rise of HMPV in China: Implications for South Asia and Bangladesh (January 10, 2025, Modem Diplomacy)
China reported a notable increase in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases late in 2024, a respiratory infection initially discovered in 2001. Following the outbreak in China, neighboring South Asian nations—including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have begun tracking HMPV cases.
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.
The Christians Disappearing from Biblical Lands (January 10, 2025, Persecution.org - International Christian Concern)
With multifront conflict involving Israel and neighboring countries hosting Islamist terrorists, the Middle East’s Christian minorities likely experienced the brunt of the hardships in the last Christmas season. This article reflects on how the Christian presence has diminished in geographical areas referenced in the Bible, places where Christianity was birthed and the church was first established.
What’s the gateway media channel to reach Iran for Christ? (December 12, 2024, Mission Network News)
Despite being technically illegal in Iran, there’s a form of media used by millions of Iranians that is difficult for their government to curb. It’s a powerful avenue that Transform Iran wants to maximize for the Great Commission … and you can be a part of it!
Christians are the most persecuted minority group in Turkey in 2023 (December 7, 2024, Pime Onlus - AsiaNews)
Christians are the minority group that suffered the most from sectarian attacks in Turkey last year, this according to a recent report by the Freedom of Belief Initiative, which documents scores of violent hate crimes against religious groups, especially Christians and Jews.
The world should not forget Afghanistan (December 29, 2024, Al Jazeera)
In a world where crises compete for attention, Afghanistan, once at the forefront of international aid and media coverage, now sits in the shadows. The multiple crises that plague Afghanistan have barely registered in international media headlines, and yet they persist. Afghans endure worsening humanitarian, climate and economic crises, characterised by severe poverty, food insecurity and dwindling aid.