Asia
Japan’s birthrate hits record low, raising alarm over demographic crisis
June 6, 2025
Japan’s birthrate hits record low, raising alarm over demographic crisis
Japan’s birthrate hits record low, raising alarm over demographic crisis Japan recorded fewer than 700,000 births in 2024 for the first time since records began in 1899, highlighting a deepening demographic crisis, The Guardian reported. Government data revealed 686,061 births…
Asia-Pacific faces record marine heatwave in 2024, triggering extreme weather and coral bleaching
June 6, 2025
Asia-Pacific faces record marine heatwave in 2024, triggering extreme weather and coral bleaching
Asia-Pacific faces record marine heatwave in 2024, triggering extreme weather and coral bleaching A record-breaking marine heatwave engulfed nearly 40 million square kilometres of ocean across Southeast Asia and the Pacific in 2024—an area five times the size of Australia—according…
Vietnam ends two-child policy amid falling birthrate
June 5, 2025
Vietnam ends two-child policy amid falling birthrate
Vietnam ends two-child policy amid falling birthrate Vietnam has officially ended its decades-old two-child policy, allowing couples to decide freely on family size, state media announced Wednesday. The decision comes in response to a declining birthrate, which fell to 1.91…
Global Islamic Economy Summit starts in Istanbul
May 31, 2025
Global Islamic Economy Summit starts in Istanbul
Global Islamic Economy Summit starts in Istanbul ———————————– The 2nd edition of the Global Islamic Economy Summit organized by AlBaraka commenced on Friday in Istanbul, aiming to empower Islamic financial and non-financial institutions to achieve sustainable growth and make a…
China’s Uyghur Labor Programs Expand, Raising Forced Labor Concerns for Global Brands
May 30, 2025
China’s Uyghur Labor Programs Expand, Raising Forced Labor Concerns for Global Brands
A joint investigation by The New York Times, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, and Der Spiegel reveals that tens of thousands of Uyghurs are being sent to various Chinese factory towns, often in groups. These state-led labor transfer programs, which…
Massive Pro-Monarchy Protests Erupt in Nepal
May 30, 2025
Massive Pro-Monarchy Protests Erupt in Nepal
Tens of thousands rallied in Kathmandu on Thursday, demanding the restoration of Nepal’s abolished monarchy and Hinduism as the state religion, Arab News reported. Protesters, waving flags and chanting slogans like “Bring the king back,” called for former King Gyanendra…
Japan Enacts AI Legislation to Balance Innovation, Risk Mitigation
May 29, 2025
Japan Enacts AI Legislation to Balance Innovation, Risk Mitigation
Japan’s parliament approved a groundbreaking AI law on Wednesday aimed at encouraging technological development while tackling risks such as misuse, data breaches, and copyright infringement, Anadolu Agency reported. The new law fosters AI advancement while empowering authorities to address misuse,…
Sri Lanka’s Education Ministry announces two-day school closure for Hajj season and Eid Al-Adha
May 26, 2025
Sri Lanka’s Education Ministry announces two-day school closure for Hajj season and Eid Al-Adha
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education has announced the closure of all schools across the island on Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, in observance of this year’s Hajj season. Eid Al-Adha is expected to fall on Saturday, June 7,…
Over 400 Rohingya Feared Dead in May Boat Incidents, Says UNHCR
May 24, 2025
Over 400 Rohingya Feared Dead in May Boat Incidents, Says UNHCR
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported on Friday that 427 Rohingya fleeing Myanmar and Bangladesh refugee camps may have died in two boat disasters this month, Arab News reported. Survivor accounts indicate a vessel carrying 267 people sank off Myanmar’s…
Hong Kong journalists experience tax audits in latest pressure on independent media
May 22, 2025
Hong Kong journalists experience tax audits in latest pressure on independent media
Hong Kong authorities have launched tax audits targeting at least eight independent media outlets and about 20 journalists and their family members, RFA reported citing the Hong Kong Journalists Association. The audits, covering up to seven years, contain numerous errors…