Coming of age in the Philippines
A girl's "debut" at 18, young boys undergoing circumcision, and graduating from college are some of the rites of passage in the archipelagic nation.
Society
Jakarta’s lively libraries, bookshops defy ‘myth’ of low reading interest
Offline reading spaces across the capital are abuzz with activity, presenting a counterpoint to the country's oft-cited poor reading interest, though increasing access to literary…
Police crime-reporting app a big hit in Malaysia
The VSP app has received over 877,907 reports and tip-offs since its introduction on March 25, 2017.
Jakarta bans cat, dog and bat meat to prevent rabies transmission
Indonesia is one of a handful of countries that permit the sale of dog and cat meat, but a campaign against the practice has gained ground, with some cities imposing local bans on…
Wheelchair-bound and alone, Bokul cried for help. A teen saved her as Dhaka slum burned
Hearing her cries, a boy aged 14-15 from a neighbouring room rushed in and managed to rescue her. He first put her in her wheelchair and then carefully pushed her to safety,…
Missing South Jakarta boy found dead after viral outcry
Two days before the discovery, police had arrested the boy’s stepfather, Alex Iskandar, after gathering witness statements and conducting a formal case review.
Government stepping up efforts to address rising fertility problems among Malaysians
Efforts include expanding affordable treatment options and widening public awareness programmes.
Hospitals are fuelling superbugs in Nepal, study finds
Antimicrobial-resistance genes may have found their way into rivers, soil, farms, communities, report says.
Philippines among world’s most water-stressed countries due to climate change
If unaddressed, a new report by UNICEF Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warns that 40 to 80 percent of the country’s water supply could…
Emergency situation declared in Thailand’s Hat Yai as government escalates flood relief efforts
Evacuations to hospitals or safe shelters are being prioritised, alongside the delivery of essential supplies, fuel and communications equipment. All military branches have…