Topic
Society

Japanese Broadcaster Fuji TV’s Sexual Assault Scandal Sparks Major Corporate Crisis
By Thisanka Siripala
Fuji TV has been accused of cover-ups, mismanagement, and botched crisis response following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a celebrity TV personality.

Pakistan’s Cyber Crimes Law Amendments Strike a Blow Against Free Speech
By Osama Ahmad
Journalists, activists, and lawyers warn of a significant chilling effect from a new law to combat “fake news.”

British Environmental Journalist Blocked From Re-entering Cambodia
By Sebastian Strangio
The government's decision to void the visa of Gerry Flynn, 33, reflects the increasingly straitened circumstances of the Cambodian media.

Chess, Culture, and Controversy: Uzbek Grandmaster’s Handshake Refusal Sparks Debate
By Niginakhon Saida
Islamic practices in Uzbekistan, after enduring seven decades of Soviet-imposed atheism, are now being increasingly adopted by the younger generation.

What Should Australia Do in This Strongman Soft Power Age?
By Grant Wyeth
We have entered an era where strongmen leaders exercising brute force provides an irresistible emotional thrill. It’s a spectacle that no furry animal or sporting endeavor could match.

In Bangladesh, Islamists Are Stepping up Actions Against Women
By Subir Bhaumik
A series of troubling incidents have seen Islamic groups threaten violence to force the cancellation of women's football matches and store openings featuring Bangladeshi actresses.

Americans, Robots, and More: Chinese Government Messaging in the 2025 Spring Festival Gala
By Evan Freidin
In watching the Gala, we can see what political messaging is currently being promoted in China, and what is not.

Boat Carrying More Than 70 Rohingya Lands in Indonesia’s Aceh Region
By Sebastian Strangio
Last year saw a record number of Rohingya refugees set off by sea from the camps in southeastern Bangladesh.

Sugarcane’s ‘Black Snow’ Is Worsening Bangkok’s Air Pollution Crisis
By Chomkate Ngamkaiwan
So far, the Thai government's efforts to improve its air quality have failed to address the systemic causes of the problem.

Torture Trial in Kazakhstan Ends in Prison Sentences, But Dissatisfaction Lingers
By Catherine Putz
Six police officers were sentenced to three years in prison in relation to the torture of 44 foreign nationals in the dark days of Qandy Qantar 2022.

Polio Diplomacy Between Pakistan and Afghanistan
By Bantirani Patro
Polio cases are surging in both countries. Can Pakistan and Afghanistan collaborate on eradicating the virus, even as their relations have soured?

Afghan Women’s Cricket Team Makes Their Debut – in Melbourne
By Bianca Roberts and Ciaran O’Mahony
The first match by the Afghan women’s cricket team is placing the Taliban under additional diplomatic pressure.