Life

Putting people at the heart of the story.

Life • STORY OF THE DAY • 3 days ago • 9 min read

Poverty in the Philippines Duterte’s other war

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's drug crackdown has often been slammed as a war on the nation's poor. But a new anti-poverty law is turning that narrative on its head
By Thomas Brent

3 days ago

Life • STORY OF THE DAY • 3 days ago • 7 min read

Buddhism Dead monk walking

From our print archive: Every year, a much-loved abbot is raised from his glass casket, brushed down and paraded before an adoring crowd
By Tom Vater

3 days ago

Life • STORY OF THE DAY • Jun 10, 2019 • 15 min read

Mental health The fallen

For some Singaporeans with mental health issues, mandatory military service can be an isolating and traumatic experience – and one which can leave them at serious risk of self-harm
By Thomas Brent

Jun 10, 2019

Life • STORY OF THE DAY • Jun 06, 2019 • 14 min read

Sexual abuse Under the world’s mirror

Facing discrimination for gender, disability and poverty, Cambodia’s women and girls with disabilities are among the most vulnerable to sexual abuse and violence
By Thomas Brent and Kong Meta

Jun 06, 2019

Life • May 20, 2019 • 9 min read
Rappler

In the face of power

Maria Ressa, co-founder and CEO of the Philippines-based news website Rappler, is changing Southeast Asia’s media industry for a digital age By Miguel Miranda

Life • Apr 04, 2019 • 7 min read
Religion

How Brunei’s Sharia law fits with Southeast Asia’s rising tide of political Islam

Brunei has become the first country in Southeast Asia to fully implement Sharia criminal law on a national level, imposing brutal punishments for adultery and same-sex relations. But the move is just the latest in a growing trend of conservative politicians across the region pandering to hardline Islamist groups to prop up their support By Thomas Brent

Life • Mar 21, 2019 • 8 min read
Special educational needs

Invisible children

Children with difficulties or disabilities have long been overlooked or excluded from Cambodia’s education system – that could change with the opening of the country’s first school dedicated to their learning By Claire Baker-Munton

Life • Mar 08, 2019 • 14 min read
Women's rights

A cut, unseen

Despite Singapore’s reputation as a modern hub of progress and prosperity, female genital mutilation and cutting remains widespread among the city-state’s Malay Muslim community By Robin Spiess

Life • Feb 27, 2019 • 6 min read
Whatever happened to…

The Amish tuk tuk drivers of Siem Reap?

Back in 2011, a reporter from the Phnom Penh Post was visiting Siem Reap when something strange caught his eye: two white guys driving tuk tuks. We tracked down the boys from Coshocton, Ohio, to see what they’ve been up to since By Tom O'Connell

Life • Feb 21, 2019 • 10 min read
Rohingya

No refuge either

Last month, India deported a family of Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar to face statelessness and possible genocide in their homeland – the latest blow in a fierce anti-Muslim movement under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing government By Lesly Lotha

Life • Jan 25, 2019 • 10 min read
Singapore

The desperation of migrant workers

Southeast Asia Globe speaks with foreign workers and the aid organisations that help them get back on their feet after on-the-job injuries force them to battle with employers. A new law that takes effect in April could change the game By Silvia Boccardi

Life • Jan 16, 2019 • 5 min read
Timor-Leste

Pushing boundaries

Meet Cristina Amaral, Timor Leste's first female pilot and flight instructor By Sophie Raynor