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STORY OF THE DAY • May 11, 2021 • 11 min read

History ‘I did not believe Angkar’: Soc Sinan’s story of Khmer Rouge defiance

By Jim Laurie • May 11, 2021
When the Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975, they soon instructed citizens to vacate the capital. As streams of people began leaving on foot, Soc Sinan stayed in her apartment, where she would be discovered by communist soldiers three days later

STORY OF THE DAY • May 10, 2021 • 9 min read

Myanmar coup The portrait artists honouring Myanmar’s imprisoned and murdered

By Kiana Duncan • May 10, 2021
As violence worsens on Myanmar's streets, artists are making sure the fallen and imprisoned are known as more than just headlines. Through vibrant comics and portraits, their storytelling is bringing protesters' struggles and sacrifices to an international audience

May 07, 2021 • 15 min read
Covid-19

As virus cases explode, why has the Mekong region success story ended?

The Mekong region countries were until recently heralded as exceptional cases in controlling the spread of Covid-19. But recent weeks have seen cases explode across Cambodia, Thailand and Laos, leaving Vietnam on high alert and observers asking what's gone so wrong
By Alastair McCready, Wanpen Pajai and Govi Snell • May 07, 2021

May 07, 2021 • 7 min read
Poverty

The groups plugging holes in Singapore’s social safety net

In a state where the government has a heavy hand, people are pushing beyond traditional notions of welfare, with community-organised groups emerging in the name of mutual aid to reach out to the people left behind by the city-state’s rapid growth
By Charmaine Sew • May 07, 2021

May 06, 2021 • 2 min read
Philippines

Philippines’ Duterte orders arrest of mask violators

In an effort to battle the surge in Covid-19 cases, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered police to arrest anyone non-compliant with proper mask wearing.
By Agence France-Presse • May 06, 2021

May 06, 2021 • 9 min read
Women's rights

Thai-Muslim women join forces against domestic violence in Deep South

Groups in Thailand's Deep South are pushing back against a conservative religious context, bringing taboo topics such as domestic violence to the surface as they plug holes in government services and offer abused women a much-needed way out
By Ryan Anders and Wildan Muna • May 06, 2021

May 05, 2021 • 3 min read
Myanmar coup

Ousted Myanmar lawmakers announce ‘people’s defence force’

The National Unity Government (NUG), shadow government of ousted Myanmar lawmakers, announced on Wednesday May 5 that it has set up a "people's defence force" as a precursor to a Federal Union Army to oppose the military.
By Agence France-Presse • May 05, 2021

May 05, 2021 • 7 min read
Conservation

Can oil palm explain Malaysia’s decreasing forest loss?

Last year, the loss of tropical forest worldwide continued with its upward momentum. But Malaysia once again bucked the trend as it cut down less than it did the previous year, the fourth year in a row it has seen reductions. What explains this positive news?
By Yao-Hua Law • May 05, 2021

May 04, 2021 • 2 min read
Myanmar coup

Myanmar junta charges Japanese journalist over ‘fake news’

The Myanmar junta has charged Japanese journalist Yuki Kitazumi under a "fake news" law, a report said Tuesday May 4. This is the latest in a series of crackdowns on press freedom since the military seized power in the February coup.
By Agence France-Presse • May 04, 2021