Indonesian conservationists have slammed plans to turn the home of endangered Komodo dragons into a Jurassic Park-style attraction, after a viral photo showing one of the giant reptiles sparked an online backlash over the development.
AFP
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Thailand’s First Transgender MP Dismissed from Parliament
Thailand’s parliament lost its first transgender MP Wednesday after the constitutional court revoked her seat in what critics called a political move against supporters of the kingdom’s pro-democracy movement.
Taiwan Same-Sex Couples to Join Military Wedding for First Time
Two Taiwanese soldiers and their civilian same-sex partners will tie the knot at a mass wedding hosted by the military on Friday in another gay rights landmark in Asia.
Pakistan Opens First Metro Line after Years of Delays
Pakistan’s first metro line began operations Monday in the eastern city of Lahore following years of delays, in a country severely lacking public transport or modern infrastructure.
Travel Addicts Dine as ‘Passengers’ on Parked Singapore Airlines Jet
Hundreds of travel-starved diners ate lunch and watched seat-back films aboard two parked Singapore Airlines jets turned into pop-up restaurants on Saturday.
Dubbed as ‘The CIA’, Thai Street Food First on Scene to Feed Protesters
With an intelligence network so good they have been compared to the CIA, Thai street vendors are often first on the scene at “guerilla” democracy protests in Bangkok, where they hawk sour pork and fishballs to a democracy-hungry crowd.
China’s Super Wealthy Got $1.5 Trillion Richer During Pandemic
China’s super wealthy have earned a record $1.5 trillion in 2020, more than the past five years combined, as e-commerce and gaming boomed during pandemic lockdowns, an annual rich list said Tuesday.
Thai Police Use Water Cannons against Bangkok Protesters
Thai police used water cannons against protesters Friday night in central Bangkok, as the pro-democracy activists defied an emergency decree banning gatherings for a second night running.
China Warns Canada against Granting Hong Kongers Sanctuary
A top Chinese diplomat warned Canada Thursday against granting asylum to Hong Kong democracy protesters, adding that doing so could jeopardize the “health and safety” of Canadians living in the southern Chinese financial hub.
Japan to Release Treated Fukushima Water into Sea
Japan will release more than a million tons of treated radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea in a decades-long operation, reports said Friday, despite strong opposition from local fishermen.
The Story behind Thailand’s ‘Hunger Games’ Protest Salute
The three-fingered salute from “The Hunger Games” movies flashed by Thai protesters at the royal motorcade this week has become the primary symbol of resistance in the kingdom in recent years.
What is Thailand’s ‘Section 112’ Royal Defamation Law?
Thailand’s monarchy is protected by one of the world’s toughest defamation laws, making any criticism of the powerful King Maha Vajiralongkorn very risky inside the country.
1 Billion Streams: Teenage Sensation Produced Most Explosive Track on TikTok
A 17-year-old New Zealander whose TikTok anthem “Savage Love” has been viewed more than a billion times said Wednesday “it blows his mind” to have now topped the US Billboard singles chart.
Japan’s Top Olympic Swimmer Suspended for Extra-Marital Affair
Japan’s top Olympic swimmer Daiya Seto has been barred from competitions and official training until the end of the year as punishment for an affair exposed by a tabloid.
Indian Jewelery Chain Removes Ad after Vicious Backlash
One of India’s top jewellery retailers has withdrawn an advert featuring an interfaith baby shower after a vicious backlash on social media by Hindu hardliners who said it glorified “love jihad”.
French Museum Halts Genghis Khan Show after Chinese Pressure
A French museum won backing from scholars on Tuesday for its decision to halt an exhibition about Mongol leader Genghis Khan because of a censorship attempt by the Chinese government.
Stir-Crazy ‘Passengers’ Gobble up Tickets to Dine on Parked Singapore Jets
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India Claims Cow Dung Chip Protects against Radiation
An Indian government unit established to develop soaps and medicinal products from cow dung has branched out with a “chip” it claims can protect people from cellphone radiation.
Peru’s Machu Picchu Reopens for One Japanese Tourist
Peru’s best-known tourist site Machu Picchu has opened after months of coronavirus closure, but for just a single visitor — a Japanese man stranded in the country by the pandemic.
Hong Kong Scientists Say Anti-Microbe Drug Successful against Coronavirus
An affordable anti-microbial drug used to treat stomach ulcers and bacterial infections has shown promise in combatting the coronavirus in animals, scientists in Hong Kong announced Monday.