Myanmar’s most isolated pray for harvest

Myanmar’s most isolated pray for harvest

Satpalaw Shaung (Myanmar) (AFP) - A haunting refrain pierces the night as the tribeswomen of the Gongwang Bonyo, among the most isolated people in Myanmar, dance around a campfire to bless the harvest ahead.The group are part of the Naga, a blanket term for dozens of...

Taiwan embraces cute mascots for virus prevention campaign

Taiwan embraces cute mascots for virus prevention campaign

Taipei (AFP) - While China deploys stern communist slogans in its battle against a deadly new coronavirus, democratic Taiwan has embraced cuddly mascots and humour to ease public anxiety and educate on best practices.Images of cute animals have featured in daily...

Antarctica registers record temperature of over 20 C

Antarctica registers record temperature of over 20 C

Sao Paulo (AFP) - Scientists in Antarctica have recorded a new record temperature of 20.75 degrees Celsius (69.35 Fahrenheit), breaking the barrier of 20 degrees for the first time on the continent, a researcher said Thursday."We'd never seen a temperature this high...

Small businesses suffer as China virus shuts communities

Small businesses suffer as China virus shuts communities

Beijing (AFP) - Wang Li's guesthouse sits a stone's throw from the Great Wall, an idyllic setting for a weekend getaway. But in these uncertain times of the new coronavirus, Wang and her family are the only occupants.The 35-year-old woman now spends her days...

A land being strangled by uniformity

A land being strangled by uniformity

A few days ago, a twitter user posted a photo of a pile of socks in the grounds of a school. The socks had allegedly failed to meet a school regulation requiring they be all-white.Most had black or grey soles. Some were also low-cut and thus considered...

Family or job? Tough decisions for Hong Kong border commuters

Family or job? Tough decisions for Hong Kong border commuters

Hong Kong (AFP) - Waiting at a bus stop on Hong Kong's border with mainland China, Billy Yiu was preparing to say goodbye to his wife and baby, unsure when he might see them again.The 40-year-old Hong Konger works in the semi-autonomous financial hub and commutes...

The Harsh Reality of Getting a Divorce as a Mom in Japan

The Harsh Reality of Getting a Divorce as a Mom in Japan

Even before my son was born, I knew raising him in Japan was going to be the hardest thing I would ever do. His father, who is Japanese, was never in the picture. He always had an excuse why he couldn’t be bothered to give our son a bath, change his diaper, or even...

Seremban is now a city

Seremban is now a city

The Sultan of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir proclaimed Seremban as a city and opened the Seremban City Council (MBS) Complex (Wisma Majlis Bandaraya Seremban) last night.Also present at...Read Morehttps://this.kiji.is/modal/modal-1.0.0.min.js

Peru to plant one million trees around Machu Picchu

Peru to plant one million trees around Machu Picchu

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra launched a campaign on Thursday to reforest the Machu Picchu archeological site in order to protect it from mud slides and forest fires.Vizcarra has pledged to plant...Read Morehttps://this.kiji.is/modal/modal-1.0.0.min.js