Asian holidaymakers are increasingly seeking out destinations that offer cooler temperatures and a special brand of exoticism. (All photos by Kalpana Sunder) 
Life

Asian travelers seek 'coolcations' to beat heat

Indians lead the way as region's vacationers feel impact of climate change

25 May 2024
Radio Ceylon's oldest transmitter is pictured in this classic studio setup. The station, now called the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp., was launched by British colonial authorities in Colombo in December 1925. (All photos courtesy of the author)
Tea Leaves

How Radio Ceylon became an Asian institution

Sri Lankan station played a major role in building links with India

22 May 2024
Medical teams tend to patients at the secret Luke Hospital in Kayah state in eastern Myanmar. Donations and volunteers help keep the facility going. (All photos by Thierry Falise)
Life

Myanmar rebels create jungle medical network

Doctors conduct sophisticated surgical procedures in hidden hospitals, and cook in their spare time

19 May 2024
Jazz trailblazer Sadao Watanabe, 91, flashes his trademark smile during an interview in Tokyo in March. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Interview

Sadao Watanabe, living legend of Japanese jazz, still gigging at 91

Trailblazing saxophonist has helped bring global respect to homegrown styles

18 May 2024
Curries vary by type and flavor not only from country to country, but from home to home. (All photos by Meenakshi J)
Tea Leaves

Global curry trail crosses continents

Variations of the traditional Tamil dish have conquered the culinary world

15 May 2024
Craftswomen's network Link exhibits their works at an exhibition of traditional crafts in Nagoya, in central Japan, on April 27. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Work

Japan's traditional crafts see ray of hope in tourists, craftswomen

Despite global recognition, industry fears 40% fall in people taking up trade

12 May 2024
One of the strays at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s shelter for dogs and cats in the city's Prawet district. Now under renovation, the facility will be able to shelter 1,000 dogs and cats when it reopens later this year. (Courtesy of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration)
Life

Bangkok mobilizes volunteers to combat stray pet crisis

Hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats roam Thai capital's streets

12 May 2024
Seiichi Suzuki, chief representative of the India liaison office at Dai Nippon Printing, had a great-uncle who fought in northeastern India during World War II. (Photo by Satoshi Iwaki)
Life

India unveils monument to dead from brutal World War II battle

Survivors recall Imperial Japanese Army's failed push toward Delhi

11 May 2024
Takashi Morita of Morita Tatami Mat Shop sees growing export potential for his traditional Japanese floor covering product. (Photo by Takumi Kobayashi)
Business trends

Japan's tatami makers lay foundation for overseas sales

Traditional aesthetics attract customers from U.S. and Europe

11 May 2024
Located in a converted former residence in the Jakarta neighborhood of Menteng, Common Grounds is a quiet, homey oasis for coffee lovers. (Courtesy of Common Grounds) 
Life

Coffee's 'third wave' gathers pace in Jakarta

Shifting tastes among young Indonesians help brew specialty cafe culture

11 May 2024
Australia’s popular Aboriginal gift and decor brand, Koh Living, works with Indigenous artists. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Retail

Australian furnishings featuring Aboriginal artwork catch on

Artists hope products convey spirit and stories of Indigenous community

11 May 2024
For the past six years, A.M. Emran has been offering heritage dining experiences to the public in his family's colonial-era mansion in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka. (All photos by Faisal Mahmud)
Tea Leaves

Bangladesh eatery takes diners back to future

Dhaka's only heritage dining place shows the city's potential for tourism

8 May 2024
The Melbourne Writers Festival draws more than 50,000 attendees annually and authors from around the world. (All photos courtesy of the Melbourne Writers Festival)
Life

Melbourne Writers Festival returns to full glory

First event since COVID-19 lockdown will host more than 100 authors

7 May 2024
Indonesia's men's national team coach Shin Tae-yong has brought joy to the country's long-suffering soccer fans.
Sports

South Korean soccer coaches make mark in Southeast Asia

Shin Tae-yong's success with Indonesia's national side is latest example

6 May 2024
The Saga Indonesia Dreams, led by team captain Rizki Ramadhan, second from the right, line up before their pro baseball league debut on April 13 at a ballpark in Saga prefecture, in southwest Japan. (Photo by Koga Hashizume)
Sports

Southeast Asian pro baseball club finds field of dreams -- in Japan

Indonesians, Filipinos, Sri Lankans compete in Kyushu independent league

5 May 2024
Women at work at the Khiva Silk Carpet Workshop in Khiva, Uzbekistan. The facility opened in 2001 with backing from sources including UNESCO. (All photos by Charukesi Ramadurai)
Arts

Uzbekistan's traditional carpets make a comeback

British adventurer helps to revive skills lost during communist rule

5 May 2024
In "Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram," Kid the Phantom Thief declares that he is going to steal a historical sword, drawing Conan Edogawa and Heiji Hattori into the case.
Media & Entertainment

New 'Detective Conan' movie puts supporting characters in the limelight

Kid the Phantom Thief's 'secret' and Heiji's romance take center stage

4 May 2024
Shot in Himalayan locations, "Shambhala" from Nepal became the country's first film to be shown in the Berlinale's competition section.
Arts

Lesser-known Asian films challenge the world from Berlinale

Festival can be a springboard to success for indie filmmakers

1 May 2024
K-pop giant Hybe is launching an internal audit into its Ador subsidiary, the creator of hugely popular act NewJeans.
Media & Entertainment

Discord hits BTS agency Hybe's shares, as subsidiary feud festers

Saga has wiped out 11% of the largest K-pop management agency's market value

1 May 2024
Satoru Araki prepares sushi at his restaurant, Sushi Satoru, which has attracted attention from foreign visitors thanks to a mention in the latest Michelin Guide for Tokyo. (Photo by Phoebe Amoroso)
Life

Gastronomy becomes key draw for high-end travelers to Japan

International interest in fine dining is soaring, but capacity is limited

28 April 2024
Indigenous artist Emily Wurramara writes and sings in both English and Anindilyakwa. (Photo by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore)
Arts

Australia's Indigenous artists weave traditions into contemporary music

Once-neglected tongues and instruments are being increasingly embraced

27 April 2024
Eoin O’Brien as Ryan Owens in a scene from “Kiss of the Con Queen,” which premieres on April 27 at the Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida. © De Warrenne Pictures
Arts

Thai film exposes alleged Hollywood 'Con Queen'

Fraud victims get revenge in 'true crime' saga

26 April 2024
An illuminated sign uses Arabic script to advertise an indoor night market in Bangkok's Nana district, a popular area for Middle Eastern visitors, on April 20. (Photo by Adryel Talamantes)
Tea Leaves

Saudis bask in Bangkok's mojo

Middle Eastern visitors flock to Thai capital and balmy beach resorts after diplomatic deal

24 April 2024
"Japandi" design is characterized by simplicity and an emphasis on the natural. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Life

Australians cozy up to Japan-influenced 'Japandi' design

Japanese-Scandinavian interior style catches on with remote work

22 April 2024
The Mandarake manga superstore in Tokyo's Shibuya district. 
Media & Entertainment

Can Japan's manga industry replicate Akira Toriyama's success?

With digital platforms multiplying, it's now harder for artists to become popular

21 April 2024