Southeast Asia

Human Rights Leaders Advice to Washington on Burma: ‘Go Slow’

February 19, 2013, 5:27 am

As the United States supports Burma on its way to democracy, human rights groups say lifted sanctions should be tied to concrete progress, and the U.S. must exercise cautious [...]

Nike Accused of Using Indonesian Military to Intimidate Workers

January 16, 2013, 12:24 am

Nike is being accused of paying local Indonesian military personnel to show up at factories and intimidate employees to work for less than the country’s minimum wage.

Indonesian City to Ban Women Passengers From Straddling Motorcycles

January 3, 2013, 4:42 pm

An Indonesian city is looking to ban women from “straddling” motorcycles behind male drivers and said now women can only ride motorcycles sidesaddle.

Crystal Meth Spikes in Southeast Asia

December 12, 2012, 2:18 pm

The United Nations drug office found that crystal meth is more prominent than ever in East and Southeast Asia, with Burma leading the way in production.

In Photos, Aftermath of Typhoon Bopha in Philippines

December 10, 2012, 11:49 am

Rescue workers on Monday were still searching for hundreds of people who went missing after Typhoon Bopha devastated the southern Philippines last week.

Typhoon Leveled Three Philippine Towns

December 7, 2012, 1:50 am

Typhoon Bopha wiped out three Philippine towns in eastern Davao Oriental Province, located on the island of Mindanao, killing hundreds of people in the area and doing [...]

Typhoon Bopha Leaves Hundreds Dead in Philippines (Photos)

December 5, 2012, 4:26 pm

A powerful typhoon slammed into the southern Philippine Islands earlier this week killing 274 people, injuring 339, with 279 still missing, reported disaster officials on Wednesday.

Burma’s Kachin People in Crisis

November 22, 2012, 11:53 pm

With the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Burma, resource-rich Kachin State is an especially lucrative draw for the Burmese military. Refugees are denied proper access to foreign aid.

Obama Affirms Strategic Importance of Asia Pacific

November 16, 2012, 1:02 am

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama will set off this weekend on his first trip abroad since being re-elected. The trip through Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia, highlights the strategic importance his administration places on the region. “It sends a powerful signal, as it [...]

Burma Releases Prisoners Before Obama Trip

November 15, 2012, 4:43 pm

The Burmese government said it has released 452 prisoners ahead of President Barack Obama’s historic visit to the country.