Asia
Nepal becomes 1st country in South Asia to legalize same-sex marriage
Nepal’s Supreme Court has issued a final ruling affirming marriage equality as a constitutional right, making the Himalayan nation the first in South Asia to legally recognize same-sex unions, and…
Asian immigrants weigh exit plans as legal ground shifts
Court rulings, executive orders and enforcement campaigns are making immigration status feel increasingly conditional for Asian immigrants and their families across the U.S., pushing tens of…
Asia worries, hedges as US-Iran War reshapes the world order
As U.S. and Israeli forces wage war against Iran, Asian governments are racing to protect their citizens, secure energy supplies and navigate a conflict none of them asked for or wanted. State of…
Floods across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia kill more than 1,400
More than 1,400 people have been killed across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia after days of heavy rain triggered severe flooding and landslides. Three cyclones formed in the same week…
Myanmar refugees face return to civil war after Trump admin ends protection
Roughly 4,000 Myanmar nationals in the U.S. face deportation to a war-torn homeland after the Trump administration ended their temporary protected status (TPS) last week, claiming improvements in a…
S. Korea preps sanctions against Cambodia scammers as US intensifies crackdown
South Korea plans to impose financial sanctions on Cambodia-based criminal organizations involved in online scams and human trafficking, a move that follows the U.S.’ unprecedented action against…
Asian students bear brunt of historic US international enrollment drop
The month of August saw international student arrivals from Asia fall by 24%, while overall global entries declined 19%, the steepest recorded drop outside pandemic years, according to a New York…
‘No Other Choice,’ ‘A Useful Ghost’ lead Asia’s Oscar submissions
South Korea’s tense thriller “No Other Choice,” Thailand’s surreal “A Useful Ghost” and Taiwan’s “Left-Handed Girl” headline Asia’s submissions to the 98th Academy Awards for best international…
‘One Piece’ pirate flag rises as banner of dissent across Asia
A black flag bearing a cartoon skull in a straw hat, once known only to fans of the Japanese manga and anime series “One Piece,” recently became a striking emblem at some of Asia’s most turbulent…
Nepal names its 1st female prime minister
Nepal has appointed former chief justice Sushila Karki as its first female prime minister following weeks of anti-corruption protests that killed at least 72 people and injured more than 2,100. The…
Charlie Kirk fanned far-right flame in Asia before fatal Utah shooting
Days before his death, conservative activist Charlie Kirk brought his polarizing brand of American politics to Asia, delivering speeches in Seoul and Tokyo that warned against globalism and…
Nepal PM resigns as army takes control following deadly protest crackdown
Nepal’s Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli resigned on Wednesday, two days after security forces fired on protesters in Kathmandu. The crackdown left at least 30 people dead and hundreds injured during…
Asia leads solutions as global plastic crisis hits $1.5 trillion
Plastic pollution represents a grave crisis costing the world at least $1.5 trillion annually in health-related economic losses, a landmark report reveals. Key findings: The comprehensive review…
Trump’s tariff blitz reshapes Asian trade landscape
President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries Friday, sending U.S. stocks tumbling and establishing rates on nearly every trading partner while talks with China continue. By…
Trump admin eyes travel ban for 36 more countries
The Trump administration is reportedly mulling potential entry restrictions affecting citizens from 36 new countries, substantially broadening travel policies enacted previously. Scope: State…
Air India 787 crash likely due to dual engine failure: investigators
A rare dual engine failure during initial climb is the leading theory behind the crash of Air India Flight AI171, investigators said, as the death toll from the June 12 disaster rose to at least 270.…
COVID-19 surges in East and Southeast Asia
COVID-19 cases are climbing across East and Southeast Asia, with notable increases in Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Health authorities attribute the rise to new Omicron subvariants and…
Former Shen Yun dancers sue over alleged forced child labor, abuse
Two former dancers have filed a federal lawsuit against Shen Yun Performing Arts — the U.S.-based classical Chinese dance company known for its colorful stage performances and spiritual messaging —…
Myanmar’s capital is having to be redrawn after devastating earthquake
Myanmar’s military rulers have announced plans to redraw the layout of the nation’s capital city, Nay Pyi Taw, after last month’s catastrophic earthquake caused widespread destruction. Catch up The…
Japanese NBA stars Kawamura and Hachimura share moment in Lakers-Grizzlies clash
Memphis Grizzlies guard Yuki Kawamura and Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, the only two active Japanese players in the NBA, shared a heartfelt embrace and posed for the cameras when their…
Shohei Ohtani adds to GOAT argument with 2nd Hank Aaron award
Shohei Ohtani was named the National League’s (NL) Hank Aaron Award winner for 2024 on Thursday during the All-MLB Team Show. The achievement, which comes shortly after being named to the All-MLB…
Trump’s re-election sparks economic, geopolitical anxiety across Asia
Donald Trump’s re-election is raising major questions across Asia as countries brace for the impact of his renewed “America First” agenda and threats of high tariffs. At play are key economic…
China expanding into disputed Himalayan territory with new villages: report
Satellite images, government notices and social media footage reveal extensive construction of multiple villages in a remote Himalayan valley claimed by both China and Bhutan. A CNN investigation has…
Anti-immigrant rhetoric, policies endanger South Asians in Canada
Anti-immigrant political rhetoric and online hate speech have sparked a disturbing trend of anti-South Asian sentiment in Canada. The prejudice has manifested in verbal and physical assaults,…
Asia reacts to Donald Trump’s second term win
Asia is bracing for the return of Donald Trump to the White House, as leaders across the region express a mix of cautious optimism and concern about his foreign policy. Observers believe Trump’s…
12 Asian horror films to scare your socks off this Halloween
Delve into the chilling world of Asian and Asian American horror with these NextShark-recommended classic and contemporary films across various subgenres. From supernatural hauntings and…
12-year-old Cambodian princess dubbed ‘Little Lisa’ rejects offer to be K-pop trainee
Cambodia’s Princess Norodom Jenna, the great-granddaughter of former King Norodom Sihanouk, has declined an offer from a South Korean agency to become a trainee. The 12-year-old broke the news on her…
South Asian women suffer from ‘marriage penalty’ at work: study
A phenomenon known as “marriage penalty” hinder’s women’s employment in South Asia, a new World Bank study shows. The trend persists even without factoring in child-rearing, while men experience the…
New poll shows how AAPI adults view legal, illegal immigration
A new poll shows that 8 in 10 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults believe legal immigration significantly boosts the U.S. economy. The survey, conducted by AAPI Data…
Why most Asian immigrants move to the US: survey
Most Asian immigrants come to the U.S. to be with family, according to a survey recently published by the Pew Research Center. While ethnic groups had diverse motivations, the survey highlights…
Fortune unveils its list of the ‘most powerful’ women in Asia
Fortune unveiled its 2024 Most Powerful Women Asia list, featuring 100 influential women from diverse industries such as finance, energy, food and beverages, transportation and hospitality. The 100…
Travelers crown Japan best country in the world for 2nd straight year
Conde Nast Traveler named Japan the best country in the world for the second year in a row in its 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. The annual survey, which asks travelers to rate their experiences across…
Why rich Asian countries are now eager for foreign workers
Wealthier Asian countries are increasingly looking to foreign workers to address their growing labor shortages, driven by shrinking native populations. These nations, including Japan, Singapore,…
Arrest of Cambodian investigative journalist sparks global outcry
The arrest of renowned Cambodian investigative journalist Mech Dara on Monday has drawn condemnation from international governments and rights organizations. Dara, known for his work on exposing…
More Asian films vie to win 2025 Oscar for best international feature
The Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan and China have announced their official submissions for the best international feature film category at the 97th Academy Awards. The chosen films, submitted ahead…
Massachusetts congressman honored for Tibet support
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) was honored on Saturday for supporting Tibetans and their religious autonomy. At the “Thank You, Jim McGovern: A Gratitude Event” hosted by the Regional Tibetan…
