Myanmar Junta Drops Terrorism Charges and Releases 10 Ethnic Rakhine Figures
Myanmar’s junta has dropped terrorism charges against 10 ethnic Rakhines, including relatives of the top commander of the rebel Arakan Army, setting them free after nearly two years in custody awaiting trial, a lawyer representing them told RFA.The mov…
UN: Southeast Asian Meth Trade Grew in 2020 Despite COVID-19 Controls
The illegal trade in methamphetamines grew robustly in Southeast and East Asia last year despite cross-border and movement restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus outbreak, the United Nations counter-narcotics agency said in a new report releas…
Insect-Tracking Drones to Boost Rare Bug Conservation in New Zealand
SYDNEY – A “swarm” of bug-tracking drones and tiny radars are being developed to help conservation of rare insects in New Zealand. The new tag-and-track technology is being developed at the University of Canterbury on New Zealand’s South Island. Resea…
A Dozen Dead in Myanmar Military Plane Crash, Including Prominent Senior Monk
A military plane crashed in central Myanmar’s Mandalay region Thursday, killing at least 12 people on board, including a prominent senior Buddhist monk, according to state media.The plane was carrying six military personnel, as well as two monks and si…
Hong Kong Opens Vaccine Drive to Children Aged 12 and Older
HONG KONG – Hong Kong will allow children age 12 and above to receive the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine as it seeks to boost immunization rates in the city. Government officials said Thursday they will offer the vaccine to about 240,000 children from 12 t…
CDC Eases COVID-19 Travel Advisories for Dozens of Countries?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an updated travel advisory for more than 120 countries and territories based on the status of their respective COVID-19 outbreaks. The CDC says its new travel health notice seeks to differe…
Slow Vaccination Rate in Africa Could Have Major Consequences, Experts Warn
NAIROBI, KENYA – By any measure, the number of those being vaccinated against COVID-19 in Africa are running behind the rest of the world. Health experts warn that failure to inoculate the 1.3 billion people on the continent will have a huge impact on …