Commentary / World Aug 14, 2018
Why charity for the poor isn't futile
by Peter Singer
While we wait for politicians to act, it is important to concentrate our spare resources on effective aid that helps poor people lead the best lives they can.
NEWSWORTHY
Asia Pacific Aug 10, 2018
'Potentially catastrophic effects': Red Cross warns of North Korea food crisis as crops fail in heat
A heat wave in North Korea has led to rice, maize and other crops withering in the fields, "with potentially catastrophic effects," the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said on Friday. The world's largest disaster relief network warned of a ...
Asia Pacific Aug 3, 2018
The U.N. Security Council is poised to back a U.S. proposal aimed at removing some of the hurdles that tough sanctions on North Korea have thrown up in the way of delivering humanitarian aid, according to documents obtained by AFP. North Korea's humanitarian crisis has ...
Business Jul 27, 2018
Where now for Venezuela, as it wrestles with 1,000,000% inflation?
Whether Venezuela's projected 1 million percent inflation sparks a social revolution or forces the government to open up the economy, one thing is sure: It will heap more misery on a suffering population. This week, the International Monetary Fund made the stunning projection, adjusting its ...
Our Lives | BLACK EYE Jul 22, 2018
With Japan trip, New York teacher proves to inner-city students that sky's the limit
by Baye McNeil
In an epic feat of fundraising, teacher Eric Jordan has completed his mission to bring some less-than-privileged students from Brownsville, Brooklyn, to Japan.
Asia Pacific | ANALYSIS Jul 19, 2018
Wage, hours policies by South Korean leader Moon backfire for jobless, low income workers
by Cynthia Kim and Heekyong Yang
President Moon Jae-in wants South Koreans to work less and earn more — and to achieve that his government has hiked the minimum wage and slashed the maximum length of the working week. But Heo Jeong, who serves barley tea samples at a Lotte Mart ...
World / Politics Jul 18, 2018
World's poorest risk losing out as Brexit Britain pushes 'aid for trade'
by Lin Taylor
Women, young and disabled people risk being left out as Britain shifts aid spending to boost its own trade, experts said on Tuesday, with worries over Brexit already hitting the economy. A parliamentary watchdog and aid agencies criticized plans by Britain's foreign aid agency, the ...
National / Social Issues Jul 14, 2018
Japan's homeless ranks down to 15-year low under 5,000, survey says
The welfare ministry says municipal and prefectural efforts have reduced Tokyo’s tally to roughly 1,242, Osaka’s to 1,110 and Kanagawa’s to 934.
Business Jul 12, 2018
Asian factory workers face slavery risks with rise of automation in manufacturing: analysts
The rise of robots in manufacturing in Southeast Asia is likely to fuel modern-day slavery as workers who end up unemployed due to automation face abuses competing for a shrinking pool of low-paid jobs in a "race to the bottom," analysts said Thursday. Drastic job ...
World / Social Issues Jul 12, 2018
Failure to educate girls could cost world $30 trillion a year: report
Failing to let girls finish their education could cost the world as much as $30 trillion in lost earnings and productivity annually, yet more than 130 million girls are out of school globally, the World Bank said Wednesday. Women who have completed secondary education are ...
National / Social Issues Jun 26, 2018
Children of poor, jobless single moms have become an underclass in Japan
by Yoshiaki Nohara
The beating of a 4-year-old boy last Christmas Eve went on through the night. Covered with bruises and having suffered catastrophic internal bleeding, he was pronounced dead at an Osaka hospital. Soon after, his mother and her two boyfriends were arrested. While the news of ...
National | KANSAI PERSPECTIVE Jun 24, 2018
Kansai entities team up on U.N. development goals as Japan angles for World Expo
by Eric Johnston
When the Group of 20 summit takes place in Osaka a year from now, the bulk of media reporting and commentary will no doubt emphasize what the presidents and prime ministers say about the international financial or geopolitical crisis of the moment, and what ...