Thailand
Narcs and spies: The drug war’s murky origins in Southeast Asia
In a nationwide address in the 1970s, President Richard Nixon declared drug abuse to be “public enemy No. 1” and stepped up efforts to shut down the global trade. Much of the initial efforts of the DEA were focused on Southeast Asia where US troops in Vietnam were using heroin.
Self-taught chef introduces rural Vermonters to traditional Thai cuisine
Thailand legalizes kratom, a mild narcotic leaf
Russia hosts multinational talks on Afghanistan
Migrants set up camp under Del Rio bridge along US-Mexico border
Thousands desperate to be evacuated from Afghanistan
Top of The World: Tens of thousands of people remain stuck in Afghanistan, desperate to be evacuated following the Taliban’s takeover. And, Vice President Kamala Harris’ once low-risk trip to Asia has taken on new importance as she will attempt to reassure allies of American credibility. Also, health officials in Australia are warning that major cities like Sydney and Melbourne may be losing control of a COVID-19 outbreak fueled by the more contagious delta variant.
In Thailand, new abortion freedoms face spiritual resistance
Early-stage abortions are legal in Thailand, but many doctors and nurses there refuse to do them.
US human trafficking report elicits anger from several countries
The Biden administration’s first comprehensive annual review of modern slavery is causing shockwaves around the world.
In Thailand, you could win a free cow with a COVID jab
One district plans to give out a cow each week through a raffle system for the rest of the year — and even deliver them to the winners’ homes.
Amid narcotics reform, Thai cooks replace MSG with cannabis
Shifting attitudes about narcotics in Thailand have reached restaurants. From stir-fries and rich curries to tempura-fried leaves, chefs are experimenting with cannabis flavors.
One Thai island’s bold scheme to bring back tourists
Amid the pandemic, Thailand effectively closed down to tourists. A plan for reopening Phuket to tourism has emerged, but it's controversial.
A Thai organization’s crusade against blaspheming Buddha
The Knowing Buddha Organization in Thailand scours the internet and chases tips, seeking out people who’ve used Buddha’s image flagrantly.
Dr. Atul Gawande: Pandemic led to a ‘rethink on what matters’
Almost a year into the pandemic, societies are faced with immense contradictions: processing shocking death tolls while finding hope in promising vaccine rollouts. Surgeon, writer and researcher Dr. Atul Gawande speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about what it means to be human in this precarious moment.
England to enter third lockdown; Mexico approves Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine; Saudi Arabia ends embargo with Qatar
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a strict new national lockdown starting midnight on Tuesday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as the country struggles to cope with a surge in cases. And, health officials in Mexico on Monday approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. Also, Saudi Arabia announced that the kingdom would end its embargo with Qatar.
East Asia faces rising COVID-19 threat; UK truck drivers in test uproar; EU-China talks hit snag
The coronavirus has crept back into parts of East Asia that had been widely regarded for handling the pandemic well. Thousands of truck drivers at the British port of Dover lashed out in an uproar over a shortage of COVID-19 tests. And, talks between the EU and China on how to roll back investment restrictions appear to have faltered.