Taiwan celebrates Oct. 10 or ‘Double 10 Day’

Today's holiday marks the beginning of an uprising in central China in 1911 that led to the end of the last imperial dynasty. Though it had nothing to do with Taiwan, the day is a national holiday on the self-ruled island. Ashish Valentine reports that the holiday has new meaning this year, amid growing tensions with Beijing.

https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/dovetail.prxu.org/_/300/0d3b5695-9f57-432f-bf16-91562b5927f9/2022_10_10_07.mp3

Taiwan celebrates National Day amid heightened tensions with China

Taiwan reopens to foreign tourists after years of isolation on Oct. 13

On Oct. 13, Taiwan finally reopened to tourists, after 2 1/2 years of relative isolation. The country had focused border restrictions to keep COVID-19 cases and death rates low. From Taipeir, reporter Ashish Valentine spoke to elated travelers, and tourism business owners who are thankful their main source of revenue is returning.

https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/dovetail.prxu.org/_/300/58ac4d27-58c6-4d59-817b-bbf541f7ebbb/2022_10_14_02.mp3

 Taiwan reopens its borders after years of COVID controls

Taiwan leads Asia in LGBTQ rights, but communities push for more

This past weekend, more than 100,000 people celebrated Pride in Taipei. It’s one of the biggest pride events in Asia, and Taiwan is the only place in the entire continent where same-sex marriage is legal. In Taipei, Ashish Valentine reports how LGBTQ groups from throughout Asia are looking to Taiwan for inspiration, and how local leaders are still pushing for equal rights and acceptance.

https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/dovetail.prxu.org/_/300/6ecc7867-0bba-426e-af4a-6c143ec908a3/2022_1101_08.mp3

Taiwan celebrates LGBTQ pride as activists push for further progress

Taiwanese react to Chinese protests

In China, protests have declined after the loosening of some COVID-19 restrictions. As Ashish Valentine reports from Taipei, Taiwan, there's a range of reactions there to the tumult in China.

https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/dovetail.prxu.org/_/300/f74aec9e-6904-46ef-866c-8098fa3a4397/2022_1207_07.mp3

'We all want democracy': Taiwanese stand in solidarity with Chinese 'white paper protests'

Taiwanese young people have mixed feelings about military service extension

Taiwan's president announced last week that mandatory military service for young men will increase from four months to a full year. There is broad support for the move because of a rising threat from China. But Ashish Valentine reports from Taipei that not all young people are eager to spend more time in the military.

https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/dovetail.prxu.org/_/300/74394882-4254-4fb3-b3af-7fd09b1c804f/2023_01_03_04.mp3

Taiwanese young people have mixed feelings about increased military service 

People in Taiwan can finally travel to see family for the Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year is celebrated across East Asia, including in Taiwan. Like China, people there are bracing for an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. But Ashish Valentine reports from Taipei that the island has a much higher vaccination rate, which should mean less danger to family and friends.

https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/dovetail.prxu.org/_/300/0c736103-1dc6-41e3-8cdf-31aefdc9e718/2023_0123_06.mp3

Taiwan and China celebrate Lunar New Year amid vastly different COVID levels

Ashish Valentine

People take photos with Taiwan national flags during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. 

Global Politics

COVID-19

About 120,000 people took part in Pride celebrations in Taipei on Saturday, Oct. 29.

LGBTQ

Soldiers run as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen inspects the Penghu Magong military base in outlying Penghu Island, Taiwan, Dec. 30, 2022. 

Military

Many Taipei residents visit the city's historic Dihua Street to buy goods for the Lunar New Year.

Culture

Syrian children who are refugees in Turkey face many barriers to learning. 

Refugees

In Turkey, refugee children face hurdles to school enrollment

Antonio Trujillo holds a cigarette while resting on a bench, in Pamplona, northern Spain

Environment

Big tobacco is forced to pay for cigarette butt pollution in Spain, but smokers may soon be on the hook

In this Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, photo, a Free Syrian Army fighter from Shams al-Shamal heads to the front line in Kobani, Syria. 

Critical State

Random rules: Part II

Conflict & Justice

Court orders Canada to take back its citizens from camps in Syria

Peru protests reveal ethnic and regional divides

A security personnel speaks to people from inside the main gate of Jamia Millia Islamia university in New Delhi, India

Free speech

Blocking BBC documentary on Gujarat riots goes against India's democratic values, journalist says

LGBTQ Russians are fleeing to Central Asia

The book includes haunting photos from inside the ghetto, along with its record of the medical effects of starvation. 

Warsaw Ghetto’s defiant Jewish doctors secretly documented the medical effects of Nazi starvation policies 

One of the main dishes at The Pork House includes a crunchy roasted pork with beans and fresh vegetables and is paired with the Brazilian national drink: caipirinha. 

Food

Pork paradigm shift: This high-end São Paulo restaurant features pig ears and tails

A general view of Mes Aynak valley is seen some 25 miles southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2, 2022. Buildings on top are offices of Chinese mining company MCC that won the contract to exploit the world's second-largest copper mine.

Afghanistan

A Chinese company strikes a deal with the Taliban to extract oil from Afghanistan

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