Ashley Westerman
The Philippines is among the most dangerous places in the world for environmental activists
The international nonprofit Global Witness has ranked the Philippines at the top of its list of deadliest countries to be an eco-activist. Dozens of environmentalists and land defenders also die each year or end up on government watch lists.
A rare murder conviction in the Philippines reveals a 'broken' justice system
‘I cannot give up’: Cambodian rapper says he will sing about injustice despite threats from govt
'My art is not soft anymore': A Ukrainian sculptor reshapes his vision in response to war
Record-breaking inflation rates in the Philippines are pushing people to take on extra jobs
Kiribati rejoins collective of Pacific Island states after ‘crisis’ withdrawal period
The island nation of Kiribati says it will return to the Pacific Islands Forum, ending over six months of turmoil for the strategic bloc that represents nearly 20 nations and territories across the Pacific Ocean.
The return of Chinese tourists restores hope in the Philippines' tourism industry
When the Chinese government made the decision to relax its pandemic restrictions and allow for travel abroad again, tourism professionals in the Philippines welcomed the news, but concerns linger about the expected increase in mass tourism.
Philadelphia's Ukrainian diaspora puts a unique spin on holiday classic in solidarity with Ukraine
The Ukrainian community in Philadelphia is the second-largest in the United States. As members of the diaspora celebrated the holidays with a special Ukrainian version of “The Nutcracker,” they reflected on a year of worry and solidarity.
Ukraine’s zoos struggle to stay afloat during war, with traumatized animals and dwindling resources
Due to depleted money reserves and uncertainty on when Russia's war in Ukraine may end, zoo staffers at Zoo XII Months say they’re in worse shape than ever before. The animals remain distressed and, with virtually no visitors, the privately owned zoo isn’t making money.
Modular housing in Ukraine provides shelter — and hope — for internally displaced people
Hundreds of thousands of displaced people have ended up in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, near the Polish border, where prefabricated homes have become a fast and affordable way for the city to house refugees.
‘We’re just breaking even’: Small businesses in Ukraine reopening in uncertain climate
Nearly half of the country’s small businesses closed when the war began. Now, many Ukrainians are returning home, and businesses are reopening. But they’re faced with serious financial challenges, among other concerns.
Lviv rents skyrocket as displaced Ukrainians scramble for housing
Rent prices in the western city of Lviv have nearly quadrupled in some cases since the war began, making it very difficult for displaced people fleeing war to find stable, affordable housing.
US 'walks fine line' at Southeast Asia summit to strengthen ties
US President Joseph Biden pointed to a host of global challenges that make the ASEAN-US partnership “critical" at this time. But some experts who focus on Southeast Asia say the administration came up short at the summit.
Candidates go ‘green’ on the campaign trail for Philippines national election
Climate change is taking center stage on the campaign trail in the Philippines as candidates talk about renewable energy more than ever before.
Tonga reconnects with the world after massive volcanic eruption
For nearly 40 days, telecommunications were extremely limited across the small Pacific island nation of Tonga, after a volcanic eruption displaced and cut an underwater fiber optic cable.