New species of ant explodes to defend colony

EU members "have their geo-strategic calculations in mind, and will likely favor countries that are friendly or important to European interests," says one ASEAN expert in response to the bloc's global vaccine drive.

The US vice president's visit to Singapore and Vietnam is seen as a test of the Biden administration's ability to reassure key allies of its resolve. The trip comes as US forces withdraw from Afghanistan.

With the Taliban in control of Afghanistan, the UN Women director for Asia Mohammad Naciri warns of a gender emergency, where "women and girls have been consistently and systemically targeted". In the weeks leading up to their return to power, the Taliban's leadership have strived to portray a softer image than when they last ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001. But women struggle to take comfort from such assurances.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting massive production disruptions in Southeast Asia will lead to greater diversification and a major reshaping of global supply chains, according to experts.

China and India are struggling to obtain enough coal to get through the winter and power their pandemic recoveries. Soaring prices are exacerbating the energy crisis and raising urgent questions about climate goals.

The president has again said that he has a commitment to defend Taiwan should China attack, contradicting the US's decades-old policy toward the island. It has prompted official clarification about the US's role in Asia.

The EU and China have pledged to boost funding of green investment projects in ASEAN. But will these erstwhile partners, whose relations have soured over the past year, be able to work side by side?

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has unleashed a wide range of responses from leaders of countries across Asia.

Aside from reprimanding Moscow in the UN, many countries have offered lukewarm responses to the invasion of Ukraine. Experts speculate the silence could be due to a regional wariness of involvement in distant affairs.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has unleashed a wide range of responses from leaders of countries across Asia.

US President Joe Biden has launched a new trade deal with 12 Indo-Pacific nations. The plan provides a means for partner countries to deal with key issues including climate change, supply chain and digital trade.

In this edition, we take a closer look at climate change in Asia and its impact on extreme weather events. Whether it be scorching heatwaves in Pakistan or devastating floods in Bangladesh, the likelihood of these events occurring is increasing along with global temperatures.