Hong Kong, China — The idea of cricket being played in China might sound a bit farfetched to cricket buffs attuned to the raucous Asian juggernauts of cricket – India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – who tussle for supremacy in the region. However, China has embarked on an ambitious path to become a top player in the sport.

Kolkata, India — There are many web sites that list all kinds of jobs, but in India there is one such site only for Sikh priests. Religion is a huge business in India, from music and video CDs to tourism and TV channels, even spiritual portals that offer blessings from the gods through the Internet.

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — The ancient kingdoms of Cambodia and Thailand are squaring off over some ancient Khmer ruins that have only barely withstood the test of time. Both countries lay claim to the temple of Phra Viharn, as the Thais call it, or Preah Vihear in Cambodian, that lies on their common border.

Allen, TX, United States — Generosity, without strings attached, is a powerful tool in winning people’s hearts and minds. To win the war against terror the United States must win through love, not military operations. While U.S. foreign policy is losing ground, some Americans are winning in Afghanistan by helping people.

Kawasaki, Japan — The majority of Japanese do not expect much change from the election of a new U.S. president, but they have been captivated by the campaign. A Pew Research Center poll reported that 83 percent of Japanese respondents were closely following the election coverage, compared to 80 percent of Americans.

Beijing, China — Three official Chinese organizations have announced a campaign to honor “young heroes” who performed bravely during rescue efforts following the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province. The intention may be good, but conducting a public campaign to selectively honor these youngsters is inappropriate.

Kawasaki, Japan — Japanese “monster parents” – parents who make unreasonable demands of their children’s schools or teachers – have become a hot topic. Japanese parents used to apologize to schools for their children’s behavior, but now they view themselves as privileged customers and horror stories of their behavior abound.

Kolkata, India — Being a "bhangi" – or lavatory cleaner – from a family of bhangis, Sonal Chavan never dreamed of being a teacher until her husband, a sweeper, mustered the courage to enroll her in a computer class. Now she is a primary school teacher, and one example of the impact of the IT industry on Indian society.

Taipei, Taiwan — Fan Meizhong gained fame in the wake of the earthquake that hit Sichuan province last month not because of any brave rescue efforts but because he escaped alone from the collapsing remains of his school, leaving behind his students to fend for themselves. Labeled a “shameless teacher,” he has hit back at critics by citing liberalism that made him run for his freedom.

Seoul, South Korea — Some 13,000 South Korean truckers joined global fuel protests, paralyzing the country’s ports and freight shipments. The strike by unionized truckers supported by self-employed drivers could deepen woes of embattled President Lee Myung-bak, already shaken by daily protests over a U.S. beef deal and proposed privatization of state firms.

Hong Kong, China — Fears of the deadly H5N1 bird flu gripped Hong Kong Wednesday as chickens in different markets across the territory tested positive for the lethal strain. Despite government efforts to combat the outbreak, the city remains on high alert for the dangerous avian flu virus that has the capability to create a global pandemic.

Taipei, Taiwan — Schoolchildren in China are being asked to join in the national flurry to donate to victims of the earthquake that hit Sichuan province on May 12. In fact, the size of one’s donation – even for a child – has become the latest measure of merit in this highly competitive society.

Taipei, Taiwan — All across China collection centers are gathering clothes and money for victims of the earthquake that hit Sichuan province on May 12. The disaster has prompted an unprecedented amount of giving. Yet text-message and Internet campaigns are criticizing some foreign companies for being too stingy.

Tokyo, Japan — It has been 63 years since Japan conceded defeat in World War II, yet its soldiers are still coming home. The recently returned remains of 629 soldiers, most unidentified, were buried Monday at the unknown soldiers' memorial near the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo.

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Thailand’s social, academic and political leadership seems to agree that the country has political woes, but they are only a symptom. The causes are related to corruption, a lack of public responsibility, and the belief that Thais must remain monolithic, non-divisive and committed to the monarchy.

Kolkata, India — This looks like a plot straight out of a movie: a multibillionaire strikes a billion dollars worth of deals with world famous industry players. This week India’s Reliance Big Entertainment said it had entered into deals with eight Hollywood production houses to make “at least” 10 films in two years.

Shanghai, China — The whole of China went into mourning Monday afternoon at 2:28 p.m., exactly one week after a disastrous earthquake hit Sichuan province. People in every corner of the country bowed their heads for three minutes while horns honked and sirens wailed, in an outpouring of grief for the quake’s victims.

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi warned the country's media on Friday that they need to cooperate, be responsible and ethical. The Thai prime minister has given similar advice to his country's media. It's a shame that they and other Asian leaders don't adhere to the same guidelines.

Hong Kong, China — The Beijing Olympic torch made a triumphant journey through Hong Kong Friday, its first stop on Chinese soil after a tumultuous trip around the world. Local residents turned out in force, sporting red T-shirts and waving Chinese flags in a rare display of patriotism.

BEIJING, China — "Patriotism" seems to be a magic word for the Chinese. As long as a Chinese person claims to be a patriot, he or she immediately assumes the moral high ground. Whatever he or she says or does in the name of patriotism is perfectly justified, and other citizens are classified as either patriots or traitors.

Seoul, South Korea — President Lee Myung-bak is facing a fresh political test following his decision to fully open the South Korean market to U.S. beef. Lee branded previous moves against U.S. beef imports as "politically motivated," ruling out any health risks from U.S. beef. But many South Koreans believe otherwise.

Hong Kong, China — The Chinese People's Liberation Army opened its barracks at three locations in Hong Kong Thursday, allowing local residents a rare glimpse of their living quarters and lifestyle, in a bid to promote understanding and trust of the troops garrisoned here.

Manila, Philippines — The global food price crisis has revived the population debate in the Philippines. Analysts insist the high population growth rate of the Philippines is not sustainable. Food production may be increasing over the years but the number of Filipinos is increasing at a faster rate.

New York, NY, United States — Bangladesh, a poverty-stricken country of 150 million people, suffers from inadequate healthcare. State-funded medical schools produce many doctors, but they tend to go abroad to work. Expatriate doctors and health professionals could do a lot if they pooled their resources to help their country.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korea has expressed "strong regret" over violence by Chinese students and residents during the Olympic torch relay in Seoul, with concerns that public outrage here may harm Seoul-Beijing ties. Some 6,000 Chinese residents assembled to defend the beleaguered Olympic torch against 300 protesters.

Hong Kong, China — A record 5.4 million children in Afghanistan are attending classes in the new school year that began March 23. This is despite attacks on 10 schools in various parts of the country by unidentified gunmen since classes began last month. The will to study is strong despite the danger.

Kolkata, India — Pope Benedict's visit to the White House in an election year seems to be manna from heaven for the Bush administration. The papal visit also accidentally coincided with the furor over Barrack Obama's "bitter" speech, in which he described the religion of small-town Americans in unflattering terms.

BEIJING, China — Some influential people in China wish to take advantage of the government's cultural development policy to pursue their own pet projects. A typical example is the proposal to turn Jining, home of Confucius and Mencius, into a "Symbol of Chinese Culture City." This would be a cultural disaster.

Goa, India — Cultural diversity is a fact of modern life and it exists now in practically all countries of the world. In addition to conventional elements such as race, religion and language, cultural diversity is accentuated by new factors including globalization and the emphasis on individual choice.

Nakhonratchasima , Thailand — Many have argued legitimately that the Thai police are extremely corrupt. Even Thais themselves will accept this postulation, yet like others fail to note that the police force in Thailand is not a separate entity from the rest of society, and that people make up police staff.

Hong Kong, China — "Are you a vegetarian, Mr. Kumar?" asked Dr. Shailesh Chaugule, a psychiatrist from the Indian city of Pune. A senior citizen in his early seventies, Kumar had been feeling low for months. He lacked interest in everything, got tired easily, was awake at night, and often felt listless and anxious.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korea in February adopted a new system whereby a jury will be present during court trials, in an effort to make its legal system more democratic. However, the jury's ruling is not legally binding upon the judge, who still holds the right to determine the verdict and the sentence.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korean citizens waited anxiously Tuesday night as a Russian spacecraft carrying the country's first astronaut prepared to blast off from a launch pad in Kazakhstan. Watching a live telecast of the Soyuz capsule's successful lift-off, thousands of Seoul citizens in front of City Hall turned jubilant.

San Francisco, CA, United States — April 7 is the one-year anniversary of the young Kurdish girl Du'a Khalil Aswad's tragic stoning at the hands of men who misguidedly believe she had sullied her family's honor. I wish to appeal to King Abdullah II of Jordan to overturn penal code articles that allow similarly brutal and unjust incidents.

Bangkok, Thailand — The global information society is threatened by extensive state censorship of information, including on the Internet, by ruling elites in non-democratic countries. Thailand has had decades of difficulties with information management and the public's lack of access to facts.

Nanjing, China — Chinese authorities have been advocating "liberation of the mind" in a recent campaign. But only in a society where thinking is monopolized by state authority is the liberation of the mind necessary. True liberation of the mind should encourage free thinking.

Hong Kong, China — Hormonally speaking, a woman's life has three important stages: the beginning of menstruation, the reproductive period and pregnancy, and the termination of the childbearing period with the end of the menstrual cycle, or menopause -- which can bring trying physical symptoms and psychological issues.

Beijing, China — In Beijing, the 11th day of every month is to be "queuing-up day," teaching the citizenry how to stand in orderly lines, while the 22nd is to be "yield one's seat day," encouraging courtesy toward the weak or elderly on trains and buses. This is all designed by officials who travel snugly in luxury cars.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korea has made a "humiliating" decision to drop its first astronaut, who was to be sent into space next month on a Russian spacecraft, after Moscow blamed him for violating training rules. Astronaut Ko San will be replaced by female engineer Yi So-yeon on the Soyuz capsule in early April.

Kokata, India — When a top-drawer editor and author like M. J. Akbar is forced out of office for his independent editorial stance and India's mainstream print and electronic media choose to ignore the development, serious questions arise about the ethical parameters of this fraternity.

Tokyo, Japan — A legacy of Takeo Fukuda, the late father of current Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, is being revived, says a veteran diplomat. Former Ambassador Nagao Hyodo says there is resurgent momentum toward the U.N. adoption of a "Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities," originally proposed in 1998.

BEIJING, China — Two incidents have attracted attention in China of late: a pronouncement by the authorities that their medical reforms are a failure, and the trial of entrepreneur Gu Chu-jun on corruption charges. These events lend themselves to a judgment concerning the sorry state of China's reforms.

Seoul, South Korea — Professor Karl Polany predicted in 1944 that a global market economy would erode social stability as people crossed borders in pursuit of higher paying jobs. Fortunately, reality is less gloomy than his prediction, due to the global prosperity the world now enjoys.

Seoul, South Korea — South Korean sports officials are upbeat about exchanges with North Korea after the New York Philharmonic played the U.S. national anthem in Pyongyang Tuesday, with the U.S. flag onstage. They hope the South Korean anthem and flag could debut in North Korea at next month's soccer World Cup qualifying match.

Hong Kong, China — India's upcoming domestic cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League, created auction history last week in Mumbai when it "sold" 75 of the world's best cricketers at a whooping US$40 million to eight local groups franchised to represent eight regional zones that will battle for the trophy.

Hong Kong, China — One morning, Harish woke up with excruciating pain in his right ankle. An Indian in his mid-thirties, Harish had suffered a similar episode in the recent past. Being too stressed at his new office to care for his health, he had let it pass. But this time he went to a doctor, and was diagnosed with gout.

Seoul, South Korea — Can an overture of cultural diplomacy open up North Korea, as it did the Soviet Union and China decades ago? The New York Philharmonic is set to make a musical overture to North Korea, playing a historic concert in the nation U.S. President George W. Bush described as part of an "axis of evil."

BEIJING, China — Chinese university students are being asked to sign a letter of guarantee that they will not cheat on English exams required for graduation. The letter serves the same function as the slogans authorities used to paint on walls, and now hang up on banners. Can this guarantee honesty in the exam hall?

Kathmandu, Nepal — As Nepal faces the uncertainty of elections and an indefinite bundh, or strike, in the southern Terai region, the perfect match between entrepreneurial expertise and not-for-profit networking has been hammered out to create a nationwide movement aimed at self-sufficiency for the underprivileged.

Hong Kong, China — Encouraging public participation to tackle pollution is an important feature in new environmental legislation introduced by the Chinese government, a report released today in Hong Kong, by the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs and World Wide Fund, has said.