An Asia New Zealand Foundation survey finds New Zealand still has a long way to go in its understanding of Asia, despite high recognition of the region’s economic and cultural importance. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) said they knew little or nothing about Asia. This was despite the fact the vast majority of people (82 percent) felt it was important for New Zealand to develop economic and cultural ties with the region, and despite Asia being seen as the second most important region to New Zealand (behind Australia).

While none can argue against ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) being a terror organisation that needs to be eliminated at all costs; Prime Minister John Key's decision to send 143 defence personnel for a non-combat mission in Iraq has more to do with international politics than anything else

Singapore Police Force (SPF) says that crime touched a 30-year low in 2013 but there's an increase in commercial and cyber crimes

Recent findings by the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) indicate that out-of-school youths (OCYs) are more susceptible to drug abuse than their school-going peers

Smith Street, Temple Street, Japanese Street and Banda Street; all adjoining streets in today's Chinatown had one thing in common during the colonial times. Three and four-storey brothels which along with prostitution, also promoted opium smoking, drinking and gambling

While India and China would like to out-compete each other in every other respect, this is one competition in which they won't mind being the second-best  

A report just released and prepared by the White House Council on Women and Girls, and the Office of the Vice President revealed the shocking statistics

The Labour Movement says many lost their jobs last year, with many more expected this year. The Economic Development Board's (EDB) outlook for the sector in 2014 is also weak

This would help provide coverage to all Singaporeans for life, as is the stated objective of the scheme

Singapore's ministry of social and family development (MSF) acknowledged providing shelter to the needy in the recent sitting of the country's Parliament 

Race and religion matter to Malays more, Singlish has popular support, gambling is wrong, and English-speaking helps in Singapore

A report on money laundering and terrorist financing risks in the country identified virtual currencies, precious stones and metals dealers, and the Singapore Freeport, as emerging areas for further study to determine whether any mitigating measures are needed

Singapore's recent public hospitals bed-crunch has brought into focus the issue of medical tourism in the limelight once again, with many questioning whether it is due to an increase in the number of foreign patients. While the said premise is debatable, it is certainly true that the country's healthcare services are increasingly reliant on foreign manpower. 

A group of Singaporean seniors are rediscovering their passions in life, acting on stage is just one of those

Reports commissioned by Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) over last few years on the “state of the elderly” in Singapore raises more questions than provide answers  

In the Global Age Watch Index 2013 overall rankings, among the countries closest to Singapore, New Zealand is the highest ranked at seven, followed by Australia at 14. In ASEAN, Thailand is the highest ranked at 42, Vietnam is at 53, Indonesia at a lowly 71, followed by the bottom-most Loas at 79, and Cambodia at 80. 

While the Global AgeWatch Index 2013 generally shows that older people are doing better in the wealthy countries, there are notable exceptions such as Sri Lanka (36) and Bolivia (46)

While in Asia, Japan attains the highest ranking (overall ranking of 10), Sweden is rated as the best country world-wide to grow old 

Our world is burning. Be it the Colombian conflict in South America. Somalian Civil War, Nigerian insurgency, Sudan unrest and Egypt uprising in Africa. Or Iraqi invasion by US, Syrian rebellion, Israel-Palestine conflict and Afghanistan-Pakistan-Yemen based terrorism in Asia. If only we learnt something from the Big Three – Bapu, Madiba and King.