Rebecca Ratcliffe

A study of 12 orphaned grizzly bears released in British Columbia found that all but two died within a year, most before their first hibernation. The bears had been raised on high-calorie diets and grew to roughly 3.5 times the size of wild-reared yearlings, creating high energy demands that they could not meet after release. Some also retained an association between humans and food, contributing to fatal conflicts. Researchers argue that rehabilitation should be more hands-off and avoid excessive weight gain, while conservation groups maintain that improved rewilding methods will be essential for threatened bear populations elsewhere.

Filipino entomologist Cristian Lucañas, known as the “Cockroach Lord,” has discovered and described numerous cockroach species in the Philippines and abroad, naming some after Tolkien and Pokémon characters. He argues that cockroaches are far more diverse and ecologically important than household pests suggest, contributing to decomposition, nutrient recycling, pollination, seed dispersal and food webs. Lucañas warns that habitat destruction, mining and global heating threaten Philippine cockroach species, several of which are already listed as endangered or vulnerable, while much remains unknown about their biodiversity and ecological roles.

The desert rain frog, found only along a narrow coastal strip of South Africa and Namibia, has been classified as vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat loss from mining, development and urbanisation. Conservationists warn that increased interest from the pet trade, driven by viral videos of the frog’s distress call, may further threaten the species. The frog’s unique adaptations, including burrowing behaviour, specialised moisture absorption and distinctive breeding strategies, make it especially reliant on intact sand dune ecosystems. Experts stress that preserving these habitats is essential to preventing further population decline.

Blackchin tilapia, an invasive fish native to west Africa, has spread across at least 19 provinces in Thailand, devastating shrimp farms and displacing native species. Despite government control measures, experts say eradication is impossible due to the fish’s rapid reproduction and adaptability. Researchers highlight advanced monitoring tools such as eDNA to track invasive species, while affected communities turn to limited economic uses including animal feed and niche culinary experimentation. A lawsuit accuses Charoen Pokphand Foods of introducing the fish, which the company denies. Fishers report severe ecological and economic impacts as the species continues to expand, raising concerns that it could spread beyond Thailand’s borders.

Researchers have identified Taiwan’s tallest tree, an 84.1‑metre, 1,000‑year‑old Taiwania cryptomerioides known as Heaven Sword of the Da’an River. The study highlights the ecological importance of tall, ancient trees, which host complex habitats and store significant carbon, while warning that climate‑driven threats such as wildfires, droughts and extreme weather are accelerating their decline. Lidar technology is helping locate more giant trees globally, though its accuracy varies in rugged terrain. Reaching and measuring these trees requires difficult expeditions, and scientists aim to better understand their habitats as intensifying storms and landslides increase risks to their survival.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol died at age 47 after nearly four years in a coma caused by heart problems and subsequent infections. Her deteriorating condition had required extensive medical support. The eldest child of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, she held diplomatic and legal roles, advocated for female prisoners and served with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Her death intensifies questions around Thailand’s royal succession, a topic constrained by strict lèse-majesté laws. The article outlines family dynamics, including the king’s children, past marriages and the status of potential heirs.

Divers rescued one of seven men trapped for more than a week in a flooded cave in central Laos, with four others located in a chamber and two still missing. International teams are battling treacherous, low-visibility conditions and unstable cave walls while pumping water from the tunnels. Additional divers from several countries are joining the effort, and rescuers plan to attempt further extractions as they continue searching for the missing men.

Five villagers trapped in a flooded cave in Laos were located after a challenging search through narrow, submerged tunnels, but rescuers warn extraction will be equally dangerous. Limited oxygen supplies, heavy rain, zero visibility, and the trapped individuals’ lack of dive experience complicate the operation. Divers must navigate long, constricted passages using fixed guide lines, while ensuring sufficient air and managing the risk of panic among those being rescued. Experts note that while comparisons are drawn to the 2018 Thailand cave rescue, conditions differ significantly and may require different techniques.

Rescuers located five of seven villagers trapped for a week in a flooded cave in central Laos, finding them hungry but in good health on a rocky ledge surrounded by rising water. Two men remain missing as teams battle persistent rain, narrow passageways and hazardous conditions. International divers, including veterans of Thailand’s 2018 cave rescue, are assisting with efforts, which include reinforcing safety systems and delivering supplies while planning extraction. Heavy flooding, sediment and concerns about air quality continue to impede progress amid uncertainty over whether the men entered the cave for artisanal gold mining or other work.

Thai divers who previously took part in the Tham Luang rescue have joined efforts to save seven people trapped for five days in a flooded cave in Laos after heavy rain triggered landslides. Rescuers navigated narrow, waterlogged passages while teams outside worked to pump out water. Although no contact has been made, a survivor reported that the trapped group reached a higher, dry area, sustaining hope they remain alive. Persistent rain and sediment have hindered progress, and crews must hike several kilometres to reach the remote site. The incident occurs amid increased artisanal mining activity in Laos, where authorities have halted new alluvial gold mining permits due to environmental concerns.

Ronald dela Rosa, former Philippine national police chief and current senator, is in hiding after evading arrest inside the Philippine Senate, where he appeared briefly following months out of public view. He is wanted under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity tied to Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, including accusations of orchestrating extrajudicial killings and directing the Davao Death Squad. A dramatic pursuit inside the Senate failed to apprehend him, and he vanished after a tense standoff that included gunfire. The justice secretary has ordered his arrest after the supreme court rejected his appeal, though authorities have not clarified how he escaped or why earlier action on the warrant was delayed. The government says it is pursuing leads on his whereabouts as uncertainty persists around the next developments in the case.

Thailand reduced visa‑free stays from 60 to 30 days for visitors from more than 90 countries due to concerns over crime by foreign nationals and overstays. Officials said the move targets individuals abusing the system rather than specific countries. The new rules will simplify procedures, allow one in‑country renewal subject to approval, and reduce the number of eligible countries. The shift reverses 2024 measures intended to boost tourism, which remains below pre‑pandemic levels and has been hit by rising travel costs linked to regional conflict. Tourist arrival forecasts have been cut amid declines from key markets including the UK and Middle East.

A chaotic standoff in the Philippine Senate ended with Senator Ronald dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court for his leadership in Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war, escaping arrest after days of political turmoil. The incident exposed divisions between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Vice-President Sara Duterte, whose allies tightened control of the Senate with Alan Peter Cayetano’s appointment as Senate president. The government’s failed arrest attempts drew criticism and highlighted perceptions of weakness, while Dela Rosa’s fate now hinges on ongoing legal challenges and the outcome of future political power shifts.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court for his role in Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly anti-drugs campaign, fled the Philippine Senate after days of avoiding arrest inside the building. His disappearance followed gunfire between Senate security and National Bureau of Investigation personnel and rising tensions after he called supporters to gather outside. Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed the escape while denying involvement. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr questioned whether the events were part of an attempt to destabilize the government amid an ongoing feud with the Duterte family. Analysts criticized Senate leaders for protecting a fugitive, reinforcing concerns about unequal justice. Dela Rosa remains accused of authorizing and enabling widespread drug war killings, while Sara Duterte faces an imminent impeachment trial that could derail her 2028 presidential ambitions.

Gunfire erupted inside the Philippine Senate during a standoff involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity linked to Rodrigo Duterte’s anti‑drug campaign. Dela Rosa evaded arrest and took refuge in the Senate with support from allies, prompting military deployment and confusion over who fired shots. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr called for an investigation, while Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano and others sheltered in locked rooms amid reports of attempted forced entry. Dela Rosa urged public and military support to prevent his transfer to The Hague and filed an emergency petition with the supreme court to block extradition. The confrontation unfolded alongside broader political turmoil, including the impeachment of vice‑president Sara Duterte.

Soaring cooking gas prices caused by the Iran conflict have forced families in India and the Philippines to revert to firewood and charcoal, increasing indoor air pollution and health risks. Shortages and affordability issues are reversing progress toward cleaner cooking fuels, with vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, disproportionately affected. Governments in both countries face mounting pressure as fuel consumption declines and reliance on polluting alternatives rises, raising concerns over public health, environmental degradation and the stability of the energy transition.

Philippine senator and former police chief Ronald dela Rosa sought refuge in the senate after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant accusing him of involvement in Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly anti-drug campaign. Security forces surrounded the compound as senate president Alan Peter Cayetano, a Duterte ally, offered protective custody. The confrontation unfolded alongside the lower house’s vote to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte, intensifying the power struggle between the Duterte family and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The impeachment case now moves to the senate, where Duterte’s allies hold increased influence. Families of drug‑war victims renewed calls for Dela Rosa’s surrender to the ICC while uncertainty remains over how long he will remain inside the senate and how the political crisis will evolve.

Sara Duterte was impeached by the Philippine House of Representatives on allegations of misusing public funds, accumulating unexplained wealth and threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his wife, placing her 2028 presidential ambitions at risk. The case now goes to the Senate, where conviction requires a two‑thirds majority and Duterte holds stronger political support. Duterte denies the accusations, and her family continues to wield influence despite Rodrigo Duterte’s detention by the international criminal court. The impeachment marks her second, following a previous attempt overturned by the supreme court. Tensions between the Marcos and Duterte political factions continue to shape the country’s political landscape.

Roger Stone has come under heavy criticism for accepting $50,000 a month to provide public affairs services aimed at rebuilding relations between the United States and Myanmar’s military rulers. Filings under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act outline his work for the junta’s ministry of information through the lobbying firm DCI Group. Activists and civil society groups condemn the arrangement as support for a heavily sanctioned regime accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and staging sham elections. The report outlines the junta’s continued international isolation, ongoing conflict since the 2021 coup, and extensive allegations of atrocities documented by UN investigators.

Singapore has introduced guidelines allowing the caning of male students aged nine and above as a last-resort response to bullying, including cyberbullying. Education minister Desmond Lee outlined strict protocols requiring principal approval and authorised administration, with post-punishment monitoring and counselling. Female students will face non-corporal disciplinary measures. The policy follows a year-long review amid increased public attention on bullying. International bodies such as Unicef and the World Health Organization continue to oppose corporal punishment, citing significant risks to children’s health and development.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest in Naypyidaw after the junta commuted part of her sentence, though her exact location and condition remain unclear. Her legal team expects to meet her soon, while her son continues to call for proof she is alive. The move drew mixed reactions, with the UN describing it as a meaningful step toward political dialogue and campaigners accusing the military of a public relations ploy amid escalating conflict. Suu Kyi’s sentence has been repeatedly reduced as part of broader amnesties, but she remains imprisoned on widely condemned political charges. International pressure on junta leader Min Aung Hlaing persists as violence across Myanmar continues.

Southeast Asian countries facing severe fuel and fertiliser shortages caused by the Middle East conflict are turning to Russia for oil and energy cooperation despite EU warnings that such purchases enable Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam have pursued new deals ranging from crude imports to nuclear power projects, generating substantial economic gains for Russia and reinforcing its regional image as a reliable partner. Public opinion in countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam remains broadly favourable toward Russia, and recent agreements carry symbolic weight by demonstrating non-alignment and diplomatic independence. Russia aims to deepen its influence through energy and food security partnerships, while US sanctions waivers and regional tensions with China will shape how far these relationships extend. A forthcoming Russia-Asean summit is expected to showcase Moscow’s continuing international connections even if concrete outcomes remain limited.