A well informed citizenry is the foundation of our modern society. Every week, our news team for The Debrief brings you the most important stories on current affairs, diplomacy, business and human rights, in Asia and around the globe. Not only can we be well informed, but better informed, about the relationship between our lives, our communities, and the common world.

Pan-Asian Civics [Monthly Feature]

Pan-Asian Civics [Monthly Feature]

The monthly Pan-Asian Civics roundup from Ketagalan Media summarizes key developments concerning public participation, civic engagement, and democracy. Our international team of correspondents report on stories from Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.   Stories...

New Coalition Pushes for Taiwan Independence Referendum

New Coalition Pushes for Taiwan Independence Referendum

Taiwan’s newest political movement, the Island of Joy and Happiness Coalition (喜樂島聯盟), launched with great fanfare on Wednesday, announcing its goal of holding a nation-wide referendum on independence. The kickoff event featured numerous luminaries from the Taiwanese...

台灣通往婚姻平權之路

台灣通往婚姻平權之路

這次在台灣,同志婚姻合法化成功的機率似乎比前幾次都還高。但同時擁有傳統價值與新觀念的台灣社會,也藏有其矛盾之處。

Taiwan’s Path To Marriage Equality

Taiwan’s Path To Marriage Equality

Taiwan’s society has also seen a great deal of foreign influence, conflict and change. The timing for women’s rights, gender rights and sexual orientation seems ripe for Taiwan to recognize marriage equality.

「魚蛋革命」是不是香港的未來?

「魚蛋革命」是不是香港的未來?

社會的動盪似乎已成為香港人表達不滿和公民覺醒的方式。如果政府繼續以強硬的方式來面對抗議,更多的暴動以及對抗只是時間問題,因為香港人再也不會悶不吭聲。

政策翻轉全面啟動

政策翻轉全面啟動

美國與台灣都將在今年迎接新任總統,為因應亞太地區最新情勢,此時此刻是重新評估並調整政策以促進台美當前外交、經濟利益的最佳時機。

放寬外勞門檻面臨強烈反抗

放寬外勞門檻面臨強烈反抗

1月21日,勞動部決定暫緩之前修正的「外國人從事就業服務法第46條第1項至第6款工作資格及審查標準」,停止大幅放寬白領外籍勞工門檻。原先提出的改善原本將會開放更多白領外勞來台灣工作。

A Time to Realign Policy

A Time to Realign Policy

Experts speaking at the New Era in US-Taiwan Relations conference discuss the opportunity to realign policy with new administrations in 2016 for both US and Taiwan.

KM 本週回顧第 12 期(10/12/15)

KM 本週回顧第 12 期(10/12/15)

本週我們關注:國民黨是否有可能將總統候選人由洪秀柱改為朱立倫,以及聯合國大會對於跨太平洋戰略經濟夥伴關係協議(TPP)的談判決議。

KM Week in Review Issue 12 (10/8/15)

KM Week in Review Issue 12 (10/8/15)

This week, the focus in Taiwan is on the possible change of KMT presidential candidate from Hung to Chu. In the world, the UN General Assembly wraps up and TPP negotiations conclude.

KM 本週回顧第 11 期(10/5/15)

KM 本週回顧第 11 期(10/5/15)

本週我們關注:選後王金平是否能回立法院?柯文哲對電競比賽的態度為何?另外,中國和希拉蕊的衝突、與美國間諜從中國遣返回國。

KM Week in Review Issue 11 (10/1/15)

KM Week in Review Issue 11 (10/1/15)

Latest from Taiwan includes shutting Wang out of the legislature, and Ko giving e-gaming some official respect. Elsewhere China and Hillary clash, and the US pulls its spies out of China.

KM Week in Review Issue 8 (9/10/15)

KM Week in Review Issue 8 (9/10/15)

Lien Chan’s return from China, Thailand’s Erawan shrine bombing might be linked to China’s oppression in Xinjiang, and India and Australia team up in the South China Sea.

KM Week in Review Issue 7 (9/3/15)

KM Week in Review Issue 7 (9/3/15)

Long weekend reading includes Lien’s visit to China, Hung’s break from campaigning, and an adult film actress on the EasyCard. Elsewhere, journalist Wang Xiaolu is blamed for stock market problems in China.

KM Week in Review Issue 5 (8/20/15)

KM Week in Review Issue 5 (8/20/15)

Latest from Taiwan includes Ko Wen-je’s visit to Shanghai, and a commando rescue at sea. Elsewhere, search for answers continue after bomb explosion in Thailand, and North Korea and South Korea exchange artillery fire.

KM Week in Review Issue 4 (8/13/15)

KM Week in Review Issue 4 (8/13/15)

The aftermath of typhoon Soudelor, and justice in a case from last year’s Sunflower Movement. Elsewhere, nations continue to strategize as everyone focuses on China’s multiple depreciations of the yuan.

KM Week in Review Issue 3 (8/6/15)

KM Week in Review Issue 3 (8/6/15)

Latest from Taiwan includes conclusion of protests amidst impending natural disaster (hopefully not that bad). Elsewhere, the TPP stalls over disagreement, and the world reflects on Hiroshima during the 70th anniversary of the atomic bomb.

United States Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

United States Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court announced its landmark ruling to officially legalize same-sex marriage across all 50 states. The decision to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples is a long-waited victory for gay rights activists in the US.

President Ma: US-Taiwan Relations Best in 36 Years

President Ma: US-Taiwan Relations Best in 36 Years

Ma touted that US-Taiwan relations has been at its best in 36 years, and he credits that to his “successful handling” of cross straits relations based on the 1992 Consensus, and a “low-key, surprise-free approach” to dealing with the US.

Kaohsiung First to Register Same-sex Couples

Kaohsiung First to Register Same-sex Couples

On Thursday, Kaohsiung’s City Government launched a long-waited “Sunny Registration” pilot project for same-sex couples, but some LGBTI activists criticize the project for not having any legal effect.

Labor Benefits Win Big, With Worries

Labor Benefits Win Big, With Worries

On Friday, May 15, Taiwan’s parliament lowered the maximum normal working hour from 84 hours per two weeks, to 40 hours per week; long term caretakers also get government aid. But some worry about funding and economic competitiveness.