ISIS-regional fears grow: The Islamic State militants still holed up in the Philippine city of Marawi are armed with everything from rocket grenades and heavy machine guns to .50 calibre sniper rifles. John McBeth reports that there are fears some of these weapons might end up in Indonesia and the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia last week began unprecedented joint naval patrols in the Sulu Sea to both counter arms-smuggling and put a stop to Abu Sayyaf Group attacks on commercial shipping.
Australia-India, strategically closer: Canberra and New Delhi have made recent moves to improve their strategic relations, seen by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s visit to New Delhi in April. Helen Clark writes that the two sides have affirmed their commitment to a “peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific” and are continuing with military dialogue, exercises and foreign affairs talks which are all being seen as a warning to China against extending its rising maritime assertiveness.
China-quantum space breakthrough: A team of Chinese scientists has released findings from a breakthrough study that makes China the indisputable leader in the field of quantum communication, writes Christopher Scott. The study, published in Science magazine, successfully demonstrated the ability to distribute entangled photons across unprecedented space-to-earth distances, opening the door for the practical application of cutting-edge, ultra-secure communication.
Japanese adoption changes: About 40,000 children in Japan need new homes due to neglect or the absence of biological parents, but just 500 find adopted parents each year owing to cultural practices and legal restrictions. Daniel Hurst reports how a lawmaker is pushing for changes that will make adoption more commonly accepted in Japanese society and will also prioritize the interests of children.
There be monsters: Audiences familiar with Taiwanese director Giddens Ko’s blockbuster teen romance hit You Are The Apple Of My Eye are in for a surprise. Paige Lim writes that Mon Mon Mon Monsters, Ko’s second directorial feature, is a wickedly raucous, blood-splattered, darkly humorous, school-bullying high-school affair, which explores the ugly depths of evil.