How does politics drive spirituality? What happens when religion is kept out of politics? Is the separation of the church and the state always for the common good?

It’s an amazing rise that began in 1990, when she was put in front of a microphone—despite an utter lack of experience in, or knowledge about, broadcasting—because she was pretty.

Despite the successful outcome of last week’s Asean Summit, the private sectors in member countries are pressuring their governments to impose more protective measures to shield businesses, which will delay the regional goal to become a single market by 2015.

Taiwan’s up-and-coming all-female Musou Band breaks a lot of rules with a new sound that incorporates modern elements with classical Chinese music. Wearing sexy outfits that defy the conservative Chinese orchestral traditions, the band is currently promoting its debut top-selling album, Musou.

A recent analysis, pooling together 57 studies involving 900,000 participants from four continents, confirmed “once and for all... obesity shortens lifespan”.

Thirty-five years ago, farmers dug out the terracotta soldiers but nobody knew it would be one of the greatest archeological discoveries.

The clearest message from the 15th Asean Summit in Thailand’s coastal city of Cha-am over the weekend was about the future of regional architecture in East Asia. A consensus emerged from the three-day meeting that for East Asia to lead the world and maintain prosperity, the countries in the region have to work together and form a closer community that can link with the rest of the world.

Siti Hawa Mohd Najib was among those who came with her family in tow for support.

The 31-year-old civil servant said she hoped to lose 30kg and become healthier, win the prize money and even snag a boyfriend.

Singaporean photographer Jonathan Wong, 33, waited for six hours outside the Fitness First gym at The Cathay in Singapore on July 25. But he was not queueing for a sales promotion.

Luang Prabang may not boast the sights and sounds of the world’s big cities, but the atmospheric lighting from ancient temples, restaurants and French colonial style buildings will put you in touch with the city’s true charms.