Thousands of Indonesian free meals kitchen operators are reporting significant financial losses following the government’s decision to scale back President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship nutrition program. The National Nutrition Agency (NNA) has implemented a moratorium on the addition of 13,000 new kitchens as part of a broader efficiency drive, leaving many operators who had already invested … Read more
China’s foreign ministry has formally demanded that European nations cease their criticism regarding the South China Sea, warning that continued involvement could jeopardize bilateral trade and diplomatic cooperation. The warning follows a joint statement by several European countries—supported by the European Union—which declared that China’s extensive maritime claims in the region lack a legal basis. … Read more
China’s recent test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile into the southern Pacific has signaled a significant advancement in the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) nuclear deterrent capabilities. According to analysts and diplomats, the test allowed Beijing to evaluate the complex command, control, and communication systems required to operate nuclear-armed submarines undetected, a critical step toward achieving … Read more
Twenty-five journalists and media professionals gathered in Bangkok from July 6-8, 2026, for specialized training on reporting migration and preventing mass atrocities. Facilitated by Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Law and funded by the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (AIPG), the program aimed to equip media workers with the tools to … Read more
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte appeared at the Senate on Tuesday as her impeachment trial entered its second day, facing allegations that she threatened the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the first lady, and a former House Speaker. The proceedings, which could influence the 2028 presidential race, center on whether the Vice President’s public … Read more
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday to finalize agreements on defense and food security. According to India’s ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, the leaders of these two populous nations will discuss memorandums of understanding covering pharmaceuticals, space, and health. What agreements are being discussed? The two … Read more
ASEAN and China are deepening science, technology, and innovation (STI) cooperation to build regional economic resilience. During the 22nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-22) in Vientiane, officials prioritized the APASTI 2026-2035 framework, focusing on joint research, technology transfer, and talent mobility to navigate rapid technological shifts. What is the APASTI 2026-2035 … Read more
Rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait have drawn international concern as the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany recently condemned Chinese Coast Guard operations near Taiwan’s east coast. Beijing maintains these patrols are a legitimate exercise of jurisdiction, while Taiwan’s National Security Council and its Ocean Affairs Council argue the maneuvers violate international maritime norms and … Read more
Indonesia is preparing to scale back President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free meals programme, with officials weighing a budget cut of more than $2 billion and reductions in both kitchens and beneficiaries. According to two sources and an internal presentation, the National Nutrition Agency (NNA) is targeting a reduction of at least 15% to address mounting … Read more
More than 5,300 people remain trapped in forced-labor online scam hubs near the Myanmar-Thai border, according to the Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (CSNHTV). The organization, which monitors human rights abuses in the region, reports that these victims are being held in four distinct compounds controlled by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army … Read more