A Sunday cleanup in Jakarta’s Lapangan Banteng park reveals a growing movement to address Indonesia’s mounting waste crisis, but also highlights the limitations of relying solely on cleanup efforts. The Last Line of Defense Volunteers with Trash Hero Jakarta, a network originating in Switzerland in 2013 and now operating in 15 countries, gather weekly to … Read more
Mongolia’s Flu Season: A Glimpse into the Future of Respiratory Illness Recent reports from Mongolia indicate a concerning trend: influenza seasons are lengthening and intensifying. Over the past three years, the duration has doubled, with case numbers increasing by 50-100%. This isn’t an isolated incident. Globally, we’re seeing shifts in respiratory virus patterns, and Mongolia’s … Read more
From Daily Pills to Twice-Yearly Injections: The Future of HIV Prevention For decades, living with HIV meant a lifetime commitment to daily medication. Now, thanks to breakthroughs spearheaded by Czech scientist Antonín Holý and continued by his protégé, Tomáš Cihlář, that paradigm is shifting. The recent approval of lenacapavir, an injectable HIV prevention drug administered … Read more
A wave of intimidation targeting activists and social media influencers in Indonesia is raising concerns about a decline in freedom of expression, particularly in the wake of criticism surrounding the government’s response to devastating floods and landslides in Sumatra. Rising Concerns Over Intimidation Over the past week, several individuals vocal about the government’s handling of … Read more
Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto’s free nutritious meal program is facing increasing scrutiny over its substantial cost and implementation challenges. The program, launched on January 6 of last year to combat stunting, currently represents 8.7 percent of the total state budget – Rp 335 trillion – for the current year. Rapid Expansion and Rising Costs … Read more
The Screenless Future of AI: OpenAI, Ive, and the Rise of Voice-First Computing For years, our interaction with artificial intelligence has been tethered to screens – phones, laptops, tablets. But a quiet revolution is brewing. OpenAI, with the design prowess of Jony Ive, is betting big on a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into … Read more
China’s Demographic Dilemma: A Tax on Contraception and the Future of Birth Rates China’s recent decision to impose a 13% sales tax on contraceptives while simultaneously exempting childcare services is a bold, and arguably perplexing, move. It signals a desperate attempt to reverse a concerning demographic trend: a rapidly aging population and declining birth rates. … Read more
Singapore’s Dengue Decline: A Glimpse of Future Trends? Singapore is experiencing a remarkable drop in dengue fever cases, hitting a seven-year low with approximately 4,000 cases reported in 2025. This represents a significant 70% decrease from the 13,651 cases recorded in 2024, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA). But is this a lasting victory, … Read more
Karachi’s beaches are seeing a surge in volunteer cleanup efforts, driven largely by Gen Z and facilitated by the Hammad Foundation. What began as a struggle to attract participants has blossomed into events drawing thousands of volunteers, highlighting a growing commitment to environmental action among young people in Pakistan. A Slow Start Gains Momentum The … Read more
Frustration is growing in Indonesia as the central government faces mounting criticism for its handling of the devastating floods in Sumatra. The government’s refusal to declare a national emergency and its initial blocking of international aid are drawing condemnation from regional leaders and residents alike, even as recovery efforts struggle to reach over 1 million … Read more