🎯 Indonesia President Prabowo and US counterpart Trump have struck a tariff deal – but at what cost to Indonesia?
By Hariz Baharudin | Singapore, The Straits Times

Indonesia President Prabowo and US President Trump strike a ‘new era’ tariff pact—19% for Indonesia in exchange for massive U.S. purchases, but critics warn Jakarta may be trading sovereignty for Boeing jets and energy deals. 🔗 [Read Full Story →]

✨ Spotlight Stories from Across Asia 

Timely, thoughtful, and deeply reported pieces from our partner publications

🔹 What’s holding women back from ‘decent work’ in Pakistan? (Hint: It’s not skills)
By Nida Kirmani, Dawn

Despite being skilled and educated, women in Pakistan face one of the world’s lowest labour force participation rates—held back not by ability, but by mobility barriers, unpaid care work, and deep-rooted social norms.
🔗 [Read more]

🔹 One click away: Philippines grapples with online gambling boom – and doom
 By Mara Cepeda, The Straits Times

Filipino families are increasingly affected by online gambling, with easy access leading to addiction and financial problems.
🔗 [Read more]

🔹 Sheep farming in Bhutan’s Phobjikha declines as youth seek cities, farmers shift crops
 By Chencho Dema, Kuensel

Most villagers have now shifted focus to potato cultivation, finding sheep rearing too time-consuming and labour-intensive, while younger generations migrate to urban areas.
 🔗 [Read more]

🔹 Nepal’s prized fungus collectors face mounting dangers and dwindling income
 By Krishna Prasad Gautam, The Kathmandu Post

Climate change, falling prices, and treacherous terrain threaten the future of caterpillar fungus harvesting in Karnali.
 🔗 [Read more]

🔹 Will North Korea’s Kumgangsan UNESCO listing open path for inter-Korean cooperation?
 By Park Jun-hee, The Korea Herald

In 2021, North Korea submitted its application to have Kumgangsan recognised by UNESCO as a mixed heritage site, reflecting the rich Buddhist mountain traditions and long-standing practice of mountain worship and pilgrimage spanning centuries.
 🔗 [Read more]

🔍 In Case You Missed It: Last Week’s Highlights

• Ancient traditions grow new roots: Monks in Thailand bring faith to fight against deforestation – Thailand
  The ceremony in Chaiyaphum province, just over five hours’ drive from Bangkok, is part of a growing movement in Thailand where “forest monks” are linking Buddhist practice with environmental activism.
   🔗 [Read more]
  

• Traditional drum makers in Indian village struggle for survival – India
  In the remote village of Andharjhor in Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district, generations of artisans have sustained the legacy of making traditional Indian percussion instruments—tabla, mandar, dhol, and mridang.
   🔗 [Read more]
  

• Bangladesh puppet theatre uses fun to teach kids real-life lessons – Bangladesh
  A kaktarua or scarecrow is erected to scare away birds from a farmland and to protect crops. Similarly, Kaktarua Puppet Theater aims to drive away all the negatives and superstitions from society, says the founder.
   🔗 [Read more]

📣 Voices from the Region
Op-eds, expert analysis, and perspectives that matter

🗣️ Making the liberal international order 2.0
 By Wang Son-taek
"Political polarisation and autocratisation have evolved into a structural threat, manifesting across democracies at unprecedented levels," the writer says.
 🔗 [Read more]

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