TAIWAN INDONESIA

May 18 2026SCIENCE

Turning farming scraps into useful products in Indonesia

Indonesia throws away huge amounts of plant waste from farms every year. Instead of burning this waste or letting it rot, experts think it could be turned into something useful. Most research in the country focuses on burning the waste for fuel, which is low down on the recycling ladder. Very little

reading time less than a minute
May 14 2026HEALTH

Mindfulness in the Digital Age for Older Adults

Taiwan is aging fast. Nearly one in seven people there are over 65. That’s why finding ways to help older adults stay healthy is important. Many studies show that mindfulness can improve sleep and mental health. But mindfulness isn’t one-size-fits-all. Most programs focus on stress reduction, missin

reading time less than a minute
May 08 2026POLITICS

Taiwan’s Parliament Grants $25 Billion to Defence – A Step Short of the Plan

Taiwan’s lawmakers, led by the opposition party that holds most seats in the legislature, approved a new defence budget of about $25 billion on Friday. This amount is roughly two‑thirds of the larger sum that the government had requested to strengthen its military against a rapidly modernising Ch

reading time less than a minute
Apr 27 2026POLITICS

Labor Leader Becomes Indonesia’s New Environment Minister

Indonesia has chosen a former labour union head to lead its environment ministry. The new minister, Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, once fought against the former president in the 1990s and served a prison term for stirring protests. He also opposed the current president during the last election. Before h

reading time less than a minute
Apr 11 2026POLITICS

Taiwan Sees Chinese Fighters While Leaders Meet

Taiwan’s defence office reported that on Friday, 16 Chinese military jets flew close to the island between mid‑morning and mid‑afternoon, a day when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition party in Beijing. The meeting, held at 11 a. m. , was framed by the Ta

reading time less than a minute
Apr 11 2026BUSINESS

Taiwan’s Tech Exports Soar Past $80 Billion—What’s Driving the Boom?

Taiwan just hit a major milestone in global trade. In March, its exports jumped to over $80 billion, shattering records and beating even the most optimistic forecasts. This surge wasn’t a one-time fluke—it marked the 29th straight month of year-over-year growth. What’s behind this explosive rise? A

reading time less than a minute
Apr 02 2026POLITICS

Taiwan Boosts Island Defences Amid Rising Chinese Activity

Taiwan is set to reinforce its military presence on the Pratas Islands, a group of reefs located at the northern edge of the South China Sea. The islands lie more than 400 kilometres from Taiwan’s main coast, making them a potential target for Chinese forces. Because the Pratas are only lightly g

reading time less than a minute
Mar 31 2026BUSINESS

Fuel Swaps and Energy Scrambles in Asia

Indonesia’s president flew to Tokyo amid a regional rush to find new fuel sources. The Middle East conflict has cut many supplies, and now countries are trading energy to keep their economies running. Jakarta is planning a deal that would bring more liquefied natural gas into Japan while sending liq

reading time less than a minute
Mar 31 2026ENVIRONMENT

Forest Loss in Indonesia Rises Sharp as Self‑Sufficiency Drives Push Land Clearing

Indonesia’s forests shrank by a striking 66% in 2025, the fastest rate in eight years, according to data from satellite imagery and field checks across 16 provinces. The country’s huge forest area, once one of the world’s richest in biodiversity, is being cleared at an alarming pace as it pursues am

reading time less than a minute
Feb 16 2026POLITICS

Taiwan's President Focuses on Defense in New Year Speech

Taiwan's leader, Lai Ching-te, recently shared his Lunar New Year message. He emphasized the importance of boosting the island's defenses. This comes at a time when tensions with China are high. China sees Taiwan as part of its territory. Lai's message was recorded at a key military radar station.

reading time less than a minute