Bhutan’s growth paradox: Strong banks, struggling borrowers
Financial institutions in the country continue to be profitable, with rising deposits and a rebound in credit growth. Yet for many businesses, particularly SMEs, one obstacle…
Music concerts going gangbusters in Southeast Asia, countries vying to gain exclusivity in bringing in biggest star
The live entertainment market generates significant economic uplift through inbound tourism as visitors flock to concerts.
‘Luxurious confinement’: The changing face of Japan’s prisons
Japan’s justice system has long drawn international scrutiny for alleged human rights abuses. However, a paradigm shift is underway. In June 2025, the country implemented its…
For millions of Bangladeshi migrant workers, Eid is where home is
War and financial stress overshadow celebrations for Bangladeshi migrants in the Middle East.
Triple Threat: Philippines exposed to El Niño, high US rates, policy risks
The warning comes as Philippine monetary authorities continue to weigh inflation risks ahead of their next policy decision.
For millions of Filipinos, owning a home is a dream the market was never built to fulfil
Economists and housing advocates say the Philippines’ housing crisis has been decades in the making, with property price increases outpacing income growth over the years.
Situationer: Continuation of ‘Urumqi process’ raises hopes for Pakistan-Afghanistan patch-up
Pakistani circles have become ‘fed up’ by the failure of bilateral efforts, and pin their hopes on the Chinese shepherding the process.
Is Japan losing its compassion as anti-foreigner sentiments grow?
The presence of distinctively different cultural communities has increasingly drawn ugly backlash.
Philippine ube is now the world’s next matcha. Now what?
Ube is taking over coffee shops worldwide, but it’s losing its Filipino identity—and the opportunity for the country to take advantage.
The sequel trend in Nepali cinema: Story continuity or commercial greed?
While films globally often use sequels to deepen storytelling and maintain ideological continuity, the Nepali film industry appears largely driven by the lure of box office…