The price of parenthood: Why Bhutanese women are having fewer children than ever
Raising children in Bhutan has become increasingly unaffordable.
Inflation
Indonesia’s consumer confidence, retail sales dip further after interest rate hikes
Indonesia's central bank indexes measuring consumer confidence and retail sales both dipped in June, pointing to ongoing weakness in household spending as a key pillar of the…
Japan’s snack giant Calbee to partially resume colour printing after black-and-white packages
The company changed to black-and-white printing on both the front and back of its packages since May due to concerns of a stable supply of printing ink, which is made from crude…
Japan’s wholesale inflation hits 3-year high as fuel costs, weak yen bite
The Middle East conflict has complicated the Bank of Japan's policy path, stoking inflation through higher oil prices while squeezing an economy dependent on imported fuel.
Constitutional Court to rule on Thailand’s USD $11.96 billion emergency borrowing decree
The legal challenge questions whether the decree meets the constitutional requirement of being "emergency, necessary and urgent," especially for long-term projects.
Nepal’s micro and small industry registrations plunge 75 percent in five years despite policy push
Nepali entrepreneurs cite lack of finance, poor market access and ineffective government support, while experts say most micro enterprises remain informal and struggle to grow.
Jet fuel prices in Bangladesh drops by USD$1.06 per litre for domestic airlines
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission also cut the rate for international carriers to $0.8556 per litre for July.
Exemption period for taxes levied on imports of diesel, fertilisers, and LNG extended in Myanmar
Due to the rising global fuel prices amid the conflicts in the Middle East, there is a need to regulate the prices of basic food and goods transported by vehicles that use diesel…
Bangladesh inflation eases to 9.16% in June on slower food price growth
Latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics show that the country's overall inflation fell to 9.16% in June 2026, driven by a moderation in food prices.
Singapore tops list of world’s most expensive cities for the rich for 4th year running
Singapore’s rank at the top of the Julius Baer's Lifestyle Index reflects high prices of residential property and cars – two items that carry the heaviest weightings –…