US President Trump slaps 100% tariffs on drugs; move likely to impact Indian pharma exports
Indian companies would be significantly hit as they heavily benefited from the reliance on the US pharma markets by selling low-cost generic drugs.
Policy Matters
Vietnam’s reforms expand citizenship rights, strengthen social protection for the poor
With the poverty rate projected to drop below 1.1 percent by the end of 2025 and nationality rules becoming more inclusive, Vietnam is framing both as milestones in its…
Digital textbooks approved for official use in Japan; concerns remain about ‘shallow reading’
If digital textbooks are treated as equivalent to paper ones, they will become subject to official certification and mandatory use in classes.
South Korea legalises tattooing by nonmedical professionals after 33 years
The law officially permits nonmedical professionals to perform tattoos, a practice that had long existed in a legal gray area despite being widely popular and practiced…
Hong Kong’s new industrial push: What’s on the agenda?
In the latest Policy Address unveiled recently, the special administrative region government charted a new course to nurture emerging sectors, ranging from artificial intelligence…
About 7,000 traffic notices issued in Kuala Lumpur over two days
Common offences included having fancy number plates (687), not wearing helmets (336), illegal modification of motorcycles (162), stopping beyond the white line (181) and not…
Indonesia Finance Minister cracks down on illegal cigarettes
Minister Purbaya said he had also summoned e-commerce platforms, including Tokopedia and Blibli, urging them to prevent the sale of illegal cigarettes on their marketplaces.
Regulations in place to guard against foreign interference in local media: Singapore minister
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo was responding on Sept 24 to Workers’ Party MP Fadli Fawzi (Aljunied GRC), who asked if the Ministry of Digital…
Policies on foreigners divide Japan’s ruling party presidential candidates at public debate
Such policies were a point of contention in July’s House of Councillors election, with demands growing for stricter measures against foreigners who do not abide by rules, as…
What are the influences of Buddhist thought on the Cambodian constitution?
Since the 13th century, Buddhist teachings have been strongly connected with the social, political, economic, cultural and environmental domains of Cambodian governance in almost…