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May 26 2026CRYPTO

Indonesia cracks down on crypto prediction platforms like Polymarket

Indonesia has taken a firm stand against online prediction markets, specifically targeting Polymarket, which lets users bet on events like elections and sports using cryptocurrency. The government argues that these platforms operate like online gambling, which is illegal in the country. Instead of f

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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

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May 11 2026FINANCE

Vietnam’s Financial Growth Gets a US$25 Million Boost

Vietnam’s small and medium-sized businesses just got a major financial lifeline. A Hanoi-based non-bank lender called EVF secured a US$25 million loan from an international fund to expand its services. The money comes from the OPEC Fund for International Development, a group that typically supports

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May 06 2026POLITICS

Vietnam Tightens Rules on Online Piracy to Dodge US Tariffs

Vietnam is stepping up its fight against digital piracy and fake goods, aiming to spot more violations before the United States threatens new trade barriers. The government announced a plan that should raise detection rates by 20% in the next month, with customs officials expected to halt more shipm

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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

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Apr 04 2026HEALTH

Vietnam’s Health Shift: From Poverty to New Challenges

Vietnam has moved fast from a war‑torn, poor nation to a growing middle‑income country. This change has flipped the kinds of illnesses people face. In the past, many sick people suffered from lack of food and clean water. Now, even though better jobs and nutrition help fight those old probl

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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

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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

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Feb 07 2026FINANCE

Vietnam’s New Crypto Tax Plan: What It Means for Traders

Vietnam is drafting a rule that will treat cryptocurrency moves like stock trades, adding a small tax to every transfer. The proposed law says anyone who sends crypto through an approved service will owe 0. 1% of the transfer value as personal income tax, just like traders pay when they buy or sell

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Jan 29 2026HEALTH

Malaysia's Bold Step in Suicide Reporting: A New Guide for Media

Malaysia has taken a significant step forward in handling sensitive topics in the media. They have created the first-ever national guidelines for reporting on suicide. This initiative is unique because it involves people who have experienced suicide firsthand. It aims to improve how suicide is talke

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