In a small warehouse in the outskirts of Jakarta, Muhammad Helmi is busy feeding his hungry guests: thousands of maggots devouring a mountain of food waste. Helmi, 25, is the founder of Magalarva, a start-up that uses black soldier fly larvae to convert organic waste into animal feed, fertilizer and biofuel. He says his innovative solution can help tackle Indonesia’s …

Singapore is facing a rapidly aging population, with the number of residents aged 65 and above expected to double by 2030. This poses various challenges for the healthcare system, especially in providing quality and affordable care for the elderly. One of the solutions that Singapore is exploring is the use of robots in elderly care. Robots can perform various tasks …

Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto said on Monday that Russia’s growing links with China, Iran and North Korea pose a threat to the security of Europe and the world. Niinisto, who has maintained a dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin despite tensions over Ukraine and other issues, said that Moscow’s cooperation with Beijing and Tehran was “a matter of concern” for …

The Philippines has summoned China’s ambassador to Manila and filed a series of diplomatic protests over the “illegal and dangerous” presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. The Philippine foreign ministry said on Tuesday that it had met with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and demanded that China withdraw all its ships from the disputed areas, especially …

If you want to know how much your partner really loves you, you might want to ask them to peel an orange for you. That’s the premise of the latest TikTok trend, dubbed the “orange peel theory”, which has amassed over 15 million views on the app. The theory is based on the idea that small acts of service, such …

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a two-day visit, just days after US President Joe Biden wrapped up his historic trip to the Southeast Asian nation. Xi’s visit, his first to Vietnam since 2017, is seen as a bid to reassure Hanoi of Beijing’s commitment to their “comprehensive strategic partnership” amid rising tensions in the South …

Singapore police have warned the public about a resurgence of rental scams involving fake property agents who ask for deposits to secure appointments for viewing properties. According to the police, at least 287 victims have fallen prey to such scams between July and November 2023, with total losses amounting to over US$1 million. The scammers would post fake property listings …

Somluck Kamsing, who made history by winning Thailand’s first Olympic gold medal in boxing at the 1996 Atlanta Games, has been accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl, according to police. The girl filed a complaint against Somluck on Sunday night, claiming that he had molested her at his home in Bangkok after inviting her to watch a movie with …

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, adding new ministers and deputy ministers to his administration. The reshuffle, which was widely anticipated, came after a year of leading the unity government that was formed following the 2022 general election. Anwar said the reshuffle was aimed at enhancing the performance and delivery of the government, as well …

Singapore has announced that it will accept the Chinese yuan as a payment option for tourists visiting the city-state, in a move that could boost its tourism sector and reduce its reliance on the US dollar. The decision, which will take effect from January 2024, was made after consultations with the Chinese government and the BRICS group of emerging economies, …