Cafe Secret Alley in Kandy, Sri Lanka, began as a tourist-focused establishment with little coffee expertise, but has evolved into a specialty coffee shop committed to high-quality beans and brewing techniques. From Tourist Stop to Specialty Coffee Destination When Dilshan “Arty” Ranaweera opened Cafe Secret Alley in 2017, Sri Lanka lacked a strong coffee culture, … Read more
Bali’s Drug Trafficking Surge: A Harbinger of Southeast Asia’s Evolving Criminal Landscape A seemingly isolated case – an Australian man, Lamar Ahchee, sentenced to 12 years in a Bali prison for cocaine smuggling – belies a far more significant and troubling trend. The $1.1 million AUD worth of cocaine Ahchee attempted to bring into Indonesia … Read more
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Over 8 million tickets sold. A grassroots marketing campaign that ignited social media. And a film that’s tapping into a deep vein of social commentary disguised as slapstick. The Indonesian comedy Agak Laen isn’t just a box office hit; it’s a cultural phenomenon. But beyond the impressive numbers, its success points to a larger trend: … Read more
Hajj Quota Scandal Deepens: Former Minister Yaqut Faces Intense KPK Scrutiny Jakarta – Former Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, underwent an extensive eight-hour interrogation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday, intensifying the investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the allocation of Hajj quotas. The prolonged questioning has sparked public concern and … Read more
Members of the Indonesian diaspora in Singapore are expressing concern over taxes applied to humanitarian aid sent to victims of recent flooding in Sumatra, while Indonesia currently holds third place in the medal standings at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games and the Music Bank Global Festival 2025 lineup has been announced. Indonesian Diaspora Says Overseas … Read more
Bali remains a popular destination for travellers, offering warm weather and affordable experiences, but tourists are often susceptible to traveller’s diarrhoea, commonly known as “Bali belly.” Approximately 1.5 million Australians visit the Indonesian island each year, and experiencing the illness is a common occurrence. What is Bali belly? Bali belly is not unique to Bali, … Read more
JAKARTA – A fire in a seven-story office building in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday resulted in at least 20 deaths, with authorities continuing to search for potentially more victims trapped inside. Jakarta Office Building Fire Claims At Least 20 Lives The fire has been extinguished, but efforts to locate additional possible victims are ongoing, … Read more
Honda Vario 125 Gets a Stylish Update: New Street Variant and Price Details Jakarta, Indonesia – Honda has launched a refreshed version of its popular Vario 125 scooter in Indonesia, introducing a new “Street” variant alongside updated features and pricing. The latest iteration aims to appeal to a younger demographic with its aggressive styling and … Read more
Devastating Floods Across Southeast Asia Claim Over 900 Lives A relentless wave of flooding has swept across Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of over 900 people. Hundreds more remain missing as rescue efforts continue amidst challenging conditions. The scale of the disaster is prompting international aid organizations … Read more
Devastating Floods Across Asia Claim Over 900 Lives, Millions Displaced A relentless wave of monsoon rains and tropical storms has triggered catastrophic flooding across several Asian nations, resulting in the deaths of over 900 people and displacing millions more. From Indonesia and Malaysia to India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, communities are grappling with widespread destruction, infrastructure … Read more