Venturi Partners launches US$225M Fund II for Asian consumer brands

The Jakarta Composite Index experienced a sharp decline on March 18 due to rising state debt and economic policies by President Prabowo, prompting a 30-minute trading halt. Analysts attribute the market crisis to a combination of domestic issues eroding investor confidence, urging immediate recovery measures. Concerns over expensive government programs, debt in construction SOEs, and capital outflows have contributed to Indonesia's capital market instability, with the IHSG falling by 13% year-to-date in 2025. Full Article

AsianScientist article discusses how giant pandas, despite their bamboo-based diet, have carnivorous digestive systems, suggesting a transition to plant-eating. Researchers found plant miRNA from bamboo in panda blood, impacting gene expression related to feeding, reproduction, and physiological processes. The study highlights the role of bamboo miRNA in pandas' adaptation to their diet and opens new avenues for research into dietary shifts and miRNA transfer from plants to animals. Full Article

The video that went viral depicted a rural Indian village forming a new local government where six elected women were represented by their husbands, showcasing the common practice of male proxies in positions set aside for women. Despite national rules mandating female representation in village councils, the spirit of empowering women often falls short as husbands take on leadership roles while their wives serve as figureheads. Efforts to combat this issue include proposed penalties for...

Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang revealed at a conference in San Jose, California that while co-packaged optics technology will be used in new networking chips for energy efficiency, it is not yet reliable enough for flagship GPUs due to the superiority of traditional copper connections. Silicon Valley is investing in optics technology for AI systems, with companies like Ayar Labs and Lightmatter raising significant venture capital. Nvidia is aiming to increase computing power with new server...

A federal court in Argentina issued arrest warrants under universal jurisdiction for Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Aung San Suu Kyi, accusing them of genocide against the Rohingya. The warrants also targeted 25 other Myanmar nationals, including military and civilian officials. These legal actions pose challenges for Myanmar's junta and the NUG's international legitimacy amidst diplomatic fallout and potential consequences for the upcoming elections and political landscape. Full Article

M&C Saatchi has introduced an AI-powered diagnostic tool, the Cultural Power Index, to assess brands' cultural impact in real time by analyzing data signals. This tool helps brands understand their cultural relevance, track shifts in perception, and enhance their "cultural power". Along with a global rebrand under the "Cultural Power" banner, the agency has revamped its visual identity, website, and integrated operating model to emphasize creativity as a driver of brand growth. Full Article