BOOK REVIEW: Majapahit (Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia’s Greatest Empire)

The US has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including the interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, known for planning deadly attacks against Afghanistan’s former government. The Haqqani network, responsible for bombings and criminal activities, saw the removal of rewards by the US government, signaling a shift towards improving bilateral relations with the Taliban. The release of a US prisoner and the revocation of bounties indicate efforts to move beyond wartime hostilities and towards progress in...

At the KSI World Women Economic and Business Summit, Malaysia's workforce challenges for women were highlighted, with underrepresentation in leadership and ownership of businesses. Tech companies in Malaysia are leading the way in promoting gender equality, with a focus on empowering women in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing disparities, making it crucial to implement strategies to support women's career development and create a thriving workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. Full...

Paul Roberts, former CEO of Kubient, has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for financial fraud, including faking a $1.3m transaction and creating false revenue. The company, specializing in programmatic advertising and fraud detection, went public in 2020, raised over $32.5m, but was delisted and filed for bankruptcy by 2023 due to the fraud. Roberts, along with Kubient’s CFO and Audit Committee Chair, was charged by the SEC for failing to...

Since President Trump's second term began, high-level US officials have not met with their Chinese counterparts amid ongoing trade tensions; Senator Steve Daines has acted as a mediator by meeting with Chinese officials to discuss issues such as fentanyl exports and potential talks between Trump and Xi Jinping. Daines, a key Trump ally, aims to pave the way for a meeting between the two leaders, as China seeks to avoid further tariffs and engage in...

Kakujo Gyorui, a renowned seafood purveyor in Tokyo, faces challenges due to rising costs and supply shortages in Japan, impacting its ability to provide fresh and affordable produce. Despite these obstacles, the company expands its sourcing strategy to include new regions like Ishikawa and Hokkaido, securing hidden seafood treasures like red snow crabs and yellowtails to meet customer demand. By embracing innovative solutions such as locally farmed Atlantic salmon and focusing on sustainability, Kakujo Gyorui...

Unknown foes sent a severed pig’s head to Francisca Christy Rosana, host of TEMPO's podcast, amidst criticism of President Prabowo Subianto and a controversial military law revision. The act was condemned by press organizations, with concerns raised about democracy in Indonesia and the government's handling of the media. While the president's office downplayed the incident, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Indonesia Safety Journalist Committee labeled it as intimidation and a threat to press freedom....