Special Reports

Portola Valley, a scenic California enclave once dubbed the richest town in America, is facing a looming financial crisis. Despite its reputation as a haven for Silicon Valley billionaires, the town’s cash reserves are dwindling, driven by soaring costs and state-imposed affordable housing mandates. Located about an hour south of...

In the United States, nearly 14 million children—or approximately one in five—currently face food insecurity and hunger. This figure represents an improvement from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the number had climbed to nearly 18 million. The issue of child hunger reflects a broader problem of food insecurity...

Indonesia has joined forces with 10 countries to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, aiming to enhance regional cooperation to protect fishery resources and ensure the sustainability of marine ecosystems. This collaboration was announced by Pung Nugroho Saksono, Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision at the Ministry...

The use of vending machines is on the rise in Thailand, with 58% of Thai consumers indicating a preference for purchasing goods from these machines, according to a survey released on Thursday by market research firm Market Buzzz. Conducted between October 2 and November 7, the survey polled 977 Thai...

From the outset, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasized the critical role of robust national statistics in its success. Recognizing this, Goal 17—focused on strengthening implementation mechanisms and revitalizing global partnerships—includes targets for building statistical capacity and developing measures to track sustainable development progress. As countries implement the Sustainable...

The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has projected a 2.4% economic growth rate for the region in 2025, citing domestic consumption as the primary driver. This updated forecast marks a slight increase from the 2.3% estimate made in August, although ECLAC described the region’s...

Demand for public cloud services is accelerating across Asia Pacific as enterprises increasingly recognize the strategic importance of investing in advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to compete globally, according to a new report from Information Services Group (ISG). The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ Multi Public Cloud Services report highlights...

Binance.US has announced plans to restore its USD services in early 2025, signaling its first significant operational shift since regulatory pressures halted its fiat trading operations. The exchange had suspended dollar deposits and withdrawals in June 2023, following civil claims filed by the SEC that led to restricted banking access....

China’s pursuit of steady economic growth in 2025 is expected to benefit not only its domestic economy but also the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to experts. Policies aimed at boosting domestic demand and stimulating consumption are anticipated to positively influence ASEAN economies through enhanced trade and investment...

Once celebrated as Africa’s first female billionaire, Isabel dos Santos now faces international corruption investigations and sanctions, with the UK government recently labeling her a “notorious kleptocrat.” Dos Santos has publicly dismissed the allegations, describing the UK sanctions imposed in November as politically motivated actions orchestrated by Angola’s government against...