[Post 719] Trump Cuts USAID To Southeast Asia: Will It Affect American Soft Power In The Region? | Insight

Summary

USAID is on its last legs. The Trump administration has terminated about 90% of foreign aid contracts. In Asia, this will have crippling impact on a slew of NGOs and programmes involved in humanitarian and political work. 

In Cambodia, demining organisations could see funding for their continued operations dry up, leaving millions of mines unearthed. In Thailand, camps struggle to provide for refugees fleeing the civil war in Myanmar. In the Philippines, could military aid be at risk, and compromise the country’s security efforts in the South China Sea. And across Asia, efforts to uplift minorities and women could be cut by anti-DEI narratives.

As President Trump slashes foreign aid around the world, what will this do to America’s “soft power” diplomacy in Southeast Asia?

[Post 718] This CBD Food Court is One-Stop for Indonesia’s Regional Cuisines | Lunch With Us: Jakarta

Summary

Jakarta’s financial district is a melting pot of workers from all over Indonesia. In its midst, Rasuna Garden Food Street on Jalan Epicentrum Tengah also serves up cuisines and tastes from around the archipelago, from pecel lele (fried catfish) to Padang cuisine and dadak dishes from Bandung. PMET Arif and his office colleagues show us why they never tire of eating lunch here every day, because of the variety.

[Post 717] Hardworking Delivery Rider’s Go-To Warteg For Cheap Comfort Food | Lunch With Us: Jakarta

Summary

Saidah is a single mother of three who must work 12-hour days as a food delivery rider to support her children. So wartegs (short for warung Tegal) like Selera Bahari Cinere, at Jalan Cinere Raya in Greater Jakarta, are a haven where she can get comforting budget meals at odd hours of the day. 

We learn about the 40 types of dishes the warteg offers, including their signature tuna balado - and learn how rough life can get for Jakarta delivery riders, with increasing competition and lower earnings. 

We also catch up with her fellow female delivery riders at the end of the day, and Saidah buys martabak – a popular Indonesian street-food – for her kids waiting at home

[Post 716] I Get Up At 5am To Pack Lunch: Busy Malaysian School Teacher’s Daily Routine | Lunch With Us

Summary

What is lunchtime like for busy schoolteachers? Devoted educator Waheedah shares her rather unusual lunch ritual – which starts with buying food at 6.30am from a nasi lemak stall at Kelana Jaya LRT station, on the days she doesn’t pack home-cooked food.  

The English teacher’s packed daily routine includes having a 20-minute lunch during recess time with colleagues, and heading straight after school ends to prayers and tuition classes.  

[Post 715] Indonesian Gen Z's Job Hunt: 2,245 Resumes Later, Why I Still Don't Have My Dream Job | Money Mind

Summary

How hard do you have to hustle to get your first full-time job? For one Gen Z in Indonesia, her dream job is still elusive, even after more than 2,000 applications.

[Post 714] From Embalmer To Nurse: He Switched Careers At 57 With Over 90% Off Reskilling Fees l Money Mind

Summary

Switching careers is never easy. So when middle-aged embalmer Bony Sim pivoted from the world of the dead to the world of the living, he made sure to use all the resources available to him. 

[Post 713] Inside The World’s Largest 3D Printed Neighborhood

Summary

3D printed homes are coming to the United States. Lennar, a major home builder, partnered with the technology firm Icon to deliver 100 homes to the greater Austin, Texas area. It was an experiment that could potentially reduce production cycles and labor costs for home builders. The homes stand one story tall and are wind, fire and mold-resistant. The technique could revolutionize construction in markets that allow innovative approaches to building.