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Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust: Nearly One Third of Patients With Advanced Melanoma Saw Tumours Disappear Completely After Receiving TIL Therapy Plus Pembrolizumab Immunotherapy
LONDON, England, Oct. 24 (TNSxrep) -- The Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust issued the following news:
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Nearly one third of patients with advanced melanoma saw tumours disappear completely after receiving TIL therapy plus pembrolizumab immunotherapy
An early-stage clinical trial suggests combining two types of immunotherapy at the start of treatment, lifileucel TIL therapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, may lead to deep and long-lasting responses.
23 October 2026
Results from a clinical trial have revealed nearly one third (29.2 per cent) of patients with advanced ... Show Full Article LONDON, England, Oct. 24 (TNSxrep) -- The Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust issued the following news: * * * Nearly one third of patients with advanced melanoma saw tumours disappear completely after receiving TIL therapy plus pembrolizumab immunotherapy An early-stage clinical trial suggests combining two types of immunotherapy at the start of treatment, lifileucel TIL therapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, may lead to deep and long-lasting responses. 23 October 2026 Results from a clinical trial have revealed nearly one third (29.2 per cent) of patients with advancedmelanoma saw their tumours disappear completely on scans after receiving lifileucel TIL therapy alongside an immune checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab, as a first-line treatment.
In addition, approximately two thirds (62.5 per cent) of patients in the same group saw their tumours shrink significantly, with many experiencing substantial and long-lasting responses to the combined treatment.
These findings from the IOV-COM-202 clinical trial, an international, multicentre Phase II trial conducted at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, were presented at the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress by Dr Andrew Furness, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Solid Tumour Cellular Therapy Lead at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Leader of the Cellular Therapy and Translational Immunology Group at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
The findings suggest that introducing lifileucel earlier in the treatment pathway may improve outcomes for patients.
Combined approach of distinct immunotherapy types
In 2024, lifileucel became the first cellular therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for solid tumours after the C-144-01 clinical trial demonstrated a response rate of 31.4 per cent in patients whose cancer had progressed following previous treatments. This study aimed to understand whether the therapy could deliver greater benefit when used earlier in the course of the disease.
Lifileucel and pembrolizumab are two distinct forms of cancer immunotherapy. Lifileucel is a tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, which harnesses the power of a patient's immune system by extracting immune cells from a patient's tumour, multiplying them in a laboratory, and returning them to the bloodstream, allowing them to more effectively recognise and attack cancer cells.
Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor, a type of drug that blocks proteins which normally restrain the immune system, allowing a patient's T cells to better detect and attack cancer cells.
Pembrolizumab is a proven first-line treatment for many patients with advanced melanoma. However, a significant fraction of patients do not experience long-lasting benefit. Lifileucel has been shown to offer a second chance at long-lasting cancer control when standard immunotherapies, including pembrolizumab, are no longer effective. The IOV-COM-202 trial sought to determine the potential benefit of combining both therapies as a first-line treatment.
Most trial participants experienced significant tumour shrinkage
The trial selected 27 patients with advanced melanoma and treated them with a combination of pembrolizumab and lifileucel. Patients first received chemotherapy to prepare the body for treatment, before receiving the cell infusion and a short course of interleukin-2, a drug that boosts immune cell activity and is given after TIL therapy to help the infused cells grow and attack the cancer.
Of the 27 patients treated, 24 were included in the trial's main analysis.
After a median follow-up period of 26.9 months, researchers found that 15 of the 24 patients (62.5 per cent) experienced significant tumour shrinkage, with approximately one third (29.2 per cent) of patients seeing their tumours disappear completely on scans.
The median duration of response had not yet been reached more than two years after the trial began, meaning that many patients who responded to treatment were still benefiting from it at the time of analysis.
Among the 15 patients whose cancer responded to treatment, 13 maintained their response for at least 12 months, while 10 remained in complete or partial response at their most recent assessment.
No additional side effects with combined approach
Median progression-free survival, which is the length of time before a patient's cancer returned or progressed, was 19.8 months. Median overall survival, the length of time within the trial that a patient remained alive, had not yet been reached after 50.9 months of follow-up.
Patients experienced no additional side effects beyond those associated with the individual treatments.
Researchers are now evaluating this approach in TILVANCE-301, an international Phase III trial comparing lifileucel plus pembrolizumab with pembrolizumab alone in patients with advanced melanoma, for which Dr Andrew Furness is the UK National Chief Investigator.
"Immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab have transformed outcomes for patients with advanced melanoma, with around half of patients achieving long-term cancer control. However, for those that do not derive long-term benefit, novel therapeutic options are urgently required," explains Dr Andrew Furness.
"Our findings suggest that adding TIL therapy to first-line pembrolizumab can produce deep and durable responses. Larger studies will now help us understand which patients are most likely to benefit from this combination and how it can best be used alongside existing immunotherapies."
"My tumours disappeared after TIL therapy and pembrolizumab"
After being diagnosed with melanoma in 2024, Paul Jenner, 59, a former ballet dancer and landscape construction company owner from London, was referred to The Royal Marsden after tests showed his cancer had spread beyond the original site to nearby lymph nodes.
Paul joined the IOV-COM-202 trial and received TIL therapy and pembrolizumab in August 2024. His cancer is currently in remission.
"It's amazing, really, that your own cells can be used in this way and used to heal you," said Paul.
"Before I had the treatment, there was spread to my lung, there was a growth on my back and there were a couple of other areas doctors were keeping an eye on. These all disappeared after the TIL therapy and pembrolizumab.
"The Royal Marsden is an incredible place and there are such lovely people working there, from everyone on the wards to the research staff who talked me through the trial. You can't help but feel grateful to have the chance to have something like TIL therapy. I don't know where I'd be without it."
The IOV-COM-202 study is funded by Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. Solid tumour cellular therapy research at The Royal Marsden is funded by supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity including our charity partner Nationwide, and The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at The Royal Marsden and the ICR.
Dr Andrew Furness' role is part-funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
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Original text here: https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news/nearly-one-third-patients-advanced-melanoma-saw-tumours-disappear-completely
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Nearly one third of patients with advanced melanoma saw tumours disappear completely after receiving TIL therapy plus pembrolizumab immunotherapy
An early-stage clinical trial suggests combining two types of immunotherapy at the start of treatment, lifileucel TIL therapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, may lead to deep and long-lasting responses.
23 October 2026
Results from a clinical trial have revealed nearly one third (29.2 per cent) of patients with advanced ... Show Full Article LONDON, England, Oct. 24 (TNSxrep) -- The Royal Marsden National Health Service Foundation Trust issued the following news: * * * Nearly one third of patients with advanced melanoma saw tumours disappear completely after receiving TIL therapy plus pembrolizumab immunotherapy An early-stage clinical trial suggests combining two types of immunotherapy at the start of treatment, lifileucel TIL therapy and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, may lead to deep and long-lasting responses. 23 October 2026 Results from a clinical trial have revealed nearly one third (29.2 per cent) of patients with advancedmelanoma saw their tumours disappear completely on scans after receiving lifileucel TIL therapy alongside an immune checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab, as a first-line treatment.
In addition, approximately two thirds (62.5 per cent) of patients in the same group saw their tumours shrink significantly, with many experiencing substantial and long-lasting responses to the combined treatment.
These findings from the IOV-COM-202 clinical trial, an international, multicentre Phase II trial conducted at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, were presented at the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress by Dr Andrew Furness, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Solid Tumour Cellular Therapy Lead at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Leader of the Cellular Therapy and Translational Immunology Group at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
The findings suggest that introducing lifileucel earlier in the treatment pathway may improve outcomes for patients.
Combined approach of distinct immunotherapy types
In 2024, lifileucel became the first cellular therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for solid tumours after the C-144-01 clinical trial demonstrated a response rate of 31.4 per cent in patients whose cancer had progressed following previous treatments. This study aimed to understand whether the therapy could deliver greater benefit when used earlier in the course of the disease.
Lifileucel and pembrolizumab are two distinct forms of cancer immunotherapy. Lifileucel is a tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, which harnesses the power of a patient's immune system by extracting immune cells from a patient's tumour, multiplying them in a laboratory, and returning them to the bloodstream, allowing them to more effectively recognise and attack cancer cells.
Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor, a type of drug that blocks proteins which normally restrain the immune system, allowing a patient's T cells to better detect and attack cancer cells.
Pembrolizumab is a proven first-line treatment for many patients with advanced melanoma. However, a significant fraction of patients do not experience long-lasting benefit. Lifileucel has been shown to offer a second chance at long-lasting cancer control when standard immunotherapies, including pembrolizumab, are no longer effective. The IOV-COM-202 trial sought to determine the potential benefit of combining both therapies as a first-line treatment.
Most trial participants experienced significant tumour shrinkage
The trial selected 27 patients with advanced melanoma and treated them with a combination of pembrolizumab and lifileucel. Patients first received chemotherapy to prepare the body for treatment, before receiving the cell infusion and a short course of interleukin-2, a drug that boosts immune cell activity and is given after TIL therapy to help the infused cells grow and attack the cancer.
Of the 27 patients treated, 24 were included in the trial's main analysis.
After a median follow-up period of 26.9 months, researchers found that 15 of the 24 patients (62.5 per cent) experienced significant tumour shrinkage, with approximately one third (29.2 per cent) of patients seeing their tumours disappear completely on scans.
The median duration of response had not yet been reached more than two years after the trial began, meaning that many patients who responded to treatment were still benefiting from it at the time of analysis.
Among the 15 patients whose cancer responded to treatment, 13 maintained their response for at least 12 months, while 10 remained in complete or partial response at their most recent assessment.
No additional side effects with combined approach
Median progression-free survival, which is the length of time before a patient's cancer returned or progressed, was 19.8 months. Median overall survival, the length of time within the trial that a patient remained alive, had not yet been reached after 50.9 months of follow-up.
Patients experienced no additional side effects beyond those associated with the individual treatments.
Researchers are now evaluating this approach in TILVANCE-301, an international Phase III trial comparing lifileucel plus pembrolizumab with pembrolizumab alone in patients with advanced melanoma, for which Dr Andrew Furness is the UK National Chief Investigator.
"Immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab have transformed outcomes for patients with advanced melanoma, with around half of patients achieving long-term cancer control. However, for those that do not derive long-term benefit, novel therapeutic options are urgently required," explains Dr Andrew Furness.
"Our findings suggest that adding TIL therapy to first-line pembrolizumab can produce deep and durable responses. Larger studies will now help us understand which patients are most likely to benefit from this combination and how it can best be used alongside existing immunotherapies."
"My tumours disappeared after TIL therapy and pembrolizumab"
After being diagnosed with melanoma in 2024, Paul Jenner, 59, a former ballet dancer and landscape construction company owner from London, was referred to The Royal Marsden after tests showed his cancer had spread beyond the original site to nearby lymph nodes.
Paul joined the IOV-COM-202 trial and received TIL therapy and pembrolizumab in August 2024. His cancer is currently in remission.
"It's amazing, really, that your own cells can be used in this way and used to heal you," said Paul.
"Before I had the treatment, there was spread to my lung, there was a growth on my back and there were a couple of other areas doctors were keeping an eye on. These all disappeared after the TIL therapy and pembrolizumab.
"The Royal Marsden is an incredible place and there are such lovely people working there, from everyone on the wards to the research staff who talked me through the trial. You can't help but feel grateful to have the chance to have something like TIL therapy. I don't know where I'd be without it."
The IOV-COM-202 study is funded by Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. Solid tumour cellular therapy research at The Royal Marsden is funded by supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity including our charity partner Nationwide, and The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at The Royal Marsden and the ICR.
Dr Andrew Furness' role is part-funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news/nearly-one-third-patients-advanced-melanoma-saw-tumours-disappear-completely
Pijar Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation Launch Asia Leaders' Circle for Southeast Asia's Next Generation of Leaders
NEW YORK, Oct. 24 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release:
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Pijar Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation Launch Asia Leaders' Circle for Southeast Asia's Next Generation of Leaders
The regional fellowship will bring together 18 emerging leaders to reflect on complex challenges facing the region and strengthen leadership practices that better account for the needs of underserved communities.
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BANGKOK | October 23, 2026 -- Pijar Foundation, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, today launched the Asia Leaders' Circle, a regional fellowship initiative ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Oct. 24 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release: * * * Pijar Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation Launch Asia Leaders' Circle for Southeast Asia's Next Generation of Leaders The regional fellowship will bring together 18 emerging leaders to reflect on complex challenges facing the region and strengthen leadership practices that better account for the needs of underserved communities. - BANGKOK | October 23, 2026 -- Pijar Foundation, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, today launched the Asia Leaders' Circle, a regional fellowship initiativefor emerging leaders across Southeast Asia working on public-interest challenges. The programme will provide a high-trust, culturally grounded space for participants to examine ethical dilemmas, reflect on difficult institutional decisions, and consider how their choices affect underserved, marginalized, and underrepresented communities.
The Circle responds to a gap in leadership development across the region: the need for spaces where leaders working on social and development challenges can reflect honestly on competing priorities, public pressures, and difficult trade-offs, particularly when their decisions affect communities that are often underrepresented in institutional decision-making. Through structured reflection, peer exchange, and cross-sector dialogue, the programme will encourage participants to consider how their leadership practices can better account for the needs and lived experiences of these communities.
The programme was announced during AsiaXchange 2026, The Rockefeller Foundation's annual regional flagship convening that brings together leaders and partners from across Asia.
"Southeast Asia has no shortage of capable leaders. Experienced leaders bring institutional wisdom, while emerging leaders offer fresh perspectives and the courage to challenge established thinking. Leadership should not be a one-way transfer of knowledge, but a continuous exchange where both generations learn from one another," said Ferro Ferizka, Chairman of Pijar Foundation.
"This is the ambition behind the Asia Leaders' Circle: to create a trusted space where emerging and experienced leaders can challenge assumptions, learn from one another, and build lasting relationships. We hope to nurture leadership grounded in humility, wisdom, and collaboration, where different perspectives can lead to more thoughtful and inclusive decisions for the communities we serve," Ferro added.
The inaugural Asia Leaders' Circle is expected to bring together 18 emerging leaders from across Southeast Asia, representing public service, civil society, media, arts and culture, business and innovation, and scientific research. The selection process will prioritize individuals whose roles advance charitable causes, alongside demonstrated leadership experience or potential. Candidate identification will also consider regional representation and gender balance, with particular attention to individuals whose work involves engagement with communities or responsibility for decisions that shape outcomes for under-resourced groups.
In the 2026 State of Southeast Asia Survey, an annual regional survey of opinion-makers and thought leaders on ASEAN and Southeast Asia's political, economic, and geopolitical landscape, more than 70% of respondents were under the age of 46. This points to the growing presence of a younger generation in the professional communities shaping the region's agenda and public debate. This generational transition is unfolding at a time when the challenges facing Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly interconnected.
"Young people in Southeast Asia are already shaping a brighter future for the region with innovative solutions, a willingness to take risks, and a shared sense of responsibility for their neighbors' well-being. The Asia Leaders' Circle will be a valuable platform for emerging leaders to build unlikely partnerships, broaden their perspectives, and tackle regional and global challenges together. We're proud to support this initiative and look forward to learning from the cohort," said Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of Programs at The Rockefeller Foundation.
The Asia Leaders' Circle is pleased to welcome K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro X as the first member of its Board of Advisors. His perspectives on intergenerational leadership, cultural heritage, and institutional stewardship will continue to help shape the programme's direction and development as it takes root across the region. Drawing on Mangkunegaran's longstanding traditions of education, cultural preservation, and public service, his involvement brings a distinct perspective on how leaders can carry forward inherited wisdom while responding to the changing needs of society.
"When I was entrusted with leading Mangkunegaran, I inherited a responsibility that connects generations: to care for a living heritage, and to ensure that its wisdom continues to serve people in a changing world. Each generation brings new questions. Our task is to carry that wisdom forward with the openness and courage to respond. That is why I welcome the Asia Leaders' Circle: a space where honest reflection and lasting relationships can lead to better decisions for the communities we serve," said K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro X.
Through his involvement, the inaugural fellowship will take place in Surakarta, with cultural learning activities hosted at Puro Mangkunegaran, a historic centre of Javanese culture, education, and artistic tradition. Beyond its historical significance, Mangkunegaran offers a living example of how cultural knowledge, leadership traditions, and institutional values can be preserved, questioned, and adapted across generations. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage with these perspectives, exploring how humility, wisdom, and a sense of responsibility towards others can inform contemporary leadership and institutional decision-making.
The inaugural fellowship will combine a residential immersion in Surakarta with a public-facing convening in Jakarta and structured post-programme engagement. Together, these elements are designed to create a continuum from private reflection to public dialogue and continued learning. Fellows will have opportunities to exchange perspectives with policymakers, practitioners, philanthropies, and regional leaders, while alumni engagement will support continued peer learning after the programme.
Over the longer term, the Asia Leaders' Circle aims to contribute to more conscious, inclusive, and accountable decision-making within Fellows' institutions and areas of work. Through follow-up engagement and documentation of emerging decision-making practices, the programme will examine how participants apply their learning, including whether their approaches give greater consideration to underserved, marginalized, and underrepresented communities. These insights will contribute to a Decision Practice Compendium intended to support programme learning and inform future cohorts.
Applications for the inaugural Asia Leaders' Circle are open to emerging leaders across Southeast Asia whose work advances charitable causes and who are interested in reflecting on complex leadership challenges alongside peers from across sectors, countries, and disciplines.
Apply here: https://www.pijarfoundation.org/alc2026
* * *
About Pijar Foundation
Pijar Foundation is an Indonesian philanthropic foundation working to strengthen the leadership, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration needed to shape Asia's future. Its work spans three core pillars: Leadership & Capacity Building, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Policy Advocacy & Philanthropic Secretariat.
Through partnerships with governments, businesses, philanthropic organisations, academia, and communities, Pijar Foundation supports locally grounded solutions and helps connect promising ideas with the institutions, partnerships, and resources needed to grow their impact across Indonesia and the wider Asian region. For more information, visit pijarfoundation.org.
* * *
About The Rockefeller Foundation
Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance, including with our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.
* * *
About Mangkunegaran
Mangkunegaran is a royal institution and cultural centre in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Rooted in a rich heritage of history, arts, and values, it sustains and nurtures culture through tradition, education, collaboration, and experiences that bring people closer to its living heritage. Drawing on knowledge and values passed down through generations, Mangkunegaran inspires new ideas, creative expression, and cultural practices that respond to contemporary needs and challenges. It creates opportunities for people across generations to discover, find meaning in, and contribute to culture as part of everyday life. For more information, please visit our website https://mangkunegaran.id/ or Instagram @mangkunegaran.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/news/pijar-foundation-rockefeller-foundation-launch-asia-leaders-southeast-asias-next-generation-leaders/
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Pijar Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation Launch Asia Leaders' Circle for Southeast Asia's Next Generation of Leaders
The regional fellowship will bring together 18 emerging leaders to reflect on complex challenges facing the region and strengthen leadership practices that better account for the needs of underserved communities.
-
BANGKOK | October 23, 2026 -- Pijar Foundation, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, today launched the Asia Leaders' Circle, a regional fellowship initiative ... Show Full Article NEW YORK, Oct. 24 -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release: * * * Pijar Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation Launch Asia Leaders' Circle for Southeast Asia's Next Generation of Leaders The regional fellowship will bring together 18 emerging leaders to reflect on complex challenges facing the region and strengthen leadership practices that better account for the needs of underserved communities. - BANGKOK | October 23, 2026 -- Pijar Foundation, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, today launched the Asia Leaders' Circle, a regional fellowship initiativefor emerging leaders across Southeast Asia working on public-interest challenges. The programme will provide a high-trust, culturally grounded space for participants to examine ethical dilemmas, reflect on difficult institutional decisions, and consider how their choices affect underserved, marginalized, and underrepresented communities.
The Circle responds to a gap in leadership development across the region: the need for spaces where leaders working on social and development challenges can reflect honestly on competing priorities, public pressures, and difficult trade-offs, particularly when their decisions affect communities that are often underrepresented in institutional decision-making. Through structured reflection, peer exchange, and cross-sector dialogue, the programme will encourage participants to consider how their leadership practices can better account for the needs and lived experiences of these communities.
The programme was announced during AsiaXchange 2026, The Rockefeller Foundation's annual regional flagship convening that brings together leaders and partners from across Asia.
"Southeast Asia has no shortage of capable leaders. Experienced leaders bring institutional wisdom, while emerging leaders offer fresh perspectives and the courage to challenge established thinking. Leadership should not be a one-way transfer of knowledge, but a continuous exchange where both generations learn from one another," said Ferro Ferizka, Chairman of Pijar Foundation.
"This is the ambition behind the Asia Leaders' Circle: to create a trusted space where emerging and experienced leaders can challenge assumptions, learn from one another, and build lasting relationships. We hope to nurture leadership grounded in humility, wisdom, and collaboration, where different perspectives can lead to more thoughtful and inclusive decisions for the communities we serve," Ferro added.
The inaugural Asia Leaders' Circle is expected to bring together 18 emerging leaders from across Southeast Asia, representing public service, civil society, media, arts and culture, business and innovation, and scientific research. The selection process will prioritize individuals whose roles advance charitable causes, alongside demonstrated leadership experience or potential. Candidate identification will also consider regional representation and gender balance, with particular attention to individuals whose work involves engagement with communities or responsibility for decisions that shape outcomes for under-resourced groups.
In the 2026 State of Southeast Asia Survey, an annual regional survey of opinion-makers and thought leaders on ASEAN and Southeast Asia's political, economic, and geopolitical landscape, more than 70% of respondents were under the age of 46. This points to the growing presence of a younger generation in the professional communities shaping the region's agenda and public debate. This generational transition is unfolding at a time when the challenges facing Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly interconnected.
"Young people in Southeast Asia are already shaping a brighter future for the region with innovative solutions, a willingness to take risks, and a shared sense of responsibility for their neighbors' well-being. The Asia Leaders' Circle will be a valuable platform for emerging leaders to build unlikely partnerships, broaden their perspectives, and tackle regional and global challenges together. We're proud to support this initiative and look forward to learning from the cohort," said Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of Programs at The Rockefeller Foundation.
The Asia Leaders' Circle is pleased to welcome K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro X as the first member of its Board of Advisors. His perspectives on intergenerational leadership, cultural heritage, and institutional stewardship will continue to help shape the programme's direction and development as it takes root across the region. Drawing on Mangkunegaran's longstanding traditions of education, cultural preservation, and public service, his involvement brings a distinct perspective on how leaders can carry forward inherited wisdom while responding to the changing needs of society.
"When I was entrusted with leading Mangkunegaran, I inherited a responsibility that connects generations: to care for a living heritage, and to ensure that its wisdom continues to serve people in a changing world. Each generation brings new questions. Our task is to carry that wisdom forward with the openness and courage to respond. That is why I welcome the Asia Leaders' Circle: a space where honest reflection and lasting relationships can lead to better decisions for the communities we serve," said K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro X.
Through his involvement, the inaugural fellowship will take place in Surakarta, with cultural learning activities hosted at Puro Mangkunegaran, a historic centre of Javanese culture, education, and artistic tradition. Beyond its historical significance, Mangkunegaran offers a living example of how cultural knowledge, leadership traditions, and institutional values can be preserved, questioned, and adapted across generations. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage with these perspectives, exploring how humility, wisdom, and a sense of responsibility towards others can inform contemporary leadership and institutional decision-making.
The inaugural fellowship will combine a residential immersion in Surakarta with a public-facing convening in Jakarta and structured post-programme engagement. Together, these elements are designed to create a continuum from private reflection to public dialogue and continued learning. Fellows will have opportunities to exchange perspectives with policymakers, practitioners, philanthropies, and regional leaders, while alumni engagement will support continued peer learning after the programme.
Over the longer term, the Asia Leaders' Circle aims to contribute to more conscious, inclusive, and accountable decision-making within Fellows' institutions and areas of work. Through follow-up engagement and documentation of emerging decision-making practices, the programme will examine how participants apply their learning, including whether their approaches give greater consideration to underserved, marginalized, and underrepresented communities. These insights will contribute to a Decision Practice Compendium intended to support programme learning and inform future cohorts.
Applications for the inaugural Asia Leaders' Circle are open to emerging leaders across Southeast Asia whose work advances charitable causes and who are interested in reflecting on complex leadership challenges alongside peers from across sectors, countries, and disciplines.
Apply here: https://www.pijarfoundation.org/alc2026
* * *
About Pijar Foundation
Pijar Foundation is an Indonesian philanthropic foundation working to strengthen the leadership, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration needed to shape Asia's future. Its work spans three core pillars: Leadership & Capacity Building, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Policy Advocacy & Philanthropic Secretariat.
Through partnerships with governments, businesses, philanthropic organisations, academia, and communities, Pijar Foundation supports locally grounded solutions and helps connect promising ideas with the institutions, partnerships, and resources needed to grow their impact across Indonesia and the wider Asian region. For more information, visit pijarfoundation.org.
* * *
About The Rockefeller Foundation
Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance, including with our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.
* * *
About Mangkunegaran
Mangkunegaran is a royal institution and cultural centre in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Rooted in a rich heritage of history, arts, and values, it sustains and nurtures culture through tradition, education, collaboration, and experiences that bring people closer to its living heritage. Drawing on knowledge and values passed down through generations, Mangkunegaran inspires new ideas, creative expression, and cultural practices that respond to contemporary needs and challenges. It creates opportunities for people across generations to discover, find meaning in, and contribute to culture as part of everyday life. For more information, please visit our website https://mangkunegaran.id/ or Instagram @mangkunegaran.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/news/pijar-foundation-rockefeller-foundation-launch-asia-leaders-southeast-asias-next-generation-leaders/
Freedom From Religion Foundation: 'Secular Spotlight' Welcomes Back Taylor 'The Antibot' Leigh for Satanism Discussion
MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 24 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release:
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October 23, 2026
'Secular Spotlight' welcomes back Taylor 'The Antibot' Leigh for satanism discussion
The latest episode of FFRF's YouTube series "Secular Spotlight" welcomes back Taylor "The Antibot" Leigh to discuss her nontheistic satanic lifestyle.
Leigh explains what led her to nontheistic satanism and the value of secular rituals. Drawing on her journey out of evangelical Christianity, Leigh discusses healing from religious trauma, finding community, reclaiming once-feared symbols ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 24 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * October 23, 2026 'Secular Spotlight' welcomes back Taylor 'The Antibot' Leigh for satanism discussion The latest episode of FFRF's YouTube series "Secular Spotlight" welcomes back Taylor "The Antibot" Leigh to discuss her nontheistic satanic lifestyle. Leigh explains what led her to nontheistic satanism and the value of secular rituals. Drawing on her journey out of evangelical Christianity, Leigh discusses healing from religious trauma, finding community, reclaiming once-feared symbols-- and learning to live authentically beyond the expectations of religion.
"A big misconception about Satanism, and this is primarily among Christians ... is that Satanism inherently has to do with worshiping or believing in the devil, which most satanists do not believe exists," Leigh explains. "Satan, for me, symbolizes freedom, intellectualism [and] living authentically."
You can catch this episode of "Secular Spotlight" on FFRF's YouTube channel, or on your smart TV after downloading FFRF's free app, Freethought TV, which also highlights FFRF's other video programming. Previous episodes explore online comedian Kevin Crowe's satirical approach to calling out religious bigotry, as well as a deep dive into still-existing blasphemy laws in America. Make sure you're subscribed to FFRF's YouTube channel for all the latest updates!
* * *
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 40,000 members across the country, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/secular-spotlight-welcomes-back-taylor-the-antibot-leigh-for-satanism-discussion/
[Category: Religion]
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October 23, 2026
'Secular Spotlight' welcomes back Taylor 'The Antibot' Leigh for satanism discussion
The latest episode of FFRF's YouTube series "Secular Spotlight" welcomes back Taylor "The Antibot" Leigh to discuss her nontheistic satanic lifestyle.
Leigh explains what led her to nontheistic satanism and the value of secular rituals. Drawing on her journey out of evangelical Christianity, Leigh discusses healing from religious trauma, finding community, reclaiming once-feared symbols ... Show Full Article MADISON, Wisconsin, Oct. 24 -- The Freedom From Religion Foundation issued the following news release: * * * October 23, 2026 'Secular Spotlight' welcomes back Taylor 'The Antibot' Leigh for satanism discussion The latest episode of FFRF's YouTube series "Secular Spotlight" welcomes back Taylor "The Antibot" Leigh to discuss her nontheistic satanic lifestyle. Leigh explains what led her to nontheistic satanism and the value of secular rituals. Drawing on her journey out of evangelical Christianity, Leigh discusses healing from religious trauma, finding community, reclaiming once-feared symbols-- and learning to live authentically beyond the expectations of religion.
"A big misconception about Satanism, and this is primarily among Christians ... is that Satanism inherently has to do with worshiping or believing in the devil, which most satanists do not believe exists," Leigh explains. "Satan, for me, symbolizes freedom, intellectualism [and] living authentically."
You can catch this episode of "Secular Spotlight" on FFRF's YouTube channel, or on your smart TV after downloading FFRF's free app, Freethought TV, which also highlights FFRF's other video programming. Previous episodes explore online comedian Kevin Crowe's satirical approach to calling out religious bigotry, as well as a deep dive into still-existing blasphemy laws in America. Make sure you're subscribed to FFRF's YouTube channel for all the latest updates!
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The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With more than 40,000 members across the country, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Original text here: https://ffrf.org/news/releases/secular-spotlight-welcomes-back-taylor-the-antibot-leigh-for-satanism-discussion/
[Category: Religion]
FGA Applauds USDA Proposal to Protect Food Stamps From Skimmers and Thieves
NAPLES, Florida, Oct. 24 -- The Foundation for Government Accountability posted the following news release:
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FGA Applauds USDA Proposal to Protect Food Stamps From Skimmers and Thieves
October 22, 2026
New Trump administration rule would require chip-enabled food stamp cards to stop the skimming rings that have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from low-income families.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) issued the following statement in strong support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) proposed rule that requires food stamp ... Show Full Article NAPLES, Florida, Oct. 24 -- The Foundation for Government Accountability posted the following news release: * * * FGA Applauds USDA Proposal to Protect Food Stamps From Skimmers and Thieves October 22, 2026 New Trump administration rule would require chip-enabled food stamp cards to stop the skimming rings that have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from low-income families. - WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) issued the following statement in strong support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) proposed rule that requires food stampcards to be chip and tap-enabled with enhanced security features; gives households the ability to monitor their accounts, block out-of-state transactions, and protect their cards; and requires states to improve monitoring of EBT terminals.
"Under the leadership of President Trump and Vice President Vance, the War on Fraud has gone after those who wrongly seek to profit off Americans' generosity--this rule takes the war to the checkout line," said Jonathan Ingram, Vice President of Policy and Research at FGA. "This week alone, the Justice Department and USDA took action against more than 40 defendants in schemes targeting tens of millions in food stamp benefits, including foreign crime rings that skimmed card numbers and drained families' accounts."
"With a move to chip technology, which is already the standard for debit and credit cards, outdated cards will no longer be an easy payday for fraudsters and money meant for the truly needy will stay where it belongs," continued Ingram. "This is commonsense program integrity that will protect low-income families across the country."
Additional Information
Most food stamp cards still run on magnetic-stripe technology that banks moved away from years ago, and it has left them vulnerable to fraud. Skimming rings hide devices on store card readers and copy the card numbers. They then use these numbers to build counterfeit cards and drain benefits meant for groceries. Between October 2022 and December 2024, the federal government replaced more than $360 million in stolen food stamp benefits for more than 750,000 households. USDA's inspector general projected that another $233 million could be lost over the following two years.
This week, the Justice Department and USDA announced enforcement actions against more than 40 defendants in cases involving nearly $42 million in food stamp fraud. In the largest, two Chicago store owners allegedly ran stolen Ohio EBT cards through their registers, sometimes only seconds apart, in a scheme worth nearly $30 million. The Biden administration approved both stores to accept food stamps. Prosecutors say some of the money bought cars that were shipped overseas. In another case, a crew made up mostly of Romanian nationals in the country illegally used skimming devices to steal benefits, and its partners shipped more than 124,000 pounds of baby formula bought with those benefits for resale on the black market.
For more on welfare program integrity, visit https://thefga.org/solution/promoting-work-over-welfare/.
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The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit think tank that promotes public policy solutions in all 50 states to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
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Original text here: https://thefga.org/press/fga-applauds-usda-proposal-to-protect-food-stamps-from-skimmers-and-thieves/
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FGA Applauds USDA Proposal to Protect Food Stamps From Skimmers and Thieves
October 22, 2026
New Trump administration rule would require chip-enabled food stamp cards to stop the skimming rings that have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from low-income families.
-
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) issued the following statement in strong support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) proposed rule that requires food stamp ... Show Full Article NAPLES, Florida, Oct. 24 -- The Foundation for Government Accountability posted the following news release: * * * FGA Applauds USDA Proposal to Protect Food Stamps From Skimmers and Thieves October 22, 2026 New Trump administration rule would require chip-enabled food stamp cards to stop the skimming rings that have stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from low-income families. - WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) issued the following statement in strong support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) proposed rule that requires food stampcards to be chip and tap-enabled with enhanced security features; gives households the ability to monitor their accounts, block out-of-state transactions, and protect their cards; and requires states to improve monitoring of EBT terminals.
"Under the leadership of President Trump and Vice President Vance, the War on Fraud has gone after those who wrongly seek to profit off Americans' generosity--this rule takes the war to the checkout line," said Jonathan Ingram, Vice President of Policy and Research at FGA. "This week alone, the Justice Department and USDA took action against more than 40 defendants in schemes targeting tens of millions in food stamp benefits, including foreign crime rings that skimmed card numbers and drained families' accounts."
"With a move to chip technology, which is already the standard for debit and credit cards, outdated cards will no longer be an easy payday for fraudsters and money meant for the truly needy will stay where it belongs," continued Ingram. "This is commonsense program integrity that will protect low-income families across the country."
Additional Information
Most food stamp cards still run on magnetic-stripe technology that banks moved away from years ago, and it has left them vulnerable to fraud. Skimming rings hide devices on store card readers and copy the card numbers. They then use these numbers to build counterfeit cards and drain benefits meant for groceries. Between October 2022 and December 2024, the federal government replaced more than $360 million in stolen food stamp benefits for more than 750,000 households. USDA's inspector general projected that another $233 million could be lost over the following two years.
This week, the Justice Department and USDA announced enforcement actions against more than 40 defendants in cases involving nearly $42 million in food stamp fraud. In the largest, two Chicago store owners allegedly ran stolen Ohio EBT cards through their registers, sometimes only seconds apart, in a scheme worth nearly $30 million. The Biden administration approved both stores to accept food stamps. Prosecutors say some of the money bought cars that were shipped overseas. In another case, a crew made up mostly of Romanian nationals in the country illegally used skimming devices to steal benefits, and its partners shipped more than 124,000 pounds of baby formula bought with those benefits for resale on the black market.
For more on welfare program integrity, visit https://thefga.org/solution/promoting-work-over-welfare/.
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The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit think tank that promotes public policy solutions in all 50 states to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
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Original text here: https://thefga.org/press/fga-applauds-usda-proposal-to-protect-food-stamps-from-skimmers-and-thieves/
Asia Foundation: Potential Energy - Charging the Batteries for Thailand's Energy Transition
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 24 -- The Asia Foundation issued the following news:
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Potential Energy: Charging the Batteries for Thailand's Energy Transition
BANGKOK, October 23, 2026 -- As Thailand increases renewable energy production and prepares for new electricity demand from data centers, electric vehicles, industrial users, and distributed energy resources, the challenge for the power sector is no longer only how to add more clean generation. It is also how to make the electricity system more flexible, reliable, and ready for change.
To help advance that discussion, The Asia Foundation ... Show Full Article SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 24 -- The Asia Foundation issued the following news: * * * Potential Energy: Charging the Batteries for Thailand's Energy Transition BANGKOK, October 23, 2026 -- As Thailand increases renewable energy production and prepares for new electricity demand from data centers, electric vehicles, industrial users, and distributed energy resources, the challenge for the power sector is no longer only how to add more clean generation. It is also how to make the electricity system more flexible, reliable, and ready for change. To help advance that discussion, The Asia Foundation(TAF), in partnership with the Energy Research Institute at Chulalongkorn University, convened the workshop "Strengthening Grid Flexibility and Energy Storage Readiness in Thailand: Technical Findings and Stakeholder Consultation."
The September 25 event brought together representatives and experts from government agencies, electricity utilities, technical institutions, universities, and international research organizations to examine how Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS, can support Thailand's energy transition. The event also concluded the first phase of technical analysis led by TAF. Findings and stakeholder priorities will help inform potential follow-on technical assistance focused on grid flexibility, energy-storage readiness, and practical implementation in Thailand.
Beyond batteries: building readiness
BESS can perform several important functions in a power system: shifting renewable electricity from periods of high production to times of higher demand; supporting frequency and voltage control; managing network congestion and peak loads; improving resilience; and supporting emerging clean-electricity arrangements.
The workshop highlighted that successful deployment depends on more than battery availability.
Thailand also needs readiness across a wider set of areas, including technical standards, grid connection and interconnection requirements, safety and compliance, system operation, market and tariff arrangements, investment frameworks, and lifecycle management.
Closing gaps and completing the circuit
The workshop presented findings from a Thailand-focused assessment undertaken by the Energy Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, reviewing the country's BESS standards, regulations, grid codes, policy environment, and institutional arrangements. The Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawai'i, complemented the research with international perspectives on evolving technical standards, safety, grid integration, and lessons from other electricity markets.
A key finding is that Thailand is not starting from scratch. The country already has technical standards, grid codes, policy initiatives, and pilot projects relevant to battery energy storage. However, these elements have largely developed separately, leaving gaps in how different types of BESS are regulated, connected to the grid, operated, and managed throughout their lifecycles. The assessment highlighted the need for greater consistency and coordination across institutions, particularly in grid interconnection, technical performance, safety requirements, and operational responsibilities. Without clearer and more coordinated implementation pathways, developers, utilities, and regulators may face uncertainty that slows wider adoption.
International experience reinforced that technical standards alone are not sufficient. Successful BESS deployment also depends on policies and market arrangements that recognize the different services batteries can provide to the electricity system, including storing renewable energy for later use, managing peak demand, and supporting grid stability.
The next phase: setting the standards
For Thailand, this points to two important priorities: establishing clearer and more consistent technical and safety requirements and developing policy and commercial arrangements that recognize the value of energy storage as a source of grid flexibility. Addressing these issues can help improve confidence among utilities, regulators, and investors while supporting the integration of more renewable energy.
These findings provide a practical direction for the project's next phase. Building on the research and stakeholder discussions, TAF aims to work with relevant Thai energy institutions to translate technical recommendations into implementation-oriented support. Potential areas include policy and regulatory readiness, utility-level guidance on grid integration and operational practices, and continued knowledge sharing among public institutions, technical experts, and industry stakeholders. Rather than pursuing a single regulatory solution, the approach recognizes that progress will require coordinated, incremental improvements across different parts of Thailand's electricity system.
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Original text here: https://asiafoundation.org/potential-energy-charging-the-batteries-for-thailands-energy-transition/
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Potential Energy: Charging the Batteries for Thailand's Energy Transition
BANGKOK, October 23, 2026 -- As Thailand increases renewable energy production and prepares for new electricity demand from data centers, electric vehicles, industrial users, and distributed energy resources, the challenge for the power sector is no longer only how to add more clean generation. It is also how to make the electricity system more flexible, reliable, and ready for change.
To help advance that discussion, The Asia Foundation ... Show Full Article SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 24 -- The Asia Foundation issued the following news: * * * Potential Energy: Charging the Batteries for Thailand's Energy Transition BANGKOK, October 23, 2026 -- As Thailand increases renewable energy production and prepares for new electricity demand from data centers, electric vehicles, industrial users, and distributed energy resources, the challenge for the power sector is no longer only how to add more clean generation. It is also how to make the electricity system more flexible, reliable, and ready for change. To help advance that discussion, The Asia Foundation(TAF), in partnership with the Energy Research Institute at Chulalongkorn University, convened the workshop "Strengthening Grid Flexibility and Energy Storage Readiness in Thailand: Technical Findings and Stakeholder Consultation."
The September 25 event brought together representatives and experts from government agencies, electricity utilities, technical institutions, universities, and international research organizations to examine how Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS, can support Thailand's energy transition. The event also concluded the first phase of technical analysis led by TAF. Findings and stakeholder priorities will help inform potential follow-on technical assistance focused on grid flexibility, energy-storage readiness, and practical implementation in Thailand.
Beyond batteries: building readiness
BESS can perform several important functions in a power system: shifting renewable electricity from periods of high production to times of higher demand; supporting frequency and voltage control; managing network congestion and peak loads; improving resilience; and supporting emerging clean-electricity arrangements.
The workshop highlighted that successful deployment depends on more than battery availability.
Thailand also needs readiness across a wider set of areas, including technical standards, grid connection and interconnection requirements, safety and compliance, system operation, market and tariff arrangements, investment frameworks, and lifecycle management.
Closing gaps and completing the circuit
The workshop presented findings from a Thailand-focused assessment undertaken by the Energy Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, reviewing the country's BESS standards, regulations, grid codes, policy environment, and institutional arrangements. The Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawai'i, complemented the research with international perspectives on evolving technical standards, safety, grid integration, and lessons from other electricity markets.
A key finding is that Thailand is not starting from scratch. The country already has technical standards, grid codes, policy initiatives, and pilot projects relevant to battery energy storage. However, these elements have largely developed separately, leaving gaps in how different types of BESS are regulated, connected to the grid, operated, and managed throughout their lifecycles. The assessment highlighted the need for greater consistency and coordination across institutions, particularly in grid interconnection, technical performance, safety requirements, and operational responsibilities. Without clearer and more coordinated implementation pathways, developers, utilities, and regulators may face uncertainty that slows wider adoption.
International experience reinforced that technical standards alone are not sufficient. Successful BESS deployment also depends on policies and market arrangements that recognize the different services batteries can provide to the electricity system, including storing renewable energy for later use, managing peak demand, and supporting grid stability.
The next phase: setting the standards
For Thailand, this points to two important priorities: establishing clearer and more consistent technical and safety requirements and developing policy and commercial arrangements that recognize the value of energy storage as a source of grid flexibility. Addressing these issues can help improve confidence among utilities, regulators, and investors while supporting the integration of more renewable energy.
These findings provide a practical direction for the project's next phase. Building on the research and stakeholder discussions, TAF aims to work with relevant Thai energy institutions to translate technical recommendations into implementation-oriented support. Potential areas include policy and regulatory readiness, utility-level guidance on grid integration and operational practices, and continued knowledge sharing among public institutions, technical experts, and industry stakeholders. Rather than pursuing a single regulatory solution, the approach recognizes that progress will require coordinated, incremental improvements across different parts of Thailand's electricity system.
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Original text here: https://asiafoundation.org/potential-energy-charging-the-batteries-for-thailands-energy-transition/
Asia Foundation: Nepalis Call for Greater Accountability, Economic Opportunity, and Responsive Governance, New National Survey Finds
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 24 (TNSrpt) -- The Asia Foundation issued the following news:
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Nepalis Call for Greater Accountability, Economic Opportunity, and Responsive Governance, New National Survey Finds
Oct 22, 2026
KATHMANDU, NEPAL, October 20, 2026 - A new national public opinion survey finds that Nepalis see local governments' capacity to deliver services as improving, even as optimism has declined and concerns have grown about corruption, employment, economic conditions, and political accountability.
A Survey of the Nepali People in 2025 was launched on October 7 at an event ... Show Full Article SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 24 (TNSrpt) -- The Asia Foundation issued the following news: * * * Nepalis Call for Greater Accountability, Economic Opportunity, and Responsive Governance, New National Survey Finds Oct 22, 2026 KATHMANDU, NEPAL, October 20, 2026 - A new national public opinion survey finds that Nepalis see local governments' capacity to deliver services as improving, even as optimism has declined and concerns have grown about corruption, employment, economic conditions, and political accountability. A Survey of the Nepali People in 2025 was launched on October 7 at an eventhosted by the School of Arts, Kathmandu University. The report is the fifth round of a longitudinal public opinion survey that has tracked Nepali citizens' experiences and perceptions of governance, public services, economic opportunities, political participation, personal security, and the overall direction of the country since 2017.
The survey series is a collaboration between the Kathmandu University School of Arts, Interdisciplinary Analysts, and The Asia Foundation. The 2025 edition was published with support from the Subnational Governance Program, implemented under a strategic partnership between the Australian Government and The Asia Foundation, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
"The survey provides an important record of how Nepalis are experiencing the country's political, economic, and governance transitions," said the survey's principal investigator, Dr. Dhiraj Giri, Kathmandu University School of Arts. "By bringing citizens' perspectives into public debate, it can help policymakers and development partners better understand where expectations are changing and where more responsive action is needed."
The findings point to a striking shift in Nepal's national mood. In 2018, 51.4 percent of respondents believed the country was moving in the right direction. Optimism increased to 65.6 percent in 2020 before falling to 41.7 percent in 2022. The 2025 and subsequent follow-up findings show a further decline, with optimism reaching its lowest recorded level of 17.5 percent following the youth-led movement of September 2025.
Concerns about corruption were particularly widespread. Before the September 2025 movement, 58.9 percent of respondents identified increasing corruption as one of the country's biggest problems. Concern remained especially pronounced among respondents with higher levels of education and those engaged in business. Among respondents with a bachelor's degree or higher, 65.7 percent identified corruption as a major national problem.
Economic pressures were also central to people's concerns. The proportion of respondents who said it was difficult to earn a living or find work rose from 18.9 percent in 2022 to 46.2 percent in the 2025 survey and increased further to 54.5 percent in the follow-up survey. Similarly, the share who believed the country's economic condition was deteriorating climbed from 15.3 percent in 2022 to 36.1 percent in 2025 and 40.5 percent in the follow-up survey. Rising living costs added to this sense of economic insecurity. In 2025, 31.1 percent of respondents identified increases in the prices of essential goods as a major national problem, compared with 28.6 percent in 2022. This figure increased to 32.9 percent in the follow-up survey.
The findings also suggest that citizens' development priorities are changing. In earlier survey rounds, improvements to physical infrastructure, particularly roads and trails, were important drivers of public optimism. More recent findings show a growing emphasis on human development, with employment and quality education displacing physical infrastructure as citizens' leading priorities in the follow-up survey.
At the same time, the survey documents the gradual institutionalization of federalism and increasing public awareness of local government. Across successive rounds, respondents generally viewed the capacity of local governments to deliver services as improving. However, the latest findings indicate that expectations have also risen, with citizens increasingly seeking not only accessible services and infrastructure but also better livelihoods, accountability, transparency, and service quality.
The timing of the 2025 survey presented an unusual research challenge. Fieldwork began with a planned sample of 8,211 respondents but was disrupted by protests, strikes, road blockades, and political unrest associated with the September 2025 youth-led movement. Data collection was therefore concluded after 6,394 interviews. These responses were treated as the pre-movement survey. A separate nationally representative follow-up survey was subsequently conducted with 1,428 respondents to examine how public opinion had changed after the movement.
Together, the two datasets offer a rare opportunity to examine shifts in public opinion before and after one of the most consequential episodes of social and political mobilization in Nepal's recent history. The survey findings provide important context for understanding Nepal's recent political trajectory and how major events can significantly reshape broader public perceptions. They trace how steady declines in trust in institutions, together with growing concerns about corruption, shaped the public mood leading up to the September 2025 movement and help explain the two-way relationship between public perception and governance, including how government action influences public confidence and expectations.
Since its inception in 2017, the Survey of the Nepali People has sought to document how Nepalis experience the country's transition to a federal democratic republic. Across five survey rounds, it has developed into an important source of evidence on public perceptions of the functioning of Nepal's federal, provincial, and local governments.
The latest edition suggests that the next phase of Nepal's federal and democratic transition will need to respond directly to public concerns about livelihoods, corruption, political accountability, and service quality. It also underscores the importance of incorporating citizens' perspectives into policymaking and public debate at a time of heightened expectations and declining confidence in the country's direction.
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REPORT: https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NPL_2025-survey-of-the-nepali-people_pdf_v4_2026-10_survey-report.pdf
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Original text here: https://asiafoundation.org/nepalis-call-for-greater-accountability-economic-opportunity-and-responsive-governance-new-national-survey-finds/
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Nepalis Call for Greater Accountability, Economic Opportunity, and Responsive Governance, New National Survey Finds
Oct 22, 2026
KATHMANDU, NEPAL, October 20, 2026 - A new national public opinion survey finds that Nepalis see local governments' capacity to deliver services as improving, even as optimism has declined and concerns have grown about corruption, employment, economic conditions, and political accountability.
A Survey of the Nepali People in 2025 was launched on October 7 at an event ... Show Full Article SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 24 (TNSrpt) -- The Asia Foundation issued the following news: * * * Nepalis Call for Greater Accountability, Economic Opportunity, and Responsive Governance, New National Survey Finds Oct 22, 2026 KATHMANDU, NEPAL, October 20, 2026 - A new national public opinion survey finds that Nepalis see local governments' capacity to deliver services as improving, even as optimism has declined and concerns have grown about corruption, employment, economic conditions, and political accountability. A Survey of the Nepali People in 2025 was launched on October 7 at an eventhosted by the School of Arts, Kathmandu University. The report is the fifth round of a longitudinal public opinion survey that has tracked Nepali citizens' experiences and perceptions of governance, public services, economic opportunities, political participation, personal security, and the overall direction of the country since 2017.
The survey series is a collaboration between the Kathmandu University School of Arts, Interdisciplinary Analysts, and The Asia Foundation. The 2025 edition was published with support from the Subnational Governance Program, implemented under a strategic partnership between the Australian Government and The Asia Foundation, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
"The survey provides an important record of how Nepalis are experiencing the country's political, economic, and governance transitions," said the survey's principal investigator, Dr. Dhiraj Giri, Kathmandu University School of Arts. "By bringing citizens' perspectives into public debate, it can help policymakers and development partners better understand where expectations are changing and where more responsive action is needed."
The findings point to a striking shift in Nepal's national mood. In 2018, 51.4 percent of respondents believed the country was moving in the right direction. Optimism increased to 65.6 percent in 2020 before falling to 41.7 percent in 2022. The 2025 and subsequent follow-up findings show a further decline, with optimism reaching its lowest recorded level of 17.5 percent following the youth-led movement of September 2025.
Concerns about corruption were particularly widespread. Before the September 2025 movement, 58.9 percent of respondents identified increasing corruption as one of the country's biggest problems. Concern remained especially pronounced among respondents with higher levels of education and those engaged in business. Among respondents with a bachelor's degree or higher, 65.7 percent identified corruption as a major national problem.
Economic pressures were also central to people's concerns. The proportion of respondents who said it was difficult to earn a living or find work rose from 18.9 percent in 2022 to 46.2 percent in the 2025 survey and increased further to 54.5 percent in the follow-up survey. Similarly, the share who believed the country's economic condition was deteriorating climbed from 15.3 percent in 2022 to 36.1 percent in 2025 and 40.5 percent in the follow-up survey. Rising living costs added to this sense of economic insecurity. In 2025, 31.1 percent of respondents identified increases in the prices of essential goods as a major national problem, compared with 28.6 percent in 2022. This figure increased to 32.9 percent in the follow-up survey.
The findings also suggest that citizens' development priorities are changing. In earlier survey rounds, improvements to physical infrastructure, particularly roads and trails, were important drivers of public optimism. More recent findings show a growing emphasis on human development, with employment and quality education displacing physical infrastructure as citizens' leading priorities in the follow-up survey.
At the same time, the survey documents the gradual institutionalization of federalism and increasing public awareness of local government. Across successive rounds, respondents generally viewed the capacity of local governments to deliver services as improving. However, the latest findings indicate that expectations have also risen, with citizens increasingly seeking not only accessible services and infrastructure but also better livelihoods, accountability, transparency, and service quality.
The timing of the 2025 survey presented an unusual research challenge. Fieldwork began with a planned sample of 8,211 respondents but was disrupted by protests, strikes, road blockades, and political unrest associated with the September 2025 youth-led movement. Data collection was therefore concluded after 6,394 interviews. These responses were treated as the pre-movement survey. A separate nationally representative follow-up survey was subsequently conducted with 1,428 respondents to examine how public opinion had changed after the movement.
Together, the two datasets offer a rare opportunity to examine shifts in public opinion before and after one of the most consequential episodes of social and political mobilization in Nepal's recent history. The survey findings provide important context for understanding Nepal's recent political trajectory and how major events can significantly reshape broader public perceptions. They trace how steady declines in trust in institutions, together with growing concerns about corruption, shaped the public mood leading up to the September 2025 movement and help explain the two-way relationship between public perception and governance, including how government action influences public confidence and expectations.
Since its inception in 2017, the Survey of the Nepali People has sought to document how Nepalis experience the country's transition to a federal democratic republic. Across five survey rounds, it has developed into an important source of evidence on public perceptions of the functioning of Nepal's federal, provincial, and local governments.
The latest edition suggests that the next phase of Nepal's federal and democratic transition will need to respond directly to public concerns about livelihoods, corruption, political accountability, and service quality. It also underscores the importance of incorporating citizens' perspectives into policymaking and public debate at a time of heightened expectations and declining confidence in the country's direction.
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REPORT: https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NPL_2025-survey-of-the-nepali-people_pdf_v4_2026-10_survey-report.pdf
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Original text here: https://asiafoundation.org/nepalis-call-for-greater-accountability-economic-opportunity-and-responsive-governance-new-national-survey-finds/
Anker Eufy Earns Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification for Robot Vacuum Omni E35
ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 24 -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America issued the following news release:
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Anker eufy Earns Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification for Robot Vacuum Omni E35
Certified Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 supports healthier homes through proven allergen reduction and consistent cleaning performance
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Washington, D.C., October 22, 2026 - The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) announce that the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification.
The Asthma & Allergy ... Show Full Article ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 24 -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America issued the following news release: * * * Anker eufy Earns Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification for Robot Vacuum Omni E35 Certified Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 supports healthier homes through proven allergen reduction and consistent cleaning performance - Washington, D.C., October 22, 2026 - The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) announce that the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification. The Asthma & AllergyFriendly Certification Program, a collaborative initiative between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), helps consumers identify products that contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
Regular vacuuming plays a key role in reducing indoor allergens, helping to remove dust, dirt, and allergens from carpets, rugs, and floors, preventing particles from becoming airborne - a meaningful contribution to addressing indoor air pollution, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks among the top five environmental risks to public health.
For the more than 106 million Americans living with asthma and allergies, a vacuum cleaner that effectively captures and contains allergens, rather than redistributing them into the air, plays a key role in managing indoor triggers.
To earn the certification, the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 underwent rigorous scientific testing and met or exceeded the Program's standards, demonstrating its ability to:
* Remove allergens from floors: Remove at least 90% of tested allergens from hard floors and at least 80% from carpet. Allergens assessed under the standard include cat and dust mite allergens.
* Effectively remove household dust: Remove at least 75% of test dust from hard floors and at least 40% from carpet.
* Limit airborne particles and allergens during use: Keep fine airborne particles and cat allergen below strict certification limits while vacuuming.
* Maintain low particle emissions: Keep fine particle emissions low even when operating on a clean floor, demonstrating that the vacuum itself does not release excessive dust into the air.
* Maintain pick-up performance: Demonstrate no more than a 10% loss in pick-up efficiency after two passes.
* Limit exposure when emptying the dust bin: Keep fine particles and cat allergen below certification limits during dust-bin emptying.
The certification adds the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 to the Program's list of independently certified vacuum cleaners, giving households a further science-backed option for reducing allergen exposure during everyday cleaning.
"For most families, the dust that matters most is the dust you can't see: pet dander, dust mite allergens and fine particles that settle into carpets and onto floors. That's the problem we set out to solve with the Robot Vacuum Omni E35, picking up those allergens and keeping them contained rather than sending them back into the air. We're proud that the Omni E35 has earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification. It's an independent, science-based standard that requires products to prove what they remove through rigorous testing, rather than simply claiming it, and for Anker eufy, that's exactly the bar we want to be measured against," said Frank Zhu, President of Smart Innovations, Anker Innovations.
"People spend 90% of their time indoors and managing exposure to indoor allergens and airway irritants is an important way to control allergy and asthma symptoms," said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. "By meeting the strict standards of the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification program, Anker's eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 provides homeowners with another tool that can be a part of effective indoor air quality management."
"As robotic vacuums become a standard part of home cleaning, it's important that consumers have independent, science-based proof that these devices actually reduce allergen exposure. The eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 met that standard by demonstrating effective allergen removal while keeping airborne particle levels low during vacuuming and dust-bin emptying, giving people with asthma and allergies clear evidence that this product supports a healthier home," said Dr John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd.
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About the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification Program
The Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification Program is a collaboration between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) that tests and certifies products against strict standards to prove their suitability for people with asthma and allergies. Certified products include air cleaners, air filters, paints, bedding, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, cleaning products, flooring, and more. More information is available at aafa.org/certified.
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About Anker eufy
Anker eufy specializes in AI-driven smart living solutions. Since 2016, we have introduced a wide range of products, from home security systems, robot vacuums, and robot lawn mowers to baby care and personal health devices. Anker Innovations (SZSE: 300866; HKEX: 00668) is a consumer technology company founded in 2011, serving more than 200 million customers across over 180 countries and regions. More information is available at https://www.eufy.com/eufy-robot-vacuum-omni-e35
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Original text here: https://aafa.org/anker-eufy-earns-asthma-allergy-friendly-certification-for-robot-vacuum-omni-e35/
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Anker eufy Earns Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification for Robot Vacuum Omni E35
Certified Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 supports healthier homes through proven allergen reduction and consistent cleaning performance
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Washington, D.C., October 22, 2026 - The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) announce that the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification.
The Asthma & Allergy ... Show Full Article ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 24 -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America issued the following news release: * * * Anker eufy Earns Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification for Robot Vacuum Omni E35 Certified Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 supports healthier homes through proven allergen reduction and consistent cleaning performance - Washington, D.C., October 22, 2026 - The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) announce that the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification. The Asthma & AllergyFriendly Certification Program, a collaborative initiative between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), helps consumers identify products that contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
Regular vacuuming plays a key role in reducing indoor allergens, helping to remove dust, dirt, and allergens from carpets, rugs, and floors, preventing particles from becoming airborne - a meaningful contribution to addressing indoor air pollution, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks among the top five environmental risks to public health.
For the more than 106 million Americans living with asthma and allergies, a vacuum cleaner that effectively captures and contains allergens, rather than redistributing them into the air, plays a key role in managing indoor triggers.
To earn the certification, the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 underwent rigorous scientific testing and met or exceeded the Program's standards, demonstrating its ability to:
* Remove allergens from floors: Remove at least 90% of tested allergens from hard floors and at least 80% from carpet. Allergens assessed under the standard include cat and dust mite allergens.
* Effectively remove household dust: Remove at least 75% of test dust from hard floors and at least 40% from carpet.
* Limit airborne particles and allergens during use: Keep fine airborne particles and cat allergen below strict certification limits while vacuuming.
* Maintain low particle emissions: Keep fine particle emissions low even when operating on a clean floor, demonstrating that the vacuum itself does not release excessive dust into the air.
* Maintain pick-up performance: Demonstrate no more than a 10% loss in pick-up efficiency after two passes.
* Limit exposure when emptying the dust bin: Keep fine particles and cat allergen below certification limits during dust-bin emptying.
The certification adds the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 to the Program's list of independently certified vacuum cleaners, giving households a further science-backed option for reducing allergen exposure during everyday cleaning.
"For most families, the dust that matters most is the dust you can't see: pet dander, dust mite allergens and fine particles that settle into carpets and onto floors. That's the problem we set out to solve with the Robot Vacuum Omni E35, picking up those allergens and keeping them contained rather than sending them back into the air. We're proud that the Omni E35 has earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification. It's an independent, science-based standard that requires products to prove what they remove through rigorous testing, rather than simply claiming it, and for Anker eufy, that's exactly the bar we want to be measured against," said Frank Zhu, President of Smart Innovations, Anker Innovations.
"People spend 90% of their time indoors and managing exposure to indoor allergens and airway irritants is an important way to control allergy and asthma symptoms," said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. "By meeting the strict standards of the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification program, Anker's eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 provides homeowners with another tool that can be a part of effective indoor air quality management."
"As robotic vacuums become a standard part of home cleaning, it's important that consumers have independent, science-based proof that these devices actually reduce allergen exposure. The eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 met that standard by demonstrating effective allergen removal while keeping airborne particle levels low during vacuuming and dust-bin emptying, giving people with asthma and allergies clear evidence that this product supports a healthier home," said Dr John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd.
* * *
About the Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification Program
The Asthma & Allergy Friendly(R) Certification Program is a collaboration between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) that tests and certifies products against strict standards to prove their suitability for people with asthma and allergies. Certified products include air cleaners, air filters, paints, bedding, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, cleaning products, flooring, and more. More information is available at aafa.org/certified.
* * *
About Anker eufy
Anker eufy specializes in AI-driven smart living solutions. Since 2016, we have introduced a wide range of products, from home security systems, robot vacuums, and robot lawn mowers to baby care and personal health devices. Anker Innovations (SZSE: 300866; HKEX: 00668) is a consumer technology company founded in 2011, serving more than 200 million customers across over 180 countries and regions. More information is available at https://www.eufy.com/eufy-robot-vacuum-omni-e35
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Original text here: https://aafa.org/anker-eufy-earns-asthma-allergy-friendly-certification-for-robot-vacuum-omni-e35/