Category: Asia

Business

Singapore Retiree Spends 8 Years Sweeping Carpark for Free — ‘Seeing It Clean Makes Me Happy’

SINGAPORE — Most people dream of slowing down after retirement. But for 78-year-old former taxi driver Chen Jinhe, sitting at home was never part of the plan. For more than eight years, the Singapore retiree has voluntarily swept fallen leaves at an open-air carpark in Ang Mo Kio — without a boss, without a salary and using many of his own tools. His simple daily routine has now captured public attention, with one reason behind his remarkable dedication: he simply enjoys seeing the place clean

September 7, 2026

Philippines

RIVERS CUT OFF 11 AETA COMMUNITIES—THEN A MASSIVE AIRLIFT OPERATION BEGAN

BOTOLAN, Zambales — When swollen rivers and impassable roads cut off 11 remote Aeta communities from the rest of Botolan, authorities turned to an unusual lifeline: military airlift and animal-drawn carts. A total of 2,519 families in 11 upland communities received 4,564 family food packs on Sunday, September 6, after continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, made normal access to the villages increasingly dangerous. The relief operation lasted more than seven hours, with

September 7, 2026

Indonesia

Indonesia Wants Its Best and Brightest Back—But Will Dual Citizenship Be Enough to Bring Them Home?

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia is considering one of its biggest changes to citizenship policy in decades, with President Prabowo Subianto proposing limited dual citizenship for selected members of the Indonesian diaspora whose skills and expertise are considered strategically important to the country. The proposal has been welcomed by Indonesians living overseas, particularly professionals who have spent years building careers and families abroad. But as excitement grows, so do major questions

September 7, 2026

Business

China’s Property Reset Has Begun: Why Beijing Is Dismantling Housing Presales Without Killing Them Overnight

BEIJING — China is finally moving away from the housing system that helped fuel one of the biggest property booms in modern history. But Beijing is not pulling the plug overnight. For decades, Chinese developers have relied heavily on selling apartments before construction was completed. Buyers would put down deposits, take out mortgages and begin paying for homes that often existed only on paper. The system powered a spectacular building boom. It also helped create a dangerous cycle of debt

September 7, 2026

Philippines

8 Rescued After Motorboat Capsizes Off Antique—But One Passenger Did Not Survive

CALAPAN CITY, Philippines — A sea journey from Antique to Occidental Mindoro turned tragic after a motorboat capsized off Liwagao Island in Caluya, Antique, leaving one person dead and eight others rescued by authorities. The incident involving the MB San Agustin IV unfolded after the vessel failed to reach its expected destination in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, prompting its owner to alert the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) when communication with the boat could no longer be established. The

September 7, 2026

Japan

Japan’s ‘Cockroach-Free’ Island Is Losing Its Biggest Advantage — And Global Warming May Be to Blame

SAPPORO, Japan — For decades, Hokkaido had something that many residents considered one of the greatest benefits of living on Japan's northernmost main island. The cold kept the cockroaches away. Or at least, that was what many people believed. Now, that reputation is being challenged. As temperatures rise, winters become milder and homes become warmer and better insulated, experts are warning that cockroaches may be gaining a stronger foothold in Hokkaido — a region once widely considered t

September 7, 2026

Sport

Carlos Alcaraz Is Back—and the US Open Title May Already Be in His Sights

NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz is no longer simply happy to be back on the tennis court. After another commanding performance at the 2026 US Open, the defending champion is beginning to believe he can leave New York with the trophy again. Alcaraz delivered one of his most convincing performances since returning from a lengthy wrist injury layoff, defeating American Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open. The victory extended the Spaniard's winning streak in Grand Slam ma

September 7, 2026

Philippines

Filipino-Americans Fear Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Is Going Too Far — Now Even a White House Game Is Sparking Outrage

WASHINGTON — For many Filipino-Americans, the fear surrounding Donald Trump's widening immigration crackdown is no longer limited to border raids, detention centres and deportation orders. Now, even video games are part of the controversy. A series of arcade-style games released through the White House website — including one that allows players to chase migrants and another centred on building a border wall — has sparked anger among immigrant advocates and renewed fears within Filipino-Americ

September 7, 2026

Business

From Sarawak Longhouses to Kuala Lumpur: Can Malaysia’s Ancient Tuak Become the Next Global Drink?

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — For generations, tuak was made in Sarawak homes and longhouses, poured during harvest festivals, family gatherings and important cultural celebrations. It did not need glossy packaging. It did not need a marketing campaign. And it certainly did not need to compete for shelf space in Malaysia's modern cities. Now, a new generation of Malaysian entrepreneurs wants to change that. Young brewers and business owners are taking tuak — Sarawak's traditional fermented rice

September 7, 2026

Business

Southeast Asia Is Growing Older — And a Massive New Business Boom Is Just Beginning

SINGAPORE — Southeast Asia is getting older. And increasingly, business is paying attention. Across the region, private companies, healthcare operators, property developers and even luxury resorts are racing to serve a rapidly expanding generation of older consumers — creating what policymakers and businesses now call the silver economy. From assisted living homes in Singapore to retirement communities and wellness-focused developments in Thailand, ageing is no longer being viewed only as a d

September 7, 2026