Category: Asia

Asia

Typhoon Saudel Unleashes Torrential Rain Across China as Floodwaters Swamp Communities and Evacuations Mount

China’s southern and eastern coastal regions are facing another round of dangerous weather as Typhoon Saudel unleashes torrential rain, triggering flooding, evacuations, transport disruptions and warnings of further landslides and flash floods. The storm made its third landfall in China on Thursday, Sept. 3, striking Zhangpu county in Fujian province at about 6:30am with maximum sustained winds of around 23 metres per second near its centre, according to Chinese authorities. The latest landfa

September 4, 2026

Politics

China Shifts Zhangmu Border Crossing Near Nepal as Deadly Flood Disaster Reshapes Himalayan Trade Routes

China is changing the operating layout of the Zhangmu customs inspection site, the major border gateway connecting China's Tibet region with Nepal, with the new arrangement scheduled to take effect on September 5, 2026. The move comes just days after catastrophic floods and mudslides devastated the Gyirong-Rasuwagadhi border area, killing more than 1,200 people and leaving thousands missing across Nepal and Tibet. According to a government notice reported by Reuters, the modified Zhangmu cust

September 4, 2026

Politics

Singapore and Thailand PMs Turn Diplomacy Into a Singalong: Anutin Sings “Let It Be” as Lawrence Wong Plays Guitar

A high-level diplomatic meeting in Bangkok ended with an unexpected performance as Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took the microphone and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong picked up a guitar for a rendition of The Beatles' classic “Let It Be.” The unusual musical moment took place during an official dinner on Sept. 2, 2026, following the Singapore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat in Bangkok. Video of the performance quickly circulated online, turning what was otherwise a highly formal di

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Bonoan Faces Arraignment in Remaining Flood Control Graft Case—But His Legal Battle Is Far From Over

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan appeared before the Sandiganbayan on Friday for arraignment in the remaining graft case tied to the alleged flood control kickback scandal, even as a separate court ruling has already removed him as an accused in two other cases. The development comes just days after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s request to drop Bonoan from the plunder and graft cases involving former S

September 4, 2026

Politics

South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung Heads to France for Macron Summit — But This Visit Is About Far More Than Cinema

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is heading to France for a four-day state visit that will put diplomacy, advanced technology and the future of global entertainment on the same agenda. Lee will visit France from September 6 to 9, 2026, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The trip will combine a high-level international film summit with formal bilateral talks aimed at turning the countries' newly upgraded relationship into deeper cooperation across security, business, tech

September 4, 2026

Singapore

Singapore’s Haze Is Back as PSI Hits Unhealthy Levels — But Officials Are Watching What Happens Next

SINGAPORE — Singapore has crossed a threshold it had avoided for nearly three years. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index in central Singapore reached 101 at 7am on Friday, September 4, pushing air quality into the Unhealthy range and triggering a new phase in the government’s haze response. It was the first time Singapore’s PSI had entered the Unhealthy range because of haze since October 8, 2023, according to the National Environment Agency. And the bigger concern may be what happens next.

September 4, 2026

Asia

Singapore Sends S$560,000 Humanitarian Package to Flood-Hit Nepal as Search for Missing Continues

Singapore has stepped up its humanitarian response to Nepal after catastrophic flash floods along the Nepal-China border, handing over an emergency assistance package worth about S$560,000 as rescuers continue searching for survivors and people still unaccounted for. The latest assistance includes medical supplies, DNA testing kits, personal protective equipment and specialised equipment to support Nepal's ongoing search, recovery and disaster-victim identification operations, Singapore's Minis

September 4, 2026

Sport

COCO GAUFF SURVIVES A MAJOR US OPEN TEST—BUT HER NEXT OPPONENT COULD PUSH HER EVEN HARDER

NEW YORK — Coco Gauff survived one of the most dangerous second-round matchups of the 2026 US Open, defeating former world No. 2 Paula Badosa, 6-4, 7-6(5), Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium to keep her bid for another Grand Slam title alive. The fourth-seeded American needed nearly two hours to overcome the Spaniard in a tense battle that was considerably tougher than their rankings suggested. Gauff entered the match as the world No. 4, while Badosa was ranked No. 87 after a difficult stret

September 4, 2026

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Wildfires Are Choking Southeast Asia — But September May Be the Most Dangerous Month Yet

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s worsening forest and land fires have turned into a regional air-quality crisis, sending smoke across international borders, disrupting schools and flights, and exposing millions of people to unhealthy air. But the most worrying part may be what comes next. Indonesian officials and climate experts say September could prove to be one of the most critical periods of the 2026 fire season as an exceptionally strong El Niño combines with prolonged dry weather across major parts

September 4, 2026

Asia

Singapore Seafood Supplier Wins Praise for Giving Free Meals to Migrant Workers — But Some Ask: Why Film It?

A Singapore seafood supplier is drawing widespread attention online after its staff began approaching migrant workers during their breaks to offer them free meals — while also sitting down to hear about their lives in Singapore. The initiative by Catch Seafood has gone viral after a series of TikTok videos showed staff members cycling around Singapore, meeting construction workers and offering them freshly prepared food. The latest video, posted on Sept. 2, shows a staff member approaching two

September 4, 2026