Category: Asia

Politics

US Investigates Deadly Iran Wedding Strike as Evidence Points to American Weapon — But the Real Target May Have Been Just 135 Metres Away

KUHESTAK, Iran — What was supposed to be a family wedding in a small coastal community overlooking the Strait of Hormuz ended in rubble, bloodied belongings and dozens of casualties — and now mounting evidence is putting the United States under scrutiny over exactly what its forces struck. A visual investigation published by Reuters found that the explosion that tore through a home hosting the wedding in Kuhestak, southern Iran, on September 1 was most likely caused by a direct hit from a U.S.

September 4, 2026

Business

Tesla’s Cybercab Just Hit Austin Without a Steering Wheel — But NHTSA’s Next Move Could Decide How Far It Goes

AUSTIN, Texas — Tesla has taken one of its biggest steps yet toward Elon Musk’s driverless future, putting its purpose-built Cybercab into limited passenger service in Austin. But almost immediately, the rollout drew attention from the top U.S. auto-safety regulator, raising a question that could determine how quickly Tesla can turn a handful of futuristic taxis into a nationwide network. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, confirmed that it is in contact with Tesla an

September 4, 2026

Asia

Nha Trang’s New Luxury Escape Is Turning Heads — Two Meliá Resorts Now Share Vietnam’s Stunning Coastline

NHA TRANG, Vietnam — A new chapter in Nha Trang’s luxury-travel scene has arrived, with Meliá Aurea Nha Trang opening beside the already established Villa Le Corail, a Gran Meliá Hotel, creating a striking oceanfront pairing on Vietnam’s central coast. The development is part of Meliá Hotels International’s continued expansion in Vietnam, as international hotel groups increasingly target travellers looking for a more elevated coastal experience beyond the traditional city beachfront. Bangkok Po

September 4, 2026

Asia

Nepali Survivor Describes Terrifying Escape From Flooded Tunnel: ‘I Thought I Was Going to Die’

TARKESHWAR, Nepal — A Nepali worker has described a terrifying struggle for survival after a sudden flood wave swept into an underground hydropower tunnel, forcing him and other survivors to fight their way through darkness, debris and bodies before finally reaching daylight. Dhan Bahadur Tamang, 32, was working at the Upper Trishuli 1 hydropower project near Nepal's border with China when he noticed something was wrong. Dust began rising under the tunnel's industrial lights and the air pressu

September 4, 2026

Politics

Canada Is Turning Trump’s Tariff War Into a Midterm Election Weapon — But Ottawa’s Biggest Gamble Could Backfire First

The relationship between the United States and Canada — two countries tied together by one of the world’s deepest trading relationships — has entered territory that would have seemed almost unimaginable only a few years ago. After trade negotiations broke down in August, the Trump administration moved ahead with additional tariffs of up to 50% on selected Canadian imports. Canada responded with a promise to hit back dollar for dollar. Ottawa says its new counter-tariffs, scheduled to take eff

September 4, 2026

Entertainment

Meta’s $18 Billion Teen Safety Deal Could Reshape Social Media in Singapore — But One Major Problem Remains

SINGAPORE — Meta’s landmark settlement with U.S. states over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that encouraged compulsive use among children may have been reached thousands of kilometres away, but its biggest regulatory aftershock could soon be felt in Singapore. The Facebook and Instagram owner agreed in August to pay up to US$18 billion over the next decade through a collection of settlements while imposing sweeping restrictions on how teenagers use its platforms.

September 4, 2026

Politics

Tommy Koh Ends 55 Years at Singapore’s MFA — But His Biggest Warning Is About What Small Countries Must Never Do

SINGAPORE — After more than half a century representing Singapore on some of the world’s biggest diplomatic stages, Professor Tommy Koh has stepped away from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a message that reaches far beyond his own retirement. For the 88-year-old veteran diplomat, Singapore’s survival has never depended simply on economic success, military strength or relationships with powerful countries. It depends on something more difficult to maintain: relevance. Reflecting on 55 ye

September 4, 2026

Asia

AI Is Reaching India’s Most Remote Villages — But the Biggest Test Isn’t the Technology

BENGALURU — In parts of rural India, a smartphone is starting to do jobs that once required specialist equipment, trained technicians or a long trip to a hospital. In Chagallu village in Andhra Pradesh, community health workers are asking residents to cough into a phone. Hundreds of kilometres away, other frontline workers are recording short videos of newborn babies so artificial intelligence can estimate their weight and other body measurements. And in Goa, AI is being added to routine ches

September 4, 2026

Business

Aeroline Restarts Singapore–KL Bus Service After 4-Month Break — But There’s a Catch for TRX Passengers

SINGAPORE — Travellers heading between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have another option again, but the familiar Aeroline journey comes with a major change. Premium coach operator Aeroline has resumed its Singapore–Kuala Lumpur cross-border service from Sept. 1, 2026, following a roughly four-month halt to its Kuala Lumpur operations. The comeback will be welcome news for travellers who prefer travelling by coach rather than flying. However, passengers expecting the old seamless journey into cent

September 4, 2026

Philippines

9 Houses Swept Away by Raging Floodwaters in Bataan—Hundreds Forced to Flee as Habagat Intensifies

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan — Raging floodwaters swept away nine houses near the Pita River in Barangay Pita, Dinalupihan, as persistent rains from the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, intensified across Bataan. The incident was reported Thursday, September 3, with the force of the floodwaters destroying the homes located close to the river. As of the latest report, it remained unclear whether anyone was inside the houses when they were swept away. Dinalupihan Mayor German Santos said hundreds of resid

September 4, 2026