Category: Asia

Philippines

Sara Duterte Impeachment Day 21: Her Own Defense Lawyer Takes the Witness Stand — and the ₱112.5M DepEd Fund Trail Is Back in Focus

MANILA, Philippines — Day 21 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is poised to put an unusually significant witness at the center of the Senate courtroom: a lawyer who has been helping defend Duterte but who also worked closely with her when she headed the Department of Education. Attorney Michael Wesley Poa, a former DepEd official who served as Duterte’s chief of staff and spokesperson, is scheduled to be presented by the House prosecution panel as it continues building its case

September 2, 2026

Business

Shein Founder Sky Xu Finally Steps Into The Spotlight—But His Silence at The Hong Kong Ipo Says a Lot

HONG KONG — Shein founder and CEO Xu Yangtian, better known as Sky Xu or Chris Xu, finally appeared at one of the biggest public milestones in his company’s history—but stayed remarkably far from the spotlight. As Shein began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on September 1, Xu attended the listing ceremony and later appeared for photographs with employees. But unlike many founders at a major IPO, he did not deliver a speech and did not take part in the traditional gong-striking ceremony

September 2, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Teen Births Plunge 43% to a 20-Year Low — But Health Officials Say One Number Changes the Story

SINGAPORE — Teenage births in Singapore have fallen to their lowest level in more than two decades, marking a dramatic decline that appears encouraging at first glance. But health officials and specialists are urging caution: behind the record-low number are young mothers who may still face isolation, financial pressure, interrupted education and mental-health challenges. Official figures from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority show that 140 babies were born to mothers aged 19 or younger

September 2, 2026

Entertainment

Ji Ye-eun and Vata Are Getting Married: ‘Running Man’ Star to Tie the Knot in December

Two South Korean entertainment stars are taking their relationship to the next level. Actress and “Running Man” regular Ji Ye-eun and choreographer Vata are set to marry on Dec. 12, 2026, according to their respective agencies. The wedding date also falls on Vata’s birthday. From church friends to husband and wife The couple’s agencies announced the marriage on Sept. 2, saying Ji Ye-eun and Vata had decided to spend their lives together based on deep trust, love and mutual support. Vata’s ag

September 2, 2026

Business

Japan Wants Hypersonic Missiles Under the Sea — But One Decision Could Push Its Defense Strategy Into Uncharted Territory

TOKYO — Japan is preparing to take one of its biggest military technology leaps in decades: putting hypersonic strike weapons beneath the waves. But behind the futuristic missiles, submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles lies a much bigger question — one that reaches far beyond Japan’s rivalry with China. How close could these new capabilities eventually bring Japan to possessing the building blocks of a sea-based nuclear deterrent? For now, the answer requires an important distinction.

September 2, 2026

Business

How Many Wedding Dresses Does a Bride Really Need? The Answer Could Save You Money — and Hours on Your Big Day

For generations, finding “the dress” was treated as one of the defining moments of wedding planning. Now, for some brides, one dress is only the beginning. From dramatic ceremony gowns to sleek reception dresses, traditional outfits, detachable overskirts and tiny after-party minis, the modern bridal wardrobe can easily stretch to two, three or even more looks. But as multiple wedding outfits become increasingly visible on Instagram, TikTok and celebrity weddings, brides are facing a surprisi

September 2, 2026

Asia

Stranger Stops to Help Elderly Man Who Fell at Serangoon Central, Shields His Head From Hot Pavement

SINGAPORE — A simple act of kindness by a passer-by at Serangoon Central is drawing attention online after he stopped to help an elderly man who appeared to have fallen on the pavement. The incident happened at around 10.30am on Saturday, Aug. 29, near Block 254A Serangoon Central Drive, according to information provided to AsiaOne by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Footage posted on TikTok by user spc306 shows the elderly man lying on the ground while a passer-by crouches beside him

September 2, 2026

Business

Trump’s Venezuela Oil Deal Puts the U.S. Near 65 Billion Barrels—But the Real Battle May Be Over Who Controls It

WASHINGTON/CARACAS — The Trump administration is defending a sweeping new oil agreement with Venezuela that could give the United States unprecedented influence over a huge portion of the South American country’s petroleum industry—but the deal is already facing questions over sovereignty, transparency, legality and how quickly it can actually deliver cheaper fuel to Americans. U.S. officials said Tuesday that the agreement is designed to advance American energy security, weaken Chinese and Rus

September 2, 2026

Philippines

Fire Hits Manila Vice Mayor Chi Atienza’s City Hall Office Before Dawn — But Investigators Still Have One Big Question

MANILA, Philippines — A predawn fire damaged the kitchen area inside the Office of Manila Vice Mayor Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza at Manila City Hall on Wednesday, September 2, triggering an emergency response before most government workers had arrived for the day. The blaze struck the vice mayor’s office on the second floor of the historic city government building, according to reports from ABS-CBN News and other local media outlets. ABS-CBN reported that the kitchen inside the office sustained da

September 2, 2026

Business

BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Yen Flirts With ¥160 — But September’s Decision Could Change Everything

TOKYO — The Bank of Japan is sending one of its clearest signals yet that Japan’s era of ultra-cheap money is fading — and its next move could arrive sooner than markets once expected. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said the central bank intends to continue raising interest rates if the economy and prices develop broadly in line with its forecasts, while warning that policymakers must pay particularly close attention to the risk that inflation could run hotter than expected. Speaking after

September 2, 2026