Category: Asia

Malaysia

Sarawak’s Air Hit a Hazardous 475 on National Day — But the Number Authorities Are Watching Is 500

KUCHING, Malaysia — Malaysia’s National Day arrived under dramatically different skies on Monday, with celebrations continuing in Putrajaya while parts of Sarawak were swallowed by some of the worst haze the state has experienced in years. In Serian, close to the Indonesian border, Malaysia’s national Air Pollutant Index monitoring system recorded a reading of 475 at 9am on August 31, putting the district deep inside the “hazardous” category and perilously close to the level at which authoritie

August 31, 2026

Philippines

QC Cracks Down on Construction Debris: Projects Could Face Penalties—And There’s More

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Construction projects that leave behind piles of debris, damaged roads, blocked drainage systems or other public hazards could face penalties and delays under a new Quezon City ordinance aimed at making contractors and project proponents accountable for restoring areas affected by their work. The Quezon City Construction Site Restoration and Cleanup Compliance Ordinance (SP-3519, S-2026) requires public and private infrastructure projects in the city to secure a Certi

August 31, 2026

Indonesia

Kalimantan’s Air Quality Has Turned Hazardous as Indonesia’s Wildfires Explode — But the Worst Threat May Still Be Smouldering Underground

JAKARTA — Thick wildfire smoke has pushed air pollution to dangerous levels across parts of Indonesian Borneo, deepening a fire crisis that has already burned hundreds of thousands of hectares, sickened thousands of people and sent haze across Southeast Asia. Central Kalimantan's capital, Palangkaraya, recorded an extraordinary US AQI reading of 780 on the private air-quality monitoring platform IQAir late Monday morning, Aug. 31, placing conditions firmly in its “hazardous” category. Pontianak

August 31, 2026

Philippines

Tim Cone Has a Plan for Kai Sotto’s NBA Dream—And It Could Lead Straight to Miami

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto’s long-running NBA dream may have received an unexpected boost after Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone revealed that he plans to reach out to the Miami Heat on behalf of the Filipino big man. The development came after the Philippines completed a crucial sweep of Jordan and Iran in the fourth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. Following Gilas Pilipinas’ 68-56 victory over Iran on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, Cone was caught on

August 31, 2026

Philippines

She Was Rushed to the Hospital After a Stroke—Then a Tricycle Crash Changed Everything in Quezon

GUMACA, Quezon — A 65-year-old woman who was being rushed to a hospital after suffering a stroke died after the tricycle carrying her collided with a truck along the Maharlika Highway in Gumaca, Quezon, on Sunday, August 30. The fatal crash happened at around 10:15 a.m. in Barangay Villa Bota, according to a report from the Quezon police cited by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Police said the tricycle was carrying four passengers, including the elderly woman, when the driver allegedly lost con

August 31, 2026

Sport

Novak Djokovic Was Two Sets to One Up at the US Open — Then His Body Began to Give Way

NEW YORK — Novak Djokovic arrived at the 2026 US Open chasing history. Less than five hours after stepping onto Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was leaving the tournament in one of the most shocking opening-round defeats of his career. Argentina's Mariano Navone stunned the 39-year-old Serbian 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 on Sunday night, ending Djokovic's bid for a record-extending 25th major title before it had barely begun. The four-hour, 36-minute contest became Djokovic'

August 31, 2026

Philippines

Subic Freeport Landslide Kills 2: Developer Vows Transparency as Probe Turns to Collapsed Slope Protection

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — The developer of the Tipo High-Tech Eco Park inside the Subic Bay Freeport has pledged full transparency and accountability as authorities investigate a landslide that killed two workers and injured two others during heavy rains on August 29. Xantheng (Subic) International Corp. (XSIC), the management arm of the Tipo Hightech Eco Park, said Monday that it had coordinated with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and other concerned agencies following the incident.

August 31, 2026

Asia

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Surges Past 900 With Nearly 4,800 Missing — But Rescuers Are Now Racing Toward What’s Buried Underground

KATHMANDU — The scale of the Himalayan disaster along the Nepal-Tibet border has worsened dramatically, with the confirmed death toll climbing to at least 919 and nearly 4,800 people still unaccounted for, as rescue teams focus increasingly on what may be the crisis's most difficult mission yet: reaching hundreds of workers believed trapped inside mud-blocked hydropower tunnels. Nepalese authorities said Monday that 903 bodies or human remains have been recovered, while 4,247 people remain miss

August 31, 2026

Entertainment

Miss Philippines Earth Rina Delos Santos Questions Pax Silica’s Sustainability—But the Bigger Environmental Issue May Be What Comes Next

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Philippines Earth 2026 Rina Andrea Delos Santos is putting the spotlight on one of the country’s most closely watched technology and infrastructure proposals, questioning whether the planned Pax Silica hub in New Clark City, Tarlac can genuinely be considered sustainable. Her position comes as the proposed US-led initiative faces increasing scrutiny over its potential demands for water, electricity, land and natural resources, as well as questions about its long-term

August 31, 2026

Sport

Venus Williams Fought Past 2 A.M. at the US Open — But Seven Missed Chances Changed Everything

NEW YORK, Aug. 31 — Venus Williams’ latest US Open singles campaign ended in the early hours of Monday after fellow American Sofia Kenin survived a dramatic second-set fightback to win 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The result itself was significant. The circumstances surrounding it made the encounter historic. Williams and Kenin did not begin until 12:13 a.m. local time, after Novak Djokovic's marathon five-set defeat to Mariano Navone pushed the night session deep beyond midnight. Re

August 31, 2026