Category: Asia

Business

Singapore Needs 1,800 More Infant-Care Educators by 2030 as Preschool Demand Rises

SINGAPORE — Singapore is preparing for a major expansion of infant care, but there is one critical challenge standing in the way: finding enough trained educators to care for the country’s youngest children. The early childhood sector is aiming to recruit 1,800 additional infant-care educators by 2030, as demand for infant-care places is expected to grow alongside the Government’s plans to make preschool significantly more affordable for families. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)

August 29, 2026

Politics

Trump Cut Back One Korea War Game to Woo Kim Jong Un — Days Later, This Three-Nation Drill Is Moving Ahead

SEOUL — A major military exercise involving the United States, South Korea and Japan is moving ahead near the Korean Peninsula, creating a fresh test for President Donald Trump’s effort to reopen diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that the three countries will conduct the Freedom Edge 2026 exercise from September 7 to 11 in international waters east and south of Jeju Island. Seoul describes the annual exercise as defensive and says it

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

KATSEYE PULLS OUT OF OLIVIA RODRIGO’S FESTIVAL AFTER MEGAN SKIENDEIL’S ANKLE INJURY — AND THE REPLACEMENT IS ALREADY SET

KATSEYE has pulled out of Olivia Rodrigo’s highly anticipated Daisy Chain Fields festival after member Megan Skiendiel suffered a sprained ankle during tour rehearsals, forcing organizers to make a last-minute change to the lineup. The global girl group was scheduled to perform Saturday, Aug. 29, at Great Park in Irvine, California, as part of Rodrigo’s inaugural all-women music festival. But after Skiendiel was evaluated by doctors, she was advised to stay off the injured ankle and allow it to

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

Sarah Geronimo Pregnant? Matteo Guidicelli’s ‘Soon-to-Be Daddy’ Greeting Sends Fans Into a Frenzy

Is a baby finally on the way for Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli? A simple greeting for the actor-host has sent fans into a frenzy, reigniting months of speculation that the beloved celebrity couple could be preparing for a major new chapter in their lives. The latest buzz began after Matteo received a “soon-to-be daddy” greeting, prompting netizens and Popsters to wonder whether it was an innocent joke, a fan's hopeful message—or a possible hint about Sarah's rumored pregnancy. However,

August 29, 2026

Philippines

PBBM’s Honorary Doctor of Laws Sparks Backlash: ‘Wrong Message’ to Future Lawyers?

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s receipt of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) has triggered criticism from a Kabataan party-list lawmaker, who questioned whether the prestigious recognition is consistent with the principles of accountability and the rule of law. Marcos received the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, PLM’s highest honorary degree, during the university’s 58th Commencement Exercises at the Philippine Int

August 29, 2026

Business

300+ Patients Were Secretly Filmed at Taiwan Cosmetic Clinics — But Investigators Fear the Victim Count Could Go Much Higher

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A hidden-camera scandal involving Taiwanese cosmetic clinic chain Dr. Shine has escalated dramatically, with prosecutors indicting nine people over the alleged secret filming of more than 300 patients — including four minors — inside treatment and consultation areas where clients could be partially or fully exposed. The New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said concealed surveillance cameras were allegedly installed across eight Dr. Shine branches in Taipei and New Taipei Ci

August 29, 2026

Thailand

Massive Khlong Thom Center Fire Leaves 11 Injured as Bangkok Landmark Partially Collapses

BANGKOK — A massive overnight fire tore through Bangkok’s well-known Khlong Thom Center, injuring at least 11 people and severely damaging parts of the popular electronics and tools shopping complex before firefighters finally brought the blaze under control early Saturday. The fire broke out at approximately 8:42 p.m. on Friday, August 28, inside Khlong Thom Center on Worachak Road in Bangkok’s Pom Prap Sattru Phai district. Initial reports indicated that flames began in a ground-floor shop a

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Six People Found Clinging to Safety as Motorbanca Turns Half-Submerged Off Malapascua

DAANBANTAYAN, Cebu — Six people were rescued after a motorbanca was found half-submerged in the waters off Malapascua Island in northern Cebu, prompting a response from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The rescue took place on Friday, with Coast Guard personnel successfully bringing all six individuals to safety, according to initial reports from Cebu Daily News. No fatalities were reported in the incident. Authorities have yet to publicly disclose further details about what caused the motorb

August 29, 2026

Politics

They Kept Tiananmen’s Memory Alive for Decades — Now One Hong Kong Court Decision Could Cost Them 10 Years

HONG KONG — Three veteran figures behind Hong Kong’s once-massive annual Tiananmen Square vigils are awaiting their punishment after appearing before the High Court for mitigation arguments in one of the city’s most closely watched national-security prosecutions. Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — former leaders of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China — appeared in court Friday, Aug. 28, following their convictions for inciting su

August 29, 2026

Entertainment

Paulo Avelino Says Goodbye to Showbiz—Then Fans Discover the Hilarious Reason Behind His ‘Hiatus’

MANILA, Philippines — Did Paulo Avelino just say goodbye to showbiz? Fans were briefly left stunned after the popular Filipino actor appeared to announce that he was stepping away from movies, teleseryes, endorsements, and everything else connected to his entertainment career beginning October 31. But before supporters could fully process the shocking announcement, Paulo revealed the real reason behind his supposed showbiz hiatus—and it was anything but dramatic. In a playful post shared on s

August 29, 2026