Category: Asia

Politics

Lee Hsien Loong Warns Singapore Must ‘Remake’ Its Economy as Global Trade Fractures — But His Kazakhstan Message Reveals a Bigger Strategy

ASTANA/SINGAPORE — Singapore cannot protect its future by retreating behind economic walls, even as geopolitical rivalry intensifies, supply chains become strategic weapons and the global trading system comes under growing strain. That was the central warning from Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a major speech in Kazakhstan on Thursday, August 27 — but behind the warning was an equally important message about where Singapore may look for its next generation of economic opportunities. Sp

August 28, 2026

Entertainment

After Years of Heartbreak, Alex Gonzaga Finally Welcomes Her First Baby—And One Detail Has Fans Talking

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Gonzaga has officially entered a new chapter in her life: motherhood. The actress, television host and content creator has welcomed her first child with husband, Lipa City Vice Mayor Mikee Morada, bringing an emotional end to a pregnancy journey marked by years of hope, heartbreak and perseverance. The happy news was confirmed by Alex's mother, Pinty Gonzaga, who told entertainment reporters that the couple welcomed a baby boy. She also put to rest online speculation

August 28, 2026

Philippines

Marcoleta Breaks Silence on Guteza Recantation: “Improbable” Conspiracy Claim Raises New Questions

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta has pushed back against explosive allegations made by retired Marine MSgt. Orly Guteza, insisting that it was “improbable” for him and former congressman Mike Defensor to have conspired with the witness to fabricate testimony linking former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to alleged cash deliveries connected to the flood control controversy. In a statement released Friday, Marcoleta questioned the circumstances surrounding Guteza’s recent rec

August 28, 2026

Business

Fun Coffee Victims Lost Their Money — Now Scammers Are Coming Back With a New Offer Police Say Could Cost Them Even More

SINGAPORE — People who lost money through the troubled Fun Coffee investment platform are now facing another danger: scammers claiming they can recover the missing funds — but only after victims pay more money first. The Singapore Police Force issued a warning on Aug 27 about a new wave of fund recovery scams targeting people affected by Fun Coffee, an investment platform already under investigation in Singapore and linked to substantial reported losses elsewhere in the region. According to po

August 28, 2026

Business

He Was Trained to Save Lives—Then One Unexpected Pair of Shoes Changed Everything for Jojo Bragais

MANILA, Philippines — Before his name became synonymous with towering heels, beauty queens, and some of the biggest stages in international pageantry, Jojo Bragais was pursuing an entirely different dream: becoming a doctor. Today, the Filipino designer is known as the “Beauty Queens’ Shoemaker,” with his creations worn by some of the Philippines’ most celebrated pageant winners. But behind the glamorous footwear and international recognition is a deeply personal story of hardship, reinvention,

August 28, 2026

Politics

Singapore Court Sets 5-Year Term for 90-Year-Old Who Killed His Wife — But It Isn’t a Normal Jail Sentence

SINGAPORE — A 90-year-old man who killed his 74-year-old wife during a devastating attack inside their Bukit Panjang flat has been assigned a five-year notional imprisonment period by the High Court — a rare decision that could become an important test of Singapore’s updated laws for accused persons who are mentally incapable of standing trial. But the five-year period imposed on Ridawi Morsudin on Friday, Aug. 28, should not be confused with an ordinary prison sentence following a conviction.

August 28, 2026

Business

Shein Gets Options and Short-Selling From Day One in Hong Kong — But Its Valuation Collapse Is the Bigger Story

HONG KONG, Aug. 28, 2026 — Shein has not even started trading in Hong Kong yet, but investors are already being given multiple ways to bet on where the fast-fashion giant’s shares go next — including down. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) confirmed Friday that when Shein Global Holdings Limited begins trading on Sept. 1 under stock code 625, the exchange will simultaneously introduce weekly and monthly Shein options. Shein shares will also immediately join Hong Kong’s list of se

August 28, 2026

Entertainment

Matet de Leon Speaks Out After EDSA Bus Incident—What Happened Next Left Motorists Talking

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Matet de Leon has apologized to motorists who were temporarily affected by traffic along EDSA after her family's vehicle was allegedly sideswiped by a bus, saying she and her companions ultimately chose not to prolong the incident to avoid causing further delays. In a social media post shared on Thursday, August 27, Matet recounted that their vehicle was allegedly hit while they were stopped at an intersection behind a jeepney. The incident reportedly caused a brie

August 28, 2026

Entertainment

The Voice Behind Optimus Prime Is Gone—But the Story Behind His Legendary Voice Will Leave Fans Emotional

The voice that taught generations what it meant to be a hero has fallen silent. Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor behind Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, has died at the age of 85. Cullen died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 26, surrounded by his family, according to reports confirmed by his agent, Kevin Motley. A cause of death has not been disclosed. His passing was reported internationally on August 27 and 28, 2026. For millions of fans around th

August 28, 2026

Asia

Nepal Turns Down Foreign Rescue Teams After Himalayan Flood Kills 469 — But the Reason Goes Back to the 2015 Earthquake

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal has made an extraordinary decision in the middle of one of the Himalayan region’s deadliest disasters in years: it is turning down offers to send foreign search-and-rescue teams, even as hundreds of people remain unaccounted for and rescuers race against increasingly dangerous conditions. Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday, Aug 28, that the country’s own security agencies were carrying out the search-and-rescue operation and that outside rescue personnel we

August 28, 2026