Category: Asia

Philippines

Suspected Robbery Plot in Manila Ends in Deadly Police Shootout; 1 Accomplice Arrested

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected robbery operation in Binondo, Manila ended in a deadly encounter with police after one of two men allegedly opened fire at responding officers, authorities said Wednesday, August 26. The incident unfolded after police received a report from a concerned citizen about two men who had entered an abandoned panciteria along Muelle de Binondo Street in Barangay 287. According to the Manila Police District (MPD), the area was allegedly being targeted because of nearb

August 26, 2026

Business

Audemars Piguet Brings Rare Watches and 150 Years of Watchmaking History to Singapore — But There’s More to Hear Than See

SINGAPORE — Some of the world's most intricate mechanical watches are coming to Singapore, and visitors won't just be looking at them behind glass. Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet is bringing 150 years of watchmaking heritage to the National Museum of Singapore this September through “Audemars Piguet: Perspectives on Time,” a free immersive exhibition featuring rare historical timepieces, contemporary creations and live demonstrations of some of horology's most complex mechanisms. The

August 26, 2026

Business

Formaldehyde Cabbage Scare Sparks Alarm Across Asia—But South Korea’s Latest Tests Reveal a Crucial Twist

A food safety scare involving Chinese cabbage and the cancer-causing chemical formaldehyde has triggered alarm across Asia, prompting emergency inspections and renewed questions about the safety of imported food products. But as concern spread, South Korean authorities released a major update: eight recent shipments of Chinese cabbage tested since tighter inspections began showed no detectable formaldehyde. The results offer some reassurance—but officials are not declaring the case closed. So

August 26, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Man Jailed After Making More Than 1,000 Silent Calls to Police ‘For Fun’—But the Real Impact Was Far From Funny

SINGAPORE — What began as a bizarre prank turned into a criminal case after a 37-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to 23 days in jail for making more than 1,000 silent calls to police stations, telling investigators he did it simply “for fun and enjoyment.” Foo Jia Hong pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Aug. 26, to obstructing police officers by repeatedly calling the landline of the Yishun Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) and remaining silent. Three other charges involving calls to police cen

August 26, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Raises HDB Income Ceiling: More Families Can Now Qualify for BTO Homes — But What Happens Next?

Singapore is opening the door to subsidised public housing for more middle-income households after raising the income ceiling for eligible home buyers — a major policy shift that could increase competition for Build-to-Order (BTO) flats while giving more families access to government-backed housing support. Under the revised rules, the monthly household income ceiling for eligible families seeking to buy a new subsidised HDB flat, purchase a resale flat with the CPF Housing Grant, or take out a

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Public Infrastructure Still Failing PWDs? Dizon Admits ‘Terrible Compliance’ With Accessibility Law

MANILA, Philippines — Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon acknowledged a major accessibility problem facing persons with disabilities (PWDs), admitting that public infrastructure in the country still has “terrible compliance” with the Accessibility Law. Dizon made the statement during a House of Representatives budget hearing after Akbayan Representative Percy Cendaña asked how well public infrastructure complies with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, or the Accessibility Law. “Terrible com

August 26, 2026

Philippines

MAYON SPEWS ASH AGAIN: 800-Meter Plume Rises From Crater—What PHIVOLCS Is Watching Next

ALBAY, Philippines — Mayon Volcano showed renewed activity Wednesday morning after an ash emission was recorded from its summit crater, sending a grayish plume about 800 meters above the crater and drifting toward the east-northeast, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The ash emission was recorded at around 8:30 a.m. on August 26, based on PHIVOLCS monitoring footage from the Mayon Volcano monitoring network. The plume was captured by the VMCB (Calba

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Remulla Issues Stark Warning to Police Ahead of BARMM Polls: Every Officer Will Be Held Accountable if Violence Erupts

PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has issued a strong warning to police personnel tasked with securing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections, saying every police officer will be held accountable if violence occurs during the Sept. 14 polls. Remulla delivered the warning on Wednesday, Aug. 26, during the final command conference for the first parliamentary elections in BARMM. According to Remulla,

August 26, 2026

Asia

Indonesia’s Wildfire Crisis Deepens as Thousands of Hotspots Ignite Alarm Across Southeast Asia

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia is intensifying its crackdown on forest and land fires as thousands of hotspots continue to burn across the country, raising fresh concerns over a worsening haze crisis that could affect communities beyond its borders. The Indonesian Forestry Ministry said 42 forest and land fire cases are now undergoing legal proceedings, while six companies have been sanctioned after fires were discovered inside concession areas under their management. The latest developments c

August 26, 2026

Entertainment

Fake Results, Real SEA Games Slots: Former Singapore Coach Admits Role in Finswimming Selection Scandal

SINGAPORE — A sports scandal that shook Singapore's finswimming community has taken a dramatic turn after a former coach admitted his role in a conspiracy to falsify competition results—results that ultimately helped secure SEA Games places for athletes who otherwise would not have been selected. Muhammad Faiz Suhaimi, a former team manager and coach with the Singapore Underwater Federation (SUF), pleaded guilty on August 26 to one count of conspiring to create a false electronic record to comm

August 26, 2026