Category: Asia

Business

Takashimaya’s 2026 Mid-Autumn Fair Is Now Open — 61 Brands, Viral Mooncake Flavours and One Date You Shouldn’t Miss

SINGAPORE — Mooncake season has officially arrived in Singapore, and Takashimaya is turning its Orchard Road flagship into one of the city’s biggest destinations for Mid-Autumn treats. The Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Festive Celebration 2026 is now underway at Takashimaya Square, Basement 2, bringing together 61 local and international brands selling mooncakes, artisanal confectioneries, festive gifts and tea selections. The event runs from 20 August through 25 September 2026, giving shoppers more

August 25, 2026

Philippines

UP Visayas Dog Death Renews Poisoning Fears as University Probes Possible Repeat of 2025 Incidents

ILOILO, Philippines — A suspected poisoning incident involving campus dogs at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) has sparked renewed concern over animal safety after one dog was found dead and another disappeared under circumstances that the university is now investigating. The latest case occurred at UPV’s Miagao campus in Iloilo and has drawn particular attention because it follows the deaths of three dogs reported in the area in 2025, when the animals were also found with sympto

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Cebu City Threatens Legal Action as 61 of 65 Developers Miss Flood-Mitigation Deadline

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City officials are preparing to escalate the fight against urban flooding after only four of 65 property developers submitted the flood-mitigation documents required by the city government, leaving 61 developers potentially facing further action. The city had given the developers a deadline of August 17, 2026 to submit plans and documents detailing their existing flood-control measures, including detention ponds and other facilities designed to manage stormwater ru

August 25, 2026

Entertainment

Iloilo City Turns 89 After Decades of Remarkable Growth — But Its Biggest Test May Still Be Ahead

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Iloilo City marked its 89th Charter Day on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, celebrating nearly nine decades of transformation while putting a renewed spotlight on a bigger challenge: making sure the city’s progress is felt not only in new infrastructure and economic growth, but in the everyday lives of Ilonggos. This year’s celebration carries the theme “89 Years of Progress Towards a Better Iloilo City For All,” with Mayor Raisa S. Treñas framing the anniversary as both a t

August 25, 2026

Singapore

Singapore’s New Western Island Plan Sparks a Bigger Question: What Happens to Its Marine Biodiversity?

Singapore’s ambitious plan to create a new Western Island is raising fresh questions over the future of some of the country’s richest marine habitats, as scientists and nature groups call for detailed environmental studies before any reclamation goes ahead. The proposal, announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the 2026 National Day Rally on Aug. 23, involves potentially merging several southern islands to create a larger landmass for future industry, power infrastructure and defence ne

August 25, 2026

Business

German Broker Scalable Lets Investors Trade Through ChatGPT and Claude — Is AI About to Become Your New Investment Assistant?

FRANKFURT, Germany — August 25, 2026 — The line between artificial intelligence and personal investing is getting thinner. German digital investment platform Scalable Capital has opened a new way for customers to access their investment accounts through major AI chatbots, including ChatGPT and Claude, allowing users to conduct trades and analyze their portfolios through conversational AI. Scalable says the initiative is a first for a European bank. The new AI-based access operates alongside it

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Former Criminology Student Nabbed in Bacolod Drug Sting; Police Seize P353,600 in Suspected Shabu

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A 19-year-old former criminology student was arrested in a police buy-bust operation in Bacolod City after authorities said they recovered about 52 grams of suspected shabu worth ₱353,600, raising fresh concerns over the continued movement of illegal drugs in the city. The suspect, identified by police only as alias “Tata,” was arrested on August 19, 2026, along San Juan Street in Purok San Sebastian, Barangay Sum-ag. He is a resident of Barangay 1, according to the

August 25, 2026

Philippines

CAVITE FAMILIES ARE BORROWING TO PAY FOR CHRONIC ILLNESS — AND THE NUMBERS REVEAL A DEEPER HEALTHCARE CRISIS

MANILA, Philippines — For many low-income families in Cavite, having a chronic illness is becoming more than a health problem—it is a financial struggle that can force households to borrow money, dip into savings and even choose cheaper treatment just to make ends meet. A University of the Philippines study of 200 households in Ternate, Cavite found that 61% turned to cheaper or alternative treatments, while 39.5% borrowed money to cover medicines and other healthcare expenses. Another 29% reli

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Olongapo Water Levels Rise Again as Habagat Keeps Flood Threat Alive

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — Water levels beneath three major bridges in Olongapo City climbed again Tuesday morning, August 25, renewing concerns over flooding after days of relentless southwest monsoon rains repeatedly pushed waterways toward dangerous levels. City monitoring data showed that as of 8:47 a.m. Tuesday, the water beneath Sta. Rita Bridge had risen to 2.5 meters, putting it at the city's critical level. Meanwhile, Del Rosario Bridge registered 2.3 meters and Kalaklan Bridge reac

August 25, 2026

Asia

Japan’s ‘Human Fridge’ Is Turning Heads as Extreme Heat Pushes Workers to New Limits

HIGASHIOSAKA, Japan — Japan’s battle with increasingly dangerous summer heat has produced an unusual new cooling solution: a refrigerator-sized booth designed not for food, but for people. The “Do Hiemon Box,” developed for workplaces exposed to intense heat, allows a person to step inside and receive a blast of chilled air over the head, neck, shoulders and back. The unusual device has attracted growing attention as Japan faces another summer of potentially dangerous temperatures. The concept

August 25, 2026