Category: Asia

Asia

6-Year-Old Boy Dies After Collapsing Moments After Teacher’s Slap in India — CCTV Sparks Investigation

VISAKHAPATNAM, India — The death of a six-year-old schoolboy who collapsed in his classroom moments after being slapped by a teacher over allegedly incomplete homework has triggered outrage and a government investigation in Andhra Pradesh, India. The child, identified in Indian media as Tammana Pranay Tej, was a kindergarten pupil at Little Garden School in Visakhapatnam. The incident happened on Thursday, August 20, according to police and several Indian news organizations. What makes the cas

August 25, 2026

Politics

Tokio Marine Sets Its Sights on Suncorp in Potential Multibillion-Dollar Takeover

A major takeover battle could be taking shape in Australia’s insurance sector, with Japan’s Tokio Marine Holdings reportedly identifying Suncorp Group as its preferred target for a potential multibillion-dollar acquisition. The development was first reported by the Financial Times, which cited people familiar with the discussions. Reuters subsequently reported that Suncorp had emerged as the leading candidate after Tokio Marine reviewed several international acquisition options. But there is a

August 25, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Is Planning a Massive New Western Island — But What Could Be Built There May Surprise You

SINGAPORE — Singapore is looking far beyond its current coastline, with plans to create a new western island that could eventually become a major hub for energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and other industries — while potentially keeping the door open to nuclear power. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced during the 2026 National Day Rally that Singapore intends to merge several offshore islands south of Jurong Island, potentially including Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong, through

August 25, 2026

Entertainment

SHIRLEY KUAN FIRES BACK: “BEA DID NOT MAKE ME RICH” — BUT HER REVELATIONS ABOUT THE WEDDING DRAMA RAISE EVEN BIGGER QUESTIONS

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran talent manager Shirley Kuan has pushed back strongly against claims that Bea Alonzo was her financial “cash cow,” while also giving her most detailed account yet of the controversy surrounding Alonzo’s canceled wedding to businessman Vincent Co. Kuan said she was offended by suggestions that her professional relationship with Alonzo was primarily motivated by money. “I just wanna make this clear, ha. Bea did not make me rich nor will she make me poor,” Kuan said d

August 25, 2026

Business

Shein Is Going Public With a $27 Billion Valuation — But Its Biggest Problem Isn’t the Stock Market

Shein is finally heading to the public markets — but its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO may not be enough to silence the questions that have followed the fast-fashion giant for years. The Singapore-headquartered, China-founded online fashion retailer is preparing to list in Hong Kong on September 1, 2026, at a valuation of about $27 billion, dramatically below the nearly $100 billion valuation associated with the company at its private-market peak in 2022. Shein plans to offer 280 million shares at

August 25, 2026

Politics

U.S. Removes Syria From Terrorism Sponsor List as Washington Moves to Reset Ties With Damascus

WASHINGTON — The United States has formally removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism, ending a designation that had been in place since 1979 and marking one of the most significant shifts in Washington’s policy toward Damascus in decades. The decision, authorized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on August 24, 2026, followed the completion of a mandatory 45-day congressional notification period. Washington also removed Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its designation as a

August 25, 2026

Business

PH Has 47 Days of Fuel Supply Left—But the Bigger Threat to Drivers May Already Be at the Pump

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines still has enough fuel to cover roughly 47 days of average consumption, according to the Department of Energy (DOE), easing immediate fears of a domestic fuel shortage even as renewed tensions in the Middle East continue to push global oil prices higher. DOE data showed that the country had an estimated 47.22 days of total available fuel supply as of August 21, 2026. The figure includes existing stocks and available supply based on current inventory and deli

August 25, 2026

Business

Singapore Sellers Are Furious Over AI Videos Promoting Their Products — And They Say They Never Approved Them

Singapore’s fast-growing use of artificial intelligence in online shopping is triggering a new concern: AI-generated videos promoting products that sellers say they did not create, approve or have sufficient control over. Sellers on Shopee and TikTok Shop have told Channel NewsAsia (CNA) that automatically generated promotional videos have sometimes distorted product details, altered appearances and presented products in ways that could leave shoppers with the wrong impression. The issue has e

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Philippines Has Already Recorded 4,285 Leptospirosis Cases — But DOH Says the Most Dangerous Numbers May Not Have Appeared Yet

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health has intensified nationwide monitoring for leptospirosis following weeks of heavy rain and flooding, activating 33 special hospital fast lanes as health officials prepare for the possibility that more infections could emerge in the coming days. The move comes despite nationwide leptospirosis cases remaining significantly lower than last year's level — a contrast that could give a misleading picture of the immediate threat following the latest floods

August 25, 2026

Entertainment

BREAKING: Former NBA Stars Told They Can’t Enter WNBA Draft — But the League’s Own Rules Raise a Bigger Question

NEW YORK — Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White will not be eligible to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, according to multiple people familiar with the league’s position, adding a new chapter to a rapidly escalating debate over gender eligibility in professional basketball. Neither the WNBA nor the players have publicly announced a formal eligibility ruling explaining why the two former NBA players would be barred. The Associated Press reported Monday that a person familiar with the

August 25, 2026