Category: Asia

Asia

A Hong Kong Pet Hotel Owner Was Mauled to Death—But the Dog Had Arrived Just 9 Days Earlier

HONG KONG — A routine feeding at a licensed pet hotel turned fatal when a 33-year-old woman was attacked and killed by a dog that had reportedly been placed at the facility only days earlier, triggering fresh questions over safety standards at animal boarding and rescue centres. The woman, whose name has not been publicly released, was the licence holder and operator of a dog hotel and canine training centre in Ping Yeung Village, Ta Kwu Ling, in Hong Kong’s New Territories. Police said they r

August 21, 2026

Business

Oil Is Surging Again — But What Happens If the Strait of Hormuz Gets Even Tighter?

Oil prices are heading for a second consecutive weekly gain as the unresolved U.S.-Iran conflict continues to disrupt Middle East energy flows, while Washington's threat of sweeping new sanctions adds another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile global oil market. Brent crude futures slipped 34 cents, or about 0.4%, to $93.44 a barrel by 0646 GMT on Friday, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 44 cents, or 0.5%, to $86.76. Despite the day's modest decline, Brent had gained more t

August 21, 2026

Entertainment

Charlie Dizon Trained 12 Hours a Day to Become a K-Pop Idol—But One Problem Ended the Dream Before Her Debut

Before Charlie Dizon became an award-winning actress in the Philippines, she was chasing an entirely different dream thousands of kilometers away: becoming a K-pop idol in South Korea. And she came much closer than many fans may realize. Dizon revisited that chapter of her life in an ABS-CBN News feature published on August 21, 2026, recalling how a dream that once appeared within reach ultimately collapsed—and unexpectedly pushed her toward the career that would later make her one of Philippi

August 21, 2026

Sport

Josh Tarling Will Race the Vuelta Just Days After His Brother’s Death — But What Comes Next Could Be His Most Emotional Ride Yet

Josh Tarling will return to competitive racing at the 2026 Vuelta a España just days after the death of his 19-year-old younger brother, Finlay Tarling, in a tragic accident during the Volta a Portugal. The 22-year-old Welshman has been confirmed in the eight-rider Netcompany-Ineos squad for the three-week Grand Tour, which begins Saturday, August 22, in Monaco. His decision to race comes only eight days after Finlay died during Stage 8 of the Volta a Portugal. The timing makes Tarling's retur

August 21, 2026

Entertainment

Robbie Jaworski Never Planned to Enter Showbiz—So What Finally Made Him Say Yes?

MANILA, Philippines — For someone born into one of the Philippines’ most recognizable families, Robbie Jaworski might have seemed destined for the spotlight. But according to the young actor and television personality himself, show business was never the original plan. In an ABS-CBN Entertainment exclusive published on August 21, 2026, Jaworski once again opened up about his decision to enter the entertainment industry, adding another chapter to a career that has moved surprisingly fast—from a

August 21, 2026

Sport

Bangladesh Shocked Australia Once — But Phil Simmons Knows What Is Coming Next in Mackay

Bangladesh may have stunned Australia in Darwin, but head coach Phil Simmons knows the job is far from finished. After Bangladesh produced one of the biggest upsets in their Test history with a nine-wicket victory over Australia in the opening Test, Simmons has warned his players to expect a much more aggressive Australian side when the teams meet again in Mackay. The second Test begins on Saturday, August 22, at Great Barrier Reef Arena, with Bangladesh holding a 1–0 lead in the two-match ser

August 21, 2026

Entertainment

The Directors Behind DreamWorks’ ‘Forgotten Island’ Want to Make a BINI Music Video—And Their Connection Is Already Bigger Than One Song

MANILA, Philippines — BINI’s growing connection with Hollywood animation may not end with a movie soundtrack. The filmmakers behind DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming “Forgotten Island” have expressed interest in directing a music video for the eight-member Filipino girl group, opening the possibility of another creative collaboration between BINI and directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. ABS-CBN News reported on August 20 that Crawford and Mercado, the writer-directors of the Filipino cult

August 21, 2026

Asia

Pakistan Is Sending Afghans Home — But What Happens When Millions Return to a Country Already on the Brink?

For thousands of Afghans who have spent years — and in some cases their entire lives — in Pakistan, the country they once considered home is increasingly becoming a place to hide. Pakistan has intensified its campaign to remove undocumented Afghans under its Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan, a policy first announced in 2023. The latest escalation comes as relations between Islamabad and Taliban-led Afghanistan deteriorate over security, border clashes and accusations of militant activity.

August 21, 2026

Philippines

Abra de Ilog Got 300 MM of Rain in Just One Day—But What Failed After the River Rose Is the Bigger Story

ABRA DE ILOG, Occidental Mindoro — A staggering 300 millimeters of rain reportedly fell over Abra de Ilog in just one day, sending river levels surging, forcing hundreds of residents from their homes and washing away a footbridge relied on by hundreds of families. But beyond the dramatic rainfall total, the deluge has raised a more difficult question for the northern Occidental Mindoro town: Are its evacuation systems and flood-control infrastructure strong enough for increasingly severe rain e

August 21, 2026

Singapore

Crocodile Spotted at Singapore’s Pandan Reservoir — Authorities Launch Search, But Residents Aren’t Exactly Panicking

SINGAPORE — A crocodile has been spotted in Pandan Reservoir, prompting authorities to suspend water activities and launch a search-and-capture operation — but some residents living around the reservoir appear surprisingly unfazed by the unexpected visitor. The crocodile was sighted at about 3pm on Thursday, Aug. 20, according to Singapore's national water agency PUB. NParks was subsequently informed, and both agencies are now carrying out search-and-capture operations in the area. The sightin

August 21, 2026