Category: Asia

Business

Singapore’s Last “Pure” Stamp Shop Is Still Open — But Its 81-Year-Old Owner Says Its Future Is Uncertain

For decades, Singaporeans could walk into a post office, buy stamps and perhaps start a collection of their own. Today, that world is disappearing. At the heart of Singapore’s shrinking stamp-collecting scene is 81-year-old Tan Chun Lim, the owner of CS Philatelic Agency at Peninsula Shopping Centre — a business he has built around a passion that began when he was just 11. With roughly 70 years of collecting and dealing behind him, Tan is now believed to run Singapore’s last “pure stamp shop”

August 19, 2026

Business

PETRONAS CHEMICALS STAGES SHOCK PROFIT TURNAROUND — BUT THE REAL TEST MAY JUST BE BEGINNING

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 19, 2026 — PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) has delivered a dramatic earnings turnaround, swinging back into profit in the second quarter of 2026 even as the Malaysian petrochemical giant warns that difficult market conditions could continue weighing on its business for the rest of the year. PCG reported RM414 million in net profit for the quarter ended June 2026, reversing a RM1.08 billion net loss recorded during the same period last year. Revenue also climbed sharply

August 19, 2026

Business

Philippines Unites Ube Industry in Push to Make Ube a Major Export

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Philippines is taking a major step toward turning one of its most recognizable food crops into a globally competitive agricultural commodity as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and ube industry stakeholders unite under a new nationwide organization. The newly established United Ube PH Association Inc. brings together farmers, cooperatives, growers, processors, traders, exporters, researchers, academe representatives and government agencies from Luzon, Visayas an

August 19, 2026

Entertainment

Michael Cheika Is Back at the Waratahs—But His 2027 Return Could Change Everything

Former Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has been confirmed as the new head coach of the NSW Waratahs for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, bringing one of Australian rugby's most successful coaches back to the club where he made history. Cheika will return to the Waratahs more than a decade after guiding the Sydney-based side to its first and only Super Rugby championship in 2014. He subsequently took charge of the Wallabies and led Australia to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, where they

August 19, 2026

Singapore

He Was Just Singing and Banging Cans?” Elderly Yishun Man Goes on Trial After Protection Order Was Issued

An elderly man in Singapore has gone on trial after allegedly breaching a court protection order obtained by a couple who said they felt unsafe in their own home because of repeated incidents involving their neighbour. Heng Choo Hwi, 69, is contesting a charge of breaching an expedited protection order by allegedly singing and striking metal objects outside his neighbours’ flat for about 11 minutes on Feb. 5, 2026. The case was heard at the State Courts on Wednesday (Aug. 19), with the prosecu

August 19, 2026

Entertainment

Vice Ganda Is Coming Back—But the Bigger Surprise Is Where ‘Gandang Gabi Vice’ Will Air

Two of ABS-CBN’s most recognizable entertainment franchises are set to return before the year ends, with “Gandang Gabi Vice” (GGV) making its television comeback in September and “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) opening a new chapter through another ABS-CBN-GMA collaboration. ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer Cory Vidanes confirmed the developments, giving fans a major reason to watch out for the final months of 2026. ‘Gandang Gabi Vice’ returns—with GMA 7 in the mix The biggest surprise is arguably

August 19, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Construction Waste Found Dumped in Johor: 9 Malaysian Firms Probed — But Who Is Behind the Shipments?

JOHOR — Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) has stepped up action following allegations that construction and demolition waste originating from Singapore was illegally dumped in Pontian, Johor, as Malaysian authorities investigate nine Malaysia-registered companies allegedly linked to the operation. The latest development comes after reports of construction debris being transported across the Singapore-Malaysia border and dumped at several sites near villages in Pontian. NEA said it

August 19, 2026

Entertainment

KATSEYE’s Megan Skiendiel Finally Opens Up About Her Mental Health — But What Happened Behind the Group’s Perfect Image?

KATSEYE’s Megan Skiendiel is opening up about a deeply personal side of her life that fans rarely see — her ongoing mental-health journey, the pressure of growing up in the spotlight and how the people around her helped her feel safe enough to be herself. The 20-year-old singer shared her experience in an interview with PEOPLE tied to KATSEYE’s new documentary, KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS. Megan said she has struggled with mental health for years and credited both therapy and the support of her bandma

August 19, 2026

Entertainment

Jollibee Set for Four More Price Hikes This Year—But the Next Increase May Not Be the Last

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino consumers may have to brace for more expensive Jollibee meals, with Jollibee Foods Corp. reportedly planning four additional price increases during the second half of 2026. The planned adjustments come as the country's largest homegrown restaurant group continues to deal with elevated commodity, logistics and supply-chain costs that have squeezed profitability despite continued growth in sales. The latest report from the Manila Standard says Jollibee intends to i

August 19, 2026

Philippines

Archbishop’s Challenge to Rich Catholics: If God Has Blessed You With More, What Will You Do for the Poor?

MANILA, Philippines — Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown has issued a pointed appeal to wealthy Catholics in the Philippines, urging them to use their resources not simply for personal comfort but to help people living in poverty and on the margins of society. Brown, the Vatican’s representative to the Philippines, emphasized the Christian responsibility to recognize the dignity of the poor and translate faith into concrete acts of service. The appeal comes as the Catholic Church continues

August 19, 2026