Category: Asia

Asia

Southeast Asia’s Borders Are Quiet—But These Flashpoints Could Explode Next

Southeast Asia may appear relatively stable on the surface, but beneath that calm are a series of unresolved territorial and maritime disputes that continue to test the region’s diplomacy—and raise the risk of sudden military confrontations. A recent analysis by The Diplomat highlights how Southeast Asia’s territorial disputes extend far beyond the internationally prominent South China Sea. Several long-running land and maritime claims remain unsettled, creating potential flashpoints that could

August 18, 2026

Asia

ABBA Fever Sweeps the Philippines as Björn Again Brings Back the Hits—But What Happened When ‘Dancing Queen’ Started?

MANILA, Philippines — ABBA nostalgia came roaring back to life in the Philippines as Australian tribute act Björn Again brought its internationally acclaimed “The ABBA Forever Tour” to Cebu and Manila this August. The group first performed at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on August 7, before heading to The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque for two Manila shows on August 8 and 9. The Philippine leg was part of Björn Again’s continuing global run celebrating the music of Swedish pop lege

August 18, 2026

Asia

Vietnam’s Energy Transition Is Entering a New Phase — And the Biggest Test Has Just Begun

Vietnam’s clean-energy boom is entering a more complicated chapter as Hanoi tries to balance renewables, battery storage, LNG, nuclear power and a rapidly expanding electricity demand. Vietnam’s energy transition is no longer simply a race to build more solar and wind farms. The country is moving into a new phase in which grid capacity, energy storage, market reforms and reliable power supply could matter just as much as the speed of renewable-energy deployment. That shift is becoming increas

August 18, 2026

Asia

La Mesa Dam Hits Alert Level 3 as Habagat Pounds Metro Manila—Here’s Where Flooding Could Strike Next

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have placed La Mesa Dam in Quezon City under Alert Level 3 as relentless Southwest Monsoon or Habagat rains continue to push up water levels and raise the risk of flooding in low-lying communities. The Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that La Mesa Dam’s water level reached 79.71 meters at around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, up from 79.69 meters recorded the previous afternoon. The latest figure remains below the dam’s 80.15-

August 18, 2026

Asia

Mayon’s Sulfur Dioxide Surges to 8,393 Tons a Day—What PHIVOLCS Warns Could Happen Next

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Mount Mayon is showing another worrying sign of renewed volcanic unrest after its sulfur dioxide emissions suddenly surged to 8,393 tonnes per day, the highest level recorded since the decline in volcanic gas concentrations began in July. The sharp increase was recorded on August 17, 2026, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The agency said the latest reading was significantly higher than the average 2,532 tonnes per day recorded

August 18, 2026

Asia

Singapore Drops the Hammer on WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook and TikTok — Here’s What Changes for Users

SINGAPORE — The way Singaporeans use WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and online marketplaces could soon change significantly as Singapore rolls out tougher anti-scam requirements targeting the digital platforms most frequently exploited by criminals. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced on Aug. 18 a new set of Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) codes of practice covering messaging services, social media platforms and e-commerce services, with major safeguards expected to be

August 18, 2026

Asia

Singapore’s Bus Interchanges Are Getting a Major Makeover in 2027 — But There’s One Catch Commuters Need to Know

SINGAPORE — Six well-used bus interchanges across Singapore are set for major upgrades from 2027, promising more comfortable, accessible and family-friendly facilities for commuters. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Aug. 18 that upgrading works will be carried out at Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Eunos, Punggol and Tampines bus interchanges. The improvements will target some of the everyday pain points faced by commuters, including ventilation, lighting, seating, accessibili

August 18, 2026

Asia

Singapore Is Upgrading 6 Major Bus Interchanges From 2027 — And Commuters May Notice a Big Difference

SINGAPORE — Six more bus interchanges across Singapore are set for upgrading works from 2027, bringing new accessibility features, improved commuter facilities and more energy-efficient systems to some of the island’s well-used transport hubs. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Aug 18 that the Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Eunos, Punggol and Tampines bus interchanges will undergo phased enhancement works. The programme is aimed at making public transport facilities more comfor

August 18, 2026

Asia

Al-Ahli’s Title Defence Just Got Complicated: Back-to-Back Asian Champions Draw Al-Ain in Blockbuster Clash

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli will face 2024 champions Al-Ain of the UAE in the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite, setting up one of the most intriguing early clashes of Asia’s revamped continental competition. The road to a third straight AFC Champions League Elite crown has suddenly become much more demanding for Al-Ahli. The reigning Asian champions were drawn against former winners Al-Ain in the league phase of the 2026/27 competition following Tuesday’s draw in Kuala Lumpur. The matchup pits Sa

August 18, 2026

Asia

More Than 10,000 Singaporeans Live With Parkinson’s — Now a New S$4.48 Million Programme Is Trying to Change What Happens Next

SINGAPORE — A new S$4.48 million community rehabilitation initiative is aiming to change how people with Parkinson’s disease manage the condition, with an ambitious target of reaching about 2,000 patients over the next five years. The programme, known as Kickstart Exercise and Empower Parkinson’s (KEEP), began rolling out in January 2026 and is being progressively introduced across 13 day-rehabilitation centres in Singapore. The initiative is backed by the Lien Foundation in partnership with P

August 18, 2026