Category: Asia

Asia

Belgium’s Biggest Wildfire Ever Has Now Scorched 3,000 Hectares—And the Flames Are Moving Toward Germany

EUPEN, Belgium — Belgium is facing its largest wildfire on record after a rapidly spreading blaze in the High Fens nature reserve consumed roughly 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) by Sunday, August 16, threatening to push toward the German border and forcing authorities to intensify firefighting operations. The fire, which began Friday in eastern Belgium, has expanded dramatically in just days. On Saturday, authorities reported that approximately 2,700 hectares had already burned—up from about 1,60

August 16, 2026

Asia

Jurong East HDB Fire Leaves 67-Year-Old Dead, 50 Evacuated—But What Happened Inside the Third-Floor Flat?

SINGAPORE — A 67-year-old man died after a fire broke out inside an HDB flat at Block 339 Jurong East Avenue 1 in the early hours of Sunday, August 16, prompting the evacuation of about 50 residents as thick black smoke filled the area. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at around 3:55 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they found black smoke coming from the living room of a third-floor unit. Firefighters had to force their way into the flat before locating t

August 16, 2026

Asia

TEODORO TO CHINA: “DI TAYO PASISIIL!” — But as Beijing Fires Back, What Happens Next to Filipinos and Chinese Nationals?

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has accused Beijing of using a “classic squid tactic” to divert attention from the arrest of Chinese nationals in the Philippines, while describing China’s warning involving Filipinos as an act of “extortion and blackmail.” The increasingly heated exchange between Manila and Beijing comes amid a widening dispute involving 69 Chinese nationals arrested at a steel facility in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, and more than 100 Filipino

August 16, 2026

Business

China Is Taking Over the Matcha Supply—But Japan Still Holds the One Advantage That Could Decide the Future

The world’s obsession with matcha has created an unexpected new rivalry: Japan’s centuries-old tea tradition versus China’s rapidly expanding production machine. What began as a global café and social-media trend has become a serious battle over supply, prices, branding and the future of one of Asia’s most recognizable tea products. In Japan’s historic tea city of Uji, Kyoto, demand for premium matcha has exploded. At Horii Shichimeien, a centuries-old tea business, some tins now sell for near

August 16, 2026

Asia

Kim and Putin Tighten Russia-North Korea Alliance—But What Comes Next Could Reshape Asia

SEOUL — A relationship once rooted largely in Cold War history is becoming a far more consequential strategic partnership. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reaffirmed their countries' deepening ties, with the exchange coming as Pyongyang marked Korea's 81st Liberation Day anniversary and Russia's war in Ukraine continues to reshape security calculations across Asia and Europe. Kim sent a message to Putin in response to the Russian president's congratula

August 16, 2026

Asia

BANGLADESH DRAWS THE LINE: PM Tarique Rahman Won’t Go to India Until Sheikh Hasina Is Extradited — What Happens Next?

DHAKA — Bangladesh has raised the stakes in its increasingly tense relationship with India, saying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi cannot move forward until Dhaka sees progress on its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The development puts Hasina — who has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh during the 2024 uprising — at the centre of a potentially major diplomatic confrontation between the two South Asian neighbours. Bangla

August 16, 2026

Asia

Indonesia’s Transgender Community Under Attack: What’s Behind the Sudden Wave of Violence?

JAKARTA, Indonesia — A growing climate of fear is gripping Indonesia’s transgender community as attacks against trans women, increasingly hostile policies and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric raise fresh concerns over the safety and rights of one of the country’s most vulnerable groups. The issue has drawn renewed international attention after a series of attacks against transgender women in Bogor, West Java, where LGBTQIA+ advocacy group Pelangi Nusantara documented 10 attacks between March 30 and July 15

August 16, 2026

Asia

DAP Was Ready to Walk Away From Anwar’s Government — Then Malaysia’s Crucial Vote Changed Everything

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government has avoided a potentially explosive political crisis after Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) overwhelmingly voted to keep its ministers in the federal Cabinet. At the party’s national congress in Putrajaya on Sunday, 1,857 of 2,106 valid secret ballots — or 88.2% — backed continued participation in the government. Only 242 voted for DAP ministers to leave, while seven ballots were spoiled. The decision gives Anwar a m

August 16, 2026

Asia

300,000+ Rohingya Cleared to Return to Myanmar — But One Major Problem Could Stop Them

BANGKOK — Myanmar says it has verified more than 300,000 Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh as former residents of Rakhine State and could accept them back once security conditions improve. The announcement comes as the Rohingya refugee crisis approaches its ninth year, reviving hopes of a possible breakthrough while also exposing the enormous obstacles standing between verification and an actual return. According to Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh submitted a list of 828

August 16, 2026

Asia

ALEX EALA READY TO SACRIFICE WTA RUN FOR PH GOLD—BUT ONE BIG DECISION REMAINS

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh from making Philippine tennis history on the WTA Tour, Alex Eala is facing another career-defining decision—and this time, the prize is not another ranking point or tournament trophy, but a chance to win Asian Games gold for the Philippines. The 21-year-old tennis star is prepared to prioritize the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, even if it means missing the prestigious China Open, a WTA 1000 tournament scheduled during the same period. Philippine Lawn Tennis Ass

August 16, 2026