Category: Asia

Asia

South Korea’s Stock Boom Turned Into a $38.7 Billion Nightmare—Now Investors Are Paying the Emotional Price

South Korea’s spectacular stock-market boom has turned into a painful reckoning, leaving thousands of retail investors facing steep losses, rising financial stress and shaken confidence in the country’s markets. The KOSPI, South Korea’s benchmark stock index, has fallen roughly 30% from its June 19 peak, according to Reuters, reversing a stunning rally that had made Korean equities one of the world’s hottest markets in the first half of 2026. The damage goes beyond falling share prices. Reute

August 21, 2026

Sport

Liam Lawson Is Back at Red Bull—But His Message Before Zandvoort Says Everything

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — Liam Lawson has been handed an unexpected second chance with Red Bull Racing, but the New Zealand driver insists he is not returning to the team with anything to prove. Lawson has been promoted from Racing Bulls to replace the injured Isack Hadjar at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, giving him a remarkable return to the senior Red Bull team less than two years after his first promotion ended abruptly. Rather than treating the opportunity as vindication, however, Lawson

August 21, 2026

Philippines

14-Year-Old Student Brings Gun to Cebu School—Then a Surprise Bag Check Reveals What Was Inside

A routine classroom safety check in Cebu took a disturbing turn after a teacher discovered a .357 Magnum revolver inside the school bag of a 14-year-old Grade 9 student at Lut-od National High School in Barangay Lut-od, Pinamungajan. The firearm was found on Thursday, August 20, during a surprise inspection of students’ bags, according to reports from ABS-CBN News and The Freeman. The teacher immediately sought assistance from school authorities, who contacted the police. Responding officers s

August 21, 2026

Asia

Malaysia’s Anwar Orders Forensic Probe Into Khazanah Unit—What Happened Inside Xeraya?

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered a comprehensive forensic investigation into Xeraya Capital Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd, after concerns were raised over governance and documentation involving past transactions. Anwar, who also serves as chairman of Khazanah, announced the investigation after a Khazanah board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20. The move comes after Xeraya’s board identified irregularities in documen

August 21, 2026

Asia

India’s $15-Billion Coaching Industry Is Under Fire—But the Exam Leak Scandal May Be Only the Beginning

India’s lucrative private coaching industry is facing mounting scrutiny as exam-paper leaks, aggressive marketing, soaring tuition costs and intense academic pressure expose deeper problems in the country’s high-stakes education system. For millions of Indian students, private coaching has become almost inseparable from the race for coveted places in medical, engineering and other competitive university programmes. But a series of exam scandals in 2026 has intensified questions over whether the

August 21, 2026

Sport

WEST HAM DRAWS THE LINE: Club Warns Fans Over Controversial Chant Linked to Manor Solomon — What Happens Next?

West Ham United has issued a strong appeal to its supporters to avoid “offensive and divisive” chanting after a controversial chant containing an anti-Palestinian message was heard during the club’s Championship opener against Burnley. The incident occurred during West Ham’s 2–2 draw at Turf Moor on Sunday, Aug. 16, as the London club began life in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League. Reuters and CNA reported that the chant was sung by a section of West Ham’s travellin

August 20, 2026

Philippines

A Wet Wall Nearly Set an Olongapo Home on Fire—But the Real Danger Was Hidden Inside the Outlet

OLONGAPO CITY — A family narrowly avoided a potentially devastating house fire after an electrical outlet apparently exposed to rainwater suddenly burst into flames, filling part of their home with smoke and renewing warnings about electrical hazards during prolonged wet weather. The incident, reported by GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon on Thursday, August 20, happened inside a house in Olongapo City, where continuous rain reportedly caused moisture to seep into a wall containing an ele

August 20, 2026

Sport

ZARCO’S SHOCK MOTOGP RETURN: Honda Star Targets Aragon After Serious Knee Injury — But One Final Test Could Stop Him

Johann Zarco could make a much earlier-than-expected return to MotoGP at the Aragon Grand Prix on August 28–30, with the LCR Honda rider now targeting a comeback just months after suffering a serious knee injury. But there is still one major hurdle: Zarco must first pass a medical assessment at MotorLand Aragón before he can race. LCR Honda confirmed Thursday that the Frenchman’s recovery has progressed well enough for the team to bring forward his return. From September comeback to possible

August 20, 2026

Sport

Raised S$54,000 for Her World Championships Dream — But the Bigger Battle Starts Before She Even Reaches the Water

SINGAPORE — Olympic rower Joan Poh is heading into one of the biggest races of her career with S$54,000 in backing — but the fundraising drive that helped get her there is also shining a spotlight on a much larger question facing Singapore sport: How much should national athletes have to fight for funding before they can fight for medals? Poh, 35, is preparing to compete at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam from August 24 to 30, where she has set herself an ambitious goal: finish

August 20, 2026

Sport

VERSTAPPEN WAS READY TO WALK AWAY: Max Reveals He Was Closer to F1 Retirement Than Leaving Red Bull — Then Everything Changed

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — Max Verstappen has revealed that leaving Formula 1 altogether was once a more realistic possibility than switching teams, ending months of speculation about whether the four-time world champion would abandon Red Bull. The dramatic admission came as Verstappen confirmed a new contract with Red Bull that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2030 Formula 1 season. The announcement effectively closes one of the biggest driver-market stories of 2026. For month

August 20, 2026