Saturday, 6 Sep 2025

Stay ahead of Asia’s biggest stories. Get our weekly news digest delivered to your inbox – it’s free!

Economy
EconomyShow More

Vietnam rises as a global manufacturing hub as factories shift from China
A manufacturing shift gathers paceNorth of Hanoi, the landscape of Bac Ninh…

September 6, 2025

Japanese Auto Parts Makers to Pass Tariff Costs to Automakers
Tariffs squeeze Japans parts suppliers as policy shifts againA new survey by…

September 6, 2025

TikTok videos push counterfeit luxury bags from China amid tariff fight
Inside the TikTok surge for factory direct luxury bag claimsIn April 2025,…

September 5, 2025

Tokyo Rents Exceed 30% of Household Income
City living costs climb as budgets strainApartment rents in Tokyo and other…

September 5, 2025

Chinese manufacturers accelerate Indonesia push amid supply chain shifts
Inside the new factory boom across the archipelagoChinese producers are no longer…

September 5, 2025
Education
EducationShow More

English Textbook Addresses Skills Gap in Japan’s Anime Industry
Why an English textbook for anime, and why nowAnime has never been…

September 5, 2025

Why Record Numbers of Students Are Leaving South Korea’s Elite Universities to Pursue Medical School
A wave of withdrawals as medicine draws top talentSouth Korea’s most prestigious…

September 2, 2025

Philippine Lawmakers Face Fierce Debate Over Sex Education as Teen Pregnancies Surge
Philippine Lawmakers Face Fierce Debate Over Sex Education as Teen Pregnancies SurgeRising…

September 1, 2025

Japan’s Students Grapple with Soaring Living Costs Amid Inflation Crisis
Japan's University Students Face a Cost-of-Living SqueezeUniversity students across Japan are facing…

August 31, 2025

Pengdao Village: How a Remote Chinese Hamlet Became the Nation’s ‘PhD Village’
Pengdao Village’s Remarkable Academic LegacyIn the mountainous heart of Fujian province, southeastern…

August 31, 2025
Entertainment
EntertainmentShow More

Tamagotchi Tops 100 Million as 90s Nostalgia Powers a Global Revival
A milestone three decades in the makingTamagotchi has crossed 100 million shipments…

September 5, 2025

Bollywood at a Crossroads as AI Rewrites Costs, Creativity and Control
An altered ending ignites a national debateBollywood, famous for lavish song and…

September 4, 2025

Sculpture Takes Over Seoul 2025: A Citywide Gallery Along Parks and the Hangang
Art takes over Seoul's parks and riverfrontsFrom September 1 to November 30,…

September 3, 2025

Sony’s Missed Jackpot: How Netflix Turned ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Into a Global Blockbuster
The Animated Sensation That Took the World—and Sony—by SurpriseIn the summer of…

August 31, 2025

Singapore Food Festival 2025: A Feast of Heritage, Innovation, and Community
Singapore Food Festival 2025: Where Culinary Heritage Meets InnovationEvery September, Singapore transforms…

August 31, 2025
Environment
EnvironmentShow More

Bhutan rice belt under strain as labor shortages, shrinking farmland and climate stress hit harvests
A staple under pressureRice remains the anchor of Bhutan’s food supply, providing…

September 4, 2025

La Nina Watch for South Korea, With Wet Spells Early and Early Cold Snaps Possible
La Nina watch rises for fall in KoreaSouth Korea’s weather agency says…

September 3, 2025

Johor Quakes Spark Malaysia Review of Seismic Building Rules
Johor tremors end the myth of zero riskA rare week of earthquakes…

September 2, 2025

Across the Pamirs, China and Tajikistan Team Up to Protect Wildlife and Restore Connectivity
On the Roof of Central Asia, a Joint Mission Takes ShapeAt more…

September 2, 2025

Torrential Rain Halts Akita Shinkansen as Top Emergency Alerts Issued in Northern Japan
Storm-lashed northeast sees rail shutdownsHeavy rain sweeping across northeastern Japan on Monday…

September 2, 2025
Health
HealthShow More

India Surpasses 200 Million Diabetes Cases: How Genetics, Diet, and Urbanization Drove a Public Health Crisis
India Surpasses 200 Million Diabetes Cases: How Genetics, Diet, and Urbanization Drove…

September 1, 2025

Singapore’s Zero-Tolerance Crackdown on Vaping: What Foreigners Need to Know
Singapore’s New Vaping Crackdown: Foreigners Face Revoked Passes, Deportation, and BansSingapore, renowned…

August 28, 2025

Singapore’s Zero-Tolerance Vaping Crackdown: New Laws, Harsher Penalties, and a Nation on Alert
Singapore’s New War on Vaping: Why the Crackdown Now?Singapore has long been…

August 28, 2025

China’s Biotech Boom: How Global Pharma Deals Are Redefining the Industry
China’s Biotech Industry Surges onto the Global StageChina’s biotechnology sector is undergoing…

August 22, 2025

Methanol Poisoning in Southeast Asia: Tragedy, Warnings, and the Hidden Dangers Facing Tourists
The Deadly Cost of Cheap Spirits: A Survivor’s Story and a Regional…

August 21, 2025
International
InternationalShow More

China Steps Up Offshore Drilling Inside Taiwan EEZ, Raising Legal and Security Risks
What is happening near PratasChina has positioned oil and gas installations and…

September 6, 2025

South Koreans Detained in US Raid at Hyundai LG Plant
A historic raid at a Georgia battery site shakes business and diplomacyFederal…

September 5, 2025

Japan and Taiwan sign rare evacuation information pact amid Taiwan contingency fears
Why a quiet immigration pact signals serious contingency planningJapan and Taiwan have…

September 4, 2025

Hot Mic Captures Putin and Xi Musing on Transplants, 150 Year Lifespans and Power
A candid exchange during Beijing's show of strengthChina’s Victory Day parade in…

September 4, 2025

China’s Land Suez: Inside the Race to Reroute Trade to Europe by Rail
A New Push to Bypass the SeasChina is racing to build reliable…

September 2, 2025
Politics
PoliticsShow More

Ethnic Tensions Rise in Malaysian Politics
A small spark in Penang, wider unease nationwideIn Penang, the national flag…

September 4, 2025

Kim Ju Ae steps onto the world stage as North Korea’s possible next leader
A carefully staged debut in BeijingWhen Kim Jong Un stepped off his…

September 4, 2025

Taiwan and China Contest the Legacy of World War II
Why the WWII memory fight matters nowAs Beijing prepares a grand military…

September 4, 2025

Philippines at 114th in 2024 Corruption Index as score slips to 33
Why 114th place matters nowIn the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the…

September 4, 2025

Indonesia Protests After Delivery Driver Death Put Prabowo to the Test
What sparked the nationwide unrestThe death of 21 year old delivery driver…

September 3, 2025
Science
ScienceShow More

Blood Moon to Glow Over Japan in Rare Total Lunar Eclipse Early Monday
A red moon for tsukimi and night sky fansJapan is set for…

September 6, 2025

Tiny Generators Achieve 117% Efficiency in Converting Ocean Wave Energy to Electricity: A Revolution in Blue Energy Harvesting
Ocean Waves: The Next Frontier in Renewable EnergyAs the world races to…

August 31, 2025

Chinese Scientists Unveil Multicolored Glow-in-the-Dark Succulents: A Leap Toward Sustainable Plant-Based Lighting
Succulents That Shine: The Breakthrough in Plant-Based LightingImagine a garden that glows…

August 28, 2025

Breakthrough One-Step Process Converts Plastic Waste to Petrol: US-China Team Sets New Standard for Recycling
Revolutionizing Plastic Recycling: Turning Waste into Petrol in a Single StepPlastic pollution…

August 28, 2025

A Rare Sun Halo Dazzles Singapore: Science, Spectacle, and Social Buzz
Singapore's Sky Stuns with Rare Sun HaloOn August 25, 2025, Singaporeans looked…

August 25, 2025
Society
SocietyShow More

South Korea Tests Shorter Workweeks From Hospital Wards to Tech Hubs
A shift in schedules gains momentumIn a country where long hours have…

September 5, 2025

Japan Warns Consumers About Cash on Delivery Scams
A surge in bogus cash on delivery parcels puts shoppers on alertJapan’s…

September 5, 2025

Shyamoli’s Gamcha Wall: Color, Craft, and Community in Dhaka
A living canvas in the heart of DhakaOn a stretch of Mirpur…

September 4, 2025

India court sentences husband to death for burning wife over skin colour
A startling verdict in UdaipurAn Indian district court in Udaipur, Rajasthan, has…

September 3, 2025

Brave Pink, Hero Green: Indonesian Women Lead Nationwide Protests Over Police Violence and Political Privilege
Why women are marching with brooms in JakartaWomen in bright pink shirts,…

September 3, 2025
Sports
SportsShow More

No New JRA Jockeys in 2026 as Weight Limits and Phone Rules Bite
A rare gap year for new jockeys in JapanJapan’s central horse racing…

September 5, 2025

Hong Kong National Games Ticket Sales Begin Without English Option, Prompting Concerns Among Expats and Tourists
Hong Kong National Games Ticket Sales Begin Without English Option, Prompting Concerns…

August 31, 2025

Sruong Pheavy’s Triumph at the LPBA Championship 2025–2026: A New Era for Cambodian Billiards
Sruong Pheavy’s Historic Victory at the LPBA Championship 2025–2026Cambodia’s leading carom billiards…

July 7, 2025

I.Tselmuun’s Historic Bronze: Mongolia’s Breakthrough at the FIDE World Junior Chess Cup
Mongolia’s Rising Star: I.Tselmuun Makes Chess History at the FIDE World Junior…

July 7, 2025

Mongolia to Host the 17th World Horseback Archery Championship: Tradition, Sport, and Global Culture Converge at Taij Khairkhan
The 17th World Horseback Archery Championship: A Historic First for MongoliaMongolia, a…

July 6, 2025
Technology
TechnologyShow More

PayPay and WeChat Pay team up to let Chinese travelers pay across Japan
Why this deal matters nowJapan’s PayPay will begin accepting payments from Weixin…

September 6, 2025

Nepal Blocks Major Social Media Platforms Over Registration Dispute
Why Nepal moved to block Facebook, YouTube and XNepal has ordered internet…

September 5, 2025

SK On enters US storage market with Flatiron Energy in 7.2 GWh LFP deal
Why this deal matters nowSK On has signed a supply agreement with…

September 5, 2025

Meituan releases LongCat Flash Chat, a 560 billion parameter Mixture of Experts model
Why this launch matters nowChina’s on demand services giant Meituan has joined…

September 5, 2025

Japan’s Mobile Fees Climb as Carriers Add Perks and Brace for Higher Costs
Why prices are rising nowJapan's biggest mobile carriers are lifting monthly plan…

September 3, 2025
Travel
TravelShow More

Where to Celebrate Autumn in Korea 2025: Festivals, Night Gardens, and Seasonal Flavors
Autumn in Korea 2025 brings food, light, and heritageFrom mountain trails blushing…

September 6, 2025

Hanoi Heritage Train Turns Rail Travel into a Cultural Stage
A new way to see the capitalHanoi has launched a new attraction…

September 6, 2025

A Beach Holiday in Okinawa: Japan’s Tropical Escape
Okinawa, where coral seas meet Ryukyu heritageWarm turquoise seas, a relaxed island…

September 5, 2025

Brawl over illegal landing fees puts spotlight on Sabah island tourism security
Why a viral island brawl matters for Sabah tourismA short video of…

September 5, 2025

Kyoto Overtourism, On the Ground and In the Data
A city under the spotlightKyoto sits at the center of a global…

September 4, 2025

Saturday, 6 Sep 2025

Stay ahead of Asia’s biggest stories. Get our weekly news digest delivered to your inbox – it’s free!

Economy
EconomyShow More

Vietnam rises as a global manufacturing hub as factories shift from China
A manufacturing shift gathers paceNorth of Hanoi, the landscape of Bac Ninh…

September 6, 2025

Japanese Auto Parts Makers to Pass Tariff Costs to Automakers
Tariffs squeeze Japans parts suppliers as policy shifts againA new survey by…

September 6, 2025

TikTok videos push counterfeit luxury bags from China amid tariff fight
Inside the TikTok surge for factory direct luxury bag claimsIn April 2025,…

September 5, 2025

Tokyo Rents Exceed 30% of Household Income
City living costs climb as budgets strainApartment rents in Tokyo and other…

September 5, 2025

Chinese manufacturers accelerate Indonesia push amid supply chain shifts
Inside the new factory boom across the archipelagoChinese producers are no longer…

September 5, 2025
Education
EducationShow More

English Textbook Addresses Skills Gap in Japan’s Anime Industry
Why an English textbook for anime, and why nowAnime has never been…

September 5, 2025

Why Record Numbers of Students Are Leaving South Korea’s Elite Universities to Pursue Medical School
A wave of withdrawals as medicine draws top talentSouth Korea’s most prestigious…

September 2, 2025

Philippine Lawmakers Face Fierce Debate Over Sex Education as Teen Pregnancies Surge
Philippine Lawmakers Face Fierce Debate Over Sex Education as Teen Pregnancies SurgeRising…

September 1, 2025

Japan’s Students Grapple with Soaring Living Costs Amid Inflation Crisis
Japan's University Students Face a Cost-of-Living SqueezeUniversity students across Japan are facing…

August 31, 2025

Pengdao Village: How a Remote Chinese Hamlet Became the Nation’s ‘PhD Village’
Pengdao Village’s Remarkable Academic LegacyIn the mountainous heart of Fujian province, southeastern…

August 31, 2025
Entertainment
EntertainmentShow More

Tamagotchi Tops 100 Million as 90s Nostalgia Powers a Global Revival
A milestone three decades in the makingTamagotchi has crossed 100 million shipments…

September 5, 2025

Bollywood at a Crossroads as AI Rewrites Costs, Creativity and Control
An altered ending ignites a national debateBollywood, famous for lavish song and…

September 4, 2025

Sculpture Takes Over Seoul 2025: A Citywide Gallery Along Parks and the Hangang
Art takes over Seoul's parks and riverfrontsFrom September 1 to November 30,…

September 3, 2025

Sony’s Missed Jackpot: How Netflix Turned ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Into a Global Blockbuster
The Animated Sensation That Took the World—and Sony—by SurpriseIn the summer of…

August 31, 2025

Singapore Food Festival 2025: A Feast of Heritage, Innovation, and Community
Singapore Food Festival 2025: Where Culinary Heritage Meets InnovationEvery September, Singapore transforms…

August 31, 2025
Environment
EnvironmentShow More

Bhutan rice belt under strain as labor shortages, shrinking farmland and climate stress hit harvests
A staple under pressureRice remains the anchor of Bhutan’s food supply, providing…

September 4, 2025

La Nina Watch for South Korea, With Wet Spells Early and Early Cold Snaps Possible
La Nina watch rises for fall in KoreaSouth Korea’s weather agency says…

September 3, 2025

Johor Quakes Spark Malaysia Review of Seismic Building Rules
Johor tremors end the myth of zero riskA rare week of earthquakes…

September 2, 2025

Across the Pamirs, China and Tajikistan Team Up to Protect Wildlife and Restore Connectivity
On the Roof of Central Asia, a Joint Mission Takes ShapeAt more…

September 2, 2025

Torrential Rain Halts Akita Shinkansen as Top Emergency Alerts Issued in Northern Japan
Storm-lashed northeast sees rail shutdownsHeavy rain sweeping across northeastern Japan on Monday…

September 2, 2025
Health
HealthShow More

India Surpasses 200 Million Diabetes Cases: How Genetics, Diet, and Urbanization Drove a Public Health Crisis
India Surpasses 200 Million Diabetes Cases: How Genetics, Diet, and Urbanization Drove…

September 1, 2025

Singapore’s Zero-Tolerance Crackdown on Vaping: What Foreigners Need to Know
Singapore’s New Vaping Crackdown: Foreigners Face Revoked Passes, Deportation, and BansSingapore, renowned…

August 28, 2025

Singapore’s Zero-Tolerance Vaping Crackdown: New Laws, Harsher Penalties, and a Nation on Alert
Singapore’s New War on Vaping: Why the Crackdown Now?Singapore has long been…

August 28, 2025

China’s Biotech Boom: How Global Pharma Deals Are Redefining the Industry
China’s Biotech Industry Surges onto the Global StageChina’s biotechnology sector is undergoing…

August 22, 2025

Methanol Poisoning in Southeast Asia: Tragedy, Warnings, and the Hidden Dangers Facing Tourists
The Deadly Cost of Cheap Spirits: A Survivor’s Story and a Regional…

August 21, 2025
International
InternationalShow More

China Steps Up Offshore Drilling Inside Taiwan EEZ, Raising Legal and Security Risks
What is happening near PratasChina has positioned oil and gas installations and…

September 6, 2025

South Koreans Detained in US Raid at Hyundai LG Plant
A historic raid at a Georgia battery site shakes business and diplomacyFederal…

September 5, 2025

Japan and Taiwan sign rare evacuation information pact amid Taiwan contingency fears
Why a quiet immigration pact signals serious contingency planningJapan and Taiwan have…

September 4, 2025

Hot Mic Captures Putin and Xi Musing on Transplants, 150 Year Lifespans and Power
A candid exchange during Beijing's show of strengthChina’s Victory Day parade in…

September 4, 2025

China’s Land Suez: Inside the Race to Reroute Trade to Europe by Rail
A New Push to Bypass the SeasChina is racing to build reliable…

September 2, 2025
Politics
PoliticsShow More

Ethnic Tensions Rise in Malaysian Politics
A small spark in Penang, wider unease nationwideIn Penang, the national flag…

September 4, 2025

Kim Ju Ae steps onto the world stage as North Korea’s possible next leader
A carefully staged debut in BeijingWhen Kim Jong Un stepped off his…

September 4, 2025

Taiwan and China Contest the Legacy of World War II
Why the WWII memory fight matters nowAs Beijing prepares a grand military…

September 4, 2025

Philippines at 114th in 2024 Corruption Index as score slips to 33
Why 114th place matters nowIn the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the…

September 4, 2025

Indonesia Protests After Delivery Driver Death Put Prabowo to the Test
What sparked the nationwide unrestThe death of 21 year old delivery driver…

September 3, 2025
Science
ScienceShow More

Blood Moon to Glow Over Japan in Rare Total Lunar Eclipse Early Monday
A red moon for tsukimi and night sky fansJapan is set for…

September 6, 2025

Tiny Generators Achieve 117% Efficiency in Converting Ocean Wave Energy to Electricity: A Revolution in Blue Energy Harvesting
Ocean Waves: The Next Frontier in Renewable EnergyAs the world races to…

August 31, 2025

Chinese Scientists Unveil Multicolored Glow-in-the-Dark Succulents: A Leap Toward Sustainable Plant-Based Lighting
Succulents That Shine: The Breakthrough in Plant-Based LightingImagine a garden that glows…

August 28, 2025

Breakthrough One-Step Process Converts Plastic Waste to Petrol: US-China Team Sets New Standard for Recycling
Revolutionizing Plastic Recycling: Turning Waste into Petrol in a Single StepPlastic pollution…

August 28, 2025

A Rare Sun Halo Dazzles Singapore: Science, Spectacle, and Social Buzz
Singapore's Sky Stuns with Rare Sun HaloOn August 25, 2025, Singaporeans looked…

August 25, 2025
Society
SocietyShow More

South Korea Tests Shorter Workweeks From Hospital Wards to Tech Hubs
A shift in schedules gains momentumIn a country where long hours have…

September 5, 2025

Japan Warns Consumers About Cash on Delivery Scams
A surge in bogus cash on delivery parcels puts shoppers on alertJapan’s…

September 5, 2025

Shyamoli’s Gamcha Wall: Color, Craft, and Community in Dhaka
A living canvas in the heart of DhakaOn a stretch of Mirpur…

September 4, 2025

India court sentences husband to death for burning wife over skin colour
A startling verdict in UdaipurAn Indian district court in Udaipur, Rajasthan, has…

September 3, 2025

Brave Pink, Hero Green: Indonesian Women Lead Nationwide Protests Over Police Violence and Political Privilege
Why women are marching with brooms in JakartaWomen in bright pink shirts,…

September 3, 2025
Sports
SportsShow More

No New JRA Jockeys in 2026 as Weight Limits and Phone Rules Bite
A rare gap year for new jockeys in JapanJapan’s central horse racing…

September 5, 2025

Hong Kong National Games Ticket Sales Begin Without English Option, Prompting Concerns Among Expats and Tourists
Hong Kong National Games Ticket Sales Begin Without English Option, Prompting Concerns…

August 31, 2025

Sruong Pheavy’s Triumph at the LPBA Championship 2025–2026: A New Era for Cambodian Billiards
Sruong Pheavy’s Historic Victory at the LPBA Championship 2025–2026Cambodia’s leading carom billiards…

July 7, 2025

I.Tselmuun’s Historic Bronze: Mongolia’s Breakthrough at the FIDE World Junior Chess Cup
Mongolia’s Rising Star: I.Tselmuun Makes Chess History at the FIDE World Junior…

July 7, 2025

Mongolia to Host the 17th World Horseback Archery Championship: Tradition, Sport, and Global Culture Converge at Taij Khairkhan
The 17th World Horseback Archery Championship: A Historic First for MongoliaMongolia, a…

July 6, 2025
Technology
TechnologyShow More

PayPay and WeChat Pay team up to let Chinese travelers pay across Japan
Why this deal matters nowJapan’s PayPay will begin accepting payments from Weixin…

September 6, 2025

Nepal Blocks Major Social Media Platforms Over Registration Dispute
Why Nepal moved to block Facebook, YouTube and XNepal has ordered internet…

September 5, 2025

SK On enters US storage market with Flatiron Energy in 7.2 GWh LFP deal
Why this deal matters nowSK On has signed a supply agreement with…

September 5, 2025

Meituan releases LongCat Flash Chat, a 560 billion parameter Mixture of Experts model
Why this launch matters nowChina’s on demand services giant Meituan has joined…

September 5, 2025

Japan’s Mobile Fees Climb as Carriers Add Perks and Brace for Higher Costs
Why prices are rising nowJapan's biggest mobile carriers are lifting monthly plan…

September 3, 2025
Travel
TravelShow More

Where to Celebrate Autumn in Korea 2025: Festivals, Night Gardens, and Seasonal Flavors
Autumn in Korea 2025 brings food, light, and heritageFrom mountain trails blushing…

September 6, 2025

Hanoi Heritage Train Turns Rail Travel into a Cultural Stage
A new way to see the capitalHanoi has launched a new attraction…

September 6, 2025

A Beach Holiday in Okinawa: Japan’s Tropical Escape
Okinawa, where coral seas meet Ryukyu heritageWarm turquoise seas, a relaxed island…

September 5, 2025

Brawl over illegal landing fees puts spotlight on Sabah island tourism security
Why a viral island brawl matters for Sabah tourismA short video of…

September 5, 2025

Kyoto Overtourism, On the Ground and In the Data
A city under the spotlightKyoto sits at the center of a global…

September 4, 2025

cultural rail journey

Hanoi Heritage Train Turns Rail Travel into a Cultural Stage

September 6, 2025