Saturday, 18 Oct 2025

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

Economy
EconomyShow More

Indonesia chases direct durian sales to China, with cold chain and sanitation in the spotlight
Inside Indonesia's push to sell durian straight to ChinaIndonesia is racing to…

October 18, 2025

Mainland Chinese Brands Overtake Hong Kong in Retail and Consumer Appeal
A new retail reality on Hong Kong streetsWalk through Hong Kong’s busiest…

October 18, 2025

Chinas Vanishing Executives Inside Liuzhi Detention and the New Corporate Risk
A wave of disappearances unsettles Chinas boardroomsOn September 22, the chair of…

October 16, 2025

GIC Sues Nio Over Revenue Inflation Claims Tied to Weineng
Why Nio Faces a Sovereign Investor in CourtSingapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC…

October 16, 2025

Central Pattana to Build $640 Million Megamall in Northern Bangkok
A new retail anchor rises in northern BangkokCentral Pattana is committing 21…

October 16, 2025
Education
EducationShow More

Global Korea Scholarship Faces Scrutiny Over Graduate Tracking
Why graduate tracking is in the spotlightSouth Korea’s flagship Global Korea Scholarship,…

October 18, 2025

Fukuoka arrest exposes yearslong teacher license forgery and hidden misconduct
How a parent complaint exposed a hidden pastA 66-year-old man who worked…

October 15, 2025

Hong Kong and Singapore Compete for International Students as Study Choices Shift
Why student choices are shifting toward AsiaThe global map of student mobility…

October 15, 2025

A scholarship keeps undocumented high school students in Japan on track
A safety net that keeps education within reachA quiet but determined effort…

October 15, 2025

Gordonstoun to Open Japan Campus in Wakayama in 2027
A new chapter for British boarding education in JapanGordonstoun, the Scottish boarding…

October 15, 2025
Entertainment
EntertainmentShow More

Iconic Ikebukuro Arcade Adores Sunshine to Close After 40 Years
A closing chapter for a landmark on Sunshine 60 StreetAdores Sunshine, a…

October 16, 2025

Fifty Fifty Sets November Comeback With Too Much Part 1 After Pookie Surge
A November comeback with fresh momentumFifty Fifty will return on November 4,…

October 15, 2025

When Designs Collide: QWER, The Boyz, and the Ethics of K-pop Light Sticks
Why the design mattersIn K-pop, the official light stick is a powerful…

October 15, 2025

Ghibli unveils Kiki tea blend and Hario glass mugs in Japan
A cozy new Ghibli tea ritual arrives in JapanStudio Ghibli has brewed…

October 15, 2025

JR East Stops SixTONES Song as Shinkansen Departure Melody Due to Safety Concerns
A promotion meets the limits of platform safetyEast Japan Railway Co. has…

October 15, 2025
Environment
EnvironmentShow More

India Supreme Court Allows Green Crackers Amid Delhi Pollution Crisis
A tightly regulated Diwali under a toxic skyIndia’s Supreme Court has permitted…

October 16, 2025

China Sacks Officials Over Arc’teryx Fireworks Show in Tibet
A marketing spectacle in the Himalayas triggers sackings, fines and a public…

October 16, 2025

Ancient Arctic Microbes Are Waking Up And They Could Speed Up Warming
Why ancient microbes matter nowIn frozen ground across the Arctic, microbes that…

October 15, 2025

Java’s Giant Sea Wall, Custom Defenses and the Communities Caught Between Floods and Change
A new wall rising along Java's coastOn many mornings in Bedono village…

October 15, 2025

Wildlife Cafes Under Fire in Japan: Hidden Bacteria, Injury Risks, and Links to Illegal Trade
Why a popular pastime is facing scrutinyWildlife cafes in Japan promise intimate…

October 15, 2025
Health
HealthShow More

Malaysia Closes Some Schools As 6,000 Students Catch Flu Ahead of SPM Exams
Closures Hit As Cases Surge Ahead of ExamsMalaysia is contending with a…

October 15, 2025

Why South Korea’s Anti Aging Boom Is Attracting a New Wave of Medical Tourists
Inside Seoul's glow up boomOn a first visit to Seoul in 2023,…

October 15, 2025

Indonesia suspends problem kitchens and tightens oversight of free meals program after mass poisonings
Crisis tests Indonesia free meals programIndonesia has shut kitchens tied to its…

October 10, 2025

Indonesia’s Military Produces Multivitamins for Free Meals Program
A new push blending defense and public healthIndonesia has opened a new…

October 3, 2025

Inside South Korea Hangover Cure Boom: From Hovenia to Human Trials
Why the market grows while drinking slowsSouth Korea has turned the morning…

September 28, 2025
International
InternationalShow More

Bangladesh Nears SIPER Air Defense Deal With Turkey, Resetting South Asia Security
Why this agreement matters nowBangladesh is moving toward a landmark defense agreement…

October 18, 2025

Fresh Landmines and Old Grievances Push Thai Cambodia Border Back to the Brink
Why the landmine blasts matter nowA routine border patrol turned into a…

October 16, 2025

Indonesia confirms purchase of 42 Chinese J-10C fighter jets in 9 billion dollar deal
Why this purchase matters for Jakarta and the regionIndonesia has moved to…

October 16, 2025

South Korea Issues Travel Ban to Parts of Cambodia Amid Scam Crisis
What triggered South Koreas emergency travel banSouth Korea has moved to its…

October 16, 2025

China Seizes 60,000 Maps Over Taiwan Labelling Dispute
A new clash over borders on paperChinese customs officers in Shandong province…

October 15, 2025
Politics
PoliticsShow More

China ousts top generals He Weidong and Miao Hua as Xi tightens control
Why this purge matters nowChina expelled its second highest ranking general He…

October 18, 2025

MACC Officer Tells Court Penang Tunnel Deal Was Direct Negotiation, Alleges Land Scam and 10 Percent Kickback
A project under scrutiny in Kuala Lumpur courtThe RM6.3 billion Penang undersea…

October 15, 2025

Hot mic at Gaza summit as Indonesia’s Prabowo asks Trump for meeting with Eric Trump
A private exchange becomes publicAt a Gaza peace summit in Sharm el…

October 15, 2025

Indonesia Parliament Faces Fresh Fury as Recess Allowance Nearly Doubles
Why a new allowance sparked a backlashIndonesia is again in the grip…

October 15, 2025

Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan’s first female prime minister amid party upheaval
A historic first collides with harsh political mathJapan's governing Liberal Democratic Party…

October 11, 2025
Science
ScienceShow More

Philippines Investigates Source of Radioactive Shipment to Indonesia
How a radioactive shipment linked the Philippines and IndonesiaThe Philippines has launched…

October 18, 2025

ImpacFat launches cultivated fish fat in Japan, linking Singapore science with Tokyo innovation
A milestone for cultivated seafood in TokyoSingapore startup ImpacFat has begun operations…

October 2, 2025

David Baltimore and the Making of a China US Life Sciences Bridge
A scientist who built bridges across bordersDavid Baltimore, Nobel Prize winning American…

September 27, 2025

One Million Year Old Chinese Skull Recasts the Human Family Tree
A skull from China pushes human origins deeper in timeA crushed cranium…

September 27, 2025

Netherlands to Return Java Man Fossils to Indonesia
A Homecoming for the First Known Homo erectusThe Netherlands has agreed to…

September 27, 2025
Society
SocietyShow More

Malaysia Criticised for Homeless Roundup Ahead of Asean Summit
Why Kuala Lumpur is clearing its streets before the summitWith Kuala Lumpur…

October 18, 2025

Record Number of Foreign Residents in Japan
Foreign workforce rises as Japan grapples with labor gapsJapan has reached a…

October 16, 2025

Japanese Man Arrested for Exploiting Food Delivery Refunds
A two year refund scam exposes delivery app gapsIn Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture,…

October 16, 2025

KL Tower Mid Autumn lantern parade sets new Malaysia Book of Records high
A skyline celebration 394 metres above sea levelOn Sunday, October 5, 2025,…

October 16, 2025

China Arrests 30 Christians in Major Crackdown on Underground Churches
A coordinated sweep across ChinaChinese authorities carried out a coordinated sweep of…

October 16, 2025
Sports
SportsShow More

How S Vegiyathuman Turned Walks and Runs Into a National Bond
Unity on foot across a diverse nationFor half a century, scenes of…

September 16, 2025

Tokyo Police Boost Security Ahead of World Athletics Championships
A city on alert as global athletics returns to TokyoTokyo has tightened…

September 13, 2025

Singapore to Host 2026 MotoGP Season Launch
A new stage for MotoGP in SingaporeMotoGP will open the 2026 campaign…

September 9, 2025

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
Technology
TechnologyShow More

Japan moves to mine deep sea rare earths to ease dependence on China
Deep sea rare earths near Minamitorishima move from theory to trialsJapan is…

October 18, 2025

Why South Korea’s top tier visa is struggling to attract global talent
A program built for speed meets a slow startCountries across North America,…

October 18, 2025

MSI Denies RTX 5090 Sales in China Amid Illicit GPU Reports
Photos of RTX 5090 pallets spark export and warranty concernsA viral image…

October 16, 2025

Malaysia to roll out biometric identity and advance screening for all foreign visitors
Why Malaysia is moving to full biometric checksMalaysia is preparing one of…

October 15, 2025

Passport Only SIM Signups Expose Weak Links in Korea Mobile ID Checks
Why foreigner verification is under scrutinySome foreign nationals can secure South Korean…

October 15, 2025
Travel
TravelShow More

Cathay Pacific loyalty overhaul sparks backlash as new Diamond Exec tier arrives in 2027
What changed and why flyers are reactingCathay Pacific is reshaping its Cathay…

October 18, 2025

China Attracts Foreign Tourists with Shopping Incentives
Why shopping is driving inbound travel to China nowChina is making shopping…

October 18, 2025

KLIA Again Named World Top Low Cost Megahub While Infrastructure Gaps Persist
How KLIA rose to the top of low cost connectivityKuala Lumpur International…

October 15, 2025

Japan sets 2028 launch for JESTA approval for visa free travelers
What is changing for trips to JapanJapan will add a digital pre…

October 15, 2025

Viral video of Chinese guide in Thailand prompts probe into forced shopping and zero dollar tours
Viral video triggers Thai probe and revives fears of forced shoppingA video…

October 15, 2025

Saturday, 18 Oct 2025

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

Economy
EconomyShow More

Indonesia chases direct durian sales to China, with cold chain and sanitation in the spotlight
Inside Indonesia's push to sell durian straight to ChinaIndonesia is racing to…

October 18, 2025

Mainland Chinese Brands Overtake Hong Kong in Retail and Consumer Appeal
A new retail reality on Hong Kong streetsWalk through Hong Kong’s busiest…

October 18, 2025

Chinas Vanishing Executives Inside Liuzhi Detention and the New Corporate Risk
A wave of disappearances unsettles Chinas boardroomsOn September 22, the chair of…

October 16, 2025

GIC Sues Nio Over Revenue Inflation Claims Tied to Weineng
Why Nio Faces a Sovereign Investor in CourtSingapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC…

October 16, 2025

Central Pattana to Build $640 Million Megamall in Northern Bangkok
A new retail anchor rises in northern BangkokCentral Pattana is committing 21…

October 16, 2025
Education
EducationShow More

Global Korea Scholarship Faces Scrutiny Over Graduate Tracking
Why graduate tracking is in the spotlightSouth Korea’s flagship Global Korea Scholarship,…

October 18, 2025

Fukuoka arrest exposes yearslong teacher license forgery and hidden misconduct
How a parent complaint exposed a hidden pastA 66-year-old man who worked…

October 15, 2025

Hong Kong and Singapore Compete for International Students as Study Choices Shift
Why student choices are shifting toward AsiaThe global map of student mobility…

October 15, 2025

A scholarship keeps undocumented high school students in Japan on track
A safety net that keeps education within reachA quiet but determined effort…

October 15, 2025

Gordonstoun to Open Japan Campus in Wakayama in 2027
A new chapter for British boarding education in JapanGordonstoun, the Scottish boarding…

October 15, 2025
Entertainment
EntertainmentShow More

Iconic Ikebukuro Arcade Adores Sunshine to Close After 40 Years
A closing chapter for a landmark on Sunshine 60 StreetAdores Sunshine, a…

October 16, 2025

Fifty Fifty Sets November Comeback With Too Much Part 1 After Pookie Surge
A November comeback with fresh momentumFifty Fifty will return on November 4,…

October 15, 2025

When Designs Collide: QWER, The Boyz, and the Ethics of K-pop Light Sticks
Why the design mattersIn K-pop, the official light stick is a powerful…

October 15, 2025

Ghibli unveils Kiki tea blend and Hario glass mugs in Japan
A cozy new Ghibli tea ritual arrives in JapanStudio Ghibli has brewed…

October 15, 2025

JR East Stops SixTONES Song as Shinkansen Departure Melody Due to Safety Concerns
A promotion meets the limits of platform safetyEast Japan Railway Co. has…

October 15, 2025
Environment
EnvironmentShow More

India Supreme Court Allows Green Crackers Amid Delhi Pollution Crisis
A tightly regulated Diwali under a toxic skyIndia’s Supreme Court has permitted…

October 16, 2025

China Sacks Officials Over Arc’teryx Fireworks Show in Tibet
A marketing spectacle in the Himalayas triggers sackings, fines and a public…

October 16, 2025

Ancient Arctic Microbes Are Waking Up And They Could Speed Up Warming
Why ancient microbes matter nowIn frozen ground across the Arctic, microbes that…

October 15, 2025

Java’s Giant Sea Wall, Custom Defenses and the Communities Caught Between Floods and Change
A new wall rising along Java's coastOn many mornings in Bedono village…

October 15, 2025

Wildlife Cafes Under Fire in Japan: Hidden Bacteria, Injury Risks, and Links to Illegal Trade
Why a popular pastime is facing scrutinyWildlife cafes in Japan promise intimate…

October 15, 2025
Health
HealthShow More

Malaysia Closes Some Schools As 6,000 Students Catch Flu Ahead of SPM Exams
Closures Hit As Cases Surge Ahead of ExamsMalaysia is contending with a…

October 15, 2025

Why South Korea’s Anti Aging Boom Is Attracting a New Wave of Medical Tourists
Inside Seoul's glow up boomOn a first visit to Seoul in 2023,…

October 15, 2025

Indonesia suspends problem kitchens and tightens oversight of free meals program after mass poisonings
Crisis tests Indonesia free meals programIndonesia has shut kitchens tied to its…

October 10, 2025

Indonesia’s Military Produces Multivitamins for Free Meals Program
A new push blending defense and public healthIndonesia has opened a new…

October 3, 2025

Inside South Korea Hangover Cure Boom: From Hovenia to Human Trials
Why the market grows while drinking slowsSouth Korea has turned the morning…

September 28, 2025
International
InternationalShow More

Bangladesh Nears SIPER Air Defense Deal With Turkey, Resetting South Asia Security
Why this agreement matters nowBangladesh is moving toward a landmark defense agreement…

October 18, 2025

Fresh Landmines and Old Grievances Push Thai Cambodia Border Back to the Brink
Why the landmine blasts matter nowA routine border patrol turned into a…

October 16, 2025

Indonesia confirms purchase of 42 Chinese J-10C fighter jets in 9 billion dollar deal
Why this purchase matters for Jakarta and the regionIndonesia has moved to…

October 16, 2025

South Korea Issues Travel Ban to Parts of Cambodia Amid Scam Crisis
What triggered South Koreas emergency travel banSouth Korea has moved to its…

October 16, 2025

China Seizes 60,000 Maps Over Taiwan Labelling Dispute
A new clash over borders on paperChinese customs officers in Shandong province…

October 15, 2025
Politics
PoliticsShow More

China ousts top generals He Weidong and Miao Hua as Xi tightens control
Why this purge matters nowChina expelled its second highest ranking general He…

October 18, 2025

MACC Officer Tells Court Penang Tunnel Deal Was Direct Negotiation, Alleges Land Scam and 10 Percent Kickback
A project under scrutiny in Kuala Lumpur courtThe RM6.3 billion Penang undersea…

October 15, 2025

Hot mic at Gaza summit as Indonesia’s Prabowo asks Trump for meeting with Eric Trump
A private exchange becomes publicAt a Gaza peace summit in Sharm el…

October 15, 2025

Indonesia Parliament Faces Fresh Fury as Recess Allowance Nearly Doubles
Why a new allowance sparked a backlashIndonesia is again in the grip…

October 15, 2025

Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan’s first female prime minister amid party upheaval
A historic first collides with harsh political mathJapan's governing Liberal Democratic Party…

October 11, 2025
Science
ScienceShow More

Philippines Investigates Source of Radioactive Shipment to Indonesia
How a radioactive shipment linked the Philippines and IndonesiaThe Philippines has launched…

October 18, 2025

ImpacFat launches cultivated fish fat in Japan, linking Singapore science with Tokyo innovation
A milestone for cultivated seafood in TokyoSingapore startup ImpacFat has begun operations…

October 2, 2025

David Baltimore and the Making of a China US Life Sciences Bridge
A scientist who built bridges across bordersDavid Baltimore, Nobel Prize winning American…

September 27, 2025

One Million Year Old Chinese Skull Recasts the Human Family Tree
A skull from China pushes human origins deeper in timeA crushed cranium…

September 27, 2025

Netherlands to Return Java Man Fossils to Indonesia
A Homecoming for the First Known Homo erectusThe Netherlands has agreed to…

September 27, 2025
Society
SocietyShow More

Malaysia Criticised for Homeless Roundup Ahead of Asean Summit
Why Kuala Lumpur is clearing its streets before the summitWith Kuala Lumpur…

October 18, 2025

Record Number of Foreign Residents in Japan
Foreign workforce rises as Japan grapples with labor gapsJapan has reached a…

October 16, 2025

Japanese Man Arrested for Exploiting Food Delivery Refunds
A two year refund scam exposes delivery app gapsIn Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture,…

October 16, 2025

KL Tower Mid Autumn lantern parade sets new Malaysia Book of Records high
A skyline celebration 394 metres above sea levelOn Sunday, October 5, 2025,…

October 16, 2025

China Arrests 30 Christians in Major Crackdown on Underground Churches
A coordinated sweep across ChinaChinese authorities carried out a coordinated sweep of…

October 16, 2025
Sports
SportsShow More

How S Vegiyathuman Turned Walks and Runs Into a National Bond
Unity on foot across a diverse nationFor half a century, scenes of…

September 16, 2025

Tokyo Police Boost Security Ahead of World Athletics Championships
A city on alert as global athletics returns to TokyoTokyo has tightened…

September 13, 2025

Singapore to Host 2026 MotoGP Season Launch
A new stage for MotoGP in SingaporeMotoGP will open the 2026 campaign…

September 9, 2025

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
Technology
TechnologyShow More

Japan moves to mine deep sea rare earths to ease dependence on China
Deep sea rare earths near Minamitorishima move from theory to trialsJapan is…

October 18, 2025

Why South Korea’s top tier visa is struggling to attract global talent
A program built for speed meets a slow startCountries across North America,…

October 18, 2025

MSI Denies RTX 5090 Sales in China Amid Illicit GPU Reports
Photos of RTX 5090 pallets spark export and warranty concernsA viral image…

October 16, 2025

Malaysia to roll out biometric identity and advance screening for all foreign visitors
Why Malaysia is moving to full biometric checksMalaysia is preparing one of…

October 15, 2025

Passport Only SIM Signups Expose Weak Links in Korea Mobile ID Checks
Why foreigner verification is under scrutinySome foreign nationals can secure South Korean…

October 15, 2025
Travel
TravelShow More

Cathay Pacific loyalty overhaul sparks backlash as new Diamond Exec tier arrives in 2027
What changed and why flyers are reactingCathay Pacific is reshaping its Cathay…

October 18, 2025

China Attracts Foreign Tourists with Shopping Incentives
Why shopping is driving inbound travel to China nowChina is making shopping…

October 18, 2025

KLIA Again Named World Top Low Cost Megahub While Infrastructure Gaps Persist
How KLIA rose to the top of low cost connectivityKuala Lumpur International…

October 15, 2025

Japan sets 2028 launch for JESTA approval for visa free travelers
What is changing for trips to JapanJapan will add a digital pre…

October 15, 2025

Viral video of Chinese guide in Thailand prompts probe into forced shopping and zero dollar tours
Viral video triggers Thai probe and revives fears of forced shoppingA video…

October 15, 2025

regional university placement

Global Korea Scholarship Faces Scrutiny Over Graduate Tracking

October 18, 2025