Saturday, 8 Nov 2025

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

Economy
EconomyShow More

China Expands Ban on Thai Syrups and Processed Sugar
Why the ban widened and who is affectedChina has tightened restrictions on…

November 8, 2025

Ringgit Hits 13-Month High as Malaysia Outpaces Asian Currencies
Ringgit rallies on steady policy and brighter growthThe Malaysian ringgit strengthened to…

November 8, 2025

China targets durable factory strength and tech self reliance in next plan
Why manufacturing still matters for ChinaBeijing has put manufacturing at the heart…

November 8, 2025

Korea Faces Rising Unemployment Payouts and Fraud Concerns
A safety net under pressureSouth Korea’s unemployment insurance is doing exactly what…

November 7, 2025

Skepticism Grows Over Indonesia’s Economic Growth Figures Amid Weak Indicators
Why strong GDP is stirring doubtIndonesia reported another headline figure near five…

November 7, 2025
Education
EducationShow More

Ancient Chinese Imperial Exams and Appearance Criteria
Why appearance counted alongside meritChina's imperial civil service examination, known as the…

November 7, 2025

Indonesian Takes the Floor at UNESCO as a Newly Recognized Official Language
A historic debut in SamarkandIn Samarkand, at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference,…

November 7, 2025

Public or International School in Vietnam: Cost, Culture, and Results
A high stakes choice for Vietnamese familiesAcross Vietnam, families are weighing a…

November 5, 2025

English to be Compulsory From Grade 1 Across Vietnam by 2030
A New Start for English in Primary ClassroomsVietnam has approved a major…

November 5, 2025

School Violence Records Reshape Admissions at South Korean Universities
A new era for college admissions in KoreaCollege admission has long been…

November 4, 2025
Entertainment
EntertainmentShow More

Anime Studio Bankruptcies Keep Rising in Japan Despite Record Demand
A record market with shrinking marginsJapan’s anime engine has rarely been busier,…

November 7, 2025

Silla Gold Crowns Reunited in Gyeongju, Visitor Cap Set Amid Surging Demand
A rare reunion draws crowds and a capGyeongju National Museum has set…

November 5, 2025

G Dragon Hangzhou exhibition signals possible easing of the hallyu ban
A landmark art show meets a rare political openingG Dragon is set…

November 5, 2025

Inside the 15,947 drone spectacle that set two world records in Liuyang
A festival sky rewritten by softwareLiuyang in Hunan Province is famous for…

November 3, 2025

Lord of Mysteries Puts Chinese Animation in Direct Competition With Japan
A new contender at the top of animeFor decades, Japan defined the…

November 3, 2025
Environment
EnvironmentShow More

Arsenic crisis on Salween and Mekong tied to Myanmar mining threatens Thai communities
Arsenic alarms on the Salween spur urgent calls in ThailandRecent lab tests…

November 8, 2025

South Korea unveils 2035 climate target as debate intensifies over ambition and feasibility
Inside South Korea's 2035 climate target debateSouth Korea has outlined two options…

November 7, 2025

ASEAN Power Grid Adoption Hinges on Clear Benefits and Financing Frameworks
Why ASEAN still chases a regional gridSoutheast Asia is racing to meet…

November 7, 2025

Illegal Gold Panning Resurfaces in Gansu River Amid High Prices
Nighttime crowds return to the Yanzi RiverIn the small hours on the…

November 7, 2025

Beijing Launches New Waterway to Revitalize Urban Rivers
A new blue route across eastern BeijingBeijing has begun trial operations on…

November 7, 2025
Health
HealthShow More

Chongqing aims to become a novel drug hub by 2027 with new clusters and annual approvals
From factory floors to biotech labs: Chongqing bets on novel medicinesChongqing, a…

November 8, 2025

Skepticism Surrounds Pyongyang General Hospital World Class Claims
A showcase hospital with missing core technologyNorth Korea has begun admitting patients…

November 7, 2025

Nepal Faces Shortage of Birth Control Shots in Health Facilities
A nationwide scramble for basic contraceptivesAcross Nepal, public clinics and hospitals report…

November 7, 2025

Sushiro Hong Kong rebuts TVB smuggling claims and threatens legal action amid food safety concerns
A new controversy over seafood safety in Hong KongA prominent Japanese sushi…

November 4, 2025

Hong Thai adopts nuclear sterilisation for herbal inhalers after contamination
Immediate move to nuclear sterilisation after FDA alertThailand’s Food and Drug Administration…

November 2, 2025
International
InternationalShow More

Satellite images reveal China’s sweeping missile factory buildup and its strategic aims
A surge in missile factories and bases since 2020China has spent five…

November 7, 2025

Pakistan Rejects Weaponisation of Indus Waters Treaty
Water as leverage faces pushback in South AsiaPresident Asif Ali Zardari used…

November 7, 2025

Indian Sikh Pilgrims Cross Into Pakistan for Guru Nanak Anniversary as Border Opens for Limited Travel
A rare opening at the Wagah Attari borderFor the first time since…

November 7, 2025

Singapore Donates US$500,000 to WFP for Gaza Relief, Pairs Aid With Training and Diplomacy
Why this donation matters nowSingapore has sent US$500,000 (S$652,000) to the World…

November 7, 2025

US Urges Equal APEC Participation for Taiwan as China Hosts 2026 Summit
Why Taiwan's seat at APEC is under fresh scrutinyThe United States has…

November 6, 2025
Politics
PoliticsShow More

Protests Mount in Jakarta Over Plan to Honor Suharto as National Hero
A New Hero List Reopens Old WoundsAround 100 activists gathered in central…

November 7, 2025

Bihar election 2025: Gen Z weighs job pledges, exams, and migration
Youth vote shapes a high stakes Bihar contestBihar, home to one of…

November 7, 2025

Jilin-1 Satellite Images of Taiwan Spark Pride, Criticism, and Strategic Debate
What triggered the latest focus on Taiwan from spaceOn October 25, the…

November 6, 2025

Takaichi seeks landmark summit with North Korea to resolve abductions
A new opening on a decades old riftJapan's new prime minister, Sanae…

November 4, 2025

BBC urges Vietnam to return passport and let journalist leave as To Lam visits UK
Why this case matters for press freedom and UK Vietnam relationsA Vietnamese…

October 29, 2025
Science
ScienceShow More

Taiwan Wins 12 Gold Medals at Nuremberg Invention Exhibition
A strong showing in NurembergTaiwan’s delegation at the Inventors' and Innovation Exhibition…

November 7, 2025

China’s Rise as a Global Science Power and Europe’s Response
A turning point in global scienceGlobal research is passing through a rare…

November 7, 2025

Ancient Malay vessel unearthed on Pulau Melaka points to 13th century maritime power
A landmark find on Pulau MelakaArchaeologists in Malaysia have uncovered the remains…

November 7, 2025

Singapore Cautious as ASEAN Neighbors Weigh Nuclear Power Timelines and Technologies
Rising Nuclear Interest, Limited ClaritySingapore has sounded a note of caution: despite…

November 7, 2025

Ghost Silverfish Sweep Japan, Threaten Museums and Archives
A stealthy paper eater moves across JapanA tiny insect, the ghost silverfish,…

November 5, 2025
Society
SocietyShow More

Dignity Kitchen Hong Kong appeals for a local partner to secure its disability training mission
Why the Mong Kok social enterprise is at a crossroadsDignity Kitchen in…

November 7, 2025

Seoul pilots performance based rehiring to keep retirees working
Why Seoul wants to change retirement without changing the ageSeoul is preparing…

November 7, 2025

Brewing Second Chances: Ex-Preso Coffee Cart Helps Former Inmates Rebuild Lives
Brewing second chances in MuntinlupaMany Filipinos start the day with coffee. In…

November 7, 2025

Taiwanese Tourists Wear Identification Badges as Anti China Protests Ripple Through South Korea
Why Taiwanese Visitors Are Wearing Badges in SeoulBadges reading I am from…

November 7, 2025

Singapore Approves Caning for Scammers and Money Mules After Billions Lost to Fraud
Why Singapore is turning to corporal punishmentSingapore has passed sweeping criminal law…

November 6, 2025
Sports
SportsShow More

From Village Lanes to a World Cup: How India’s Women Lifted a Nation
A Breakthrough Win Years in the MakingIndia won its first Women’s Cricket…

November 7, 2025

National Games 2025 set to turn Hong Kong into a city of sport and culture
A citywide celebration of sport and cultureHong Kong is preparing for a…

October 31, 2025

IOC tells federations to avoid events in Indonesia after Israeli gymnasts barred
IOC freezes Indonesia as host after Israeli gymnasts denied visasThe International Olympic…

October 23, 2025

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
Technology
TechnologyShow More

Xpeng IRON humanoid walks like a person and heads to stores in 2026
A humanoid that moves like a personOn a brightly lit stage in…

November 8, 2025

China’s Kimi K2 Thinking Sets New Pace for Open Source AI, Topping GPT 5 on Key Tests
A powerful open model challenges the frontierMoonshot AI has released Kimi K2…

November 7, 2025

Malaysia opens Southeast Asia’s first advanced chip testing centre
A new engine for Malaysia's chip ambitionsMalaysia has moved to close a…

November 7, 2025

JR East Tests Facial Recognition Ticket Gates for Bullet Trains
A trial on the Joetsu Shinkansen beginsEast Japan Railway (JR East) has…

November 7, 2025

South Korea Secures 260,000 Nvidia Blackwell Chips in 10 Billion Dollar Push for Sovereign AI
A Record Allocation That Recasts Korea's AI CapacitySouth Korea has secured more…

November 7, 2025
Travel
TravelShow More

Thailand sets five day New Year break in 2026 to boost travel and spending
A longer New Year to kick start travel and the economyThailand will…

November 7, 2025

Taiwan High Speed Rail Ends Flexible Early Boarding for Reserved Seats
Why Taiwan is tightening early boarding on high speed railStarting Nov 10,…

November 7, 2025

Thailand Bets on Casino Ban to Win Back Chinese Tourists as Xi Signals Support
A pledge on gambling reshapes Thailand's China strategyThailand is banking on a…

November 5, 2025

Borneo Cultures Museum Surges Past Louvre in Global Online Voting, Spotlighting Sarawak
How a Sarawak museum surged to the top of an online rankingBorneo…

November 5, 2025

Film Your Own Samurai Battle in Kyoto: Inside the New Armor and Action Experience
A cinematic samurai adventure in ArashiyamaKyoto now offers a new way to…

November 3, 2025

Saturday, 8 Nov 2025

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

Economy
EconomyShow More

China Expands Ban on Thai Syrups and Processed Sugar
Why the ban widened and who is affectedChina has tightened restrictions on…

November 8, 2025

Ringgit Hits 13-Month High as Malaysia Outpaces Asian Currencies
Ringgit rallies on steady policy and brighter growthThe Malaysian ringgit strengthened to…

November 8, 2025

China targets durable factory strength and tech self reliance in next plan
Why manufacturing still matters for ChinaBeijing has put manufacturing at the heart…

November 8, 2025

Korea Faces Rising Unemployment Payouts and Fraud Concerns
A safety net under pressureSouth Korea’s unemployment insurance is doing exactly what…

November 7, 2025

Skepticism Grows Over Indonesia’s Economic Growth Figures Amid Weak Indicators
Why strong GDP is stirring doubtIndonesia reported another headline figure near five…

November 7, 2025
Education
EducationShow More

Ancient Chinese Imperial Exams and Appearance Criteria
Why appearance counted alongside meritChina's imperial civil service examination, known as the…

November 7, 2025

Indonesian Takes the Floor at UNESCO as a Newly Recognized Official Language
A historic debut in SamarkandIn Samarkand, at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference,…

November 7, 2025

Public or International School in Vietnam: Cost, Culture, and Results
A high stakes choice for Vietnamese familiesAcross Vietnam, families are weighing a…

November 5, 2025

English to be Compulsory From Grade 1 Across Vietnam by 2030
A New Start for English in Primary ClassroomsVietnam has approved a major…

November 5, 2025

School Violence Records Reshape Admissions at South Korean Universities
A new era for college admissions in KoreaCollege admission has long been…

November 4, 2025
Entertainment
EntertainmentShow More

Anime Studio Bankruptcies Keep Rising in Japan Despite Record Demand
A record market with shrinking marginsJapan’s anime engine has rarely been busier,…

November 7, 2025

Silla Gold Crowns Reunited in Gyeongju, Visitor Cap Set Amid Surging Demand
A rare reunion draws crowds and a capGyeongju National Museum has set…

November 5, 2025

G Dragon Hangzhou exhibition signals possible easing of the hallyu ban
A landmark art show meets a rare political openingG Dragon is set…

November 5, 2025

Inside the 15,947 drone spectacle that set two world records in Liuyang
A festival sky rewritten by softwareLiuyang in Hunan Province is famous for…

November 3, 2025

Lord of Mysteries Puts Chinese Animation in Direct Competition With Japan
A new contender at the top of animeFor decades, Japan defined the…

November 3, 2025
Environment
EnvironmentShow More

Arsenic crisis on Salween and Mekong tied to Myanmar mining threatens Thai communities
Arsenic alarms on the Salween spur urgent calls in ThailandRecent lab tests…

November 8, 2025

South Korea unveils 2035 climate target as debate intensifies over ambition and feasibility
Inside South Korea's 2035 climate target debateSouth Korea has outlined two options…

November 7, 2025

ASEAN Power Grid Adoption Hinges on Clear Benefits and Financing Frameworks
Why ASEAN still chases a regional gridSoutheast Asia is racing to meet…

November 7, 2025

Illegal Gold Panning Resurfaces in Gansu River Amid High Prices
Nighttime crowds return to the Yanzi RiverIn the small hours on the…

November 7, 2025

Beijing Launches New Waterway to Revitalize Urban Rivers
A new blue route across eastern BeijingBeijing has begun trial operations on…

November 7, 2025
Health
HealthShow More

Chongqing aims to become a novel drug hub by 2027 with new clusters and annual approvals
From factory floors to biotech labs: Chongqing bets on novel medicinesChongqing, a…

November 8, 2025

Skepticism Surrounds Pyongyang General Hospital World Class Claims
A showcase hospital with missing core technologyNorth Korea has begun admitting patients…

November 7, 2025

Nepal Faces Shortage of Birth Control Shots in Health Facilities
A nationwide scramble for basic contraceptivesAcross Nepal, public clinics and hospitals report…

November 7, 2025

Sushiro Hong Kong rebuts TVB smuggling claims and threatens legal action amid food safety concerns
A new controversy over seafood safety in Hong KongA prominent Japanese sushi…

November 4, 2025

Hong Thai adopts nuclear sterilisation for herbal inhalers after contamination
Immediate move to nuclear sterilisation after FDA alertThailand’s Food and Drug Administration…

November 2, 2025
International
InternationalShow More

Satellite images reveal China’s sweeping missile factory buildup and its strategic aims
A surge in missile factories and bases since 2020China has spent five…

November 7, 2025

Pakistan Rejects Weaponisation of Indus Waters Treaty
Water as leverage faces pushback in South AsiaPresident Asif Ali Zardari used…

November 7, 2025

Indian Sikh Pilgrims Cross Into Pakistan for Guru Nanak Anniversary as Border Opens for Limited Travel
A rare opening at the Wagah Attari borderFor the first time since…

November 7, 2025

Singapore Donates US$500,000 to WFP for Gaza Relief, Pairs Aid With Training and Diplomacy
Why this donation matters nowSingapore has sent US$500,000 (S$652,000) to the World…

November 7, 2025

US Urges Equal APEC Participation for Taiwan as China Hosts 2026 Summit
Why Taiwan's seat at APEC is under fresh scrutinyThe United States has…

November 6, 2025
Politics
PoliticsShow More

Protests Mount in Jakarta Over Plan to Honor Suharto as National Hero
A New Hero List Reopens Old WoundsAround 100 activists gathered in central…

November 7, 2025

Bihar election 2025: Gen Z weighs job pledges, exams, and migration
Youth vote shapes a high stakes Bihar contestBihar, home to one of…

November 7, 2025

Jilin-1 Satellite Images of Taiwan Spark Pride, Criticism, and Strategic Debate
What triggered the latest focus on Taiwan from spaceOn October 25, the…

November 6, 2025

Takaichi seeks landmark summit with North Korea to resolve abductions
A new opening on a decades old riftJapan's new prime minister, Sanae…

November 4, 2025

BBC urges Vietnam to return passport and let journalist leave as To Lam visits UK
Why this case matters for press freedom and UK Vietnam relationsA Vietnamese…

October 29, 2025
Science
ScienceShow More

Taiwan Wins 12 Gold Medals at Nuremberg Invention Exhibition
A strong showing in NurembergTaiwan’s delegation at the Inventors' and Innovation Exhibition…

November 7, 2025

China’s Rise as a Global Science Power and Europe’s Response
A turning point in global scienceGlobal research is passing through a rare…

November 7, 2025

Ancient Malay vessel unearthed on Pulau Melaka points to 13th century maritime power
A landmark find on Pulau MelakaArchaeologists in Malaysia have uncovered the remains…

November 7, 2025

Singapore Cautious as ASEAN Neighbors Weigh Nuclear Power Timelines and Technologies
Rising Nuclear Interest, Limited ClaritySingapore has sounded a note of caution: despite…

November 7, 2025

Ghost Silverfish Sweep Japan, Threaten Museums and Archives
A stealthy paper eater moves across JapanA tiny insect, the ghost silverfish,…

November 5, 2025
Society
SocietyShow More

Dignity Kitchen Hong Kong appeals for a local partner to secure its disability training mission
Why the Mong Kok social enterprise is at a crossroadsDignity Kitchen in…

November 7, 2025

Seoul pilots performance based rehiring to keep retirees working
Why Seoul wants to change retirement without changing the ageSeoul is preparing…

November 7, 2025

Brewing Second Chances: Ex-Preso Coffee Cart Helps Former Inmates Rebuild Lives
Brewing second chances in MuntinlupaMany Filipinos start the day with coffee. In…

November 7, 2025

Taiwanese Tourists Wear Identification Badges as Anti China Protests Ripple Through South Korea
Why Taiwanese Visitors Are Wearing Badges in SeoulBadges reading I am from…

November 7, 2025

Singapore Approves Caning for Scammers and Money Mules After Billions Lost to Fraud
Why Singapore is turning to corporal punishmentSingapore has passed sweeping criminal law…

November 6, 2025
Sports
SportsShow More

From Village Lanes to a World Cup: How India’s Women Lifted a Nation
A Breakthrough Win Years in the MakingIndia won its first Women’s Cricket…

November 7, 2025

National Games 2025 set to turn Hong Kong into a city of sport and culture
A citywide celebration of sport and cultureHong Kong is preparing for a…

October 31, 2025

IOC tells federations to avoid events in Indonesia after Israeli gymnasts barred
IOC freezes Indonesia as host after Israeli gymnasts denied visasThe International Olympic…

October 23, 2025

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
Technology
TechnologyShow More

Xpeng IRON humanoid walks like a person and heads to stores in 2026
A humanoid that moves like a personOn a brightly lit stage in…

November 8, 2025

China’s Kimi K2 Thinking Sets New Pace for Open Source AI, Topping GPT 5 on Key Tests
A powerful open model challenges the frontierMoonshot AI has released Kimi K2…

November 7, 2025

Malaysia opens Southeast Asia’s first advanced chip testing centre
A new engine for Malaysia's chip ambitionsMalaysia has moved to close a…

November 7, 2025

JR East Tests Facial Recognition Ticket Gates for Bullet Trains
A trial on the Joetsu Shinkansen beginsEast Japan Railway (JR East) has…

November 7, 2025

South Korea Secures 260,000 Nvidia Blackwell Chips in 10 Billion Dollar Push for Sovereign AI
A Record Allocation That Recasts Korea's AI CapacitySouth Korea has secured more…

November 7, 2025
Travel
TravelShow More

Thailand sets five day New Year break in 2026 to boost travel and spending
A longer New Year to kick start travel and the economyThailand will…

November 7, 2025

Taiwan High Speed Rail Ends Flexible Early Boarding for Reserved Seats
Why Taiwan is tightening early boarding on high speed railStarting Nov 10,…

November 7, 2025

Thailand Bets on Casino Ban to Win Back Chinese Tourists as Xi Signals Support
A pledge on gambling reshapes Thailand's China strategyThailand is banking on a…

November 5, 2025

Borneo Cultures Museum Surges Past Louvre in Global Online Voting, Spotlighting Sarawak
How a Sarawak museum surged to the top of an online rankingBorneo…

November 5, 2025

Film Your Own Samurai Battle in Kyoto: Inside the New Armor and Action Experience
A cinematic samurai adventure in ArashiyamaKyoto now offers a new way to…

November 3, 2025

Tokyo hotel rates

Tokyo Hotel Rates Drop Amid Shift in Demand to Osaka

September 23, 2025