Who bears environmental cost of push for rare earths beyond China?
Wastewater from a rare-earth refining facility in China's Inner Mongolia is discharged into a nearby lake. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Young Chinese women dye armpit hair as fashion statement and expression of bodily autonomy
Cultural scholars note the irony, suggesting that China’s modern ‘armpit-hair shame’ is actually an imported Western phenomenon
· Zoey Zhang
Young Chinese women dye armpit hair for fashion and bodily autonomy
Cultural scholars note the irony, suggesting that China’s modern ‘armpit-hair shame’ is actually an imported Western phenomenon
· Zoey Zhang
Race against time: will an ageing population derail Vietnam’s economic boom? | South China Morning Post
The country targets high-income status by 2045, but faces a demographic hurdle, with over-65s expected to outnumber children.
What parts of Ombudsman’s case buildup vs Romualdez are affected by recantations?
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· Dwight de Leon
N. Korea denounces Japan's record defense budget as 'war preparation'
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Saturday condemned Japan's plan to set a record-high defense budget for next year, calling it a move to prepare for a "war of aggression" and threatening to "counterattack thoroughly" with united strength.
· Oh Seok-min
Like Trump, China’s first emperor survived various assassination attempts
Would-be assassins came close to ending Ying Zheng’s life on at least four occasions, including one whose weapon was a musical instrument
· Wee Kek Koon
Like Trump, China’s first emperor survived various assassination attempts
Would-be assassins came close to ending Ying Zheng’s life on at least four occasions, including one whose weapon was a musical instrument
· Wee Kek Koon
It’s raining stars on big red mountain
What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.
· Lisa Visentin
Malaysia’s Anwar traded reform for power. Now Umno wants it all
Back-to-back election losses and internal party rifts leave Malaysia’s prime minister clinging to a crumbling coalition
· Joseph Sipalan
Malaysia’s Anwar traded reform for power. Now Umno wants it all
Back-to-back election losses and internal party rifts leave Malaysia’s prime minister clinging to a crumbling coalition
· Joseph Sipalan
This Liberal MP took a journey from northern China — heading somewhere few Australians dare visit
Published 22 August 2026 11:54am
· Sbsaustralia
Jakarta puts its own spin on Japan's listening bars
Bar Kotak, in South Jakarta, is one of several venues in and around the Indonesian capital drawing on Japanese bar culture to create intimate spaces for conversation and connection. (Courtesy of Bar Kotak)
· MARCEL THEE
Tesla retira casi 3 millones de vehículos en China por riesgos de seguridad en manijas de puertas
ARCHIVO – Varias personas trabajan en la línea de producción del Tesla Model Y en la planta de ensamblaje Tesla Gigafactory durante un recorrido organizado para los medios, en Shanghái, China, el martes 14 de abril de 2026. (AP Foto/Andy Wong, Archivo)
· Chan Ho Him
Saudel now a typhoon, LPA becomes tropical depression outside PAR
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· Acor Arceo
Tesla recalls nearly 3m vehicles in China over door handle safety risks
Recall comes after Chinese authorities said it would ban hidden car door handles commonly seen on Tesla models
· Associated Press in Hong Kong
Outrage in India over death of six-year-old ‘slapped’ by his teacher
Authorities in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have launched an investigation after a six-year-old child collapsed and reportedly died after he was slapped by his teacher in a school classroom.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Japan executes man convicted of killing five in pachinko fire
Five people died in the pachinko parlour fire in Osaka in 2009. (AP: Kyodo News)
Parental estrangement is on the rise in Asia. But why do adult children go ‘no contact’?
As more adult children in Hong Kong and beyond break contact with their parents, experts talk about causes and how to rebuild relationships
· Mythily Ramachandran
Parental estrangement is on the rise in Asia. But why do adult children go ‘no contact’?
As more adult children in Hong Kong and beyond break contact with their parents, experts talk about causes and how to rebuild relationships
· Mythily Ramachandran
China automakers' EV rush culminates in 'Crazy Thursday'
Even BYD, China's leading EV maker, is struggling with the sheer number of competing models. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe)
· Staff Writer
China comedian investigation show cancellation censorship
One of China’s best-known comedians is under investigation and several of his shows have been canceled after he changed the lyrics of a revolutionary song during a performance.
· Fu Ting
Modi spent years building his strong image - why is he making Gen Z reels now?
Many among India's Gen Z may not see Narendra Modi as a friend. But the Indian prime minister is trying to talk to them like one.
· Bbcnews
Tesla recalls nearly 3M vehicles in China over door handle safety risks
HONG KONG — Tesla and other Chinese carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns mostly related to their door handles, according to Chinese authorities on Friday.
· Associated Press
As natural disasters rage, does China’s ‘top-down’ climate model provide a way forward?
As Beijing enacts a state-led approach to climate adaptation, Washington leans on the private sector and Brussels tries to chart a middle way
· Xiaofei Xu
As natural disasters rage, does China’s ‘top-down’ climate model provide a way forward?
As Beijing enacts a state-led approach to climate adaptation, Washington leans on the private sector and Brussels tries to chart a middle way
· Xiaofei Xu
What JPMorgan Saw Inside Tesla's Fremont Factory As Humanoid Production Nears
Retail flows across Asia remained heavily concentrated in newly listed, high-beta names, most notably Chinese robotics maker Unitree following its blockbuster Shanghai debut. The retail craze surrounding physical AI merely shows Beijing's accelerating push to dominate the humanoid market.
· Tyler Durden
World-first virus therapy for esophageal cancer debuts in Japan
A researcher at Oncolys BioPharma works at the company's laboratory. (Oncolys BioPharma)
· Staff Writer
Japan's Tokuyama to make key chip material in Vietnam, Malaysia
Tokuyama's new plant in southern Vietnam will add capacity and expand production beyond the company's Japanese factory. (Tokuyama)
· Staff Writer
The US is telling its trading partners – do as I say, not as I do
While Washington says it is monitoring certain countries, including Japan, for foreign exchange interventions, it also coordinated with Tokyo to prop up the yen
· Alex Lo
The US is telling its trading partners – do as I say, not as I do
While Washington says it is monitoring certain countries, including Japan, for foreign exchange interventions, it also coordinated with Tokyo to prop up the yen
· Alex Lo
Singapore breeds mosquito 'studs' by the millions for war on dengue
A National Environment Agency staffer releases Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes at a public housing estate in northeast Singapore on May 25. (Photo by Ore Huiying)
· SIDDHARTH PODDAR
Japan to crack down on deceptive 'dark pattern' websites
In Japan, 37.5% report encountering 'dark patterns' on online shopping sites in recent months. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
· Staff Writer
Indian workers in Israel demand accountability after murder of Indian caregiver
Indian workers in Israel have filed an appeal demanding justice and accountability following the murder of Indian caregiver Rajeev Acharya, who was stabbed to death by an Israeli national, India's NDTV news channel reports.
· Middleeasteye
NLEX launches ‘I Care For Strays’ program
MANILA, Philippines — “Because we care for strays,” NLEX Corp. on Friday introduced its newly formed Animal Rescue Team, which will facilitate the rescue of stray animals along the expressway.
· Dan Madrazo
Japan faces $63bn fiscal shortfall for food tax cut, defense buildup
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pushed for an expansionary fiscal stance, but her government has not clarified where some of the funding will come from. (Photo by Ken Suzuki)
· Staff Writer
Anne Hathaway shows off shortest hair in over a decade on the cover of Vogue China
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· Melissa Minton
Tesla recalls 3 million vehicles in China over doorhandle safety, driver monitoring
Tesla is voluntarily recalling about 3 million vehicles in China to address two separate safety issues, the latest setback for the company as it tries to remain a major player in the world's largest auto market.
· Lora Kolodny
Democrats step up offensive over Trump's reduction of drills with S. Korea, push for summitry with Kim
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- Democratic lawmakers stepped up their offensive against U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, after he ordered the scaling back of military exercises with South Korea while pushing for renewed summitry with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year.
· Song Sang-ho
Zamboanga school communities reinforce campus security amid school shooting
MANILA, Philippines — School communities across Zamboanga has mobilized shared governance networks and local partnerships to reinforce campus security and prioritize learner and personnel well being following the school shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University last Tuesday.
· Red Mendoza
U.S. approves potential sale to S. Korea of AIM-9X air-to-air missiles
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. government has authorized a potential sale to South Korea of AIM-9X air-to-air missiles and related equipment, the State Department said Friday, noting that the proposed sale will help enhance the Asian ally's air defense capabilities.
· Song Sang-ho
Expert: S. Korea, U.S. need to address fallout from Trump's exercise reduction for 'productive' engagement with Kim
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- An expert on Friday called on South Korea and the United States to address the "political fallout" of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to scale back their military exercises, noting that the "unnecessary crisis" between the allies has created a roadblock to a coordinated approac…
· Song Sang-ho
Pictures of the week: From rehabilitation for Gaza amputees to a robot conference in Beijing | The National
WeekendPrevious slideNext slide Swimming coaches hold a training session for Palestinian children, including amputees and orphans, at a swimming pool in Khan Younis, Gaza. ReutersShow caption: Swimming coaches hold a training session for Palestinian chi… A Lebanese nun plays with a pelican, nicknamed Sawsan, on the …
· The National
Japan's busy PM had just one Saturday for personal errands: dentist visit
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said she gets zero to three hours of sleep a night since taking office. (Photo by Ken Suzuki)
· Staff Writer
Labor group links Ninoy Day to corruption, wage issues
MANILA, Philippines — A labor group on Friday linked the 43rd anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.’s assassination to alleged corruption in government projects, political dynasties and the ongoing dispute over the Metro Manila minimum wage hike.
· Dan Madrazo
Japan muted on Putin's disputed-islands visit as US intentions remain murky
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, visited the southern Kuril Islands on Aug. 13, drawing a protest from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right. © Kyodo
· Staff Writer
DOH welcomes release of P27b for Medical Assistance program
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health has welcomed the release by the Department of Budget and Management of P27.41 billion of funds for its Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIP).
· Red Mendoza
Tesla and Chinese carmakers recall more than 4M vehicles over door handle safety concerns
People work on the Tesla Model Y production line at the Tesla Gigafactory assembly plant during a media organized tour, in Shanghai, China, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
· Chan Ho Him
'Habagat' continues to affect much of PH, Mindanao to sizzle — Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — The southwest monsoon or "Habagat" continues to affect much of the country except for Mindanao, where warm weather is expected in the next 12 hours, according to state weather bureau Pagasa (Philippine, Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration).
· Red Mendoza