China unveils targeted measures to aid slowing economy amid louder calls for policy support
China rolls out credit subsidies for cars, home renovations to boost weak economy but some analysts warn the measures fall short
· Emma Ma
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Chinese court takes Evergrande bankruptcy case in step toward ending its property slump
Una mujer camina junto a un mapa que muestra proyectos inmobiliarios de Evergrande en China, mientras se dirige a la plaza urbana Evergrande en Beijing el 18 de septiembre de 2023. (AP Foto/Andy Wong, Archivo)
· Chan Ho Him
Chinese robot maker capitalises on Niu Lai craze at Beijing’s World Robot Conference | South China Morning Post
While Chinese robotics companies have been quick to capture attention through viral trends and flashy stunts, they are under increasing pressure to deliver practical commercial applications.
Indonesia warns of legal action as Borneo fires create choking haze
Motorists ride on a road as haze from wildfires blanket the city of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Stefanus Taman)
· Niniek Karmini
Outrage as China programmer’s toilet death ruled non-work-related for being ‘not at desk’
Social security bureau rules against work-related death since Xing had not logged onto his computer
· Zoey Zhang
Outrage as China programmer’s toilet death ruled non-work-related for being ‘not at desk’
Social security bureau rules against work-related death since Xing had not logged onto his computer
· Zoey Zhang
How China eased pressure on oil markets by halting purchases and relying on reserves
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz should, in principle, have caused a far greater shock to oil markets than it has. This, in large part, is due to China’s policy of using its strategic stockpiles rather than purchasing crude oil at inflated prices due to the war.
· Middleeasteye
Chinese insurer Ping An eyes Hong Kong ETFs as Beijing greenlights cross-border investment
China’s largest insurer downplays tax changes, shares positive outlook after reporting 36 per cent profit growth
· Enoch Yiu
Chinese insurer Ping An eyes Hong Kong ETFs as Beijing greenlights cross-border investment
China’s largest insurer downplays tax changes, shares positive outlook after reporting 36 per cent profit growth
· Enoch Yiu
PNP records 15 gun ban violators in BARMM since start of election period
MANILA, Philippines — At least 15 gun ban violators have been recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) since the start of the election period on July 16.
· Holly Bacay
The Mistral paradox: Europe’s push for tech sovereignty relies on China’s Z.ai
AI race contender’s decision to offer GL-5.2 a sign of how European political and commercial incentives can pull in different directions
· Finbarr Bermingham
The Mistral paradox: Europe’s push for tech sovereignty relies on China’s Z.ai
AI race contender’s decision to offer GL-5.2 a sign of how European political and commercial incentives can pull in different directions
· Finbarr Bermingham
Chog Moral shines, but Gilas Boys still fall to China in U18 Asia Cup
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· delfin.dioquino editor
Bitcoin climbs past $75,000 in extended Asia crypto rally | The National
Bitcoin rose by more than 4 per cent in early Asia trading, continuing a tear that began on Wednesday after the US Treasury revealed plans to rein in long-term bond yields and US President Donald Trump called for passing crypto legislation.
· The National
Japanese men shave to avoid charges of ‘leg hair harassment’ when wearing shorts in summer heat | South China Morning Post
‘Sunehara’, a newly coined term meaning ‘leg hair harassment’, has spawned heated debate on Japanese social media.
PNP tnrows support behind DepEd's nationwide school safety drills on Aug. 25
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed to extend a full and strong support system to establish protocol during safety threats and emergency situations.
· Izel Abanilla
PNP throws support behind DepEd's nationwide school safety drills on Aug. 25
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed to extend a full and strong support system to establish protocol during safety threats and emergency situations.
· Izel Abanilla
China rejects US demand to join ‘toughest ever’ Iran sanctions
China has refused to join a US plan to “squash” Iran’s economy, rejecting Washington’s push to be part of the “toughest sanctions in history” against the Islamic Republic.
· RT
Malaysia’s Sarawak shuts almost 600 schools as haze hits ‘very unhealthy’ level
Asean’s consensus-based approach limits the effectiveness of a regional response to tackle the haze, a climate expert says
· Ushar Daniele
Malaysia’s Sarawak shuts almost 600 schools as haze hits ‘very unhealthy’ level
Asean’s consensus-based approach limits the effectiveness of a regional response to tackle the haze, a climate expert says
· Ushar Daniele
NGCP issues yellow alert for Visayas grid on Friday
MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued a yellow alert status for the Visayas grid on Friday, Aug. 21, as major power plants continued to be unavailable.
· Ed Paolo Salting
Japan seeks record US$56 billion defence push amid growing regional tensions
Major outlays are being planned for drones, AI-enabled command systems, long-range missiles and support for the domestic defence industry
· Julian Ryall
Japan seeks record US$56 billion defence push amid growing regional tensions
Major outlays are being planned for drones, AI-enabled command systems, long-range missiles and support for the domestic defence industry
· Julian Ryall
Samsung plans up to $80 billion in shareholder returns after SK Hynix buyback
Samsung Electronics has announced a shareholder return package, marking a blockbuster week for shareholder returns among South Korea's chip giants following SK Hynix's share buyback.
· Jenny Lee
Indonesia’s Kalimantan blanketed in thick haze as country continues to battle wildfires | South China Morning Post
The nation is experiencing a prolonged drought brought on by this year’s powerful El Nino weather pattern.
Foreign nationals’ use of pension back payment system draws scrutiny
South Korea is reviewing pension rules for foreign nationals after cases emerged of people qualifying for old-age benefits after contributing for as little as one month and later making years of back payments.
· Lim Jae-seong
S. Korea, Japan finance ministries discuss bilateral exchanges, latest economic developments
SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Japan held a vice finance ministerial-level meeting in Japan on Friday to discuss bilateral exchanges and the latest trends in global financial markets, the finance ministry said.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Man City agrees to club-record sale of Savinho to Tottenham in $115M deal, AP source says
Manchester City’s Savinho, center, battles for the ball with Atletico Madrid’s Dani Martinez, left, and Obed Vargas during the preseason friendly soccer match between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
· Steve Douglas
Iranian oil supplies to China tighten as US blockade cuts Tehran's crude exports
Offers of Iranian crude to Chinese buyers have declined and prices have jumped this week as the US blockade has cut Tehran's shipments, according to trade sources, with the threat of more sanctions from Washington looming.
· REUTERS
25 OFWs from Saudi Arabia, Hungary, ship return to PH
MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Saudi Arabia, Hungary and the M/V Abashie have safely returned to Manila, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Friday.
· Dan Madrazo
No kettle needed: Japan’s cold-water cup noodles fly off the shelves
Nissin’s new product sold out in a week as social media buzz and severe summer heatwaves drive demand across the region
· Bloomberg
No kettle needed: Japan’s cold-water cup noodles fly off the shelves
Nissin’s new product sold out in a week as social media buzz and severe summer heatwaves drive demand across the region
· Bloomberg
Seoul’s ‘pacemaker’ role faces test as US-North Korea diplomacy raises sidelining concerns
Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts i…
· Jung Min-kyung
Un mes después del tifón Maysak, China reporta 159 muertos y 10 desaparecidos
BEIJING (AP) — El tifón Maysak, que azotó China hace más de un mes, causó al menos 159 muertos y dejó 10 desaparecidos, informaron los medios estatales el viernes.
Lee says Korea’s integrity must match its economic clout at first anti-graft meeting
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
China rejects Rubio's accusation it wrongfully detained US academic
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during a summit on May 14. Rubio has determined that China "wrongfully detained" an American citizen, academic Min Zin. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
China slams EU foreign subsidies rules, links them to trade talks
BRUSSELS — China has dragged the EU’s foreign subsidies rules into its wider trade dispute with Brussels, just as the two sides enter a crucial stretch of negotiations.
· Francesca Micheletti
(URGENT) Samsung Electronics expects funds worth up to 110 tln won for shareholder returns this year
(2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
· Lee Minji
Korea builds 'fiscal reservoir' for chip tax windfall, rewrites school funding
W100tr Future Response Fund takes shape as Korea rethinks how to use tax windfalls
· Choi Ji-won
Japan executes man convicted of setting fire that killed 5 at pachinko parlor in Osaka
Sunao Takami set fire to the crowded pachinko parlor in Osaka by spreading gasoline and throwing a lit match.
· Associated Press
S. Korea-US drills wrap up
Joint military drills between South Korean and US troops ended Friday, nearly a week ahead of schedule.
· Tammy Park
China’s Typhoon Maysak death toll soars to 159 as region tallies catastrophic losses
Six weeks after ‘historically rare’ disaster, Guangxi authorities update fatalities, quadrupling total from 39
· Phoebe Zhang
China’s Typhoon Maysak death toll soars to 159 as region tallies catastrophic losses
Six weeks after ‘historically rare’ disaster, Guangxi authorities update fatalities, quadrupling total from 39
· Phoebe Zhang
Nissan bets on faster car development and fresh lineup for sales turnaround
Nissan Motor is seeking to shorten its new vehicle development time as Chinese rivals bring new models to market in just around two years. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Azusa Kawakami and Akira Kodaka)
· YURIKA YONEDA
Indonesian quake survivors recall trauma of all-day intense aftershocks, self-rescue
Officials say there were 4,256 aftershocks since the quake off Flores, which killed 78 people and injured more than 900
· Aisyah Llewellyn
Indonesian quake survivors recall trauma of all-day intense aftershocks, self-rescue
Officials say there were 4,256 aftershocks since the quake off Flores, which killed 78 people and injured more than 900
· Aisyah Llewellyn
Research boosts South Korean-Chinese links in WWII resistance against Japan
Crucial figure in the Shanghai-based government-in-exile was also active alongside China’s revolutionaries, historian says
· Xinlu Liang
Research boosts South Korean-Chinese links in WWII resistance against Japan
Crucial figure in the Shanghai-based government-in-exile was also active alongside China’s revolutionaries, historian says
· Xinlu Liang
Mercedes-Benz S-Class returns to Korea with revamped luxury, tech upgrades
New CEO Shirin Emeera’s first major launch bets big on Korea’s full-size luxury sedan market
· Byun Hye-jin
Indonesia and China discuss defense cooperation and energy security
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, walks with his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono for the Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue between Indonesia and China in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
· Edna Tarigan