China to build environmental monitoring station near disputed Scarborough Shoal
Beijing’s ecological initiatives around the South China Sea flashpoint have been a growing source of tension with Manila and Washington
· Liu Zhen
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Mable Chan uses Qatar Airways cargo office opening to drop Central Asia route reveal
SCMP has learned that Cathay Pacific Airways is the airline behind plans to relaunch direct route to Almaty, Kazakhstan
· Eric Jiang
Mable Chan uses Qatar Airways cargo office opening to drop Central Asia route reveal
SCMP has learned that Cathay Pacific Airways is the airline behind plans to relaunch direct route to Almaty, Kazakhstan
· Eric Jiang
DILG: AdZU shooter entered school in father’s car, bypassing security
BYPASSED. Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla tells reporters in a presser on August 19, 2026 that the shooter in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University bypassed the school's standard security checks.
· jsitchon0312
‘Tit for tat’: Why is Trump cozying up to North Korea’s Kim Jong Un again?
US President Donald Trump has again praised the leader of nuclear-armed North Korea while rebuking key ally Seoul for failing to help Washington fight Iran, reigniting one of the most contentious diplomatic issues from his first term.
· Federica Marsi
Japan to have its first large shipbuilding dock since 2017
The existing Namura Shipbuilding dry dock in Imari Bay in Saga prefecture, Japan.
· Staff Writer
Top India court allows passive euthanasia, but few aware of ‘living wills’
New Delhi, India – In a crowded ward of New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), India’s premier public hospital, a mother sits quietly beside her 29-year-old son, Piyush Singh*.
· Vishakha Singhal
Marcos: Extreme rainfall 'new normal'
MANILA, Philippines—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said extreme rainfall driven by climate change was becoming the country’s "new normal."
· Allen Limos, Dan Madrazo
Gov’t, labor groups tackle wages, union rights, contractualization
MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino met with labor groups on Wednesday to discuss wages, union rights, contractualization and other concerns affecting Filipino workers.
· Dan Madrazo
Fake residency of foreign children in Thailand spotlights widening corruption
Seven people were arrested after nearly 200 children from Myanmar were found falsely registered as occupants in cramped flats in Bangkok
· Aidan Jones
Fake residency of foreign children in Thailand spotlights widening corruption
Seven people were arrested after nearly 200 children from Myanmar were found falsely registered as occupants in cramped flats in Bangkok
· Aidan Jones
Prudential Hong Kong expands headquarters across Swire Properties’ towers
Company boosts office footprint despite insurance sector’s concerns over China’s tax clampdown
· Cheryl Arcibal
Prudential Hong Kong expands headquarters across Swire Properties’ towers
Company boosts office footprint despite insurance sector’s concerns over China’s tax clampdown
· Cheryl Arcibal
The U.S. banned Nvidia's best chips from going to China. Now it's trying to close a crucial loophole
Nvidia's effective monopoly over the most powerful chips has made U.S. export controls a key tool in Washington's effort to preserve its advantage over China in the AI race.
· Kai Nicol-Schwarz
In the Public Square: Lessons from the Corona impeachment
A lawyer gave this piece of advice to journalists preparing to cover the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte: “Master the Corona impeachment case.”
· Camille Angela Zarate
Emotional coach, athletes vow turnaround for S. Korean wrestling at Asian Games
JINCHEON, South Korea, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- What is typically a cheery occasion turned into a solemn one Wednesday for the South Korean national wrestling team, as its head coach and his athletes broke down in tears at their joint press conference while discussing the upcoming Asian Games.
· Yoo Jee-ho
Trump delays 50% Canada tariffs, US and South Korea shorten drills, Tuesday’s primary takeaways
This is our flagship newsletter Morning Wire. You can subscribe here and we’ll email it to you daily.
· Nadja Lovadinov
Marcos orders round-the-clock monitoring of 2 major dams amid heavy rains
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the round-the-clock monitoring of Magat Dam in Isabela and Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija amid persistent heavy rainfall to ensure their structural integrity.
· Bernadette E. Tamayo
LIVE UPDATES: First BARMM parliamentary elections
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is holding its first parliamentary elections on September 14, 2026, after being postponed at least four times: first in May 2022, then in May 2025, October 2025, and again in March 2026.
Thai schools hold active shooter drills after deadly attack
The drills follow a directive requiring schools to draw up security plans and rehearse emergency response procedures
· Reuters
Thai schools hold active shooter drills after deadly attack
The drills follow a directive requiring schools to draw up security plans and rehearse emergency response procedures
· Reuters
Chinese coaches help women heal from narcissists; spot signs, escape toxic relationships
While critics question the scientific accuracy of these online diagnoses, many believe the content provides crucial validation for victims
· Fran Lu
Chinese coaches help women heal from narcissists; spot signs, escape abuse
While critics question the scientific accuracy of these online diagnoses, many believe the content provides crucial validation for victims
· Fran Lu
Footballer Wu Lei defends boy abused by rival fans while wearing his No 7 China jersey
Chinese international, who plays for Shanghai Port, takes to social media to track down boy and his father, who were attacked by Shenhua fans
· Stephy Zhang
Footballer Wu Lei defends boy abused by rival fans while wearing China jersey
Chinese international, who plays for Shanghai Port, takes to social media to track down boy and his father, who were attacked by Shenhua fans
· Stephy Zhang
UAE-backed Chinese company acquires stake in Ethiopian gold mine near Sudan war zone
Last week, after protracted negotiations and various plot twists, Canadian mining company Allied Gold sold a minority stake in its assets to China’s Zijin Gold International.
· Middleeasteye
Bangladesh launches women-only Pink Bus service in Dhaka
The service is operated by women, for women, creating a safe, female-only space on the go
· Brian Mikael Cheng
Bangladesh launches women-only Pink Bus service in Dhaka
The service is operated by women, for women, creating a safe, female-only space on the go
· Brian Mikael Cheng
International Criminal Court condemns latest US sanctions
A general view of the exterior of the International Criminal Court is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana, File)
· Mike Corder
Shanghai Port sees Christmas shipment delays as twin typhoons create up to 10-day backlog
The extreme weather arrives during a prolonged pre-Christmas peak shipping season for the port
· Emma Ma
Shanghai Port sees Christmas shipment delays as twin typhoons create up to 10-day backlog
The extreme weather arrives during a prolonged pre-Christmas peak shipping season for the port
· Emma Ma
China's robot bodies and AI brains take center stage at Beijing expos
Shenzhen-based AI2 Robotics' AlphaBot, powered by its own foundation AI model, serves ice cream to visitors at the World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug. 19. (Photo by Wataru Suzuki)
· Staff Writer
South Korea admits Trump blindsided Seoul by cutting military drills
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday that Seoul received no warning of Donald Trump’s plan to slash joint military exercises, a move the U.S. president announced publicly and linked to South Korea’s refusal to help with his war in Iran.
· Milena Wälde
‘Gandang Gabi Vice' returns in September
MANILA, Philippines — Vice Ganda’s popular comedy talk show “Gandang Gabi Vice” (GGV) is making its long-awaited return this September.
· Iza Iglesias
Thailand seeks new path to end deadly southern insurgency: top negotiator
Bangkok is signalling willingness to explore decentralised governance and amnesties for BRN rebels to revitalise a long-stalled peace process
· Reuters
Thailand seeks new path to end deadly southern insurgency: top negotiator
Bangkok is signalling willingness to explore decentralised governance and amnesties for BRN rebels to revitalise a long-stalled peace process
· Reuters
Goldman Sachs upbeat on wealth outlook amid market worries over China’s tighter scrutiny
Robust fee growth tipped for Hong Kong, Singapore banks as mainland Chinese clients’ offshore allocations driven by diversification: report
· Yulu Ao
Goldman Sachs upbeat on wealth outlook amid market worries over China’s tighter scrutiny
Robust fee growth tipped for Hong Kong, Singapore banks as mainland Chinese clients’ offshore allocations driven by diversification: report
· Yulu Ao
Villa signs Japan goalkeeper Suzuki to leave Martinez future uncertain
Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki (1) makes a save during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Brazil and Japan in Houston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
SK Hynix announces $28.6bn buyback plan to boost stock price
SK Hynix is expanding production capacity while also pursuing a massive share buyback plan. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
Zhu Rongji’s personal touch is not easily forgotten
A brief encounter with the former Chinese premier highlighted that he was not just a hard hitter but skilled at forging human connections
· Mike Rowse
Zhu Rongji’s personal touch is not easily forgotten
A brief encounter with the former Chinese premier highlighted that he was not just a hard hitter but skilled at forging human connections
· Mike Rowse
The Super El Niño To Beat All Others?
The World Meteorological Organization predicts the sea surface temperature anomaly in the El Niño/La Niña indicator area in the Pacific Ocean to rise to an average of +2.9° Celsius in the August-September-October period.
· Tyler Durden
China fund managers stick with AI, chips in August despite July sell-off, survey finds
Investor interest in defensive shares also surges across Asia as more try to hedge against the downside risks of AI investments
· Themis Qi
China fund managers stick with AI, chips in August despite July sell-off, survey finds
Investor interest in defensive shares also surges across Asia as more try to hedge against the downside risks of AI investments
· Themis Qi
Chinese FM Wang Yi visits Seoul as Korea seeks momentum for multiparty Korean War end talks
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
POSCO, Chinese firm to collaborate on battery materials business
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- POSCO Group, South Korea's leading steelmaker, said Wednesday it will collaborate with Chinese cathode-materials producer Ningbo Ronbay New Energy on lithium supply and spent-battery recycling.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Is South China Sea warship breakdown a sign US is ‘taxing reserve capacity’?
After USS Benfold lost power for four days last month, analysts say prolonged operations in the Middle East could be taking a toll
· Albee Zhang
Is South China Sea warship breakdown a sign US is ‘taxing reserve capacity’?
After USS Benfold lost power for four days last month, analysts say prolonged operations in the Middle East could be taking a toll
· Albee Zhang