Chinese ‘pre-made children’ term reflects trend of parents prioritising study over summer fun
Chinese parents traditionally view summer as a time for academic advancement, leaving many children dreading the break
· Fran Lu
Follow the story
Asia Pacific
A focused view of neutral reporting on Asia Pacific, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Chinese ‘pre-made children’ term reflects trend of parents prioritising study over summer fun
Chinese parents traditionally view summer as a time for academic advancement, leaving many children dreading the break
· Fran Lu
CA upholds acquittal of 3 in 2010 STRADCOM takeover
MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) upheld the acquittal of three former STRADCOM officials in the 2010 forcible takeover of the company’s compound, ruling that prosecutors failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they directly ordered or induced violence against security guards.
· William B. Depasupil
ASEAN chief urges deeper Korea ties on energy, digital transition
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
Sarines, South rivals renew battle in ICTSI JPGT Finals
MANILA, Philippines — A recent national championship showdown gets a compelling sequel when the ICTSI Elite Junior PGT Finals blasts off Tuesday (Aug. 18) with North’s Lisa Sarines and Team South’s Tashanah Balangauan and Precious Zaragosa renewing their rivalry in the girls’ 15-18 division at the Pueblo de Oro Golf…
· The Manila Times
Samsung opens India HVAC line to tap AI data center demand
Samsung Electronics said Thursday it has opened a new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning production line in India, expanding its manufacturing capacity as it targets growing demand from AI data centers.
· Jo He-rim
Migs Pascual’s unorthodox shooting catches fancy of MPBL fans, observers
MANILA, Philippines — Second year pro Migs Pascual is continuously gaining more attention with his unique yet efficient form of shooting.
· The Manila Times
China’s late premier Zhu Rongji remembered as the chief engineer of economic transformation | South China Morning Post
Zhu had a major role in reshaping China’s economy, first as vice-premier and then as premier.
Russia’s Putin makes first visit to Kuril Islands claimed by Japan
The Russian president inspected the Pacific fleet on his first trip to the disputed archipelago, drawing a protest from Tokyo
· Agence France-Presse
Russia’s Putin makes first visit to Kuril Islands claimed by Japan
The Russian president inspected the Pacific fleet on his first trip to the disputed archipelago, drawing a protest from Tokyo
· Agence France-Presse
Manila river clogged with rubbish after Typhoon Dolphin floods – in pictures
View image in fullscreenWorkers in a dinghy remove rubbish clogging a waterway in Paranaque.Photograph: Ezra Acayan/Getty ImagesShareView image in fullscreenWorkers on a barge remove a sea of garbage that washed ashore in Pasay, Metro Manila.Photograph: Aaron Favila/APShareView image in fullscreenWorkers use excavat…
Darts bosses eye Hong Kong for masters stop, Littler, Humphries to take on Asia’s best
Kai Tak Arena seen as potential venue for exhibition event next summer, with organisers saying 8 of world’s top 10 could play
· Josh Ball
Darts bosses eye Hong Kong for masters stop, Littler, Humphries to take on Asia’s best
Kai Tak Arena seen as potential venue for exhibition event next summer, with organisers saying 8 of world’s top 10 could play
· Josh Ball
Nearly 3 years on, Korea again delays Google, Apple app payment ruling
South Korea’s media regulator has delayed a final decision on sanctions against Google and Apple over in-app payment practices it says violated Korean law, nearly three years after the penalties were first proposed.
· Jie Ye-eun
Taiwan says it was hit by ‘abnormal’ AI-assisted cyber-attack
Taiwan’s statement comes a day after reports that suspected China-linked hackers had carried out a first-of-a-kind breach
· Guardian staff with agencies
China’s YMTC breaks into global top three flash-memory suppliers for first time
The chipmaker captured 14 per cent of global bit shipments, but still ranks fifth by revenue due to heavier exposure to lower-value products
· Howard Liu
China’s YMTC breaks into global top 3 flash-memory suppliers for first time
The chipmaker captured 14 per cent of global bit shipments, but still ranks fifth by revenue due to heavier exposure to lower-value products
· Howard Liu
Today in Korean history
1961 -- South Korea establishes diplomatic relations with Gabon.
· Choi Kyong-ae
YouTuber sparks controversy for filming at mixed-gender hot spring in Japan
A Korean YouTuber has touched off controversy after filming at a mixed-gender outdoor hot spring in Japan despite the facility's no-filming policy.
· Yoon Min-sik
The next Tata Sons chair: The 5 challenges ahead
The successor to Natarajan Chandrasekaran as Tata Sons chair will face challenges ranging from artificial intelligence to an ongoing turnaround of Air India. © Reuters
· SOUMYAJIT SAHA
Millions witness Europe’s first solar eclipse in 27 years | South China Morning Post
The eclipse travelled through parts of Greenland and Iceland, before arcing across the Atlantic Ocean towards northern Spain.
Malaysian mothers defend emergency leave amid single workers’ gripes
A caller’s complaint on a radio show sparked debate over the struggle to balance work with care burdens, as well as criticism from single peers
· Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Malaysian mothers defend emergency leave amid single workers’ gripes
A caller’s complaint on a radio show sparked debate over the struggle to balance work with care burdens, as well as criticism from single peers
· Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Japan protests against Putin visit to disputed islands
Russian state media said it was Putin's first visit to the Kuril islands
· Bbcnews
Taiwan says it was targeted last month in AI-driven hacking campaign
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· Victor Barreiro Jr.
HiteJinro nurtures Vietnamese talent as first overseas plant nears completion
HiteJinro has awarded a combined 400 million dong ($15,400) in scholarships to 20 Vietnamese university students as it deepens its presence in the key Southeast Asian market.
· Jeon Ji-woo
US-China rivalry takes flight over scramble for contracts at Ethiopia’s Bishoftu airport
State-owned Chinese companies are leading the way in the bidding war, but Washington is pushing the claims of firms such as Boeing and GE
· Jevans Nyabiage
US-China rivalry takes flight over scramble for contracts at Ethiopia’s Bishoftu airport
State-owned Chinese companies are leading the way in the bidding war, but Washington is pushing the claims of firms such as Boeing and GE
· Jevans Nyabiage
South Korea’s Kospi has staged a stunning comeback. How long will the bull market last?
South Korea's Kospi has staged a reversal from its latest rout, returning to bull-market territory as investors pile back into the country's semiconductor giants that dominate the index.
· Lee Ying Shan
Pangilinan files resolution recognizing SB19 for taking OPM to Lollapalooza 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Pangilinan filed a resolution congratulating and commending Filipino P-pop supergroup SB19 for becoming the first Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza, one of the world's largest and most influential music festivals.
· Catherine S. Valente
Mercados asiáticos suben en su mayoría tras un repunte en Wall Street impulsado por la IA
Una persona se encuentra frente a un tablero electrónico que muestra el índice Nikkei de Japón en una correduría de valores el jueves 13 de agosto de 2026, en Tokio. (AP Foto/Eugene Hoshiko)
· Yuri Kageyama
China’s ‘brain chip’ drive accelerates with slew of state-backed initiatives
China is throwing the power of the state behind efforts to overtake Elon Musk in a vital frontier technology: brain-computer interfaces
· Julie Zhang
China’s ‘brain chip’ drive accelerates with slew of state-backed initiatives
China is throwing the power of the state behind efforts to overtake Elon Musk in a vital frontier technology: brain-computer interfaces
· Julie Zhang
Gretchen Walsh wins 50 fly to get US off to dominant start at Pan Pacs swim meet
Gretchen Walsh, of the United States, celebrates after winning the women’s 50-meter butterfly final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, Calif., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
· Beth Harris
Filipinos helped build UAE’s nuclear plant. PH talent may soon do the same back home.
This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors.
· lkyu0285
Asian shares mostly rise after AI leads rally on Wall Street
A person walks in front of an electronic stock chart board showing Japan’s Nikkei index at a securities firm Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
· Yuri Kageyama
S. Korea vows to start building 230,000 houses in 5 years amid housing affordability crisis
South Korea on Thursday unveiled plans to begin construction of 230,000 houses in the Greater Seoul area within five years to address the housing affordability crisis.
· Son Ji-hyoung
Manila suspends afternoon faceto-face classes due to monsoon rains
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the suspension of afternoon classes at all levels in both public and private schools on Thursday, as the southwest monsoon (habagat) continued to bring rain across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
· Dan Francis Madrazo
Manila suspends afternoon face-to-face classes due to monsoon rains
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the suspension of afternoon classes at all levels in both public and private schools on Thursday, as the southwest monsoon (habagat) continued to bring rain across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
· Dan Francis Madrazo
Marcos issues order providing social protection to govt contractual workers
MANILA, Philippines -— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expanded social protection coverage to include contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) workers in government to ensure their "equitable access" to social protection programs
· Bernadette E. Tamayo
Floods hit parts of Manila due to nonstop rains
MANILA, Philippines — Gutter to ankle-deep floods hit parts of Manila on Thursday due to nonstop monsoon rains, the city's disaster agency said.
· Dan Madrazo
China steadies yuan as exporters feel currency squeeze
Some Chinese exporters have issued profit warnings due to foreign exchange losses, reflecting a decline in the value of their dollar-denominated assets in their yuan-denominated financial statements. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
TWS tops Billboard Japan Hot 100 with 2nd single
TWS claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard Japan’s Hot 100 with “Soda Soda,” according to the latest chart published Wednesday.
· Hwang You-mee
Taiwan holds anti-blockade naval drill during war games as China steps up maritime pressure
Taiwan's armed forces carried out an anti-blockade drill during annual war games, using the navy and coast guard to simulate escorting a merchant ship, the Defense Ministry said Thursday, as China steps up its maritime pressure.
· Yonhap
Singapore’s provision shops struggle to keep shutters open in HDB heartlands
Owners say they face hurdles including stiff competition, rising costs and a lack of desire from their children to take over the business
· Kolette Lim
Singapore’s provision shops struggle to keep shutters open in HDB heartlands
Owners say they face hurdles including stiff competition, rising costs and a lack of desire from their children to take over the business
· Kolette Lim
China Dominates The Humanoid Robot Race. Can Trump Close The Gap?
It should surprise no one that new data from Smart Analytics Global, cited by Bloomberg, shows that Chinese humanoid robot makers accounted for a staggering 97% of global shipments in the first half of 2026.
· Tyler Durden
This Chinese firm has topped Micron and Kioxia in shipments of crucial NAND memory chips
BEIJING — Yangtze Memory Technologies is rapidly gaining market share in a critical chip sector, according to Counterpoint Research.
· Evelyn Cheng
Auto exports set new record, rising 7 pct in July
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's auto exports rose 7 percent in July from a year earlier to a new record high, driven by strong demand for environment-friendly models, data showed Thursday.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Law Society of Singapore strikes Pritam Singh off the rolls
Disciplinary action against the Workers’ Party chief follows his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee
· CNA