Could China’s new trust tax pull Pan Shiyi’s wealth into capital flight spotlight?
Soho China founder Pan Shiyi’s Cayman trust faces scrutiny as Beijing’s tax overhaul puts offshore wealth strategies in focus
· Emma Ma
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Kim Soo-hyun returns to Manila for Bench fan event
MANILA, Philippines — South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun is officially returning to Manila, with Philippine fashion brand Bench announcing on Tuesday that the Korean star will meet his Filipino fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Oct. 2.
· Iza Iglesias
Women killed in Japan quake aftermath were ordered back into shopping mall to secure cash | South China Morning Post
Executives of Habita, which operates the variety store, have apologised to the family of one of the victims at her wake.
Heat illness cases hit record, two more dead, as Korea swelters
South Korea recorded 186 heat-related illness cases, including two deaths, on Monday, the highest daily figure reported so far this year, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday.
· Lee Seung-ku
FTC to fine conglomerate heads for omitting affiliates from regulatory filings
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's fair trade watchdog on Tuesday vowed to impose fines on conglomerate heads when their business groups omit affiliates from regulatory filings to avoid antitrust rules.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Solomon port plans mark US reset of ‘anaemic’ Pacific ties
The move aims to ensure Honiara partners with Western allies in sectors with security implications, analysts say
· Maria Siow
Solomon port plans mark US reset of ‘anaemic’ Pacific ties
The move aims to ensure Honiara partners with Western allies in sectors with security implications, analysts say
· Maria Siow
Japan sees 'urgent' need to boost military
TOKYO — Japan needs to boost its military with a "sense of urgency and crisis," its defense minister said Tuesday, as a new government assessment again highlighted growing risks from China, North Korea and Russia.
· Agence France-Presse
Shenzhen-based AI mathematician Yurii Nesterov wins top prize in applied maths
‘Crazy to stop right now’: researcher rejects retirement to build on his 40-year legacy during the golden age of artificial intelligence
· Shi Huang
Shenzhen-based AI mathematician Yurii Nesterov wins top prize in applied maths
‘Crazy to stop right now’: researcher rejects retirement to build on his 40-year legacy during the golden age of artificial intelligence
· Shi Huang
Massive Attack’s Singapore ban tests legal limits of artistic freedom
Singapore concertgoers urge leniency for the band’s pro-Palestine acts on stage but lawyers say that a line has to be drawn
· Jean Iau
Massive Attack’s Singapore ban tests legal limits of artistic freedom
Singapore concertgoers urge leniency for the band’s pro-Palestine acts on stage but lawyers say that a line has to be drawn
· Jean Iau
Heat kills 16 in South Korea this summer — interior ministry
SEOUL — South Korea's summer heat has killed 16 people so far this year, the interior ministry said Tuesday, as the nation swelters in a wave of searing weather.
· The Manila Times
Takaichi’s fiscal push could lift growth — and Japan’s already-rising interest bill
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pushed forward with her plan to slash the consumption tax on food, which reportedly would be the first time the tax will be cut since its implementation in 1989 if she succeeds. On Tuesday, the ruling Liberal Democratic party advanced the bill through key committees, with N…
· Lim Hui Jie
Alex Eala dazzles in glam look after historic WTA title
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala continued to bask in the glory of her historic breakthrough after the Filipina tennis star made a stunning appearance on social media following her triumphant campaign at the Mubadala D.C. Open in Washington, D.C.
· The Manila Times
How East Asia’s internet cafes became a cheap urban refuge
An informal safety net, these cafes offer gig workers and those between jobs crucial breathing space
· Ken Ip
How East Asia’s internet cafes became a cheap urban refuge
An informal safety net, these cafes offer gig workers and those between jobs crucial breathing space
· Ken Ip
AFP on West PH Sea issue: All Filipinos should be ‘pro-Philippines’
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday that Filipinos should be “pro-Philippines” in matters involving the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
· Holly Bacay
Third-party probe finds Shogakukan ‘encouraged’ human rights violations
A third-party panel at Shogakukan said Monday that the publisher encouraged human rights violations by hiring a male manga artist who had committed sexual misconduct as an author for a new series under a different pseudonym.
· No Author
Geography of Heaven by Rory MacLean – soul-searching journeys into the afterlife
From an ashram in India to an ayahuasca ceremony in Peru, a travel writer searches for meaning after the death of his wife
· Kathryn Bromwich
Project mBridge moves closer to broader commercial use amid cross-border digital yuan push
China’s Project mBridge, the multilateral central bank digital currency platform, is moving closer to broader commercial adoption
· Sylvia Ma
Fresh mBridge progress boosts cross-border digital yuan push
China’s Project mBridge, the multilateral central bank digital currency platform, is moving closer to broader commercial adoption
· Sylvia Ma
With America deranged, President Xi summons overseas Chinese
Keep independent journalism alive
· Han Feizi
usmile empowers Filipinos' oral care with proactive, clinical-grade, smart dental tech
GLOBAL professional oral care brand usmile is transforming daily oral hygiene for Filipinos as it strengthens its presence in the Philippines with smart, science-backed devices designed to help stop dental problems before they start. By bringing preventive oral care to the forefront, the brand empowers consumers to …
· The Manila Times
Toyota raises full-year net profit forecast, helped by weak yen
Toyota cars are displayed at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, on March 23. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
· Staff Writer
China break with tradition by unveiling blue official podium uniforms for 2026 Asian Games
Also for the first time, female athletes will have the option of wearing trousers or skirts, a change that has sparked widespread discussion
· Stephy Zhang
China break with tradition by unveiling blue official podium uniforms for 2026 Asian Games
Also for the first time, female athletes will have the option of wearing trousers or skirts, a change that has sparked widespread discussion
· Stephy Zhang
Malaysian police investigate how pilot smuggled drugs past 4 layers of airport checks
A KLIA security screener will be summoned for questioning after a Malaysia Airlines pilot is arrested with 70,000 Ecstasy pills in Jakarta
· Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Malaysian police investigate how pilot smuggled drugs past 4 layers of airport checks
A KLIA security screener will be summoned for questioning after a Malaysia Airlines pilot is arrested with 70,000 Ecstasy pills in Jakarta
· Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Comelec to include conflict of interest declaration in filing COCs
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will now include a declaration on of conflict of interest in the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) beginning on the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
· Dianne Sampang
‘Run us off our feet’: Wallabies’ surprising ploy to prepare for Japanese heat
Not content with sweating their way through training, the Wallabies have been doing added sauna sessions as well as they prepare for Japan to try and use heatwave conditions to their favour on Saturday and run the wilting Australians into submission.
· Iain Payten
PH Blu Girls eye Asian Games medal after World Cup breakthrough
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s national softball team is shifting its focus to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after a solid fifth-place finish in Group B of the 2027 Women’s Softball World Cup.
· Nicole Anne D.G. Bugauisan
Japan's Toyota reports hefty profit on cheap yen, car sales
FILE -Toyota dealership, April 30, 2026, in Nashua, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
· Yuri Kageyama
Europe’s new EV power struggle sees Chinese giants seize record market share
Leading Chinese carmakers and an aggressive Tesla together command more than 13% of western Europe’s surging EV market
· Themis Qi
Europe’s new EV power struggle sees Chinese giants seize record market share
Leading Chinese carmakers and an aggressive Tesla together command more than 13% of western Europe’s surging EV market
· Themis Qi
(LEAD) S. Korea 'strongly' protests Japan's renewed claim to Dokdo, urging 'immediate withdrawal'
(ATTN: UPDATES with defense ministry's summoning of Japanese military attache in 5th para)
· Kim Seung-yeon
Ruling party official warns of legal action over 'cheek poke' controversy with ex-leader
Lee Ji-eun, head of the Democratic Party of Korea's Mapo-A constituency committee in Seoul, has warned that she will take legal action against those who insinuate inappropriate relations between herself and Rep. Jung Chung-rae.
· Hwang Sun-jun
Hong Kong team wins grand prize at 2026 World Cosplay Championship in Nagoya, Japan
Ar Lu and Ronnie Kui from Hong Kong won the grand prize for their costumes inspired by the Monster Hunter video game
· Yohji Lam
Hong Kong team wins grand prize at 2026 World Cosplay Championship in Nagoya, Japan
Ar Lu and Ronnie Kui from Hong Kong won the grand prize for their costumes inspired by the Monster Hunter video game
· Yohji Lam
Maroon 5 sets February 2027 Manila concert
MANILA, Philippines — Grammy Award-winning pop-rock band Maroon 5 is set to return to the Philippines next year as part of its Asia 2027 Tour.
· Iza Iglesias
Hikers who posed for photos in Hong Kong reservoir as spillway floodgate opened face investigation | South China Morning Post
Trespassing into the city’s water facilities carries a maximum penalty of HK$50,000 and up to two years in prison.
Korean police block sales of Trader Joe’s bagel seasoning
Police have blocked the sale of a foreign seasoning product on an online secondhand marketplace after finding it contained narcotic substances and was prohibited from being brought into South Korea.
· Park Han-na
S. Korea 'strongly' protests Japan's renewed claim to Dokdo, urging 'immediate withdrawal'
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry lodged a "strong" protest Tuesday after Japan again laid a territorial claim to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo in its latest defense white paper and urged Tokyo to immediately withdraw it.
· Woo Jae-yeon
10th Aero Gymnastics Asian tilt to unfold in scenic Tagaytay
MANILA, Philippines — AMID the cool, captivating and renewing scenery of Tagaytay City, lively, dynamic and energetic action unfolds starting Wednesday with the colorful opening ceremony of the 10th Aero Gymnastics Asian Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome.
· The Manila Times
Wong sweeps 2 titles in San Pablo juniors netfest
MANILA, Philippines — Francine Wong emerged as the tournament's lone double champion, capturing the girls’ 14- and 16-and-under singles titles to headline the San Pablo City Juniors Age Group Championships at the 7 Lakes Tennis Club courts in Laguna last Sunday.
· The Manila Times
World championship dreams fuel IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu showdown
MANILA, Philippines — Beyond the battle for podium finishes, the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu presented by Megaworld on Aug. 9 in Mactan, Cebu offers something even bigger for local triathletes – a coveted opportunity to earn a place in one of endurance sports' most prestigious events.
· The Manila Times
Bulacan women's softball team competes in World Series
CITY OF MALOLOS – The Bulacan Dreamers women's softball team is now in Sussex County, Delaware, USA and is ready to represent the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific Region in the 2026 Senior League Softball World Series to be held from August 3 to 9.
· Frederick Silverio
3 lions perish at Tokyo zoo as Japan bakes in ‘cruelly hot’ summer
Authorities at Tama Zoological Park have strengthened cooling measures to help the animals beat the heat
· SCMP’s Asia desk
3 lions perish at Tokyo zoo as Japan bakes in ‘cruelly hot’ summer
Authorities at Tama Zoological Park have strengthened cooling measures to help the animals beat the heat
· SCMP’s Asia desk