What is kombucha and why are Chinese youth obsessed with the fermentation health trend?
Some youngsters are making their own fermented drinks at home and are surprised to find that their parents did the same in the 1980s
· 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+11:00National Theater of Korea to screen stage productions at CGV in August
The National Theater of Korea will hold a three-week cinema screening series featuring filmed versions of its steady-selling stage productions at CGV Yongsan from Aug. 4-18 as part of an initiative to broaden public access to the performing arts.
· Hwang Dong-hee
Arab and Islamic countries condemn Israeli incursions into Al Aqsa mosque compound | The National
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkey have condemned the latest Israeli incursion into the Al Aqsa mosque compound.
· Nada AlTaher
Soccer ball-sized rare mushroom found in Korea
A giant mushroom described as a globally rare species has been found for the 13th consecutive year at a farm near Mount Jiri in southwestern South Korea, local officials said Thursday.
· Park Han-na
Philippines seeks China reset as sea clashes overshadow ASEAN talks
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., second from right, meets with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, second from left, at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila on July 21. © Getty Images
· Staff Writer
BYD takes aim at Malaysia's luxury EV segment
BYD luxury Denza Z9GT made its debut in Malaysia, where the Chinese automaker is a major EV player. (Photo courtesy of BYD Malaysia)
· Staff Writer
SMR cooperation with S. Korea, Japan reflects 'strategic' 3-way ties: US envoy
SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- A recent partnership framework agreement on small modular reactors (SMR) signed by the United States, South Korea and Japan reflects "tight strategic" cooperation among the three countries in energy security, the top U.S. envoy to ASEAN said Friday.
· Kim Seung-yeon
(LEAD) S. Korea says U.S. to honor 15 pct tariff cap regarding new Section 301 duties
(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 10, 11, new photo)
· Kim Boram
Protesters tell China's foreign minister: Apologize over racist AI video, stop WPS aggression
MANILA, Philippines — A nationalist group on Friday urged Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to bring back to Beijing the Filipino people's demand for a public apology over what it described as a racist artificial intelligence-generated video, while also calling on China to end its aggressive actions in the West Phili…
· Franco Jose C. Baroña
Asian markets skid and Japan's yen sinks as Brent crude tops $100
Specialist Michael Gagliano works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
· Elaine Kurtenbach
US summons Malaysian envoy over ban on Israeli citizens
The ambassador told the State Department that Malaysia’s policy of not recognising Israel was not new, the foreign minister said
· Reuters
US summons Malaysian envoy over ban on Israeli citizens
The ambassador told the State Department that Malaysia’s policy of not recognising Israel was not new, the foreign minister said
· Reuters
Mathematicians win top prize after solving century's-old problems
Mathematicians Hong Wang and Yu Deng are China's first Fields Medal recipients
· Bbcnews
Securities watchdog to channel more medium- and long-term capital into China markets
Following sharp sell-off, China Securities Regulatory Commission announces raft of measures aimed at maintaining smooth market operations
· Daisy Wu
Securities watchdog to channel more medium- and long-term capital into China markets
Following sharp sell-off, China Securities Regulatory Commission announces raft of measures aimed at maintaining smooth market operations
· Daisy Wu
Through the Lens: Kyoto heat fires up Gion Festival crowds
The highlight of Kyoto's Gion Festival, Saki Matsuri, or the first of the grand Yamahoko float processions, was held on July 17. Twenty-three elaborately decorated floats -- often described as a "moving museum" -- made their way along the main streets of the former Japanese capital, captivating spectators who lined …
· Staff Writer
Hyundai Motor workers to extend strikes for higher wages
SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor's union said Friday its workers will extend partial strikes next week in a bid to secure higher wages, raising concerns about production disruptions at South Korea's largest automaker.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Tropical Storm Kiyapo strengthens further near Cagayan
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· Acor Arceo
US slaps new tariffs ranging from 10-12.5% on 60 countries | South China Morning Post
China faces 12.5% rate as Washington’s levies target alleged forced labour in global trade.
Marcos' SONA 2026 a report on 'difficult period'
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, for his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), the content will comprise a report on the government's efforts to tackle the challenges of the past year.
· Allen Limos
South Korean unions use new labour rules to push envelope on bonus demands
Without clearer boundaries, the revised act could fuel labour disputes and create uncertainty for businesses and the economy, critics warn
· Park Chan-kyong
South Korean unions use new labour rules to push envelope on bonus demands
Without clearer boundaries, the revised act could fuel labour disputes and create uncertainty for businesses and the economy, critics warn
· Park Chan-kyong
The best guest shifts in Hong Kong and Macau amid Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026
As the top 50 list is unveiled in Macau next Tuesday, rare guest shifts bring the region’s finest mixologists to the Four Seasons’ Argo, Green Room at Upper House and more
· Betty Lan
The best guest shifts in Hong Kong and Macau amid Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026
As the top 50 list is unveiled in Macau next Tuesday, rare guest shifts bring the region’s finest mixologists to the Four Seasons’ Argo, Green Room at Upper House and more
· Betty Lan
Uniqlo to quintuple Indian outlets to over 100 within 5 years
A Uniqlo shop in New Delhi. The Japanese apparel company entered India in 2019 and now has 20 outlets in the country. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
· Staff Writer
Hanwha Ocean signs multiple agreements on naval ship, supply chain development
SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- Hanwha Ocean Co., the shipbuilding arm of South Korea's Hanwha Group, said Friday it has signed multiple agreements with U.S. companies on naval ship design and shipbuilding supply chain development.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Tarriela: Day 2 of CCG attacks on PH vessels holding fisherfolk mission
MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on Friday launched a series of water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels near Bajo de Masinloc (BDM), PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay T…
· Luisa Cabato
Fresh US tariffs on 60 countries; first China duo win Fields Medal: SCMP’s 7 highlights
From a new Chinese AI model to a Singapore minister’s resignation, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
· SCMP
Fresh US tariffs on 60 countries; first China duo win Fields Medal: SCMP’s 7 highlights
From a new Chinese AI model to a Singapore minister’s resignation, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting
· SCMP
Signal No. 2 up in parts of Norther Luzon as 'Kiyapo' slightly intensifies – Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm "Kiyapo" slightly intensified as it approached northern Cagayan, strengthening the southwest monsoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
· Red Mendoza
Vatican and Beijing agree on new China bishop as ordination fills 20-year vacancy
Appointment of Roman Catholic prelate in Inner Mongolia highlights uneasy yet continuing diplomatic engagement on sensitive issue
· Shi Jiangtao
Vatican and Beijing agree on new China bishop as ordination fills 20-year vacancy
Appointment of Roman Catholic prelate in Inner Mongolia highlights uneasy yet continuing diplomatic engagement on sensitive issue
· Shi Jiangtao
Yen nears 164 and yields rise as oil prices hit $100 per barrel
The yen weakened against the U.S. dollar in the morning, depreciating further from the previous days' near four-decade lows. (Photo by Hikaru Yagi)
· Staff Writer
Resource-rich Sarawak's rise gives it greater influence in Malaysia
An AirBorneo jet flying from the Malaysian city of Kuching arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on July 20. (Photo by Norman Goh)
· Staff Writer
Hun Manet vows to make Cambodia ‘not worth staying’ for scammers
Cambodia has come under significant international pressure over scam compounds, including from both the US and China
· Bloomberg
Hun Manet vows to make Cambodia ‘not worth staying’ for scammers
Cambodia has come under significant international pressure over scam compounds, including from both the US and China
· Bloomberg
LIST: SONA 2026 protests, activities in PH and overseas
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· folandria0378
LIST: SONA 2026 protests, activities in PH and overseas
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· folandria0378
China’s Mazu system is a win for climate adaptation and cultural heritage
Readers discuss Chinese names for scientific projects, why ride-hailing cars pose a problem for Hong Kong, and the quality of teaching at universities
· Letters
China’s Mazu system is a win for climate adaptation and cultural heritage
Readers discuss Chinese names for scientific projects, why ride-hailing cars pose a problem for Hong Kong, and the quality of teaching at universities
· Letters
Korea moves up tighter leveraged product rules to July 31
Investors will need at least 30 million won in cash, while stocks, ETFs and bonds will no longer qualify as substitute collateral.
· Choi Yeon-jae
1 dead after apartment office arson in southeastern city
GYEONGSAN, South Korea, July 24 (Yonhap) -- A woman died Friday after sustaining injuries in an arson attack in an apartment management office in the southeastern city of Gyeongsan this week, police said.
· Chae Yun-hwan
Is it all economic doom and gloom for the Philippines?
The energy crisis and turmoil in the Senate are among factors threatening the Philippine economy’s recovery, observers warn
· Sam Beltran
Is it all economic doom and gloom for the Philippines?
The energy crisis and turmoil in the Senate are among factors threatening the Philippine economy’s recovery, observers warn
· Sam Beltran
China Plans Planetary Defense Test By Slamming Mach 26 Spacecraft Into Asteroid
A new paper under peer review by the Chinese-language Journal of Deep Space Exploration lays out an ambitious plan to crash a spacecraft at Mach 26, or 20,000 mph, into a near-Earth asteroid to test new planetary defenses.
· Tyler Durden
WATCH: Red flag or green flag? Advocates weigh in on anti-disinformation bill
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· folandria0378
Top environmental fund sees Japan key to AI energy challenge
Asia’s best-performing environmental fund has increased exposure to Japan as it expects the nation’s technology sector to prove increasingly pivotal in solving the artificial intelligence industry’s surging power demands.
· Aya Wagatsuma
QC imposes liquor ban ahead of Marcos’ 2026 SONA;
MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City will implement a temporary liquor ban on July 27, 2026 to bolster security and maintain public order during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa.
· William B. Depasupil