26 h. ago In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self

Medical professionals in Japan are concerned that China could dramatically ramp up trade pressure on Tokyo by adding antibiotics and ingredients for medicines to its list of exports subject to restrictions. Despite efforts over the last three years to increase domestic production of a range of commonly used medicines in Japan, the domestic medical sector still relies heavily on imports from China and restricting or halting imports would cause “huge trouble”, according to the experts. “Japan...

Politics

5 d. ago Gig workers’ strike in India spurs debate on human cost of delivery race

A New Year’s Eve flash strike by gig workers in India who provide commerce connectivity, such as through 10-minute doorstep deliveries, has drawn attention to their welfare, including the risk of accidents amid physical exhaustion. More than 200,000 gig workers staged protests across major Indian cities during the peak delivery period to highlight their demands for legislative protection, social security benefits and better wages, according to the Indian Federation of App Based Transport...

Economics

6 d. ago Singapore businesses list rising costs and tariffs as their biggest challenges

For businesses in Singapore, such as skincare chain Kskin, the global trade environment has become more challenging in recent years as a result of hurdles ranging from rising costs and US tariffs to fast-changing regulations. Kskin began venturing overseas in 2023 and has opened outlets in Malaysia, the Philippines and the US. Due to the tariffs, the costs of Kskin’s equipment and products have risen in recent months. Brian Ng, the firm’s director, told This Week in Asia: “Our margins [at...

Economics

7 d. ago As healthcare costs soar in the Philippines, are doctors’ fees to blame?

The Philippine government is exploring ways to cap doctors’ professional fees after public complaints about soaring hospital bills, a move that has drawn resistance from physicians who say they are being unfairly blamed for deeper failures in health financing. The Department of Health (DOH) said it was studying possible standards for doctors’ fees following social media posts from patients detailing unexpectedly high out-of-pocket costs, but doctors’ groups argue that inadequate insurance...

Science

7 d. ago Soaring healthcare costs in the Philippines: are doctors’ fees to blame?

The Philippine government is exploring ways to cap doctors’ professional fees following public complaints about soaring hospital bills, a move that has drawn resistance from physicians who say they are being unfairly blamed for deeper failures in health financing. The Department of Health (DOH) said it was studying possible standards for doctors’ fees after patients took to social media to report unexpectedly high out-of-pocket expenses. But doctors’ groups argue that the real culprit is...

Science

9 d. ago Taiwan decision lies with Xi, Venezuela action sets no precedent: Trump

Taiwan decision lies with Xi, Venezuela action sets no precedent: Trump  India Today

Politics

2 w. ago Singapore’s animal shelters struggle with costs, falling adoption

At the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Singapore, it was yet another busy Monday as volunteers cleaned cages and leashed dogs for walks around the shelter. Squinty, a seven-year-old male crossbreed, stretched his hind legs – which were covered in partially healed burn wounds – in anticipation. The canine’s energetic jaunt belied his kidney disease, which required him to take daily fluids and supplements. The docile pooch is among many animals housed by the SPCA,...

Politics

2 w. ago Asia’s year of costly climate disasters spurs calls for ‘decisive action’

As Asia counts the cost of one of the world’s most expensive years for weather disasters, aid groups and scientists are warning that poorer countries face even greater risks ahead unless global emissions are cut and spending shifts from disaster response to prevention. Asia accounted for four of the world’s six costliest climate-related disasters in 2025, according to a report by Christian Aid released this month, underlining how heavily the region is being hit by floods, storms and extreme...

Events