#Automotive

No one is exempt from military service, not even K-pop stars from hit boy band BTS. The boys were informed by the defence ministry of South Korea that mandatory service will remain mandatory, regardless of their celebrity status. The announcement has sparked conversation and debate in South Korea about whether people like artists and athletes […]

With gene editing now presenting such low risks that it can be used in human embryos, genetically-modified babies aren’t just the tales of science fiction. According to a newly published scientific paper, such “designer babies” are “ethically justifiable”, “highly desirable” and could become a possibility in about two years’ time. Dr Kevin Smith, a bioethicist […]

Singapore’s two leading universities—National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU)—have done the country proud, after making it as the top two universities in Asia on the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) university rankings. Besides snagging the top spots in the region, both institutions also tied at 11th place on the recently released (Nov 27) QS’ World […]

Actress Jun Ji Hyun is set to join the cast of ongoing Netflix original Korean drama series Kingdom for seasons 2 and 3 according to reports on 28 November. It’s been reported that the drama’s staff as well as Netflix Korea carried out negotiations to bring Jun Ji Hyun on board very secretively as filming […]

K-pop group Super Junior’s Choi Siwon made Chinese fans furious after he liked a tweet about the demonstrations in Hong Kong a few days ago. While Choi has since apologised and “unliked” the tweet, fans don’t easily forgive (or forget). On Nov 24, the K-pop star liked a tweet from Korean news outlet Chosun. The […]

Officials from the European Commission say Vietnam is making great strides in the elimination of illegal fishing, thereby regaining trust in helping to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) activities. Vietnam’s solid implementation of the recommendations from the EU regarding IUU fishing has impressed the latter’s representative Director for the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs […]

Airline Excellence Awards by AirlineRatings.com has just announced its picks for the Top 20 Airlines for 2020. Air New Zealand was proclaimed the world’s best airline, dethroning the previous champ, Singapore Airlines (SIA). Besides being in second place worldwide, SIA has also been named “Best First Class Airline” for the third year in a row. […]

by Fiachra GIBBONS Two Japanese restaurants have shot to the top of the La Liste ranking of best places to eat in the world, with a third one getting the second highest mark from the authoritative “guide of guides”. Yosuke Suga’s tiny Tokyo restaurant Sugalabo, which has only 20 tables, does not have a Michelin […]

The Taliban said Friday it was “way too early” to speak of resuming direct talks with Washington, a day after President Donald Trump suggested negotiations to end America’s longest war were back on track during a surprise visit to Afghanistan. “It is way too early to talk about the resumption of talks for now. We […]

by Jerome TAYLOR / Yan ZHAO Hong Kong police on Friday ended their two-week siege of a university campus that became a battleground with pro-democracy protesters as activists vowed to hold fresh rallies and strikes in the coming days. Renewed calls to hit the streets came after Beijing and city leader Carrie Lam refused further […]

Singapore—Joint teams of police from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Singapore have successfully exposed and brought to justice members of a transnational syndicate that had scammed 139 women from different countries out of S$5.8 million. Police officers from SPF’s Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) joined the team, along with the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of […]

Spoilers alert if you haven’t watched Avengers:Endgame! For those who have watched Avengers:Endgame, we know that the Black Widow AKA Natasha Romanoff died and sacrificed herself for the greater good. The good thing is that isn’t the last we are going to see about her. Although she won’t be resurrected anytime soon, the Marvel Cinematic […]

On November 27, Wednesday, Chinese-owned social media video app TikTok admitted to an error in having blocked Feroza Aziz, a 17-year-old American who had posted content critical of China’s policies towards Muslims in Xinjiang. TikTok apologized to Ms Aziz, and pledged that access to her account would be restored. Furthermore, the company added that they […]

Is it true that Chinese celebrity Fan Bingbing is out from the cold storage after her tax evasion controversy? This could be the case after the 37-year-old’s name was mentioned in the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, as reported in some news portals. The Chinese […]

Malaysian singer Fish Leong, who divorced from ex-husband wine merchant Tony Chao not too long ago, seems to have moved. Reports say the now-single Chao was seen at the home of single mum Lin Yijie recently. He spent about an hour there at Lin’s house. Chao was also spotted spending time with Yijie and Taiwanese […]