SINGAPORE JAPAN CHINA

May 15 2026TECHNOLOGY

A Cheaper, Stronger Way to Cure Silicone?

Japan just made a big jump in silicone production. Scientists wrapped iron particles in a thin layer of silicone resin. That tiny shield lets the iron work as a catalyst without breaking down in air. Before this, iron catalysts lost power after just half an hour of exposure. Now they stay strong for

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May 11 2026CRIME

DNA Evidence in Japan: How Judges and Public Courts Changed Its Power

Japan started using DNA tests in court cases back in 1989, the first year such science was allowed as evidence. Researchers looked at every criminal case in a major legal database from that year up until 2024, focusing on how often DNA was accepted, how many people were found guilty, and what senten

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May 08 2026HEALTH

Two Singapore Men Tested for Hantavirus After Cruise Ship Incident

Singapore is currently keeping two 60‑plus men in isolation while they undergo testing for hantavirus. The men were aboard the MV Hondius, a cruise ship that left Ushuaia in Argentina on April 1 and later sparked an outbreak. The ship’s passengers are being monitored worldwide to stop the virus from

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May 05 2026FINANCE

AI‑Driven Tax Audits Push China Toward More Strict Enforcement

China’s new Golden Tax IV system, built on big data and AI, is reshaping how the country collects tax. By linking customs, banking, utilities and company records into one giant database, the system can spot irregularities across all sectors. The move comes as China’s fiscal deficit has grown sharply

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May 03 2026BUSINESS

Trains Rush as China Welcomes Holiday Travelers

China’s rail network saw an unprecedented surge on the first day of the spring holiday, transporting 24. 8 million passengers in a single day – a record for any one day in the country’s history. The national railway authority released this figure, highlighting how busy the system becomes when people

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May 02 2026POLITICS

Japan’s Leader Visits Hanoi to Revive Business Ties

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will travel to Hanoi on Saturday for a meeting with Vietnamese President To Lam. The two leaders aim to strengthen their 2023 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which covers energy, technology, minerals and regional peace. Japan still ranks as one of Vietnam’

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May 02 2026POLITICS

China Urges Keeping Iran Ceasefire and Reopening Hormuz Strait

China’s U. N. envoy said it is critical to keep the pause in fighting between Iran and its rivals intact. He urged that the Strait of Hormuz be opened again, warning that a closed passage would become a key topic when U. S. President Trump visits Beijing later this month. The ambassador expressed w

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May 01 2026OPINION

Robot Care: A New Age for Grandparents

Japan’s aging population is pushing the country toward robotic helpers, but the idea raises more questions than solutions. In recent visits to nursing homes in Tokyo, visitors were handed tiny robot dolls and plush toys that can talk, hoping they will fill the gaps left by a shrinking workforce. The

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Apr 27 2026POLITICS

China Tightens Tech Rules While Trading Off Tariffs

China has quietly broadened its economic tools during a temporary pause in the U. S. trade dispute, setting up new limits on technology and supply chains before a summit next month. After leaders Xi Jinping and Donald Trump agreed in Busan to ease tensions, Beijing moved quickly to tighten controls

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Apr 26 2026ENVIRONMENT

Wildfire Battle Near Otsuchi: Japan’s Massive Firefighting Response

Japan has sent a large force of 1, 400 firefighters and 100 Self‑Defense Force members to fight blazes that have been raging for five days on the northern coast. The flames now cover 1, 373 hectares and are spreading because of dry conditions and strong winds. The fire threatens the town of Otsuchi

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