Secular News

As the Philippines counts down to the new year, authorities are bracing themselves for another familiar increase in injuries and deaths linked to fireworks, despite decades of regulation, annual warnings and stepped-up police raids. Health officials say dozens of people have already been hurt in the run-up to December 31, with more casualties expected as Filipinos usher in the new year with explosive celebrations that light up streets, backyards and skylines across the country. The Department of...

A customs scheme covering the entirety of Hainan, China’s southern island province, appears to have triggered a surge in consumption since its inception last week, with the province’s tourism hub Sanya recording more than 500 million yuan (US$71.25 million) in duty-free sales over five days. Analysts cautioned, however, that the greater significance of the policy lies less in short-term spending boosts than in whether Hainan can diversify its economy beyond its previous reliance on real estate...

Recent cancellations have left the performing arts center in Washington, D.C., with gaps in programming for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Hong Kong motorists will face higher financial penalties starting on January 1, when new traffic fines for 19 types of offences take effect. The targeted offences under the Fixed Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance include illegal parking, for which the fine is set to rise by 25 per cent from HK$320 to HK$400 (US$41 to US$51). This marks the first adjustment to those penalty levels in more than three decades. “The fixed penalties for illegal parking and many other traffic contraventions...

Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who many believed would sweep elections next year to lead her country once again, died on Tuesday aged 80, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party said.

Precious metals extended losses Tuesday on profit-taking after hitting recent records, while equities fluctuated in quiet trade as investors wound down ahead of the New Year break.

The suspected thief stole two mandolins worth thousands of dollars by allegedly hiding them in the deep pockets of his winter coat

Fourteen-year-old Estella spends her weekdays studying Spanish, rock climbing or learning acupuncture in her living room as part of her homeschooling since she left China's gruelling public school system.

The draft regulations are aimed to address concerns around chatbots, which have surged in popularity in recent months.

The draft regulations are aimed to address concerns around chatbots, which have surged in popularity in recent months.

The draft regulations are aimed to address concerns around chatbots, which have surged in popularity in recent months.

Bangladesh's three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia, who hoped to lead her nation one last time after elections next year, died on Tuesday aged 80.