Politics

Kim Jong Un’s New Nuclear Navy Warning Raises Alarms — But What Is North Korea Preparing Next?

SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to transform his country’s navy into a nuclear-armed force, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the United States, South Korea and Japan launch fresh trilateral military drills. Kim made the remarks while commissioning the Kang Kon, a new 5,000-ton-class destroyer that North Korea says will play a role in strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrence and maritime combat capabilities. The development marks one of Pyongyang’s stronges

Business

Oil Leak at Bangkok Data Centre Raises Pollution Fears and Sparks Calls for Stricter Oversight

BANGKOK, Thailand — An oil leak at a data centre in Bangkok's Rama 9 area has triggered environmental concerns and intensified scrutiny over the rapid growth of energy-intensive facilities in urban communities. Authorities found oil-contaminated wastewater and sediment inside and outside the DAMAC Digital Thailand BKK 01 data centre after residents and nearby businesses complained of a strong oil-like smell. The discovery raised fears that contaminated wastewater could enter the public drainag

Entertainment

Bangkok’s Fast-Paced Life Is Taking a Mental Toll on Young People

BANGKOK, Thailand — Bangkok never seems to stop. The alarms ring before sunrise. Commutes can take hours. Roads are packed. Trains are crowded. School and work deadlines pile up. By the time many young people return home, there is often little energy left for rest. For a growing number of Bangkok's younger residents, the pressure of city life is becoming more than an ordinary source of stress. It is raising serious concerns about mental health. New figures and recent discussions among health

Business

Thailand Cuts 11.16 Billion Baht From 2027 Budget Ahead of Crucial Parliamentary Debate

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand's proposed 2027 national budget has been cut by more than 11.16 billion baht ahead of a crucial three-day parliamentary debate, setting the stage for intense scrutiny over how the government plans to spend nearly 3.8 trillion baht. The House of Representatives is scheduled to debate the 2027 Budget Bill during its second and third readings from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9, after a parliamentary committee completed its review of the government's spending plan. The proposed b

Business

Fuel Shock Returns: Pump Prices Could Jump by Nearly ₱6/L as Middle East War Threatens Oil Supply

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino motorists are bracing for another painful trip to the gas station as domestic fuel prices are expected to surge this week, just days after a brief rollback offered consumers some relief. Industry estimates indicate that diesel could increase by around ₱4.50 to ₱5.50 per liter, while gasoline may rise by ₱4 to ₱4.50 per liter for the fuel adjustment taking effect Tuesday, September 8. The final figures were expected to be announced by oil companies on Monday after

Sport

Emma Navarro Is Back at the US Open — But a Huge All-American Showdown Now Awaits

NEW YORK — Emma Navarro is back in the business end of the US Open — and the American star now faces one of her toughest challenges yet. Navarro produced a composed and commanding performance to defeat Russia's Anna Kalinskaya 6-4, 6-2 and book her place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 26th-seeded American needed just 1 hour and 21 minutes to complete the straight-sets victory, ending a difficult run against Kalinskaya after losing their previous two meeti

Asia

Nepal’s Floods Triggered a Desperate Race Against Time—Then One IT Engineer Turned AI Into a Lifeline

KATHMANDU — As catastrophic floods and landslides tore through parts of Nepal, destroying roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and communities, one government IT engineer turned to artificial intelligence to help solve a problem that can become just as dangerous as the disaster itself: the lack of reliable, centralized information. Niraj Bhusal, an IT engineer at Nepal’s Ministry of Finance, worked through the night after the August 26 disaster to develop an AI-assisted online portal designed

Sport

Shanahan Says He Feels Like He’s “In the Future” — But Can the 49ers Solve Australia’s NFL Challenge?

MELBOURNE, Australia — San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan says the journey to Australia has left him wondering exactly where — and even when — he is. After crossing the globe for the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia, Shanahan admitted that the dramatic time difference and long-haul travel have created a surreal experience for the 49ers as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. “It feels like we’re in the future,” Shanahan said, ref

Philippines

Romualdez Faces Plunder Case Over P56-B Flood Control Allegations—What Happens Next Could Be Crucial

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has formally brought its case against former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez before the Sandiganbayan, escalating the government's investigation into alleged corruption surrounding multibillion-peso flood control projects. The anti-graft agency filed the plunder case on Monday, September 7, against Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co. Investigators allege that the two were invol

Singapore

Singapore Activist Jolovan Wham Hit With 5 Fresh Charges — What Happened at the Courts and Near Changi Prison?

SINGAPORE — Civil rights activist Jolovan Wham has been handed five fresh charges in Singapore, adding a new chapter to his long-running legal battles over public assemblies and candlelight vigils linked to opposition to the death penalty. Wham, 46, appeared at the State Courts on Monday, September 7, 2026, where he was charged over allegations that he organised an assembly at the State Courts, attended several candlelight vigils near Changi Prison and refused to answer questions during a polic