Politics

CHINA IS EYEING A NOVEMBER SUMMIT WITH SOUTH KOREA — BUT WHAT XI JINPING AND LEE JAE MYUNG COULD DISCUSS MAY MATTER FAR BEYOND SEOUL

SEOUL — China is “actively considering” a summit between President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen this November, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said. The possibility emerged during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Seoul, where he met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun for talks on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the increasingly sensitive security situation

Business

Rice Prices Jump 22% in Early August—But the September Harvest Could Bring an Even Bigger Shock

MANILA, Philippines — The price of the Philippines’ staple food has started climbing again, with the average retail price of regular-milled rice reaching P49.61 per kilogram in the first five days of August, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The increase is striking when compared with the same period last year. The PSA reported that regular-milled rice averaged P40.61 per kilo in August 2025, meaning the latest price was about 22.2% higher year-on-yea

Philippines

FIVE ISABELA POLICE OFFICERS GET SPECIAL RECOGNITION AT SCHOOLS — HERE’S WHY THE PNP IS PUTTING COMMUNITY TRUST FRONT AND CENTER

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — Five police personnel have been recognized for exemplary performance and dedication to duty as the Isabela Police Provincial Office (IPPO) brings its campaign for professional, community-centered policing directly into schools. The recognition was held during flag-raising ceremonies at various schools across the province on August 17, 2026, putting the spotlight on police officers not only as law enforcers but also as potential role models for students and partners of

Politics

Trump Unleashes ‘Economic D-Day’ on Iran—Now Even Countries Doing Business With Tehran Could Pay the Price

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has dramatically escalated his economic campaign against Iran, warning that any country, business or institution that provides Tehran with a financial or commercial lifeline could face severe economic consequences. Trump announced what he described as an unprecedented campaign of “economic warfare and isolation” against Iran as the conflict approaches its sixth month and diplomatic efforts remain stalled. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, August 19,

Business

WALL STREET JUST GOT A LIFELINE — BUT THE BOND MARKET WARNING BEHIND THE RALLY COULD BE MUCH BIGGER

NEW YORK — Wall Street regained its footing Wednesday after the U.S. Treasury moved to ease pressure in the bond market, giving investors temporary relief from a surge in long-term borrowing costs that has increasingly threatened stocks, businesses and the broader economy. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite all finished higher, snapping a three-session losing streak. The S&P 500 gained about 0.2%, while the Dow and Nasdaq also advanced roughly 0.2%. But the modest s

Entertainment

Chariz Solomon Finally Gets 50% of Her ‘Tahanang Pinakamasaya’ Talent Fee—But One Question Remains

After months of publicly raising the issue, Chariz Solomon finally has a major update on the unpaid talent fees connected to “Tahanang Pinakamasaya.” The Kapuso host and comedian revealed that she and her fellow hosts have already received 50% of the talent fees that had remained unpaid, bringing partial relief to an issue that had lingered since the noontime show's brief run in 2024. Chariz made the revelation during her appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” where she happily announced t

Business

JAPAN’S EXPORTS EXPLODE 23% TO A RECORD ¥11.5 TRILLION — BUT THE NUMBER THAT CAME NEXT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

Japan has delivered a stunning trade performance that could give its export-dependent economy a much-needed boost — but the record comes with a warning that investors and policymakers cannot afford to ignore. Japanese exports surged 23.2% year-on-year in July 2026, reaching a record ¥11.5 trillion (about US$72.6 billion), according to data from Japan’s Ministry of Finance reported by Reuters and Channel NewsAsia. The increase was significantly stronger than economists’ median forecast of 19.9%

Philippines

AUGUST 25 ALERT: DepEd to Lead Nationwide School Safety Drill—What Students and Teachers Need to Know

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will lead a nationwide school safety drill on August 25 as the government moves to strengthen preparedness and security in schools following recent incidents of violence, including a shooting inside a school in Zamboanga. The nationwide exercise was confirmed during a Malacañang press briefing on August 19, with Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro saying the drill is intended to help schools become more prepared for

Entertainment

GIANNI INFANTINO’S FIFA POWER BASE IS CRACKING — AFTER A SENIOR OFFICIAL’S EXIT, MORE SUPPORTERS ARE WALKING AWAY. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT COULD CHANGE WORLD FOOTBALL

The pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino is intensifying, with more football federations and senior officials withdrawing their support after the departure of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour. The latest blow came from Sándor Csányi, president of the Hungarian Football Federation and one of FIFA's vice-presidents. Csányi said Lamour's unexpected dismissal was the “final straw” and formally withdrew his support for Infantino. The development adds another layer to a growing governance

Asia

Sheffield United’s Former Owners Win High Court Battle Over £35 Million Debt — Now a 12-Point Shock Could Be Next

LONDON, August 19, 2026 — Sheffield United have been pulled into a major ownership and financial dispute after the High Court in London granted a winding-up petition against COH Sports Bidco Limited (CSBL), the company used by the club's current owners to acquire Sheffield United in 2024. The petition was brought by United World Holding Limited, led by former Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, over an alleged £35 million ($47.4 million) unpaid debt connecte