Category: Asia

Asia

BRICS Summit, Okinawa Election and Philippines’ AI Push: 3 Major Events That Could Shape Asia’s Next Move

ASIA — From a high-stakes BRICS summit in India to a closely watched election in Okinawa and the Philippines' growing push to shape Southeast Asia's artificial intelligence future, the coming days could offer a glimpse into where Asia is heading next. The events may appear unrelated. One involves global diplomacy. Another centers on Japan's security and domestic politics. The third focuses on artificial intelligence and Southeast Asia's digital future. But together, they reveal a region facin

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Habagat Grounds Sea Trips From Bicol to Mindoro and Manila — But the Weather Threat May Not Be Finished Yet

MANILA, Philippines — Travelers heading across some of the Philippines' busiest inter-island routes faced fresh disruption Sunday as the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, forced vessels to remain in port across parts of Luzon and Bicol. The Philippine Ports Authority released an updated list of canceled sea trips as of 12 noon on September 6, 2026, covering routes connecting Masbate, Bicol, Mindoro, Batangas, Palawan and Manila. The suspensions came as persistent monsoon rains continued affecting

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Philippines Sets 3-KM School Access Standard for Remote Children — But 9,000 Last-Mile Schools Reveal the Bigger Challenge

MANILA — For generations of Filipino children living in mountains, islands and isolated rural communities, getting an education has sometimes begun with a journey measured not in minutes — but in kilometers. A new Philippine law is attempting to change that. Republic Act No. 12321, or the Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act, establishes a national standard under which students should have access to a basic education school within a walkable distance of three kilometers from their homes. Senator Ch

September 6, 2026

Philippines

A Distressed Yacht Entered Subic for Repairs — Then Mechanics Found ₱366M in Kush Hidden Across the Vessel

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — A sailing yacht that reportedly entered Subic only because it needed emergency shelter and repairs has now become the center of a potentially international drug-trafficking investigation after authorities discovered more than ₱366 million worth of suspected high-grade marijuana hidden aboard the vessel. The latest breakthrough came when authorities conducting a deeper stripping and inspection found 109 additional packages weighing approximately 123.91 kilograms

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Two Filipino Seafarers Die in Hormuz Attack—Marcos Orders Immediate Aid as Questions Mount

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to immediately provide assistance, benefits, compensation and applicable insurance proceeds to the families of two Filipino seafarers killed in a security incident involving an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The two Filipino crew members were aboard the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker SIDR when the vessel was struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting the strategic waterway on August 31, according

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Senate Moves to Ban Officials’ Relatives From Government Contracts — But First Cousins Are Only the Beginning

MANILA, Philippines — Government contracts could soon become legally off-limits to a much wider circle of politicians’ and public officials’ relatives after the Philippine Senate unanimously approved a sweeping anti-nepotism procurement bill. By a 15-0 vote with no abstentions, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1962, or the proposed Government Contracting and Procurement Integrity Act, on third and final reading on September 2. The measure would prohibit relatives of covered government offic

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Nxled Wins Must-Win Battle vs Farm Fresh—But Will It Be Enough to Reach the PVL Finals?

MANILA, Philippines — Nxled did its part. Now, the Chameleons can only wait. The Chameleons kept their hopes of reaching the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational finals alive on Sunday after defeating the already-eliminated Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The victory was crucial for Nxled, which entered the final day of the preliminary round needing a win to remain in contention for one of the two championship berths. But despite comp

September 6, 2026

Sport

MALI STUNS SPAIN AT THE WORLD CUP — AND NOW THE ENTIRE GROUP A IS WIDE OPEN

BERLIN, Germany — Mali produced one of the biggest shocks of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup so far, stunning powerhouse Spain 82-73 Saturday to claim a historic victory and throw Group A wide open. The result marked only the second World Cup victory in Mali’s history. Its previous win came against Senegal in overtime at the 2010 tournament. Mali had also entered the game having lost its opening match to Japan, 102-97, making Saturday’s turnaround even more remarkable. But this was no fl

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Mas Mahal Na Ba ang Pagmamay-ari ng Sasakyan? Palace Still Reviewing Proposed MVUC Hike

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has yet to make a final decision on a proposal that could significantly increase the fees paid by Filipino motorists, as the Department of Finance (DOF) pushes for an overhaul of the decades-old Motor Vehicle Users Charge (MVUC). Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the proposed MVUC increase remains under review and stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has not yet taken a final position on the measure. The government, she said, must carefully wei

September 6, 2026

Philippines

BARMM Polls at a Turning Point: Peace Adviser Issues Urgent Appeal to Candidates and Parties

COTABATO CITY, BARMM — With the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) preparing for its first regular parliamentary elections on September 14, Presidential Peace Adviser Mel Senen Sarmiento is urging candidates, political parties and other stakeholders to put peace, democratic participation and electoral integrity above political rivalry. Sarmiento, who heads the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), has emphasized that the success of

September 6, 2026