Category: Asia

Politics

Thailand’s Administrative Court Warns NBTC Over Saran Case Coverage — What the Court Actually Ruled

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Administrative Court has warned the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) after finding that parts of an official NBTC news release about a court case involving its chairman, Dr. Saran Boonbaichaiyapruk, could give the public a misleading impression about what the court had actually decided. The dispute centers on a Supreme Administrative Court order that allowed Saran’s lawsuit to proceed over a selection committee decision concerning his qualifica

September 6, 2026

Philippines

BIR Tightens the Net on ‘Ghost’ Tax Forms—New Printing Rules Could Expose Every Extra Copy

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has tightened its grip on the printing of sensitive tax forms, rolling out stricter controls designed to prevent unauthorized copies, missing documents and other irregularities that could potentially fuel fraud or corruption. Under Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 24-2026, the BIR now requires sensitive accountable forms to be produced exclusively in controlled areas within the premises of a recognized government printer. The new rul

September 6, 2026

Entertainment

Cherie Lim Returns to Acting After 32 Years — But Her New Role Is Nothing Like Her Old Life

Cherie Lim Returns to Acting After 32 Years — But Her New Role Is Nothing Like Her Old Life SINGAPORE — Former Singapore actress Cherie Lim is making a surprise return to acting more than three decades after stepping away from showbiz. But her comeback role could not be more different from the life she has lived away from the cameras. Cherie, who left the entertainment industry in 1994, will play a nosy fried chicken stall owner named Bing Bing in the upcoming 100-episode microdrama BingBingB

September 6, 2026

Philippines

592 Passengers at Sea, Two Vessels in Trouble: What Happened Off Zamboanga?

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two passenger vessels carrying a combined 592 passengers and 32 crew members encountered separate mechanical problems off Zamboanga City on the same Friday evening, prompting an immediate response from the Philippine Coast Guard. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members were safely assisted, with both vessels returning to the Port of Zamboanga. But the twin incidents, which happened within minutes of each other on the evening of Sept. 4, 2026, have now prompte

September 6, 2026

Asia

11 Days Buried, Then a Miracle: Two Survivors Pulled Alive From Nepal Flood Disaster

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Hope returned to disaster-stricken Nepal after rescuers pulled two people alive from separate locations on the 11th day of search-and-rescue operations following catastrophic floods that devastated communities along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors. A Chinese national was rescued from a hydropower tunnel in Rasuwa district, while a 64-year-old Nepali woman was found alive inside the upper floor of a mud-buried house in Betrawati, Nuwakot, according to Nepalese auth

September 6, 2026

Business

Tisa’s Famous Siomai Festival Gets Just P300K — Cebu City Council Wants P400K More

Tisa's Famous Siomai Festival Gets Just P300K — Cebu City Council Wants P400K More CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City's famous Siomai sa Tisa Festival may receive a major funding boost after city councilors questioned why one of the city's biggest barangay celebrations was initially allocated just P300,000 in financial assistance. Councilors are now asking the Cebu City Government to release an additional P400,000, potentially raising total City Hall assistance for this year's festival to P700

September 6, 2026

Entertainment

Iva Jovic Beats Best Friend Alex Eala in a Three-Hour US Open Thriller — But What Happened in the Final Set?

NEW YORK — Friendship had to wait. American teenager Iva Jovic and Philippine tennis star Alexandra Eala walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium as close friends. More than three hours later, only one could walk away with a place in the US Open fourth round. It was Jovic who survived. The 18-year-old American defeated the 21-year-old Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a dramatic third-round battle on Saturday, ending Eala’s run at the 2026 US Open while reaching the fourth round of the tournament for the first ti

September 6, 2026

Business

Francis Chua, Carlos Rufino Join Diplomatic Farewell for Ghana Envoy—But What Comes Next for PH-Ghana Ties?

MANILA, Philippines — Business leaders, diplomats and top figures from the Philippine diplomatic and business communities gathered to bid farewell to Ghana Ambassador Florence Buerki Akonor, marking the end of her diplomatic posting in the Philippines and signaling what could be a new chapter in relations between Manila and Accra. Among those who joined the send-off were Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Ferdinand Ferrer, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. presid

September 6, 2026

Philippines

House Panel Says Sara Duterte Confidential-Funds Case Is 70% Done — Then Comes the Evidence That Could Change Everything

Co said a large portion of the evidence and witnesses connected to Article I has already been presented before the Senate impeachment court. The prosecution plans to bring in additional people who allegedly have direct knowledge of how confidential funds were handled by offices under Duterte before closing its presentation. Among those already presented are two managers from government-owned banks, two Commission on Audit auditors, two military officials and two former executives who served un

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Leptospirosis Cases Surge 77% After Floods — DOH Warns Another Wave May Be Coming

Leptospirosis Cases Surge 77% After Floods — DOH Warns Another Wave May Be Coming MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health is sounding the alarm after leptospirosis cases surged sharply in the wake of weeks of torrential rains and widespread flooding, with health officials warning that another wave of infections could still be on the way. The latest figures show that 824 leptospirosis cases were recorded from Aug. 2 to 15, a staggering 77 percent increase from the 465 cases logged during

September 6, 2026