Category: Asia

Business

Mexico’s Biggest Drug Bust Yet? 16.8 Tons of Meth Seized in Sinaloa as Authorities Shut Down Massive Secret Labs

MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities have dealt a major blow to the country’s illegal synthetic-drug industry after seizing approximately 16.8 tons of suspected methamphetamine and shutting down three clandestine laboratories in Sinaloa, including a sprawling facility covering about 5,700 square meters. The operation, carried out by Mexico’s Navy, the Attorney General’s Office and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, took place around the communities of Corralejo and Corral Viejo on

September 5, 2026

Thailand

Thailand’s Sex-Work Debate Explodes as Pattaya Faces Global Spotlight

Thailand’s long-running debate over sex-work decriminalisation has returned to the national spotlight, with Pattaya once again at the centre of attention as thousands of U.S. military personnel visit the area. The issue is bigger than Pattaya’s nightlife. At its core is a question that Thailand has struggled with for decades: should consensual sex work between adults remain a criminal-law issue, or should the country move toward a system focused on labour rights, safety and regulation? Recent

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Court Backs Permanent Disability Benefits for Filipino Seafarer—And the Medical Deadline Became the Turning Point

MANILA — The Court of Appeals has upheld an award of total and permanent disability benefits to a Filipino seafarer, emphasizing that employers cannot rely on an incomplete medical assessment when determining whether an injured or ill seafarer is fit to return to work. The ruling adds to a growing body of Philippine jurisprudence stressing that medical evaluations in seafarer disability cases must be timely, final and definitive—a requirement that can have major financial consequences for marit

September 5, 2026

Entertainment

Rene Q. Bas, Last of a Newspaper Era, Dies at 88 — But His Legacy Goes Far Beyond The Manila Times

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine journalism has lost one of its veteran figures. Rene Q. Bas, the longtime journalist, editor and author who became one of the defining figures of The Manila Times, has died at 88. Bas was born in Manila on June 17, 1938, and died at his home on September 3 following a lingering infection, according to a September 5 report by The Manila Times. His death closes another chapter in the history of Philippine newspapering — particularly for a generation of journalis

September 5, 2026

Politics

Cambodia Turns Back Toward the US With Military Drills Set to Resume—But China Factor Looms Large

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia and the United States are preparing to revive a major bilateral military exercise in February 2027, marking a significant step in rebuilding defense ties after nearly a decade of suspended drills. The Royal Cambodian Army announced that the two countries have agreed to resume Exercise Angkor Sentinel, with the upcoming edition scheduled for February 2027. The announcement followed an Initial Planning Conference held in Cambodia from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 involving C

September 5, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Police Probe Racist Online Comments Targeting Indians—Shanmugam Warns: “They Should Be Unmasked”

SINGAPORE — Singapore authorities are investigating a wave of racist and xenophobic comments posted online in connection with two unrelated developments: the deadly Nepal floods involving nine missing Singaporeans, and Singapore Airlines’ investment in financially troubled Air India. Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam said on Sept. 5 that the comments were “shameful,” “nasty” and unacceptable, warning that allowing racial prejudice to become normalised o

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Davao Got ₱53.11 Billion From National Funds Since 2022—But the Palace Says That’s Not the Full Story

MANILA, Philippines — The Duterte camp’s claim that Davao City received little or no national government funding in recent years is facing renewed scrutiny after Malacañang disclosed that the city government and its barangays received a combined ₱53.11 billion in National Tax Allotment and other national government releases from Fiscal Years 2022 to 2026. Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro released the figures on Friday, September 4, disputi

September 5, 2026

Thailand

Thailand’s COVID-19 Pattern Is Changing as Cases Near 100,000—But Flu and RSV Are Rising Too

BANGKOK — Thailand is seeing a changing pattern of COVID-19 transmission, with infections continuing to rise alongside seasonal respiratory illnesses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). But health authorities say the latest increase does not signal a return to the pandemic-era situation. Instead, Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) says COVID-19 is increasingly being observed alongside other respiratory infections, while experts continue to study whether the vir

September 5, 2026

Politics

TRUMP CALLS IRAN CONFLICT “SMALL POTATOES” — BUT 18 U.S. TROOPS ARE DEAD AND THE FIGHTING ISN’T OVER

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump is downplaying the months-long conflict with Iran, calling the confrontation “small potatoes” for the United States while backing Vice President JD Vance’s controversial position that the ongoing fighting should not be described as a war. Trump made the remarks Friday, September 4, as reporters questioned him about Vance’s comments a day earlier. Vance had said he “wouldn’t call it a war,” arguing that there was currently no active shooting despite repea

September 5, 2026

Philippines

DPWH Moves to Overhaul Flood Plans Nationwide—But the Bigger Problem May Be What Happened to the Old Ones

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is moving to update the country’s flood-management master plans as the government confronts increasingly severe flooding, changing climate conditions and decades-old infrastructure strategies. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has directed the department to update flood-management frameworks covering the country’s 18 major river basins and other critical waterways, with the goal of ensuring that future flood-control proje

September 5, 2026