Category: Asia

Japan

Two “Manju Shop” Votes Could Cost Japan’s Mayor His Job—Here’s Why the Court Said They Don’t Count

TOKYO — Two handwritten ballots containing the words “manju shop” and “Mr. Dango” have become the unlikely center of a Japanese election dispute that could determine who leads the city of Kamisu in Ibaraki Prefecture. On Sept. 3, the Tokyo High Court upheld a decision invalidating the two ballots, rejecting Kamisu Mayor Toshiyuki Kiuchi’s challenge against the Ibaraki Prefectural Election Commission. The ruling could ultimately cost Kiuchi his mayoral position if it becomes final. It started

September 5, 2026

Business

Trump Calls Iran Conflict “Small Potatoes” as U.S. Toll Mounts—But What Happens Next Could Be Far Bigger

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing back against efforts to describe the ongoing confrontation with Iran as a full-scale war, calling the conflict “small potatoes” for the United States and defending Vice President JD Vance, who said the fighting should not be labeled a war. Trump made the remarks Friday, September 4, after Vance said a day earlier that he would not call the months-long U.S.-Iran fighting a war because there was no active shooting at that particular moment. The

September 5, 2026

Philippines

CESAFI Basketball Is Back—and Dondon Hontiveros’ Coaching Debut Could Steal the Spotlight

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Basketball action in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) is set to resume Sunday, September 6, after the league temporarily halted games amid concerns over Metro Cebu’s deteriorating air quality. The return immediately carries added excitement as former PBA star Dondon Hontiveros prepares to make his coaching debut with the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) Webmasters. According to the latest CESAFI schedule, UCLM will face the UC-Main Web

September 5, 2026

Philippines

70 Groups Draw the Line on Pax Silica in the Philippines—But the Bigger Fight May Just Be Beginning

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition to the United States-led Pax Silica initiative is gaining momentum in the Philippines, with a coalition representing at least 70 organizations calling for a reassessment of the proposed Economic Security Zone (ESZ) in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. The Network Opposed to Pax Silica (NO to Pax Silica) was formally launched on Aug. 31 in Quezon City, bringing together Aeta and farming communities, environmental advocates, scientists, faith-based groups, students,

September 5, 2026

Thailand

Thailand Seizes 7,411 Uncertified Electrical Items in Samut Prakan—And Authorities Warn of a Fire Risk

SAMUT PRAKAN, Thailand — A consumer complaint about a potentially substandard fan has led Thai authorities to a warehouse in Samut Prakan, where officials seized 7,411 electrical appliances and electronic products worth more than 2.5 million baht that were found without the required Thai Industrial Standards (TIS) mark and QR code. The operation was carried out by Thailand's special “Top Gun” enforcement task force together with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) at a fulfillment wa

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Ebdane Raises Alert as Habagat Returns — And Zambales Is Still Recovering From Earlier Flood Damage

ZAMBALES, Philippines — Zambales authorities are tightening their watch as the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, continues to bring rain to the province, with officials warning that already vulnerable communities could face renewed flooding and landslides. Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has ordered heightened vigilance across Zambales as forecasters expect the monsoon to continue affecting the province and other parts of Luzon. The warning comes as Zambales continues to deal with damage from week

September 5, 2026

Philippines

DepEd Moves to Overhaul Scouting in Schools—Here’s What Could Change for Filipino Learners

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is moving to modernize the implementation of scouting programs in Philippine schools, with new discussions focused on making the activities more inclusive, relevant and responsive to the realities faced by learners today. The policy review could reshape how scouting is implemented in basic education as the agency works with major scouting organizations to revisit rules that have been in place for more than a decade. DepEd Secretary Sonn

September 5, 2026

Thailand

Thailand Orders Deportation of Israeli National After Koh Samui Threat Conviction

Thailand has ordered the deportation of Israeli national Yaacov Ohayon following his conviction by a Thai court over threatening messages that authorities said caused fear and alarm on Koh Samui. Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed the deportation order on September 5, 2026, adding a significant new development to a dispute that has attracted intense attention in Thailand and online. According to The Nation, Ohayon was convicted by the Koh Samui Provincial Court und

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Celsius Faces Court Setback as P1.5-Billion Kalinga Mining Stake Heads Toward Auction—But the Legal Fight Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — Australian-listed mining company Celsius Resources Ltd. is fighting to prevent the planned auction of its 40-percent interest in the Makilala Mining Company Inc. (MMCI), which is associated with the Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) Copper-Gold Project in Kalinga. The legal battle intensified after the Makati Regional Trial Court denied a petition by Celsius subsidiary Makilala Holding Ltd. (MHL) seeking interim protection against the foreclosure and possible sale of its MMCI

September 5, 2026

Sport

ARYNA SABALENKA STOPS US OPEN MATCH OVER STRONG MARIJUANA SMELL — THEN REVEALS WHAT REALLY DISTRACTED HER

NEW YORK — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was briefly forced to deal with an unusual distraction during her third-round match at the 2026 US Open after complaining to the chair umpire about a strong marijuana smell drifting into Louis Armstrong Stadium. The two-time defending champion was facing Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Friday when she suddenly stopped play during the opening set and alerted umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore to the odor. “Someone is smoking weed,” Sabalenka told the umpire, aski

September 5, 2026