Category: Asia

Thailand

Thai Doctor Probed After Allegedly Insulting Gold-Card Patients—Now 26,544 Could Be Affected

BANGKOK — A controversy over a doctor allegedly insulting patients who use Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme has escalated into a wider investigation after health authorities found several problems at the clinic involved, while Thailand’s Medical Council prepares to examine whether the doctor breached professional ethics. The case began after a patient complained about allegedly abusive and demeaning language used by a doctor at a private clinic in Khlong Sam Wa district of Bangkok. The do

September 5, 2026

Philippines

2 Nabbed After Consolacion Kidnap Turns Deadly—But Police Are Still Hunting for Answers

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A kidnapping case in Consolacion, Cebu has taken a grim turn after authorities arrested two key suspects and identified two other persons of interest in the abduction of a 57-year-old man whose body was later found in the mountains of Cebu City. The arrests came after an intensive, multi-agency hot pursuit operation launched following the reported abduction of Leo Leaño, a resident of Barangay Nangka, Consolacion. Leaño was reportedly abducted on Thursday, September 3,

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Chooses Bail Over Police Custody—But Her Warning About Her Safety Raises New Questions

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte appeared at the Quezon City Hall of Justice on Saturday and posted bail in the grave threats case against her, saying she would rather remain under civilian protection than be placed in police custody. Duterte arrived at the court a day after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 issued a warrant for her arrest on three counts of grave threats. The court found probable cause to hold her for trial and set bail at ₱120,000 for each count,

September 5, 2026

Business

Japan Moves Forward With $550-Billion U.S. Investment Pact—But the Next Phase Could Change Everything

TOKYO/WASHINGTON — Japan says it is making progress on a massive $550-billion investment initiative with the United States, with artificial intelligence and semiconductor projects emerging as potentially crucial areas in the next stage of the agreement. Japanese Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said Tokyo and Washington will continue working closely to implement the investment framework after meetings in Washington with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson

September 5, 2026

Entertainment

Yeng Constantino May Huling Hiling Para Kay Ryan Bang—Pero Ang Dahilan, Mas Malalim Kaysa Akala ng Marami

MANILA, Philippines — Sa gitna ng muling pag-usbong ng kanilang “what if” love story, isang bagay ang malinaw para kay Yeng Constantino: nais niyang makita si Ryan Bang na makahanap ng taong tunay na makakapantay sa pagmamahal na kaya nitong ibigay. Sa isang media conference para sa bagong season ng “The Voice Kids,” sinabi ni Yeng na naniniwala siyang darating ang tamang tao para kay Ryan. “Siyempre naman, makakahanap at makakahanap si Ryan.” Giit ng singer, hindi dapat pagdudahan ni Ryan an

September 5, 2026

Malaysia

Sarawak Haze Crisis Explodes as Serian Hits Emergency Level—Now Businesses Face a Major Disruption

KUCHING, Malaysia — A worsening haze crisis has pushed Malaysia’s Sarawak state into an emergency situation, with Serian Division recording an Air Pollutant Index (API) above 500, forcing authorities to impose extraordinary measures as smoke from fires in neighbouring Indonesian Kalimantan continues to blanket parts of Borneo. The emergency declaration came after Serian’s API climbed to 515 at 5pm on Sept. 4, after reaching 510 earlier in the day. Under Malaysia’s air-quality classification, re

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Cayetano Hits Back at Lacson’s Taguig Probe: “It’s Like a Striptease” — But What Happens When the Evidence Reaches the Ombudsman?

MANILA, Philippines — The political clash between Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is intensifying as allegations surrounding infrastructure and reclamation projects in Taguig City continue to draw scrutiny from government investigators. Cayetano has accused Lacson of engaging in what he described as a “trial by publicity,” “witch hunt,” and “demolition job,” arguing that allegations have been released piecemeal without sufficient evidence being presente

September 5, 2026

Japan

Japan’s Yakushima Buried Under Nearly 500mm of Rain—Then the Highest Landslide Warning Was Triggered

TOKYO — A powerful combination of tropical storm moisture and a stalled weather front has unleashed extraordinary rainfall across southwestern Japan, prompting authorities to issue the country's highest landslide emergency warning for Yakushima Town in Kagoshima Prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the Level 5 emergency landslide warning at 5:10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, warning that a disaster may already have occurred and urging people in affected areas to immediately sec

September 5, 2026

Business

DIESEL MAY SURGE BY P5.50/L NEXT WEEK — AND THE REASON COULD HIT EVERY FILIPINO’S WALLET

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino motorists could be in for another painful trip to the pump next week, with diesel prices potentially rising by as much as P5.50 per liter and gasoline by up to P4.50 per liter. The projected increase comes just days after motorists received temporary relief from fuel prices, raising concerns that the latest surge in global oil costs could quickly erase the benefit of this week’s rollback. Based on full-week trading from August 31 to September 4, an oil industry s

September 5, 2026

Japan

Japan’s Takaichi Signals Cabinet Continuity as Motegi and Katayama Set to Stay

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering keeping Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama in their posts as she prepares for a Cabinet reshuffle expected in mid-September, according to Japanese government sources. The possible decision is emerging as Takaichi seeks to strengthen her political base while maintaining continuity on two fronts that are increasingly important to Japan: foreign policy and economic management. The move could also c

September 5, 2026