Category: Asia

Asia

EU Moves to Shut Off Waste Exports to Non-OECD Nations—Aluminium Scrap Caught in Sweeping New Plan

BRUSSELS — The European Union is preparing a sweeping new move to restrict waste exports to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with aluminium scrap among the materials that could be affected. The proposal marks a significant shift from a narrower trade measure that EU officials had been preparing for September. European Commission Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné has instead decided to pursue a br

September 5, 2026

Politics

Singapore’s Secret Intelligence Agency Is Opening Up—But What Is It Really Protecting From Public View?

SINGAPORE — It operates largely away from the public spotlight, deals with information that can affect national security and has historically revealed little about its operations. But Singapore’s Security and Intelligence Division (SID) is no longer quite as invisible as it once was. The agency has been gradually providing the public with more information about its mission, history and recruitment—offering a rare glimpse into one of Singapore’s most closely guarded government organisations. T

September 5, 2026

Sport

Japan Sets World Cup Record as Caitlin Clark Makes History in U.S. Rout—And the Tournament Is Just Getting Started

BERLIN — The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup opened with fireworks in Berlin as Japan rewrote the record books from beyond the arc while Caitlin Clark delivered a history-making debut to help the United States launch its title defense with a convincing victory. Japan survived a determined Mali side, 102-97, behind a remarkable shooting performance from Saki Hayashi, who buried nine three-pointers to establish a new individual record in Women’s World Cup history. Japan also made history as a

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Posts ₱360K Bail After Arrest Warrant—But Her Legal Battle With Marcos Is Far From Over

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte posted ₱360,000 in bail on Saturday, September 5, 2026, a day after a Quezon City court issued a warrant for her arrest over three counts of grave threats involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 set bail at ₱120,000 for each count. After Duterte posted bail, the court lifted the arrest warrant, allowing her to leave the cou

September 5, 2026

Asia

UN Just Changed How the World Is Mapped—And Africa Suddenly Looks MUCH Bigger

The world map millions of people have grown up seeing could soon look very different. The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly backed a resolution promoting a new way of depicting the world—one that gives a far more accurate picture of the relative size of continents, particularly Africa. The resolution, led by Togo and backed by African countries, passed on September 4 with 164 votes in favor, one against and six abstentions. The United States was the only country to vote agains

September 5, 2026

Philippines

SC Sets Limits on Drug Search Warrants: Evidence Found Inside Home May Not Always Be Used in Court

MANILA, Philippines — A Supreme Court ruling is drawing renewed attention to the limits of police searches after the high court ruled that credit cards seized during a search authorized only for illegal drugs could not be used as evidence in a separate credit-card fraud case. The ruling, involving Edgar Silvano, reinforces a fundamental constitutional protection: law enforcement officers generally may seize only the items specifically covered by a valid search warrant, unless a recognized excep

September 5, 2026

Philippines

Palace Says Davao Got ₱53.11 Billion Since 2022—So Why Does Paolo Duterte Claim the City Got No Fiscal Support?

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has pushed back against claims that Davao City received little or no financial support from the national government, citing government records showing that the city and its barangays received approximately ₱53.11 billion in national funds from 2022 through 2026. The Palace's response came after Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte questioned the level of national government funding received by Davao City under the Marcos administration. Palace Pr

September 5, 2026

Business

Colon Night Market Vendors Hit by Brownouts—But Cebu’s Power Problem Runs Deeper

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The lights may be drawing crowds to Cebu’s revived Colon Night Market, but increasingly frequent power interruptions are making it harder for some vendors to keep their businesses running. Rotational brownouts have become an added challenge for vendors who depend heavily on electricity for lighting, food preparation, refrigeration and other equipment during the market’s busiest evening hours. The disruptions come as the wider Visayas power grid continues to struggle wi

September 5, 2026

Entertainment

Robert Pattinson Turns Dark in New Thriller About a Controversial TV Predator Sting—But Chris Hansen Isn’t Happy

The Twilight and The Batman star plays controversial television journalist Chris Hansen in Primetime, a dark psychological thriller inspired by the rise of NBC's To Catch a Predator—the reality-TV series that became a cultural phenomenon by confronting adults accused of trying to meet minors online. The film, directed by Lance Oppenheim and written by Ajon Singh, is set in 2006, during the height of the show's popularity. A24 has scheduled Primetime for a theatrical release on September 25, 202

September 5, 2026

Business

₱18.5-M Shabu Seized in 3-City Police Blitz—But One Suspect Is Still Missing

MANILA, Philippines — A series of anti-illegal drug operations across Pampanga, Batangas and Iloilo yielded approximately 2.7 kilograms of suspected shabu worth ₱18.5 million and led to the arrest of five people, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). The operations were conducted on September 2, 2026, with the biggest haul coming from an intercepted parcel at the Clark Freeport Zone in Mabalacat City, Pampanga. According to the PNP, joint law enforcement personnel discovered appro

September 5, 2026