Category: Asia

Philippines

Western Visayas Police Put Youth at the Center of School Safety Drive

PRO-6 urges students to speak up, reject misinformation and help build safer campuses as schools strengthen preparedness against bullying, drugs and violent threats ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Young people are being urged to become active partners in keeping schools safe as police in Western Visayas intensify efforts to prevent crime, respond to emergencies and address problems that can threaten students and school communities. Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño

September 4, 2026

Politics

Former DPWH Chief Manuel Bonoan Released From Detention After Sandiganbayan Drops Him From Flood Control Cases

Ex-public works secretary is now free after court recalled his arrest warrant — but another graft case remains pending MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan has been released from detention following a Sandiganbayan order removing him as an accused in the plunder and graft cases linked to the alleged ₱573.75-million flood control kickback scheme. Bonoan left the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quez

September 4, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Is Still Clean—but This New Survey Reveals Where Standards Are Starting to Slip

SINGAPORE — Singapore remains widely regarded as one of the world’s cleanest cities, but a new survey shows that public satisfaction with cleanliness has slipped—and some of the sharpest declines are being seen in everyday neighbourhood spaces and public toilets. The 2025 Public Cleanliness Satisfaction Survey, conducted by the Singapore Management University (SMU), found that 91% of respondents were satisfied with the cleanliness of public spaces they had recently visited, down from 94% in 202

September 4, 2026

Politics

Marcos Signs Expanded Free College Law: Poor Students, 4Ps Beneficiaries to Get Priority in Government Aid

MANILA, Philippines — A major change to the Philippines’ free college education program is now official. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday, September 4, signed Republic Act No. 12325, amending the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (RA 10931) and expanding government assistance for disadvantaged students pursuing college and technical-vocational education. The new law puts greater emphasis on making sure that government education assistance reaches students wh

September 4, 2026

Politics

NBI to File Qualified Human Trafficking Charges vs. Leviste, Paras Over Alleged ‘Honey Trap’ Plot

Bureau says investigation found elements of qualified human trafficking in alleged scheme targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto; respondents deny accusations MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to bring a qualified human trafficking complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, former Negros Oriental lawmaker Jacinto “Jing” Paras, and other individuals over an alleged “honey trap” operation

September 4, 2026

Entertainment

Miss World 2026 Finale Is Almost Here—But Will Asia Rose Simpson Make the Final Cut?

The Miss World 2026 finale is set to take place on September 5 in Nha Trang, Vietnam, where 111 national delegates will battle for the coveted blue crown in what is also a landmark celebration of Miss World’s 75th anniversary. But this year's coronation night will be different from a conventional pageant. Instead of simply watching contestants progress through familiar elimination rounds, viewers will see a revamped competition format that takes the field from Top 40 to Top 20, Top 12 and fina

September 4, 2026

Politics

South Korea Faces New US Chip Tariff Pressure—But Seoul Has a $350 Billion Card to Play

SEOUL — South Korea and the United States are discussing semiconductor investment in the US as Washington prepares a new tariff policy for imported chips, raising fresh uncertainty for major Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. A South Korean presidential official said Friday that semiconductors are among the investment-related issues currently being discussed with Washington. The official acknowledged that separate issues in the broader US-South Korea relationship can affect one

September 4, 2026

Asia

Indonesia’s Free School Meals Under Fire: Rights Body Demands Police Probe After 2,000 Fall Ill

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s ambitious free school meals programme is facing renewed scrutiny after around 2,000 students and teachers fell ill in a series of suspected food-poisoning incidents, prompting the country’s top human rights body to call for a police investigation. The incidents have intensified concerns over food safety and oversight of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) programme, which was launched to help tackle malnutrition among Indonesian children. The

September 4, 2026

Philippines

PNP Seeks Tougher SIM Registration Law as Cybercrimes Continue to Rise

Proposed changes could tighten identity verification, SIM ownership and transfers as police warn criminals are still exploiting registered numbers MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is pushing for amendments to the country’s SIM Card Registration Act, saying stronger safeguards are needed as criminals continue to use mobile numbers in scams, identity exploitation and other cybercrimes. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force is prepared to provid

September 4, 2026

Entertainment

Rebecca Lim Breaks Her Silence on Postpartum Struggles: “The Pressure to Bounce Back Is Real”

Singaporean actress Rebecca Lim has opened up about the less visible side of motherhood, revealing that life three months after welcoming her second child has not always been easy. In a candid Instagram post on Sept. 2, the 39-year-old actress spoke about body image, self-acceptance and the pressure many new mothers face to quickly return to their pre-pregnancy appearance. Lim said she is deeply grateful for her children and the support system around her, but acknowledged that there are days w

September 4, 2026