Category: Asia

Business

Tesla Faces New Legal Pressure in Australia as Judge Considers Access to Its Secret Engineering Systems

SYDNEY — Tesla is facing another major legal hurdle in Australia after a Federal Court judge suggested that an independent expert could be given access to the company’s internal engineering systems as part of a class-action lawsuit involving thousands of Tesla owners. The proposal by Federal Court Judge Tom Thawley could change the way the long-running case handles the discovery of technical evidence, potentially allowing an independent expert to examine Tesla’s engineering platforms directly r

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Abra’s Tineg-Malanas River Swells and Floods Low-Lying Areas — But the Bigger Threat May Be What the Next Rains Bring

DOLORES, Abra — Residents in flood-prone parts of Abra are being urged to remain alert after the Tineg-Malanas River swelled under days of monsoon rain, inundating low-lying areas and pushing the province’s major river system closer to potentially dangerous levels. The river continued rising in Dolores on Monday, Aug. 31, as persistent rains from the southwest monsoon, or habagat, soaked Northern Luzon. According to the Abra River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, the entire stretch o

September 1, 2026

Philippines

RANDOM DRUG TESTS HIT ILOILO TAXI DRIVERS—AND AUTHORITIES AREN’T STOPPING THERE

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Authorities have intensified efforts to keep public transportation drug-free as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) conducted random drug testing among taxi drivers in Iloilo City. The latest operation targeted drivers of Jhelord Taxi, which operates 154 taxi units and has about 160 drivers. Company management coordinated with PDEA and LTO for the surprise screening, with approximately 50 to 60 drivers randomly selected

September 1, 2026

Philippines

NLEX San Simon Flooding Traps Motorists for Hours — But the Bigger Problem Is Where the Water Has Nowhere to Go

PAMPANGA, Philippines — Motorists heading through the North Luzon Expressway faced another punishing commute Tuesday morning as rising floodwaters around San Simon, Pampanga forced traffic diversions, closed several entry points and left long lines of cars, buses and cargo trucks crawling toward northern Luzon. The disruption centered on the San Simon Interchange and Tulaoc section of NLEX, where floodwater linked to the rising Pampanga River continued to spill into portions of the expressway a

September 1, 2026

Philippines

56 Chinese Vessels Spotted in West Philippine Sea in August—But the Numbers Tell Only Part of the Story

MANILA, Philippines — The presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea increased in August, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) monitoring 56 Chinese naval and coast guard vessels during the month. The figure represents an increase from the 48 Chinese vessels recorded in July, highlighting the continued presence of Chinese maritime forces around key Philippine-claimed features in the West Philippine Sea. The latest AFP monitoring covers Chinese vessels from the People's Li

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Cayetano Fires Back at Lacson Over ₱3.7-B Taguig Lakeshore Claim: “Show the Evidence”

MANILA, Philippines — The dispute between Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson over infrastructure projects and reclamation areas along Laguna Lake in Taguig City has intensified, with Cayetano challenging Lacson to present evidence supporting his claim that billions of pesos in public funds may have been wasted. Lacson recently said that at least ₱3.713 billion in government funds was involved in completed, ongoing and suspended Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

September 1, 2026

Entertainment

Joy Barcoma Steps Away From ‘Dogshow Divas’ to ‘Protect My Peace’ — But the Story Behind the Podcast Shake-Up Started Months Ago

MANILA, Philippines — Joy Barcoma is stepping away from Dogshow Divas, ending—for now—one of the podcast’s most talked-about hosting combinations just months after her guest appearances turned into a recurring role alongside Baus Rufo. The former beauty queen and television host said she was making the decision as a way of protecting her peace, according to a GMA News report on her announcement. But Barcoma’s exit lands in the middle of a much bigger story surrounding Dogshow Divas: months of

September 1, 2026

Politics

Trump Vows to Hit Iran ‘Hard’ After Missiles Target US Bases — But the Next Flashpoint Could Shake the World’s Oil Supply

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN — The US-Iran conflict is threatening to explode back into open military confrontation after the first major exchange of direct fire in roughly a month, with President Donald Trump promising a forceful response and new attacks putting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz back at the center of the crisis. The latest escalation began after US forces struck Iranian military positions on Larak Island, an Iranian island sitting inside the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Olongapo Flood Sparks Solar Farm Controversy—But DENR Reveals a Critical Detail

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — Severe flooding in Olongapo has reignited a contentious debate over a solar farm project on a nearby mountain, with residents questioning whether changes to the landscape may have contributed to the unusually high floodwaters. But while residents have pointed to the solar project as a possible factor, authorities and the project's developer have stressed that the actual cause of the flooding has yet to be established. The controversy intensified after heavy rains b

September 1, 2026

Philippines

Simpleng Alitan sa Pagparada, Nauwi sa Pamamaril—7-Taong-Gulang na Bata, Kabilang sa Tatlong Sugatan

HINIGARAN, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — Nauwi sa pamamaril ang isang pagtatalo tungkol sa nakaparadang sasakyan sa Barangay Dos, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, na ikinasugat ng tatlong katao, kabilang ang isang 7-taong-gulang na bata. Batay sa paunang ulat ng pulisya na iniulat ng GMA Regional TV Ratsada Balita, nagsimula ang insidente nang hilingin umano ng suspek na bahagyang ilipat ang isang sasakyang nakaparada sa gilid ng kalsada upang makadaan. Sa halip na matapos sa simpleng pag-uusap, uminit uma

September 1, 2026