Category: Asia

Philippines

EDSA Rehab Work Triggered a Massive Traffic Snarl — Now the Contractor Could Face a ₱50,000 Fine, and That’s Not the Project’s Only Problem

MANILA, Philippines — A weekend road repair meant to improve EDSA instead left motorists trapped in a major traffic bottleneck — and now the contractor behind the rehabilitation work could face a ₱50,000 penalty for allegedly failing to put enough traffic personnel on the ground. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to penalize the contractor following severe congestion along the Guadalupe-to-Shaw Bo

August 26, 2026

Philippines

43 Gun-Related Incidents Hit BARMM Despite Election Gun Ban as Historic Sept. 14 Polls Near

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Less than three weeks before the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao holds its historic first regular parliamentary elections, police have recorded 43 gun-related incidents across BARMM since the election gun ban took effect on July 16, leaving 14 people dead and eight others wounded. The latest figures, released by the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), underline the security challenge facing authorities as approximately 2.3

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Supreme Court’s Baguio Building Gets Heritage Marker, Cementing Its Place in Philippine Judicial History

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A building that has quietly witnessed decades of Supreme Court deliberations in the City of Pines is receiving new national attention after the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled a historical marker recognizing the significance of the Supreme Court’s Baguio Building. The marker, titled “Gusali ng Korte Suprema ng Pilipinas sa Baguio,” was unveiled at the SC Baguio Compound on August 24, 2026, as the Supreme Court celebrates its 125th anniversar

August 26, 2026

Business

BNP Paribas and KB Kookmin Eye $2 Billion Techcombank Stake—But One Big Hurdle Could Decide the Winner

Vietnam’s booming banking sector may be on the verge of landing one of its biggest foreign investment deals yet—but the price tag could prove to be the ultimate deal-breaker. France’s BNP Paribas and South Korea’s KB Kookmin Bank are reportedly in separate talks to acquire at least a 15% strategic stake in Vietnam’s Techcombank, in a potential transaction valued at around $2 billion, according to sources familiar with the discussions. If completed, the deal would give the winning bidder a majo

August 26, 2026

Asia

Four Missing People Found Dead in Jeju—Now South Korea Is Asking: Who Was Watching the Police?

SEOUL, South Korea — The discovery of four people who had been reported missing and were later found dead on South Korea's Jeju Island has triggered a national outcry, placing the country's police force under intense scrutiny just as it prepares to take on greater investigative powers. President Lee Jae Myung has called for stronger police accountability following allegations that at least two missing-person cases were prematurely closed by the same officer without confirmation that the individ

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Ligutan Defends Viral Post on ‘Misleading Questions’: ‘It’s Not Personal, It’s About the Law’

MANILA, Philippines — What began as a tense courtroom exchange has spilled into a wider debate over legal ethics, social media and the rules governing cross-examination in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan stood by his viral Facebook post about misleading questions on Wednesday, insisting that his message was never meant as a personal attack against any member of the defense team. “It’s not personal. It’s about the law,” Ligutan main

August 26, 2026

Business

Japan’s Oil Lifeline Is Under Pressure—Tokyo’s Next Move Could Reshape Asia’s Energy Security

Japan is preparing to strengthen its energy defenses after months of disruption exposed just how vulnerable one of the world's biggest economies remains to a crisis far beyond its shores. Tokyo is expected to unveil a sweeping energy-resilience plan aimed at reducing its dependence on crude oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic chokepoint that has become a major concern following the Iran war and disruptions to Middle Eastern energy flows. The proposed measures include

August 26, 2026

Philippines

BOJ Chief Ueda Skips Jackson Hole as Markets Turn to G20—and a Crucial Japan Rate Decision

TOKYO — Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda will skip this week's closely watched Jackson Hole economic symposium, shifting investors' attention toward the upcoming G20 gathering and the increasingly urgent question hanging over Japan's economy: Is another interest-rate hike coming sooner than expected? The Bank of Japan said Wednesday that board member Naoki Tamura will attend the U.S. Federal Reserve's annual meeting in Wyoming in Ueda's place because of scheduling conflicts. The unusual substi

August 26, 2026

Business

Chinese Humanoid Robot Runs 100 Meters in 8.86 Seconds—But Its Dramatic Finish Reveals How Far Robots Still Have to Go

BEIJING — A Chinese humanoid robot has stunned the world after sprinting 100 meters in just 8.86 seconds at the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing—faster than the 9.58-second human world record famously held by Usain Bolt. But there was a dramatic catch. The robot, Tiangong Ultra, reportedly struggled to stop after crossing the finish line and crashed into the barrier, highlighting a crucial reality behind the jaw-dropping performance: today's humanoid robots may be getting incredibly

August 26, 2026

Business

Disney Adventure Finally Adds Langkawi Stop—And It Could Change the Way Asia Cruises

SINGAPORE — For months, the Disney Adventure offered something different from the traditional cruise holiday: guests boarded in Singapore, spent their entire voyage enjoying Disney magic at sea, and returned without ever stepping foot in another destination. Now, that is changing. Disney Cruise Line has announced that select four-night Disney Adventure sailings will begin calling at Langkawi, Malaysia, giving passengers the chance to combine the ship's blockbuster entertainment with an actual

August 26, 2026