Category: Asia

Business

Boracay Just Passed a Major International Test—Could the World’s Best Swimmers Be Next?

BORACAY, Philippines — Boracay's successful hosting of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships could be more than just another sporting milestone for the world-famous island. Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) is now looking toward the possibility of bringing bigger international open-water swimming competitions to the country after the three-day championship in Boracay received positive feedback from participants and international officials. But while the ambition is growing, Phi

August 26, 2026

Philippines

HIV Cases in Philippines Drop 39% in Q2 2026 — But Experts Say the Bigger Story Is Still Unfolding

MANILA, Philippines — Newly reported HIV cases in the Philippines fell sharply in the second quarter of 2026, declining by 39 percent compared with the same period last year, according to the latest surveillance data from the Department of Health (DOH). The country recorded 2,994 newly confirmed HIV cases from April to June 2026, equivalent to an average of 33 new cases per day, based on data from the DOH's One HIV/AIDS & STI Information System (OHASIS). But while the latest numbers show a sig

August 26, 2026

Entertainment

Dolly Parton’s Death Sparks Global Outpouring of Tributes as Fans Remember a Legend

The world is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon whose extraordinary career, generosity and larger-than-life personality made her one of the most universally adored figures in entertainment. Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, in Nashville, Tennessee. Her death has triggered an emotional outpouring from fellow musicians, Hollywood stars, political leaders and millions of fans around the world. From the country music community to Hollywood, t

August 26, 2026

Business

PEZA Investments Surge 334% in August as Philippines Nears ₱300-Billion 2026 Target

MANILA, Philippines — Investment approvals by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) surged by 334.13 percent in August, giving the country’s investment pipeline a major boost as the agency moves closer to its ₱300-billion target for 2026. PEZA approved 22 new and expansion projects worth ₱64.565 billion during its August 20 board meeting. The figure was more than four times the ₱14.872 billion approved during the same month in 2025. The strong August performance helped push PEZA’s tota

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Iloilo Gets ₱344.2 Million Barangay Aid as Over 83,000 Families Targeted for Recurring Rice Assistance

ILOILO — A major government assistance package is reaching communities across Iloilo, with ₱344.2 million allocated to all 1,721 barangays in the province while more than 83,000 families are being targeted for recurring rice assistance under separate national government programs. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto led the rollout of the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Distribution and the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Assistance in Iloilo on Tuesday, August 25, as the national government stepped up effo

August 26, 2026

Politics

Trump Administration Pauses U.S. Visa Appointments Worldwide—But What Happens to Applicants Now

WASHINGTON — Thousands of people hoping to travel, study, work or reunite with family in the United States could face fresh uncertainty after the Trump administration announced a global adjustment to U.S. visa appointments as part of a new training initiative for consular officers. The U.S. State Department said the training is being rolled out at American embassies and consulates worldwide, with visa appointments being adjusted to accommodate the program. However, officials have not announced

August 26, 2026

Business

PH Air Force Set to Receive Final 7 Black Hawks—But That’s Not the Biggest Upgrade Yet

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is set to formally receive and commission seven additional S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, marking the completion of its 32-unit second-generation Black Hawk acquisition program under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. The seven helicopters are the final batch of 32 S-70i units acquired from Poland, a procurement program designed to significantly strengthen the country’s air mobility, disaster-response and operatio

August 26, 2026

Philippines

2028 Iloilo Race Heats Up: Defensor–Debuque Tandem Floated as Political Talks Intensify

ILOILO — The 2028 Iloilo elections may still be two years away, but early political maneuvering is already putting names and possible alliances under the spotlight. Among the combinations being discussed is a possible tandem involving Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz “Nonoy” Defensor and Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann “Lee Ann” Debuque. However, there is no confirmed 2028 candidacy or formal agreement between the two. The speculation comes as Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. approaches the end of his t

August 26, 2026

Philippines

A ₱1,000 Buy-Bust Led Police to a ‘High-Value’ Suspect in Calapan — Then They Found Three More Sachets

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A 31-year-old man classified by police as a “high-value individual” in the illegal drug trade was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Calapan City, as authorities continue a wider crackdown on illegal drugs across the MIMAROPA region. The operation took place Monday, August 24, 2026, in Barangay Sto. Niño, where an undercover police officer allegedly purchased a sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, or

August 26, 2026

Philippines

Iloilo Justice Complex Gets Green Light as Prosecutor Surge and Safety Concerns Push Need for New Facility

ILOILO CITY — A long-awaited new justice hub is moving closer to reality as the Iloilo City Government formally turned over 7,000 square meters of city-owned land in Barangay San Pedro, Molo District, for the construction of a new Hall of Justice and centralized prosecution complex. The project comes as Iloilo's justice sector faces two major pressures: the rapid increase in prosecutors assigned to Western Visayas and continuing concerns over the condition and functionality of the decades-old C

August 26, 2026