Category: Asia

Philippines

Psychiatrists Warn Active-Shooter Drills Could Traumatize Students as DepEd Postpones Nationwide Exercise

MANILA, Philippines — A nationwide school safety exercise designed to prepare Filipino students and school personnel for active attacks is facing growing scrutiny from mental health and medical experts, who warn that highly realistic simulations could cause psychological distress without clear evidence that they actually reduce casualties. The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PSCAP) have called on the Department of Educatio

August 25, 2026

Politics

Japan’s Bond Market Just Pulled In a Record $1.5 Billion—But Investors May Be Betting on Something Much Bigger

Japanese government bonds were once synonymous with ultra-low yields. Now, investors are pouring record amounts of money into Japanese bond exchange-traded funds as rising yields make the country’s debt increasingly attractive. Japanese bond ETFs have attracted a record US$1.5 billion in net inflows so far in 2026, according to Morningstar data reported by Reuters on August 25. The surge comes as Japanese government bond yields have climbed to levels not seen in decades. The shift marks a stri

August 25, 2026

Singapore

Singapore’s Parenthood Push Faces a Tougher Battle at the Workplace: Indranee Rajah Says Mindsets Must Change

Singapore’s push to make marriage and parenthood more achievable is entering a more difficult phase — one that cannot be solved by government benefits and leave policies alone. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah has warned that changing workplace culture and societal attitudes may be among the hardest parts of Singapore’s broader effort to support families, as the country confronts record-low fertility and growing pressure on working parents. The issue has gained renewed ur

August 25, 2026

Philippines

QC Lawmaker Pushes National Parent Council as Philippines Confronts Renewed Campus Violence Concerns

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — As concern over school safety intensifies following a series of deadly incidents involving students, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas is pushing legislation that would give parents a more formal role in preventing violence and protecting young people inside schools. Vargas has filed House Bill No. 5682, or the proposed National Parent Council Act, which seeks to establish a nationwide parent-teacher advisory structure under the Department of Educat

August 25, 2026

Philippines

100 Travelers Were Ready to Leave Batanes — Then Dangerous Winds Stopped the Mercy Flight at the Last Minute

BATANES, Philippines — About 100 tourists and local travelers hoping to finally leave Batanes were forced to return to their accommodations on Tuesday after dangerous winds and heavy rain prevented a Philippine Air Force mercy flight from taking off. The passengers had already gathered at Basco Airport for a special PAF C-130 flight on August 25, but the mission was postponed after weather conditions exceeded aviation safety limits, according to the Batanes Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction an

August 25, 2026

Singapore

Singapore Doctor Restricted From Surgery for 18 Months After Fatal Kidney Operation

SINGAPORE — A Singapore urologist accused of cutting the wrong arteries during a kidney operation that ended in a patient's death has been barred from performing almost all forms of surgery for 18 months. The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) imposed the interim restrictions on Dr Fong Yan Kit, 54, after raising serious concerns about his surgical competence and whether the fatal error could happen again. The restrictions were ordered by the SMC's Interim Orders Committee as a public-safety meas

August 25, 2026

Asia

India’s Space Startups Are Taking Off — But Can They Turn Rocket Science Into a Global Business?

India’s private space industry has reached a moment that would have seemed unlikely just a few years ago. From a sector once dominated almost entirely by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the country now has around 440 registered space-tech startups, according to India’s Department of Space. IN-SPACe, the regulator and facilitator for private space activity, has also granted more than 100 authorisations to non-government entities. And the biggest proof that the industry is changin

August 25, 2026

Business

NBI FLAGS MORE THAN 20 STEEL PLANTS OVER ALLEGED RADIOACTIVE, SUBSTANDARD PRODUCTS— INVESTIGATION WIDENS NATIONWIDE

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has identified more than 20 steel plants allegedly linked to the production, sale or distribution of substandard and radioactive-bearing steel products, raising fresh concerns over the safety of construction materials being used across the country. NBI Director Melvin Matibag disclosed the development on Tuesday, August 25, saying the agency's investigation, conducted with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) a

August 25, 2026

Philippines

26 Zamboanga City Employees Earn ‘Cada Dia Temprano’ Award After Perfect Attendance in 2025

Twenty-six employees of the City Government of Zamboanga have been recognized for an achievement that demands consistency every working day: perfect punctuality and attendance throughout the entire year of 2025. The employees received the “Cada Dia Temprano” Award, or “Every Day Early” Award, during a recognition ceremony held Monday, August 24, 2026, at the City Hall grounds following the regular flag-raising ceremony. According to SunStar Zamboanga, the 26 awardees had no recorded tardiness,

August 25, 2026

Philippines

Ombudsman Moves Against Justice Who Helped Free Bong Revilla — Now His ₱92.8-M Flood-Control Case Could Take a Dramatic Turn

MANILA, Philippines — The legal battle surrounding former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s controversial bail has taken another major turn, with the Office of the Ombudsman formally seeking the inhibition of one of the Sandiganbayan justices who voted to temporarily free him. Ombudsman prosecutors filed a motion seeking the inhibition of Associate Justice Ronald Moreno from Revilla’s pending malversation case, according to an Inquirer report published Tuesday, August 25. Moreno was one of tw

August 25, 2026