Category: Asia

Business

Security Bank’s Digital Push Is Surging—But Its ₱150-Billion Green Finance Move Could Be the Bigger Story

MANILA, Philippines — Security Bank is accelerating its push into the future of Philippine banking, combining faster digital services with major investments in renewable energy and infrastructure—a strategy that is now earning recognition on the regional stage. The bank and its investment banking arm, Security Bank Capital Investment Corp., recently collected three honors at the Asian Banking & Finance Awards 2026, highlighting their growing presence in mobile banking, corporate digital transfo

August 24, 2026

Business

GLOBAL MARKETS SHAKE AS OIL SLIPS AHEAD OF NEW IRAN SANCTIONS — BUT THE BIGGER RISK MAY BE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Global financial markets opened the week cautiously as oil prices and several major Asian shares slipped on Monday, August 24, with investors waiting for details of a new US sanctions package targeting Iran. The market reaction comes as Washington prepares what US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described as an exceptionally aggressive economic campaign against Tehran, raising fresh questions about Iran's oil exports, global energy supplies and the future of the strategically important Str

August 24, 2026

Philippines

PAGCOR Funds 125 New School Buildings—but the Real Question Is Who Will Build Them

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is stepping up to help tackle the country's massive classroom shortage by funding the construction of 125 school buildings nationwide, but the state-run gaming agency says it will keep its hands off one crucial part of the process: the bidding for construction projects. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the agency's nationwide school-building initiative, launched in partnership with the Department of Educ

August 24, 2026

Politics

US Cancels Major South Korea Marine Drill Amid Iran War — What This Means for Asia

The United States has cancelled a major joint amphibious military exercise with South Korea after Washington warned that the ongoing war in Iran is limiting the availability of U.S. forces. South Korea’s Marine Corps confirmed Monday that the Ssangyong, or “Double Dragon,” exercise, scheduled for September, will not proceed as planned. The U.S. Marine Corps had formally informed its South Korean counterpart in June that force availability would be constrained for the division-level exercise. T

August 24, 2026

Philippines

GOV’T AID MUST CONTINUE ‘RAIN OR SHINE,’ BONG GO SAYS — BUT THE NEXT WAVE OF HABAGAT COULD TEST THE RESPONSE

MANILA, Philippines — Government assistance to communities hit by floods, fires and other disasters must continue regardless of weather conditions, Senator Bong Go said as authorities prepare for the possibility of renewed heavy rains across Luzon. Go called on national and local government officials to maintain an immediate and sustained response to disaster-affected families, stressing that assistance should not stop simply because weather conditions temporarily improve. His appeal comes as

August 24, 2026

Lifestyle

Northern Thailand’s Food-Security Role Is Bigger Than You Think — and the World Is Starting to Take Notice

Northern Thailand is emerging as an increasingly important part of the country’s agricultural and food-security system, but the region’s future role comes with a difficult trade-off: how to produce more food and support rural livelihoods without worsening deforestation, soil degradation and seasonal air pollution. A recent report by Thai PBS World highlighted Northern Thailand’s potential as a pillar of global food security. That argument is reinforced by new research published in Frontiers in

August 24, 2026

Asia

‘Second Chance at Life’: Sydney Shark Attack Survivor Leah Stewart Breaks Her Silence After Devastating Attack

More than two months after surviving a devastating shark attack at Sydney’s Coogee Beach, Australian mother Leah Stewart has spoken publicly for the first time about her recovery — describing the ordeal as a “second chance at life.” Stewart, 34, was swimming between the flags at Coogee Beach on June 13 when she was attacked by a suspected white shark. She suffered severe injuries to her arms and legs and was rushed to hospital in critical condition. Her family later confirmed that she underwen

August 24, 2026

Philippines

Cebu Mayor Faces Ombudsman Complaint Over Monterrazas — But the Biggest Questions May Be Just Beginning

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. is facing fresh scrutiny after a complaint was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman over his handling of the controversial Monterrazas de Cebu development in Barangay Guadalupe. The complaint, filed by Guadalupe resident and former Cebu City Coastline Management Board official Ed Karlon Rama, accuses Archival of possible violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and administrative offenses. At the center of the allega

August 24, 2026

Entertainment

A 9-YEAR-OLD’S SIMPLE QUESTION EXPOSED A FAMILY’S DESPERATE HOUSING STRUGGLE — AND THE STORY HAS NOW TOUCHED THOUSANDS ONLINE

A Malaysian mother has opened up about a painful moment involving her 9-year-old son after weeks of living together inside their car, revealing the emotional and physical toll that housing insecurity had taken on the child. The boy’s heartbreaking admission came after he asked his mother when they would finally be able to rent a proper home. According to AsiaOne, the mother, who uses the name Mimi online, shared a video of the conversation on Threads on Aug. 16. In the video, her son first che

August 24, 2026

Entertainment

Alibaba Just Unleashed Wan3.0 After Raising $10.2 Billion for AI—But the Real Game-Changer Is What It Can Turn Into Video

BEIJING — August 24, 2026 — Alibaba is turning up the pressure in the global artificial intelligence race. The Chinese technology giant has officially launched Wan3.0, its latest AI video-generation model, just one day after announcing an HK$80 billion ($10.2 billion) share placement designed to finance its expanding artificial intelligence ambitions. The timing is hard to miss: Alibaba is raising billions to strengthen its AI infrastructure while simultaneously rolling out a video model desig

August 24, 2026