Category: Asia

Business

PSE profit jumps nearly 20% — but a surge in fines is raising eyebrows over what drove the growth

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) posted a sharp increase in first-half earnings, with net income climbing nearly 20% year-on-year. But behind the headline growth is a mix of stronger trading activity, higher fees and a notable increase in fines and penalties that has drawn attention to the composition of the exchange’s earnings. The PSE reported ₱608.38 million in net income for the first half of 2026, up 19.8% from ₱508.03 million during the same period last year.

August 24, 2026

Asia

America’s Obesity Rate May Finally Be Falling—But Is There a Catch Behind the Numbers?

After decades of rising waistlines, new data suggest America’s obesity crisis could be entering a new phase. But experts warn that the apparent progress comes with major questions—and the answer may be more complicated than the numbers suggest. For decades, the trajectory of obesity in the United States seemed to move in only one direction: upward. Now, there are signs that the curve may finally be bending. Recent surveys and health analyses suggest that obesity rates among American adults ma

August 24, 2026

Entertainment

Luis Enrique Sends a Warning to PSG After Shock Start: “You Have to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Paris Saint-Germain’s dramatic comeback against Rennes may have saved a point—but Luis Enrique made it clear that past trophies will not protect his players from losing their places. Paris Saint-Germain opened their Ligue 1 title defence with a warning of their own. After falling two goals behind against Stade Rennais, the reigning French champions needed a second-half rescue act from new signing Ferran Torres to escape with a 2-2 draw. But despite the comeback, PSG coach Luis Enrique delivere

August 24, 2026

Business

San Miguel Removes Nearly 9.4M Tons From PH Rivers—But Ramon Ang Says This Is Still Missing in the Fight Against Floods

MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corporation’s massive river-cleanup campaign has removed nearly 9.4 million metric tons of silt, garbage and other obstructions from more than 204 kilometers of waterways since 2020, helping several rivers carry heavy stormwater during recent rains. But despite the scale of the cleanup, San Miguel chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang is warning that dredging rivers is only one piece of the country’s flood-control puzzle. The bigger challenge, he says, is making sure f

August 24, 2026

Entertainment

Asia Rose Simpson Takes a Powerful Message to Miss World—And What She Did Next Has Filipinos Watching

Vietnam — For Asia Rose Simpson, the Miss World 2026 stage is about more than competing for a crown. The Philippines' representative is using one of the world's biggest pageant platforms to champion a message she believes can change young lives: sports and dance can help create confidence, connection, and spaces where young people feel supported. Simpson delivered an impassioned presentation of her advocacy during the opening phase of the 2026 Miss World competition, putting the spotlight on SE

August 24, 2026

Philippines

Davao Occidental Shaken by Another Earthquake—But PHIVOLCS Reveals What’s Behind the Latest Tremor

DAVAO OCCIDENTAL — A moderate earthquake shook parts of Davao Occidental and nearby areas on Monday, August 24, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) identifying the tremor as part of the continuing seismic activity following the powerful earthquakes that struck the region in June. The earthquake occurred at 11:59 a.m. on August 24, with its epicenter located about 29 kilometers south-southwest of Balut Island in the municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental.

August 24, 2026

Business

Six Villar Companies Face PSE Sanctions Over Late Q2 Reports—What’s Behind the Delay?

Six companies controlled by billionaire Manuel Villar Jr. are facing possible sanctions from the Philippine Stock Exchange after failing to submit their second-quarter 2026 financial reports on the original deadline, putting another spotlight on the Villar Group’s continuing financial-reporting problems. The six companies identified in the report are AllDay Marts Inc., AllHome Corp., Villar Land Holdings Corp., Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., Vistamalls Inc., and VistaREIT Inc. The companies wer

August 24, 2026

Business

Russia Has Oil, So Why Are Its Gas Stations Running Dry? The Answer Could Change the Ukraine War

Russia, one of the world’s biggest energy producers, is facing an increasingly visible problem at home: a shortage of the very fuel that has long powered its economy and military machine. Long queues have returned to gasoline stations in and around Moscow, fuel purchases have been restricted in several areas, and Russia has taken the unusual step of importing refined petroleum products while limiting fuel exports to protect domestic supplies. The crisis has been driven by a combination of Ukrai

August 24, 2026

Philippines

‘HINDI KO NA MAALALA’: Hostile Witness Gina Acosta Grilled Over ₱1.84-B Davao Confidential Funds

MANILA, Philippines — A key witness in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial faced intense questioning Monday after repeatedly saying she could no longer remember how much confidential funding was allocated to Davao City during Duterte’s final years as mayor. Gina Acosta, a former special disbursing officer (SDO) who handled confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President and previously worked with Duterte in Davao City, was declared a hostile witness during the Senate impeach

August 24, 2026

Philippines

‘Antonio Pagong,’ ‘Timon Pusa’ and ₱100,000 Each: What the OVP Receipts Showed at Sara Duterte Trial

MANILA, Philippines — Unusual names including “Antonio Pagong,” “Timon Andrew Pusa” and “Xuniso P. Belat” surfaced Monday as prosecutors presented acknowledgment receipts linked to confidential-fund transactions of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. The names were presented by private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan while questioning former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta about how confidential-fund transactions were docume

August 24, 2026