Category: Asia

Business

40 Power Plants Could Be Shut Down by DOE — But the Bigger Question Is: Will Filipinos Pay the Price With Another Blackout?

The Philippine energy sector is facing another major challenge as the Department of Energy (DOE) moves closer to recommending the suspension of around 40 power plants that allegedly failed to comply with government directives. The possible suspension has raised concerns among electricity stakeholders, particularly in areas that have already experienced power supply instability, including parts of Western Visayas where previous grid failures triggered widespread outages and business disruptions.

August 24, 2026

Entertainment

New Zealand Is Coming for Under-16 Social Media Access—But What Happens When Kids Try to Get Around the Ban?

New Zealand is taking a major step toward restricting social media access for children under 16, putting the country at the center of a rapidly expanding global debate over how governments should protect young people online. The coalition government is introducing legislation in Parliament on Monday, August 24, that would require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent users under 16 from accessing covered services. Platforms that fail to comply could face penalties of up to

August 24, 2026

Philippines

Sandiganbayan Orders Northstar to Pay ₱10.8 Million — But the Bigger Question Is What Happens After the Court’s Decision

The Sandiganbayan has ordered Northstar Development Corporation to pay ₱10.8 million in unpaid amortizations, ending a long-running dispute over financial obligations that remained unsettled. The ruling places renewed attention on the company’s outstanding payments and highlights the court’s position that contractual financial commitments must be honored despite delays and disputes. According to reports, the anti-graft court found Northstar liable for the unpaid amortization balance, requiring

August 24, 2026

Philippines

Cebu Student Caught With Gun at School Returned to Family—But What Police Learned Next Raises New Questions

CEBU, Philippines — A minor who was found carrying an unloaded firearm inside his school bag in Cebu has been returned to his family after local social welfare authorities reportedly lacked the personnel and facility needed to continue handling his case, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). But as authorities piece together what happened, the case has taken a new turn: police say the student later changed his initial explanation about where the gun came from and why it was brought

August 24, 2026

Business

11-Year-Old Thai Boy Loses Over ฿1 Million in Pokémon Card Scam — Collector Community Shocked as Alleged Fraud Victims Pile Up

An 11-year-old boy’s dream of owning a rare Pokémon card turned into a devastating financial loss after he allegedly became one of more than two dozen victims in a multi-million-baht trading card scam in Thailand. The young collector reportedly lost more than 1 million baht (around US$30,000) after paying for a highly valuable Pokémon card that was never delivered, according to reports from the Bangkok Post and other regional media outlets. The case has sparked concern among Thailand’s growing

August 24, 2026

Politics

Thailand’s New M6 Motorway Just Drew 15,500 Vehicles in One Day—And the Traffic Surge May Be Only the Beginning

Thailand’s newly expanded M6 motorway is already proving its value to motorists, with more than 15,500 vehicles using the route on the second day of its free trial operation. The unexpectedly strong turnout is putting the spotlight on one of the country’s most anticipated transport projects—and what could come next for Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima travel. Thailand’s new Motorway 6 (M6) is quickly becoming a major alternative for motorists heading between Bangkok and the Northeast. More than 15,50

August 24, 2026

Business

Singapore Is Bringing Driverless Vehicles to Its Roads — But the Real Battle Is What Happens to Thousands of Drivers Next

Singapore is preparing for a major transformation of its transport system as the government looks toward autonomous vehicles (AVs) to tackle a growing manpower challenge — but the technology shift is also raising questions about the future of thousands of drivers who depend on the industry for their livelihoods. During the National Day Rally 2026, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore intends to expand the use of autonomous vehicles once the technology proves reliable, highlighting AVs as

August 24, 2026

Politics

Pete Buttigieg Returns to South Carolina—And His Next Move Could Shape the 2028 Race

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — Six years after a disappointing South Carolina primary result helped bring his first presidential campaign to an end, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is back in the state—this time with renewed attention on whether he could make another run for the White House in 2028. Buttigieg has not announced a presidential campaign and says his immediate focus remains on the 2026 elections. Still, his recent political travels and appearances in key Democrati

August 24, 2026

Philippines

China vs. Philippine Coast Guard Explodes Online — But the Real Battle May Be Happening Beyond Social Media

A new diplomatic confrontation has erupted online between the Chinese Embassy in Manila and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, as both sides exchanged accusations over competing claims in the West Philippine Sea. The latest clash highlights how the long-running maritime dispute between the Philippines and China is no longer limited to confrontations at sea — it has also moved into the digital battlefield, where both governments are defending their positions before

August 24, 2026

Asia

72 Arrested as Borneo Burns Under a Thick Haze—Now Indonesia Is Following the Money

JAKARTA — Indonesia has arrested 72 people suspected of involvement in deliberately started forest and land fires, as a major wildfire crisis continues to blanket parts of Borneo with thick haze and raises fresh concerns across Southeast Asia. The arrests cover 89 forest and land fire cases across five provinces on Borneo island and four additional cases on Sumatra, according to Indonesian police officials cited by CNA and the Associated Press. Authorities say many of those detained are suspec

August 24, 2026