Category: Asia

Business

Delivery Riders Could Get More Pay for Risky Night Runs—But There’s One Big Catch

MANILA, Philippines — Delivery riders could soon see stronger workplace protections as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) studies possible policies that would provide additional compensation and safety measures for workers braving late-night deliveries, heavy rain and flooding. DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino said the agency is looking into measures that could include additional pay for late-night work, hazard pay, protective equipment and assistance for motorcycle breakdowns—concer

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Philippines-Japan Defense Logistics Pact Is Now Active—But What Their Forces Can Share Goes Far Beyond Fuel

MANILA, Philippines — A new defense agreement allowing the Philippine and Japanese militaries to quickly exchange fuel, ammunition, transportation, food and other logistical support officially took effect on August 22, 2026, marking another major step in the rapidly expanding security partnership between Manila and Tokyo. The Philippines-Japan Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) establishes the rules and payment procedures that will allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) a

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

CONCACAF Chief Tells Gianni Infantino to Skip Youth Tournament as FIFA Crisis Explodes—But He Went Anyway

The power struggle at the top of world football has reached an unusual new stage. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to stay away from a youth football tournament in the Dominican Republic, warning that his presence could overshadow the young players and turn the event into a focal point for FIFA’s growing governance crisis. The request concerns the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) U-14 Series, a youth tournament being held in the Dominican Republic

August 22, 2026

Philippines

AFP Issues Blunt Warning Over BRP Sierra Madre: “We Will Never Abandon It” — But What Happens Next at Ayungin Shoal?

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has drawn a firm line over the BRP Sierra Madre, declaring that the Philippines will not abandon the grounded warship or its military outpost at Ayungin Shoal despite renewed claims from China. The AFP’s statement came Saturday, August 22, after the Chinese Embassy in Manila issued its latest position concerning the Philippine military presence at the disputed shoal. The military rejected what it described as claims that could unde

August 22, 2026

Philippines

6,500+ PAMILYA APEKTADO SA PANGASINAN: BAKIT BIGLANG LUMOBO ANG BILANG NG MGA BINAHA SA MGA SUMUNOD NA ARAW?

PANGASINAN — Mahigit 6,500 pamilya o 23,543 indibidwal ang naapektuhan ng pagbaha sa Pangasinan matapos ang tuloy-tuloy na pag-ulan na dulot ng Tropical Depression Maymay at pinalakas na Southwest Monsoon o Habagat, ayon sa mga disaster officials noong Agosto 6, 2026. Ayon sa Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), 40 barangay sa limang bayan at isang lungsod ang naapektuhan ng pagbaha. Kabilang sa mga lugar na nakaranas ng matinding pagbaha ang Barangay La

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

Philippine Officials Want Roblox Banned—But Local Developers Say One Missing Piece of Evidence Could Change Everything

MANILA, Philippines — A renewed push to ban Roblox in the Philippines is facing resistance from local game developers, who argue that shutting down the entire platform could punish thousands of legitimate users and creators without eliminating the online risks authorities are trying to stop. The Filipino Roblox Developers Association (FRDA) said Saturday, August 22, that the government should pursue targeted restrictions, stronger safeguards and evidence-based enforcement instead of imposing a

August 22, 2026

Sport

Japan’s 11-Year-Old Asian Games Rookie Has a Very Unusual Secret Weapon—Can He Make History?

TOKYO, Japan — Japan is sending an unusually young competitor to the 2026 Asian Games—and he is already dreaming of making history. At just 11 years old, Yuki Kurihara is set to become the youngest athlete ever to represent Japan at the Asian Games when he competes in the Puyo Puyo Champions esports event at the home Games in September. Kurihara joined his Japanese teammates at a send-off ceremony in Tokyo this week as preparations intensify for the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Nago

August 22, 2026

Philippines

ANGAT DAM LAGPAS 190 METERS NA—Pero Bakit Hindi Pa Rin Ito Nangangahulugang Tapos Na ang Water Supply Worry?

MANILA, Philippines — May magandang balita sa water situation ng Luzon: umakyat na sa higit 190 meters ang lebel ng tubig sa Angat Dam, isang malaking pagbangon matapos bumagsak ang reservoir sa kritikal na antas noong nakaraang buwan. Batay sa pinakahuling monitoring ng Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), umabot sa 190.47 meters ang reservoir water level ng Angat Dam alas-8 ng umaga nitong August 22, 2026. Mas mataas ito ng 0.57 meter kumpara

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Paulit-Ulit ang Landslide, Paulit-Ulit ang Gastos: Tunnel na ba ang Sagot ng Pilipinas sa Mga Kalsadang Sinisira ng Kalamidad?

MANILA, Philippines — Dahil sa patuloy na pinsalang dulot ng malalakas na ulan, pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa sa mga bulubunduking lugar, pinag-aaralan ngayon ng pamahalaan ang paggamit ng tunneling technology bilang alternatibo sa tradisyunal na paggawa at paulit-ulit na pagkukumpuni ng mga kalsada. Iminungkahi ni Presidential Adviser for Cordillera Affairs Assistant Secretary Antonio Tabora na seryosong ikonsidera ng gobyerno ang pagtatayo ng mga tunnel, partikular sa mga mountain road na paulit

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Alex Eala Cracked the WTA Top 20 and Won Her First Tour Title—But Her Coach Says the Scariest Part Is Nobody Knows Her Ceiling Yet

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala has spent much of her young career breaking barriers for Philippine tennis. But after a spectacular 2026 season pushed her into the world’s Top 20 and delivered her first WTA Tour-level singles crown, even longtime coach Joan Bosch is no longer willing to put a limit on what could come next. For Bosch, Eala becoming an elite player was never the surprising part. The surprise was how quickly she got there. Bosch recalled seeing Eala when she was only around 14 o

August 22, 2026