Category: Asia

Philippines

Lacson Wants Harsher Penalties After Flood-Control Witnesses Recant—But the Bigger Question Is Who Made Them Change Their Stories

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is pushing for tougher punishment not only for people who lie under oath, but also for those who allegedly pressure, pay or persuade witnesses to give false testimony—a move triggered by the increasingly tangled battle over witnesses in the country’s controversial flood-control investigation. Lacson said he intends to propose heavier penalties for what is commonly called subornation of perjury, or inducing another person to commit perjury, fol

August 22, 2026

Business

Johor Bahru’s Roadside Cafes Are Packed Until 3AM—But the Real Reason People Keep Coming Back Isn’t Just the Coffee

JOHOR BAHRU — Forget marble countertops, designer interiors and reservations weeks in advance. One of Johor Bahru’s most distinctive cafe trends is being built beside highways, inside car parks and on patches of gravel — often with little more than a coffee machine, folding tables and rows of camping chairs. Across the Malaysian border city, a growing generation of late-night roadside cafes is turning once-overlooked spaces into social destinations, drawing young Malaysians, night-shift workers

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Gatchalian Vows Tighter Watch Over Billions in Infrastructure Funds—But the Spending Slump Reveals a Bigger Problem

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has pledged tighter congressional scrutiny of the government’s massive infrastructure program as the Marcos administration attempts to accelerate public works spending without reopening the door to questionable projects and misuse of taxpayers’ money. Gatchalian said the Senate would continue exercising strict oversight over infrastructure expenditures, putting accountability at the center of the government’s effort to revive spending on

August 22, 2026

Lifestyle

Love Bombing Can Feel Like a Fairytale — Until the Attention Turns Into Control

At first, it can feel like the relationship you have always dreamed of. The messages never stop. Your new partner tells you that you are their soulmate, showers you with compliments, sends unexpected gifts and talks about a future together almost immediately. It can be exciting. It can feel flattering. And sometimes, it can be completely genuine. But relationship experts warn that when overwhelming affection comes with pressure, rapidly escalating commitment or attempts to control your time a

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Hontiveros Wants Tighter Gun Rules After Zamboanga Shooting—But One Question Could Change Everything

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is pushing for tougher firearms regulation and stricter gun-safekeeping rules after the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University raised a disturbing question: How did a child gain access to firearms connected to a government employee? Speaking at a press conference in Iloilo on Aug. 21, Hontiveros said Congress should revisit Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, particularly provisions involving the access, storage an

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Teacher Finds .357 Magnum Inside 14-Year-Old’s School Bag in Cebu—But Where Police Say He Got It Raises a Bigger Concern

CEBU, Philippines — A surprise inspection at a Cebu high school uncovered something no teacher wants to find inside a student’s backpack: a .357 Magnum revolver. A 14-year-old Grade 9 student at Lut-od National High School in Pinamungajan, Cebu, was found carrying the firearm on Thursday, August 20, in an incident that has renewed questions over how easily children can gain access to guns kept inside their homes. According to the Cebu Police Provincial Office, a teacher discovered the unloaded

August 22, 2026

Philippines

2 Fishermen Vanished in Batangas Waters—Nearly 20 Hours Later, This Is Where They Were Found

LUCENA CITY, Philippines — What began as a tense search for two fishermen reported missing in Batangas waters ended in relief after both men were found alive and in good condition nearly 20 hours later. The two fishermen were reported missing early Thursday, August 20, after their motorized fishing boat encountered engine trouble while they were returning from a fishing trip in Balayan Bay, Batangas, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The fishermen were later spotted by fellow fish

August 22, 2026

Singapore

A “Zoom Meeting” With PM Lawrence Wong Looked Real—Then a Singapore Victim Lost S$4.9 Million

A sophisticated deepfake scam in Singapore has exposed just how convincing artificial intelligence can make a completely fabricated video conference. At least S$4.9 million was transferred by one victim after scammers allegedly created a fake Zoom meeting featuring convincing digital impersonations of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other senior government officials. The case has prompted renewed warnings from the Singapore Police Force that seeing a familiar face on a video call is no longer

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Marcos Says Garbage Is Worsening Metro Manila Floods—But What Investigators Found Inside the Flood-Control System Raises a Bigger Question

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s renewed warning that garbage is worsening Metro Manila’s flooding has reopened a much bigger and politically sensitive question: after billions of pesos spent on flood-control infrastructure, why do communities continue to go underwater? The debate intensified after a Manila Times opinion column accused Marcos of “gaslighting” Filipinos by repeatedly emphasizing garbage clogging waterways while government agencies themselves remain responsi

August 22, 2026

Philippines

Elderly Couple and Adopted Son Found Dead in Dipolog—But Investigators Aren’t Ready to Say What Happened Inside the House

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte — Police are investigating the deaths of an elderly couple and their adopted son who were found inside their home in Barangay Turno, Dipolog City, in a case that authorities say remains unresolved despite several potentially important clues discovered during the initial investigation. The three family members were found dead inside the residence on Thursday, August 20, 2026, according to a report by GMA Regional TV One Mindanao. The father was 82 years old, his

August 22, 2026