Category: Asia

Business

AIA’s New Business Value Jumps 10% to US$3.21B — But One Asian Market Is Starting to Raise Questions

AIA Group delivered another strong financial performance in the first half of 2026, with its value of new business climbing 10% to a record US$3.21 billion. But while growth was broad-based across its Asian operations, Thailand stood out as the one major exception. AIA Group, one of Asia’s largest life and health insurance groups, reported a 10% year-on-year increase in value of new business (VONB) for the six months ended June 30, 2026, reaching US$3.212 billion on a constant exchange rate bas

August 20, 2026

Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA TURNS TO COMICS TO TEACH CHILDREN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS—BUT WHAT THEY LEARN COULD GO BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Disaster preparedness is getting a new classroom makeover in Nueva Vizcaya, where the Department of Education (DepEd) is using comic-based learning materials to teach public-school students what to do before, during and after disasters. The initiative, unveiled by Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose V. Gambito and Schools Division Superintendent Orlando Manuel, will bring localized disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) information to public schools across the province. A

August 20, 2026

Politics

U.S. Drops “Indo” From Pacific Command — Is Washington Quietly Leaving India to Face China in the Indian Ocean?

The United States has restored the name U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), reversing the 2018 decision to rename it the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) — a move that is fueling fresh questions about Washington’s strategy toward China, India and the wider Indian Ocean. The Pentagon announced the change on June 16, 2026, saying the restoration of the Pacific Command designation honors the command’s long military history and regional partnerships. The command was originally established in 194

August 20, 2026

Asia

INDONESIA IS BRINGING MONKEY EXPORTS BACK — BUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MACAQUES NEXT COULD SPARK A GLOBAL FIGHT

Indonesia is reviving its role in the international trade of long-tailed macaques, reopening a controversial debate over biomedical research, animal welfare and the conservation of a species now classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Indonesian government has established a new breeding facility in Lampung and set a 2026 export quota of 1,920 long-tailed macaques, marking the first recorded quota for the species since 2022, according to Channel

August 20, 2026

Philippines

Nueva Vizcaya’s ₱85-Million Hospital Expansion Could Transform Healthcare Access in the North

DUPAX DEL NORTE, Nueva Vizcaya — A major hospital expansion is underway in Nueva Vizcaya as the provincial government moves to increase bed capacity and reduce congestion at the Dupax District Hospital (DDH), giving residents of Dupax del Norte and nearby municipalities greater access to hospital care closer to home. Governor Jose V. Gambito recently led the groundbreaking for a ₱85-million, three-story multipurpose building at DDH, a project funded by the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya

August 20, 2026

Politics

CHINA IS EYEING A NOVEMBER SUMMIT WITH SOUTH KOREA — BUT WHAT XI JINPING AND LEE JAE MYUNG COULD DISCUSS MAY MATTER FAR BEYOND SEOUL

SEOUL — China is “actively considering” a summit between President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen this November, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said. The possibility emerged during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Seoul, where he met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun for talks on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and the increasingly sensitive security situation

August 20, 2026

Philippines

FIVE ISABELA POLICE OFFICERS GET SPECIAL RECOGNITION AT SCHOOLS — HERE’S WHY THE PNP IS PUTTING COMMUNITY TRUST FRONT AND CENTER

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — Five police personnel have been recognized for exemplary performance and dedication to duty as the Isabela Police Provincial Office (IPPO) brings its campaign for professional, community-centered policing directly into schools. The recognition was held during flag-raising ceremonies at various schools across the province on August 17, 2026, putting the spotlight on police officers not only as law enforcers but also as potential role models for students and partners of

August 20, 2026

Politics

Trump Unleashes ‘Economic D-Day’ on Iran—Now Even Countries Doing Business With Tehran Could Pay the Price

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has dramatically escalated his economic campaign against Iran, warning that any country, business or institution that provides Tehran with a financial or commercial lifeline could face severe economic consequences. Trump announced what he described as an unprecedented campaign of “economic warfare and isolation” against Iran as the conflict approaches its sixth month and diplomatic efforts remain stalled. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, August 19,

August 20, 2026

Business

WALL STREET JUST GOT A LIFELINE — BUT THE BOND MARKET WARNING BEHIND THE RALLY COULD BE MUCH BIGGER

NEW YORK — Wall Street regained its footing Wednesday after the U.S. Treasury moved to ease pressure in the bond market, giving investors temporary relief from a surge in long-term borrowing costs that has increasingly threatened stocks, businesses and the broader economy. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite all finished higher, snapping a three-session losing streak. The S&P 500 gained about 0.2%, while the Dow and Nasdaq also advanced roughly 0.2%. But the modest s

August 20, 2026

Business

JAPAN’S EXPORTS EXPLODE 23% TO A RECORD ¥11.5 TRILLION — BUT THE NUMBER THAT CAME NEXT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

Japan has delivered a stunning trade performance that could give its export-dependent economy a much-needed boost — but the record comes with a warning that investors and policymakers cannot afford to ignore. Japanese exports surged 23.2% year-on-year in July 2026, reaching a record ¥11.5 trillion (about US$72.6 billion), according to data from Japan’s Ministry of Finance reported by Reuters and Channel NewsAsia. The increase was significantly stronger than economists’ median forecast of 19.9%

August 20, 2026