Category: Asia

Asia

Higit 100 Patay sa Gumuho Umagang Minahan sa Central African Republic—Pero Mas Marami Pa ang Pinangangambahang Nakatabunan

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC — Higit 100 katao ang nasawi matapos gumuho ang isang artisanal gold mine sa western Central African Republic, malapit sa hangganan ng Cameroon, habang nagpapatuloy ang search-and-rescue operations para sa mga posibleng nakaligtas at mga minerong nananatiling nakabaon sa ilalim ng lupa. Naganap ang insidente noong Agosto 18, 2026, sa mining site sa Zamboye village, Nana-Mambéré prefecture, humigit-kumulang 50 kilometro mula sa bayan ng Baboua at malapit sa Cameroon bord

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

Poverty Sentiment Surges in the Philippines: 1.1 Million More Families Say They’re Poor—What’s Driving the Change?

MANILA, Philippines — More Filipino families are saying they are struggling to make ends meet, with both self-rated poverty and hunger rising sharply in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research. The survey found that 39% of Filipino families considered themselves poor in July, up from 35% in March. That four-percentage-point increase translates to roughly 1.1 million additional families identifying themselves as poor. OCTA estimates that about 1

August 20, 2026

Business

CK Hutchison Takes Panama to Arbitration Over Canal Ports — And the Bill Could Top US$1.5 Billion

HONG KONG — The dispute between Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison and Panama over two strategically important ports near the Panama Canal has entered a new legal phase, with the company seeking more than US$1.5 billion in damages through international arbitration. CK Hutchison said Thursday that it had initiated arbitration proceedings against Panama, alleging that actions by the Panamanian state violated an investment-protection treaty and ultimately resulted in the destruction of its invest

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

Kanlaon Volcano Erupts Another Ash Plume—But PHIVOLCS’ Latest Warning Has Authorities Watching Closely

NEGROS ISLAND, Philippines — Kanlaon Volcano released another ash emission early Thursday, August 20, sending a grayish plume approximately 200 meters above the summit crater as the volcano continues to show signs of unrest. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the ash emission occurred at around 5:24 a.m. and was observed by the Nature's View Observation Station in Sitio Old Fabrica, La Castellana. The plume later crept downslope toward the east. The latest a

August 20, 2026

Philippines

Kanlaon Spews 200-Meter Ash Plume as 4 Volcanic Quakes Strike—But PHIVOLCS Warns of What Could Come Next

MANILA, Philippines — Mount Kanlaon showed renewed signs of unrest Thursday morning after the volcano released a grayish ash plume that rose about 200 meters above its summit crater, while state volcanologists recorded four volcanic earthquakes during the latest 24-hour monitoring period. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the ash emission occurred at around 5:24 a.m. on August 20, based on observations from the Nature’s View Observation Station in S

August 20, 2026

Philippines

Peso Nears ₱62 Per Dollar as Record Low Raises Fresh Economic Concerns

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine peso has fallen to another record low against the US dollar, coming within a fraction of a centavo of the psychologically important ₱62-per-dollar level as renewed Middle East tensions, rising oil prices and uncertainty over US interest rates continue to pressure Asian currencies. The peso weakened to an intraday record low of ₱61.995 against the US dollar on Wednesday, August 19, before recovering slightly to close at ₱61.815. That was still 3 centavos weak

August 20, 2026

Philippines

“If You Want Transparency, Start With Yourself”: Kapunan Puts Sara Duterte on the Spot Over Confidential Funds

MANILA — A call for greater government transparency has triggered a sharper confrontation in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, with House prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan telling the vice president to “start with yourself.” Kapunan made the pointed remark on Wednesday, August 19, after Duterte challenged Malacañang to disclose government travel authorities and the public funds used for official trips. “If you want transparency, start with yourself,” Kapunan said, urging Duterte

August 20, 2026

Lifestyle

America’s Debt Has Hit a Historic $40 Trillion — But the Next Number Could Be Even More Alarming

WASHINGTON — The United States has crossed a financial milestone that was once almost unimaginable: the nation’s gross federal debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time. U.S. Treasury data showed total outstanding federal debt reaching approximately $40.047 trillion on Wednesday, August 19, marking another record for the world’s largest economy. The figure includes both debt held by the public and debt held by government accounts. Reuters reported that roughly $32.27 trillion was held

August 20, 2026

Sport

Tommy Paul Was One Point From Defeat Against Zverev — Then Everything Changed in Cincinnati

Tommy Paul, Alexander Zverev, Cincinnati Open 2026, Cincinnati Open quarterfinals, Tommy Paul Zverev, ATP Cincinnati, tennis news, Masters 1000, Cincinnati tennis MASON, Ohio — Tommy Paul produced one of the biggest upsets of the Cincinnati Open, rallying past top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 on Wednesday to book his place in the quarterfinals. But this was far from a routine victory. Paul had to survive a match point, overcome a rain interruption of nearly 90 minutes and recover fr

August 20, 2026

Asia

Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. Students Are Chronically Absent—But Schools May Be Missing the Real Reason Kids Stay Home

Millions of American students are still missing enough school to put their education at risk—and researchers say the problem may involve much more than transportation, illness or family circumstances. About 23% of U.S. K-12 students were chronically absent in the 2024-25 school year, according to recent national data covering 39 states and Washington, D.C. Chronic absenteeism generally means missing at least 10% of the school year, or roughly 18 days, for any reason. That means nearly one in e

August 20, 2026