Category: Asia

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

Entertainment

GIANNI INFANTINO’S FIFA POWER BASE IS CRACKING — AFTER A SENIOR OFFICIAL’S EXIT, MORE SUPPORTERS ARE WALKING AWAY. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT COULD CHANGE WORLD FOOTBALL

The pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino is intensifying, with more football federations and senior officials withdrawing their support after the departure of Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour. The latest blow came from Sándor Csányi, president of the Hungarian Football Federation and one of FIFA's vice-presidents. Csányi said Lamour's unexpected dismissal was the “final straw” and formally withdrew his support for Infantino. The development adds another layer to a growing governance

August 19, 2026

Asia

Sheffield United’s Former Owners Win High Court Battle Over £35 Million Debt — Now a 12-Point Shock Could Be Next

LONDON, August 19, 2026 — Sheffield United have been pulled into a major ownership and financial dispute after the High Court in London granted a winding-up petition against COH Sports Bidco Limited (CSBL), the company used by the club's current owners to acquire Sheffield United in 2024. The petition was brought by United World Holding Limited, led by former Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, over an alleged £35 million ($47.4 million) unpaid debt connecte

August 19, 2026

Asia

GOOGLE IS BETTING BIG ON MARVELL’S AI SILICON — BUT THE REAL WINNER MAY BE DECIDED BY WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Google and Marvell Deepen AI Chip Alliance With $12.2 Billion Stock Option The race to control the hardware powering artificial intelligence is entering a new phase—and Google has just made a potentially significant move. Marvell Technology has granted Alphabet’s Google a warrant to purchase up to approximately $12.18 billion worth of Marvell shares as part of an expanded agreement to develop custom artificial-intelligence chips. The arrangement gives Google the right to acquire as many as 58.

August 19, 2026