Category: Asia

Business

Huawei Just Unveiled a Powerful New Foldable — But Xiaomi and Apple Are About to Make the Smartphone War Even Bigger

The Chinese technology giant introduced the Mate XT2 on Monday, September 7, featuring an advanced dual-fold design that expands into a tablet-sized display. The launch comes at a critical moment for Huawei, which is working to protect its strong position in China's premium smartphone market as rivals Xiaomi and Apple prepare major new product moves. Huawei's New Mate XT2 Brings Major Upgrades According to Reuters, Huawei's latest Mate XT2 is powered by the company's new Kirin 9050 Pro proce

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Philippines

PH Races to Seal Tax Deals With Oman, Singapore Before 2026 Ends—Here’s What Could Change for Investors

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is moving to close two major tax treaty efforts with Oman and Singapore before the end of 2026, as the Marcos administration intensifies its push to make the country more attractive to foreign investors and strengthen its network of international tax agreements. Finance Assistant Secretary Euvimil Nina R. Asuncion said the Philippines is targeting the conclusion of negotiations with Oman within the year, while also pushing to finish the renegotiation of its

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Politics

Iran’s New Gulf ‘Restricted Zone’ Could Change Everything — But What Happens to Ships That Enter?

DUBAI — Iran says it will announce a new restricted maritime zone in the Gulf in the coming days, raising fresh concerns over shipping and energy supplies around the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with the United States continue to escalate. Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the country's Supreme National Security Council, said the planned zone would extend from areas affected by what Tehran describes as a U.S. blockade into parts of the Gulf. According to Iranian state media, any ves

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Business

From a Cebu Fruit Stand to AI for Autism: Meet the 5 Filipino MSME Heroes Who Just Made Business History

MANILA, Philippines — Five Filipino entrepreneurs whose businesses are making an impact in retail, education, employment, agriculture and technology have been named the inaugural winners of the DITO BizBayani Awards, putting the spotlight on the people behind some of the country’s most inspiring micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The recognition came after a 10-week nationwide search that attracted more than 500 nominations, with the field eventually narrowed to 25 finalists and five

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Philippines

₱300-MILLION BOOST EYED FOR BUKIDNON AIRPORT — BUT WILL THIS FINALLY GET THE LONG-DELAYED PROJECT OFF THE GROUND?

MANILA — The Marcos administration is proposing an additional ₱300 million under the 2027 national budget to push the completion of the long-awaited Bukidnon Airport in Don Carlos, with the government now targeting the facility for completion and eventual operations in 2027. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto inspected the ongoing airport construction in Barangay Maraymaray, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, on September 4 and reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to finish the project. The p

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Malaysia

Malaysia Waited 28 Years for This — What Taanusiya Chetty Did at Miss World 2026 Has the Nation Talking

The 26-year-old Malaysian representative was named second runner-up at the 73rd Miss World final, held in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on Sept 5. Taanusiya's achievement puts her alongside Lina Teoh, who also finished third for Malaysia at Miss World in 1998 — meaning the country has waited 28 years to match its highest-ever placement at the competition. The crown went to Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic, while Elisabeth Reynés of Spain finished as first runner-up. Taanusiya secured third place

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Philippines

CALABARZON Police Seize P13.3M in Illegal Drugs in Just One Week—But One Province Stands Out

LUCENA CITY, Philippines — Police operations across CALABARZON resulted in the seizure of more than P13.3 million worth of suspected illegal drugs in just one week, with 228 suspects arrested in 181 anti-drug operations, according to the Police Regional Office IV-A. The operations were conducted from August 31 to September 6, 2026, covering the region's five provinces—Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. According to the latest police figures reported by Inquirer, authorities confiscate

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Business

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Moves to Ban More Than Half of Vacation Rentals — And Existing Airbnb-Style Homes Could Be Next

TOKYO, Japan — One of Tokyo’s most popular tourist districts is preparing for a major crackdown on vacation rentals, with more than half of Shinjuku’s short-term accommodations potentially facing closure under proposed new restrictions. Shinjuku, home to the bustling Kabukicho entertainment district and one of the world’s busiest railway hubs, is planning to prohibit private lodging businesses, commonly known in Japan as minpaku, in residential neighborhoods and areas near schools. The tougher

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Business

Jakarta Airport Closure Extended as Anak Krakatau Ash Cloud Grounds More Flights—Here’s What Travelers Need to Know

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Air travel across Indonesia remains severely disrupted after the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau sent volcanic ash into the atmosphere, forcing authorities to extend the closure of Jakarta’s main international airport and several other airports in Java and Sumatra. The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, the country’s primary aviation gateway serving Jakarta, is among the airports that remain temporarily closed as authorities continue monitoring volcanic ash

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Asia

AI Data Center Boom Pushes UK Chipmaker IQE Back Into Profit — But the Bigger Surge May Be Just Beginning

CARDIFF, United Kingdom — The global race to build artificial intelligence infrastructure is creating winners far beyond the companies making AI chatbots and graphics processors — and British semiconductor materials specialist IQE is emerging as one of them. IQE has returned to profitability in the first half of 2026 as surging demand for technology used in artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure lifted its performance, underscoring how the AI boom is reshaping the global semicon

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