Category: Politics

Philippines

Bohol Spent ₱69 Million on a Home for Young Offenders—But What Happens Inside Is Very Different From a Jail

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Behind the gates of a ₱69-million facility in Cortes, Bohol, the province is attempting something far more difficult than simply keeping young offenders off the streets: giving them a realistic path back into society. The Bohol Youth Home (BYH) is designed for children in conflict with the law, or CICL, who need residential care while undergoing intervention, rehabilitation or court-supervised processes. But provincial officials stress an important distinction: this is

August 19, 2026

Politics

New Zealand Just Shielded Companies From Climate-Damage Lawsuits—But the Case That Triggered It Raises a Much Bigger Question

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand has made a major—and deeply controversial—change to its climate laws, effectively shutting down a legal route that could have allowed individuals and communities to hold major greenhouse-gas emitters liable in court for climate-related harm. The country's Parliament passed the Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Bill, legislation designed to prevent courts from imposing tort liability on businesses for damage or harm linked to greenhouse-gas

August 19, 2026

Politics

Israel Bombed a Syrian Airbase Over Alleged Turkish Plans—Türkiye’s Response Shows This Crisis Could Get Much Bigger

ANKARA/DAMASCUS — Türkiye has rejected Israel’s claim that a possible Turkish military deployment at a Syrian airbase threatened Israeli security, escalating a dispute that is rapidly becoming about much more than a damaged runway in northwestern Syria. The confrontation follows Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in Syria on Tuesday, August 18, an attack that drew condemnation from Damascus and Ankara — and unusually sharp criticism from Washington. Syrian state television

August 19, 2026

Politics

Trump Just Scaled Back US-South Korea War Drills—But North Korea’s Response Shows Kim May Want Much More

SEOUL — North Korea has delivered another sharp warning over joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises, calling the drills an immediate threat and promising to continue strengthening its defenses — despite an unexpected move by U.S. President Donald Trump to scale back American participation. The criticism, carried by North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), puts fresh attention on the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield, one of the most important military exercises conducted by Wash

August 19, 2026

Politics

Singapore and China Sign Nuclear Technology Pact as City-State Steps Up Energy Push

SINGAPORE — Singapore has taken another significant step in exploring nuclear energy, signing a landmark cooperation agreement with China that could help shape how the city-state evaluates one of the most consequential energy choices in its history. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) signed a memorandum of understanding on August 17 covering cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, as Singapore accelerates efforts to build the ex

August 18, 2026

Politics

Trump Posts Map Calling Strait of Hormuz ‘New US Territory’ as Showdown With Iran Deepens

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has taken his extraordinary threat over the Strait of Hormuz one step further, posting a map that labels one of the world's most important shipping routes as “NEW US Territory” as the confrontation between Washington and Tehran enters an increasingly unpredictable phase. The US president shared the image on his Truth Social account on Tuesday, August 18, depicting the Strait of Hormuz as American territory. The post contained little explanation, but its message was un

August 18, 2026

Politics

Prosecutors Trust Senator-Judges to Be Fair in Sara Duterte Trial—But the Next Evidence Could Change Everything

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel said it remains confident that the senator-judges presiding over Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial will decide the case fairly and without political bias. House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the prosecutors expect the senator-judges to follow the rules of the impeachment court and respect the legal process. The prosecution emphasized that the case should ultimately be decided on the basis o

August 18, 2026

Lifestyle

11,800 Iloilo Health Workers Await a Long-Overdue Break—Will ₱3,000 Monthly Benefits Finally Become Reality?

ILOILO — More than 11,800 barangay health workers (BHWs) across Iloilo Province could be among those who stand to benefit from a proposed overhaul of government support for community health volunteers, as calls intensify for better compensation, protection and recognition of their frontline work. The Iloilo BHWs are seeking long-awaited assistance, including a minimum monthly benefit of ₱3,000, amid renewed national attention on the welfare of barangay-level health workers. The issue has gaine

August 18, 2026

Politics

Dizon’s Big Infrastructure Shift: Why DPWH Is Turning to Private Money for Mega Projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is looking to expand the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to finance and deliver major infrastructure projects, a move that could reshape how some of the country’s biggest roads, bridges and other public works are built. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agency is backing greater private-sector participation for big-ticket infrastructure projects, according to a report by Panay News. The push comes as the gover

August 18, 2026

Politics

OVER 17,000 BARANGAYS ON FLOOD, LANDSLIDE WATCH — THEN PAGASA REVEALS WHAT’S NOW DEVELOPING

MANILA, Philippines — More than 17,000 barangays nationwide are facing moderate to very high susceptibility to flooding and rain-induced landslides as the southwest monsoon, or habagat, continues to bring heavy rains across parts of the country. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered local government units (LGUs) to intensify preventive measures and act before weather conditions deteriorate further. The warning covers the period August 17 to 19, based on hazard

August 18, 2026