Category: Politics

Politics

China Doubts US “Hellscape” Strategy for Taiwan Strait—But Its Military Experts Are Watching Closely

TAIPEI, Taiwan — China may publicly dismiss the United States' proposed “Hellscape” strategy for a Taiwan Strait conflict, but behind that rhetoric, Chinese military analysts appear to be taking the concept far more seriously than Beijing's official messaging suggests. That is the central finding of a new analysis by Ian Easton, an associate professor at the U.S. Naval War College's China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI), who examined Chinese-language military and strategic writings on the U.S

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Politics

DPP Accuses KMT of Dropping Sheltered Workshop Mooncake Orders as Taiwan Election Fight Intensifies

TAIPEI, Taiwan — A political fight over Taiwan's Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes has taken a new turn, with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) accusing the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) of failing to follow through on promised purchases from sheltered workshops serving people with disabilities. The controversy erupted after two sheltered workshops in southern Taiwan said they had been contacted by the KMT about bulk purchases but later received no confirmed orders. The allegations have

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Politics

Lai Promises Taiwan Taxi Drivers More Opportunities as Government Eyes Bigger Role for Taxis

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has promised to create more business opportunities for taxi drivers by giving the industry a larger role in the country's transportation system—including a potential new function as a flexible complement to buses and other public transport. Speaking Sunday, Sept. 6, at a Mid-Autumn? No—the event was a Ghost Festival banquet hosted by the Taipei Taxi Drivers' Union—Lai said the government wants to expand economic activity and find new ways for taxi

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Business

Liloan Mayor Explains New P12 Garbage Bag System After Residents Raise Concerns

LILOAN, Cebu, Philippines — Liloan Mayor Aljew Jordan Frasco has defended and clarified the municipality's proposed new garbage collection system after residents raised concerns over a plan requiring households to buy official trash bags costing P12 each. The new policy, called the “Pay As You Throw, Garbage Bag System,” is covered by Municipal Ordinance No. 42-2026 and is intended to address Liloan's growing waste-management costs while encouraging residents to segregate their garbage properly

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Philippines

Remulla Rejects Sara Duterte’s Harassment Claim, Calls Jail Narrative ‘Drama’

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has strongly rejected Vice President Sara Duterte's allegations of harassment surrounding the service of an arrest warrant against her, describing her camp's account of possible detention as “drama.” The dispute has added another volatile chapter to the widening political conflict between the Duterte and Marcos camps, following Duterte's arrest warrant over three counts of grave threats and her subsequent decision to p

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Politics

Taiwan Moves to Produce Its Own 120mm Ammunition for Abrams Tanks as Defense Self-Reliance Push Accelerates

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan is moving to establish a domestic production line for 120mm tank ammunition for its newly acquired M1A2T Abrams tanks, in another major step toward reducing its dependence on overseas ammunition supplies during a potential crisis. The Armaments Bureau's Arsenal 202 is at the center of the effort, with Taiwan seeking to develop the ability to manufacture 120mm tank rounds locally. The move comes as Taipei rapidly expands domestic defense production and ammunition capacit

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Philippines

PNP Personnel Set for 5% Pay Hike in 2027—But the Bigger Boost May Be What Comes With It

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are set to receive another 5% increase in base pay in 2027, a move expected to improve police morale as the government expands funding not only for salaries but also for personnel welfare, additional manpower, healthcare and operational capabilities. The salary adjustment is part of the second tranche of the compensation increase for military and uniformed personnel (MUPs) under Executive Order No. 107, which takes effect on Janua

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Philippines

PH Debt Bill Explodes: Nearly All of July’s Debt Payments Went to Interest—Here’s What It Means for Filipinos

The Philippine government faced another sharp increase in debt-servicing costs in July, with interest payments consuming almost the entire amount spent on servicing the national debt during the month. According to the latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the national government spent ₱139.99 billion on debt service in July 2026, up 29.55 percent from ₱108.06 billion during the same month last year. The overwhelming bulk went toward interest. Interest payments reached ₱137.18 bil

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Politics

BARMM Polls Tighten Precinct Rules: Candidates, Officials Told to Leave After Voting

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Candidates and elected officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are being reminded to leave polling centers after casting their votes as election authorities move to prevent possible interference during the region’s historic parliamentary elections on September 14. Renault Macarambon, the newly assigned Provincial Election Supervisor of Maguindanao del Norte, emphasized that candidates and other political figures should not remain ins

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Business

China’s Green-Tech Push Is Challenging Trump’s ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Energy Strategy in Africa

AFRICA — A new energy battle is unfolding across Africa, where the United States is promoting fossil fuels while China is rapidly expanding its influence through cheap solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles and renewable-energy infrastructure. For many African governments, however, the choice may have less to do with geopolitics or ideology than with one simple question: Which energy source is cheaper, faster and more reliable? That calculation is increasingly working in China's favour.

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