Category: Politics

Philippines

BARMM Is Days Away From Its First Parliamentary Election — But What Happens After the Votes Could Decide the Future of the Peace Process

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — After decades of armed conflict, negotiations, ceasefires and political transition, the Bangsamoro is approaching a moment its peace process was ultimately designed to produce: an elected regional government chosen at the ballot box. On September 14, 2026, roughly 2.39 million registered voters are expected to participate in the first regular parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM. But with election day only days a

September 6, 2026

Politics

Europe Just Put Satellites Into Orbit From Continental Soil — But SpaceX Still Dominates the Launch Race

ANDØYA, Norway — Eighteen months ago, Germany's Isar Aerospace watched its first Spectrum rocket lose control shortly after takeoff and plunge back toward the Norwegian coast. On Saturday night, the company's second rocket did something dramatically different. It reached orbit. Spectrum lifted off from the Arctic Andøya Spaceport at 10:12 p.m. Central European Summer Time on Sept. 5, successfully reaching orbit and deploying payloads on a mission Isar Aerospace called “Onward and Upward.” Th

September 6, 2026

Politics

Trump’s Iran Strategy Takes a Dangerous Turn—Could the War Become America’s Next “Forever War”?

WASHINGTON — What began as a campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump had portrayed as a short military operation is increasingly raising a very different question: What if the war with Iran has no clear ending? Six months into the conflict, the Trump administration is confronting a difficult strategic dilemma. Washington has demonstrated that it can repeatedly destroy Iranian military infrastructure, but eliminating Iran’s ability to rebuild those capabilities is a far more difficult proposit

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Iloilo’s ₱92-Million Water Pipeline Is Coming Two Years Early — But the Bigger Supply Test Begins in 2027

ILOILO CITY — A new water line running more than five kilometers from Iloilo City into Oton may look like a project built primarily for one subdivision. The numbers suggest something much bigger. Metro Pacific Iloilo Water Inc. (MPIW) and Iloilo Southprime Developers Inc., operating as WeeComm, have signed an agreement to build a 5,137-meter transmission pipeline from the Mandurriao area to Emerald Estates in Barangay Cagbang, Oton. Panay News reported that the project will give Emerald Estat

September 6, 2026

China

China Just Sent Its ‘National Team’ Back Into the Stock Market With $8.9 Billion — But the Problem Beijing Can’t Buy Away Is Getting Bigger

BEIJING — China has once again reached for one of its most powerful tools for calming a falling stock market: state money. After a brutal technology-led selloff erased roughly 10 trillion yuan, or about $1.48 trillion, from mainland Chinese market value in two weeks, two major state-owned investment groups disclosed that they had deployed around 60 billion yuan — approximately $8.9 billion — into Chinese shares. The intervention helped stabilize markets temporarily. But it also exposed a much

September 6, 2026

Philippines

PH Navy Intercepts Over P100 Million in Smuggled Cigarettes in Western Mindanao—Here’s Where the Contraband Was Headed

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Navy has intensified its campaign against maritime smuggling in Western Mindanao after separate sea operations led to the seizure of more than P100 million worth of undocumented cigarettes, according to reports from authorities and multiple news outlets. The operations targeted vessels moving through the waters around Sulu and the Zamboanga Peninsula, areas that authorities have repeatedly identified as vulnerable routes for the movement of illicit goods. Accord

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Says She Fears for Her Life—Now the PNP Is Stepping In

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is prepared to assess and verify Vice President Sara Duterte’s security concerns after she publicly expressed fear for her life and said she no longer trusted the police or the courts. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units would continue monitoring the situation involving Duterte and her immediate family and would examine any documents, reports or statements she submits concerning alleged threats. The deve

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Omar Duterte Blasts Sara Arrest Warrant as ‘Political Harassment’—But What Happens Next Could Raise the Stakes

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City 2nd District Rep. Omar Duterte has condemned the arrest warrant issued against his aunt, Vice President Sara Duterte, calling it a “clear act of political harassment” as the Vice President’s legal and political battles continue to intensify. In a statement, Omar Duterte accused those in power of using government institutions to silence political opponents, saying he was deeply troubled by the developments surrounding the Vice President. His remarks came after a

September 6, 2026

Philippines

Sara Duterte Says She Feared for Her Life—Now Malacañang Fires Back on the PNP’s Role

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has defended the Philippine National Police (PNP) amid Vice President Sara Duterte's claims that she feared for her safety, insisting that law enforcers are carrying out their duties in accordance with the law and without political bias. The Palace's response came after Duterte raised concerns about her security following developments surrounding the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, where she appeared in connection with a grave threats case. Palace Press Offic

September 6, 2026

Politics

Farage’s Funding Controversy Gives UK PM Andy Burnham a Political Lifeline — But the October Budget Could Take It Away

LONDON — For weeks, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham appeared to be heading toward an uncomfortable autumn reckoning. His government has promised ambitious changes to housing, social care, public utilities and regional investment. At the same time, borrowing costs have risen and Britain's room for new spending has narrowed. Then Nigel Farage's Reform UK convention began. Instead of dominating headlines with plans for a future Reform government, Farage found himself answering questions abou

September 6, 2026