Category: Politics

Business

US Tightens the Screws on Cuba: New Sanctions Target Castro’s Grandson and Critical Energy Companies

WASHINGTON/HAVANA — The United States has imposed another round of sanctions on Cuba, targeting a member of the Castro family, a state-owned Cuban bank and four companies linked to the island’s energy and mining sectors as Havana struggles with blackouts, fuel shortages and a deepening economic crisis. The latest measures, announced by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on September 3, 2026, represent another escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign again

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Prosecution Drops Lachica, Nolasco and Madriaga as Witnesses—So What Happens to the P612.5-M Confidential Funds Case?

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel has decided not to call three controversial figures—former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) chief Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, former VPSPG deputy commander Col. Dennis Nolasco, and former Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga—as witnesses in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, saying the evidence already presented is sufficient to support its allegations involving confidential funds. The decision marks a significant shi

September 4, 2026

Politics

China Shifts Zhangmu Border Crossing Near Nepal as Deadly Flood Disaster Reshapes Himalayan Trade Routes

China is changing the operating layout of the Zhangmu customs inspection site, the major border gateway connecting China's Tibet region with Nepal, with the new arrangement scheduled to take effect on September 5, 2026. The move comes just days after catastrophic floods and mudslides devastated the Gyirong-Rasuwagadhi border area, killing more than 1,200 people and leaving thousands missing across Nepal and Tibet. According to a government notice reported by Reuters, the modified Zhangmu cust

September 4, 2026

Politics

Singapore and Thailand PMs Turn Diplomacy Into a Singalong: Anutin Sings “Let It Be” as Lawrence Wong Plays Guitar

A high-level diplomatic meeting in Bangkok ended with an unexpected performance as Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took the microphone and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong picked up a guitar for a rendition of The Beatles' classic “Let It Be.” The unusual musical moment took place during an official dinner on Sept. 2, 2026, following the Singapore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat in Bangkok. Video of the performance quickly circulated online, turning what was otherwise a highly formal di

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Bonoan Faces Arraignment in Remaining Flood Control Graft Case—But His Legal Battle Is Far From Over

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan appeared before the Sandiganbayan on Friday for arraignment in the remaining graft case tied to the alleged flood control kickback scandal, even as a separate court ruling has already removed him as an accused in two other cases. The development comes just days after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s request to drop Bonoan from the plunder and graft cases involving former S

September 4, 2026

Politics

South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung Heads to France for Macron Summit — But This Visit Is About Far More Than Cinema

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is heading to France for a four-day state visit that will put diplomacy, advanced technology and the future of global entertainment on the same agenda. Lee will visit France from September 6 to 9, 2026, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The trip will combine a high-level international film summit with formal bilateral talks aimed at turning the countries' newly upgraded relationship into deeper cooperation across security, business, tech

September 4, 2026

China

China-U.S. Bond Yield Gap Nears Record as Global Debt Rout Sends Shockwaves Through Markets

BEIJING/WASHINGTON — A dramatic divergence between Chinese and U.S. government bond markets is putting a fresh spotlight on global capital flows, monetary policy and the growing cost of government borrowing. The yield spread between 10-year U.S. Treasuries and Chinese government bonds widened to about 312 basis points this week, approaching the roughly 315-basis-point record reached early last year, according to Bloomberg data cited by multiple financial reports. The move comes as bond markets

September 4, 2026

Philippines

Tulfo Grills New FDA OIC Over Teston Ties: “Bakit Ikaw ang Na-appoint?

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate budget hearing turned tense on Friday after Sen. Raffy Tulfo questioned newly appointed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Officer-in-Charge Director General Franklin Anthony Tabaquin IV over his appointment and alleged close association with former FDA chief Paolo Teston. Tulfo raised questions about why Tabaquin was chosen to lead the country’s drug and food regulator despite the senator’s assertion that other long-serving FDA officials may have had greater inst

September 4, 2026

Politics

Singapore’s Tax Haul Just Hit a Record S$97.3 Billion — But One Revenue Source Is Doing the Heavy Lifting

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s tax collections are rapidly approaching the S$100 billion mark, with the latest government figures revealing a sharp rise in revenue driven by stronger corporate earnings, consumer spending and economic activity. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) collected S$97.3 billion in tax revenue during financial year 2025/26, an increase of 9.4% from S$88.9 billion the previous year. That means Singapore collected roughly S$8.4 billion more in taxes in just one fin

September 4, 2026

Philippines

NBI Set to File Qualified Human Trafficking Charges vs. Leviste, 6 Others Over Alleged ‘Honey Trap’ Plot

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation is preparing to file qualified human trafficking complaints against Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, former Negros Oriental lawmaker Jacinto “Jing” Paras, and five others in connection with an alleged “honey trap” operation targeting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Friday that the complaints would be filed before the Department of Justice, following the bureau’s investigation into allegations

September 4, 2026