Category: Politics

Philippines

Cebu Flood Crisis Deepens: 65 Developers Put Under Scrutiny — But What Will Inspectors Find?

CEBU CITY — Cebu City has intensified its investigation into hillside developments after concerns grew over recurring flooding in communities below the city’s upland areas, putting dozens of property developers under scrutiny for their flood-mitigation measures. The city government had sent notices to 65 developers in the South District, requiring them to submit information on detention ponds, drainage systems and other measures designed to control stormwater runoff. At the height of the compl

September 3, 2026

Japan

Japan May Open Its Military to Foreign Nationals as SDF Recruitment Crisis Deepens — But There’s a Major Catch

Japan is facing a manpower problem inside its Self-Defense Forces that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore — and an expert panel has now proposed a once-unthinkable solution: allowing some foreign nationals to serve in the SDF. The recommendation was presented to Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on September 2 by a panel associated with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation as part of broader proposals aimed at strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities. The proposal comes as the country conf

September 3, 2026

Politics

India’s New “Sher” Rifle Marks a Major Defence Shift — But There’s a Catch

India has reached a significant milestone in its push to reduce dependence on imported military equipment: the first AK-203 “Sher” assault rifle made entirely with Indian-sourced components and input materials has been produced and test-fired at the Korwa facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The achievement is being promoted as a major step in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) defence drive. But there is an important distinction: while the

September 3, 2026

Politics

14 Serbians Targeted by Spyware as Elections Loom — Then Investigators Found Pegasus on an Activist’s iPhone

BELGRADE — Serbia is facing a growing digital surveillance controversy after at least 14 members of civil society, including student activists and opposition figures, were targeted with sophisticated spyware, according to digital rights investigators. The SHARE Foundation said the cases represent the largest documented wave of advanced spyware targeting in Serbia to date. The revelations have intensified concerns about digital surveillance and political freedoms as the country moves toward anot

September 3, 2026

Politics

Putin Says Ukraine Peace Deal Is Possible — But His Next Warning Could Complicate Everything

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia — After more than four years of war, Vladimir Putin has publicly acknowledged that a peace agreement with Ukraine may still be possible — a rare note of optimism from the Kremlin as fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues to intensify. Speaking Thursday at the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia’s Far East, the Russian president said there was a chance of reaching an agreement to end the war and pointed to the willingness of countries including the United States

September 3, 2026

Japan

Japan Makes a Surprise Budget Move After Kumamoto Quake — And the Real Test May Be Just Beginning

Japan is preparing to break with recent spending habits by forgoing a second supplementary budget for fiscal 2026, even as the government continues dealing with the aftermath of the devastating Kumamoto earthquake and heavy rains across the country. Government and ruling-party sources told Jiji Press that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi does not currently intend to submit another supplementary budget when the Diet convenes for a possible extraordinary session in early October. Instead, the admini

September 3, 2026

Politics

Bangladesh Weighs “Islamic NATO” Defence Pact as India Watches Closely

Bangladesh is weighing whether to join a new Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, a move that could significantly reshape Dhaka’s regional security strategy and put its already strained relationship with India under greater pressure. But there is an important distinction: Bangladesh has not joined the pact. As of September 1, Dhaka was still assessing the proposal, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said the country had not received

September 3, 2026

Politics

Trump Tried Again to Restrict Birthright Citizenship — But a Judge Says the Supreme Court Already Settled the Biggest Question

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s renewed attempt to narrow birthright citizenship has suffered another courtroom setback, just weeks after his administration redesigned its policy following a major defeat at the U.S. Supreme Court. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday preventing federal agencies from denying or refusing to recognize the citizenship of people covered by an existing class-action lawsuit challenging the administration’s po

September 3, 2026

Politics

Mexico Walks a Tightrope Between China and the US as Trade Pressure Intensifies

Mexico’s foreign minister is heading to China for talks with Wang Yi as pressure from Washington grows for Mexico to reduce its economic dependence on Chinese goods and investment. The visit puts Mexico at the center of an increasingly important US-China trade battle. Mexican Foreign Secretary Roberto Velasco Álvarez will visit China on September 6–7, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to China’s Foreign Ministry. Velasco is expected to meet Wang in Beijing before

September 3, 2026

Politics

US Navy Eyes Japanese, South Korean and Turkish Frigate Designs as Shipbuilding Crisis Deepens

The United States is considering an unusual solution to a growing naval shipbuilding problem: using warship designs developed by key allies — and potentially building the first ships overseas. The White House and U.S. Navy are reportedly evaluating frigate designs from Japan, South Korea and Türkiye as Washington looks for a faster way to expand its fleet and rebuild an American shipbuilding industry struggling with delays, rising costs and limited capacity. The three designs reportedly under

September 3, 2026