Category: Politics

Politics

Berlin Just Made Its Taiwan Friendship Group Official — But the Bigger Signal Is Who Joined It

BERLIN — What began as an informal group of Taiwan-friendly lawmakers four years ago has now become an officially registered parliamentary organization in the German capital — and the cross-party lineup behind it could be the most important part of the story. The Berlin House of Representatives formally registered the Berlin–Taipei Parliamentary Friendship Group on August 27, bringing together 18 lawmakers from three major political parties: the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democrat

August 29, 2026

Politics

Taiwan’s Anti-Corruption System Just Won International Praise — But 78 Recommendations Reveal Where the Real Test Begins

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan has won strong praise from a panel of international anti-corruption experts for building what they described as a mature and innovative integrity system. But behind that endorsement came a much tougher message: the island still faces major transparency and accountability gaps involving government procurement, defense, political money, lobbying and the private sector. Five international experts reviewing Taiwan’s third national report under the United Nations Convention a

August 29, 2026

Philippines

Ombudsman Probes Possible Payments Behind Romualdez Witness Recantations as Flood-Control Case Deepens

MANILA, Philippines — The battle over one of the Philippines’ biggest alleged flood-control corruption schemes has entered a potentially decisive new phase: investigators are now looking into whether money or other inducements influenced witnesses who reversed statements implicating former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. The Office of the Ombudsman is examining the circumstances surrounding the recantations rather than automatically treating the witnesses’ new statements as proof

August 29, 2026

Politics

Taiwan Rejected Lai’s NT$210 Billion Drone Plan — Then Passed an Even Bigger One With a Major Catch

TAIPEI — Taiwan’s legislature has approved a massive six-year push to expand the island’s drone capabilities, but the political battle over how to pay for those weapons could prove just as important as the headline NT$240 billion price tag. On August 27, the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan rejected the Executive Yuan’s proposed NT$210 billion, or roughly US$6.6 billion, special budget for military drones and instead passed an opposition-backed law that calls for roughly NT$240 billion ov

August 29, 2026

Politics

Trump Cut Back One Korea War Game to Woo Kim Jong Un — Days Later, This Three-Nation Drill Is Moving Ahead

SEOUL — A major military exercise involving the United States, South Korea and Japan is moving ahead near the Korean Peninsula, creating a fresh test for President Donald Trump’s effort to reopen diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that the three countries will conduct the Freedom Edge 2026 exercise from September 7 to 11 in international waters east and south of Jeju Island. Seoul describes the annual exercise as defensive and says it

August 29, 2026

Philippines

PBBM’s Honorary Doctor of Laws Sparks Backlash: ‘Wrong Message’ to Future Lawyers?

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s receipt of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) has triggered criticism from a Kabataan party-list lawmaker, who questioned whether the prestigious recognition is consistent with the principles of accountability and the rule of law. Marcos received the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, PLM’s highest honorary degree, during the university’s 58th Commencement Exercises at the Philippine Int

August 29, 2026

Politics

They Kept Tiananmen’s Memory Alive for Decades — Now One Hong Kong Court Decision Could Cost Them 10 Years

HONG KONG — Three veteran figures behind Hong Kong’s once-massive annual Tiananmen Square vigils are awaiting their punishment after appearing before the High Court for mitigation arguments in one of the city’s most closely watched national-security prosecutions. Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — former leaders of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China — appeared in court Friday, Aug. 28, following their convictions for inciting su

August 29, 2026

Politics

Taiwan Clears Nuclear Referendum for Nov. 28 — But Two Other Explosive Ballot Questions Were Blocked

TAIPEI — Taiwan’s voters are heading back to the polls for another high-stakes decision on nuclear power, after election authorities approved a nationwide referendum that could challenge one of the island’s most consequential energy policies. But two other controversial proposals — one calling for judicial caning and another seeking to redirect traffic-fine revenue — will not make it onto the ballot. Taiwan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) announced that the referendum seeking to abolish th

August 29, 2026

Philippines

₱100K to ₱800K for a BFP Slot? Over 200 Personnel Now Under Investigation

MANILA, Philippines — More than 200 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), including all of its regional directors, are under investigation over an alleged “slots-for-sale” scheme in which aspiring firefighters were reportedly asked to pay huge sums in exchange for positions in the agency. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is intensifying its crackdown on alleged corruption within the BFP, warning that those found respon

August 29, 2026

Philippines

AIA SUSPENDS EMPLOYEE AFTER VIRAL HONG KONG MALL BRAWL — POLICE REVEAL WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE CAMERA ROLLED

HONG KONG — A viral confrontation at a Hong Kong shopping mall involving a five-year-old girl, three women and an elderly woman seen slapping the child has triggered a corporate response from insurance giant AIA — while a separate online backlash has raised concerns over the dangers of doxxing. The incident happened on the afternoon of August 26 at APM shopping mall in Kwun Tong, after an argument between children at a basketball-themed play area reportedly escalated into a confrontation betwee

August 29, 2026