Category: Politics

Philippines

DepEd Orders Active-Attack Drill Across Western Visayas as Schools Brace for Worst-Case Emergencies

WESTERN VISAYAS — Thousands of students, teachers and school personnel across Western Visayas are set to take part in a major school safety exercise on Tuesday, August 25, as the Department of Education (DepEd) conducts a nationwide simultaneous drill designed to test schools’ readiness for active attacks and other extreme emergencies. The exercise is scheduled for 9 a.m. and will involve public and private elementary and secondary schools implementing safety procedures based on their localized

August 24, 2026

Business

GLOBAL MARKETS SHAKE AS OIL SLIPS AHEAD OF NEW IRAN SANCTIONS — BUT THE BIGGER RISK MAY BE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Global financial markets opened the week cautiously as oil prices and several major Asian shares slipped on Monday, August 24, with investors waiting for details of a new US sanctions package targeting Iran. The market reaction comes as Washington prepares what US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described as an exceptionally aggressive economic campaign against Tehran, raising fresh questions about Iran's oil exports, global energy supplies and the future of the strategically important Str

August 24, 2026

Politics

US Cancels Major South Korea Marine Drill Amid Iran War — What This Means for Asia

The United States has cancelled a major joint amphibious military exercise with South Korea after Washington warned that the ongoing war in Iran is limiting the availability of U.S. forces. South Korea’s Marine Corps confirmed Monday that the Ssangyong, or “Double Dragon,” exercise, scheduled for September, will not proceed as planned. The U.S. Marine Corps had formally informed its South Korean counterpart in June that force availability would be constrained for the division-level exercise. T

August 24, 2026

Philippines

GOV’T AID MUST CONTINUE ‘RAIN OR SHINE,’ BONG GO SAYS — BUT THE NEXT WAVE OF HABAGAT COULD TEST THE RESPONSE

MANILA, Philippines — Government assistance to communities hit by floods, fires and other disasters must continue regardless of weather conditions, Senator Bong Go said as authorities prepare for the possibility of renewed heavy rains across Luzon. Go called on national and local government officials to maintain an immediate and sustained response to disaster-affected families, stressing that assistance should not stop simply because weather conditions temporarily improve. His appeal comes as

August 24, 2026

Philippines

Cebu Mayor Faces Ombudsman Complaint Over Monterrazas — But the Biggest Questions May Be Just Beginning

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. is facing fresh scrutiny after a complaint was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman over his handling of the controversial Monterrazas de Cebu development in Barangay Guadalupe. The complaint, filed by Guadalupe resident and former Cebu City Coastline Management Board official Ed Karlon Rama, accuses Archival of possible violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and administrative offenses. At the center of the allega

August 24, 2026

Politics

Andy Burnham Arrives in Kyiv With a Major Ukraine Pledge — But Russia Has Already Warned of “Consequences”

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday, August 24, for his first overseas trip since taking office, delivering a powerful message of support for Ukraine as the country marks its 35th Independence Day. The visit comes at a particularly sensitive moment in the Russia-Ukraine war, with Kyiv facing continued Russian attacks and tensions between Moscow and London escalating over Britain's military support for Ukraine. Burnham is expected to announce that Britain will allow Eu

August 24, 2026

Politics

SYRIA AT ISRAEL MULING NAG-USAP SA SECURITY DEAL — PERO MAY ISANG MALAKING HADLANG NA PUWEDENG SUMIRA SA KASUNDUAN

DAMASCUS — Umaasa ang Syria na maipagpapatuloy ang negosasyon nito sa Israel para sa isang security agreement, sa kabila ng matinding kawalan ng tiwala at panibagong tensyon matapos ang mga pag-atake ng Israel sa teritoryo ng Syria. Ayon kay Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, bukas pa rin ang Damascus sa diplomasya at nais nitong muling buhayin ang mga usapang pangseguridad na natigil kasunod ng digmaan sa pagitan ng Israel at Iran. Ngunit kapansin-pansing mabilis na nagbago ang sitwas

August 24, 2026

Politics

Faishal Ibrahim Could Be Heading Back to NUS — But His Next Move May Surprise Singapore

Singapore — Former Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim could be making a return to academia following his resignation from politics, with the National University of Singapore (NUS) confirming that discussions are underway. NUS said on Monday, Aug. 24, that the university and Associate Professor Faishal are discussing arrangements for his return to academia. However, no final appointment or specific role has been publ

August 24, 2026

Business

SINGAPORE-US TRADE TALKS ENTER A CRITICAL PHASE — GAN KIM YONG’S WASHINGTON VISIT COULD TEST THE RELATIONSHIP

SINGAPORE — Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong is heading to the United States for high-level talks as Singapore navigates a new 12.5% US tariff on a range of its exports, putting the city-state’s carefully built trade relationship with Washington under renewed pressure. Gan will be in the US from Aug. 24 to Aug. 25, beginning his trip in New York, where he is scheduled to meet business and financial leaders. He will then travel to Washington, DC, for meetings wi

August 24, 2026

Philippines

Davao Occidental Shaken by Another Earthquake—But PHIVOLCS Reveals What’s Behind the Latest Tremor

DAVAO OCCIDENTAL — A moderate earthquake shook parts of Davao Occidental and nearby areas on Monday, August 24, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) identifying the tremor as part of the continuing seismic activity following the powerful earthquakes that struck the region in June. The earthquake occurred at 11:59 a.m. on August 24, with its epicenter located about 29 kilometers south-southwest of Balut Island in the municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental.

August 24, 2026