Category: Politics

Politics

Taiwan Moves to Produce Its Own 120mm Ammunition for Abrams Tanks as Defense Self-Reliance Push Accelerates

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan is moving to establish a domestic production line for 120mm tank ammunition for its newly acquired M1A2T Abrams tanks, in another major step toward reducing its dependence on overseas ammunition supplies during a potential crisis. The Armaments Bureau's Arsenal 202 is at the center of the effort, with Taiwan seeking to develop the ability to manufacture 120mm tank rounds locally. The move comes as Taipei rapidly expands domestic defense production and ammunition capacit

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Philippines

PNP Personnel Set for 5% Pay Hike in 2027—But the Bigger Boost May Be What Comes With It

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are set to receive another 5% increase in base pay in 2027, a move expected to improve police morale as the government expands funding not only for salaries but also for personnel welfare, additional manpower, healthcare and operational capabilities. The salary adjustment is part of the second tranche of the compensation increase for military and uniformed personnel (MUPs) under Executive Order No. 107, which takes effect on Janua

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Philippines

PH Debt Bill Explodes: Nearly All of July’s Debt Payments Went to Interest—Here’s What It Means for Filipinos

The Philippine government faced another sharp increase in debt-servicing costs in July, with interest payments consuming almost the entire amount spent on servicing the national debt during the month. According to the latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the national government spent ₱139.99 billion on debt service in July 2026, up 29.55 percent from ₱108.06 billion during the same month last year. The overwhelming bulk went toward interest. Interest payments reached ₱137.18 bil

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Politics

BARMM Polls Tighten Precinct Rules: Candidates, Officials Told to Leave After Voting

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Candidates and elected officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are being reminded to leave polling centers after casting their votes as election authorities move to prevent possible interference during the region’s historic parliamentary elections on September 14. Renault Macarambon, the newly assigned Provincial Election Supervisor of Maguindanao del Norte, emphasized that candidates and other political figures should not remain ins

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Business

China’s Green-Tech Push Is Challenging Trump’s ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Energy Strategy in Africa

AFRICA — A new energy battle is unfolding across Africa, where the United States is promoting fossil fuels while China is rapidly expanding its influence through cheap solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles and renewable-energy infrastructure. For many African governments, however, the choice may have less to do with geopolitics or ideology than with one simple question: Which energy source is cheaper, faster and more reliable? That calculation is increasingly working in China's favour.

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Philippines

Tulfo Can Accept Aliases in Sara Duterte’s Confidential Funds—But One Detail Raises a Bigger Question

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo said he could understand why confidential informants might use aliases, but he questioned why several acknowledgment receipts tied to Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds appeared to carry similar signatures and handwriting. Tulfo raised the issue Monday during the Senate impeachment trial of Duterte, as the prosecution presented Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande as its 11th witness fo

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Philippines

PNP to Add 2,000 New Patrolmen, Patrolwomen in 2027 — Here’s What Applicants Need to Know

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of Filipinos looking to join the Philippine National Police could get another opportunity in 2027, with the government setting aside nearly P700 million for the hiring of 2,000 additional patrolmen and patrolwomen nationwide. The proposed allocation is included in the government's 2027 national budget, which also provides substantially higher funding for the PNP's personnel costs, welfare programs and operational capabilities. The Department of Budget and Manage

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Philippines

25 Minors Listed as OVP, DepEd Confidential Fund Payees — Then PSA Found Something Even More Troubling

MANILA, Philippines — Questions surrounding the controversial confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte deepened Monday after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) told the Senate impeachment court that 25 names appearing in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) payee records corresponded to minors in civil registry records. The revelation came on the 22nd day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, where PSA Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grand

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Politics

Thailand Set for Government Spokesman Shake-Up as ‘Dr Ek’ Tipped for Top Communications Role

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand’s government is preparing for a shake-up in its communications team, with Ekkapob Pianpises, widely known as “Dr Ek,” tipped to become the new government spokesman. The expected appointment would see Ekkapob take over a high-profile role responsible for communicating Cabinet decisions, government policies and official positions to the public and media. The move comes as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s administration seeks to strengthen and streamline its publi

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Politics

Kim Jong Un’s New Nuclear Navy Warning Raises Alarms — But What Is North Korea Preparing Next?

SEOUL — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to transform his country’s navy into a nuclear-armed force, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the United States, South Korea and Japan launch fresh trilateral military drills. Kim made the remarks while commissioning the Kang Kon, a new 5,000-ton-class destroyer that North Korea says will play a role in strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrence and maritime combat capabilities. The development marks one of Pyongyang’s stronges

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