Category: Politics

Politics

Trump Unleashes ‘Economic D-Day’ on Iran—Now Even Countries Doing Business With Tehran Could Pay the Price

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has dramatically escalated his economic campaign against Iran, warning that any country, business or institution that provides Tehran with a financial or commercial lifeline could face severe economic consequences. Trump announced what he described as an unprecedented campaign of “economic warfare and isolation” against Iran as the conflict approaches its sixth month and diplomatic efforts remain stalled. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, August 19,

August 20, 2026

Philippines

AUGUST 25 ALERT: DepEd to Lead Nationwide School Safety Drill—What Students and Teachers Need to Know

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will lead a nationwide school safety drill on August 25 as the government moves to strengthen preparedness and security in schools following recent incidents of violence, including a shooting inside a school in Zamboanga. The nationwide exercise was confirmed during a Malacañang press briefing on August 19, with Palace Press Officer and PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro saying the drill is intended to help schools become more prepared for

August 20, 2026

Philippines

Remulla Raises Roblox Link to Zamboanga School Shooting—But What Investigators Find on the Student’s Gadgets Could Change Everything

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has raised a possible link between Roblox and the radicalization of the student accused of carrying out the deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, but authorities stressed that the connection has not yet been established with certainty. Speaking at a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday, August 19, Remulla said investigators still need to conduct a forensic examination of the student's electronic devices to determine what o

August 19, 2026

Philippines

₱1,500 Fine for ‘Tsismis’? This South Cotabato Barangay Just Took Gossip to a Whole New Level

What happens when ordinary neighborhood “tsismis” crosses the line and starts causing real conflict? One barangay in South Cotabato has decided to draw that line—with an ordinance that could make proven malicious gossip cost residents money and, in some cases, require them to publicly apologize online. Barangay Landan in Polomolok, South Cotabato has implemented Barangay Ordinance No. 8, Series of 2026, a measure aimed at curbing malicious rumors, false stories and unfounded claims that offici

August 19, 2026

Philippines

₱10-M Road Project Breaks Ground in Zamboanga Sibugay—But Farmers Are Waiting for What Comes Next

IMELDA, Zamboanga Sibugay — A nearly ₱10-million government-funded road project is poised to reshape how farmers in Barangay Gandiangan bring their products to markets, as the municipality moves forward with the construction of a new farm-to-market road. Funded through the FY 2026 Local Government Support Fund–Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP), the project carries a total allocation of ₱9.989 million and will cover an 810-meter road in Barangay Gandiangan. The project officia

August 19, 2026

Politics

Japan Finally Pushes Back Against Trump as US Sanctions ICC Chief — But the Next Move Could Put Tokyo in a Tough Spot

TOKYO — Japan has issued an unusually pointed rebuke of its closest security ally after the United States sanctioned International Criminal Court (ICC) President Tomoko Akane, calling Washington’s latest measures against the Japanese judge “very unfortunate.” The diplomatic clash erupted after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Akane and ICC senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, escalating Washington’s campaign against the Hague-based court. Japan’s Foreign Ministry confirm

August 19, 2026

Entertainment

Harvard Will Pay $53 Million After Donated Body Parts Were Sold—But the Most Disturbing Part of the Scandal Is What Happened Inside the Morgue

Harvard University has agreed to pay $53 million to settle lawsuits filed by families whose loved ones’ donated remains were stolen and illegally sold by a former Harvard Medical School morgue manager. The case has reignited questions about how medical institutions safeguard the remains of people who donate their bodies to science. A Boston state court judge has preliminarily approved the class-action settlement, bringing Harvard closer to resolving civil lawsuits arising from one of the most d

August 19, 2026

Philippines

FAKE MEMO SPARKS CONFUSION: Palace Vows to Hunt Down Those Behind Viral ‘Walang Pasok’ Order

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is moving to identify the source of a fake government memorandum that circulated online amid heavy rains and flooding brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, warning that misinformation capable of affecting public safety will not simply be ignored. Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said authorities are studying the origin of the bogus document, which purported to announce the suspension of in-person go

August 19, 2026

Philippines

ILOILO ALIGNS WITH MARCOS’ SONA: These Local Programs Could Change the Province’s Future — But Will They Deliver?

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo is positioning its existing development programs to match the national priorities outlined by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), with education, skills training, healthcare, food security and human-capital development taking center stage. Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the province already has programs corresponding to virtually every major area highlighted in the President’s SONA, describing the alignment as an

August 19, 2026

Politics

IRAN ISSUES STARK WARNING TO GULF STATES: “HELP THE US, AND YOU’RE PART OF THE WAR” — WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

TEHRAN — Iran has issued a fresh warning to countries bordering the Persian Gulf, saying any assistance or facilitation provided to the U.S. military could be treated as participation in American military operations. Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Ali Abdollahi delivered the warning on Wednesday, August 19, as military activity and tensions across the Gulf continue to intensify. According to Iran’s Mehr news agency, Abdollahi said that any form of assistance to U.S. forces w

August 19, 2026