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Xi Jinping Lands in Egypt as Iran War Tests Middle East Alliances and China’s Growing Influence

CAIRO — Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Egypt for his first state visit to the country in a decade, stepping into a Middle East reshaped by the ongoing Iran war, disrupted trade routes and growing questions over the region’s long-term security partnerships. Xi was welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Sept. 1. The visit comes as Egypt seeks to maintain strong relations with Washington while simultaneously expanding its strategic and economic partnership wit

September 2, 2026

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Nepal Flood Death Toll Surpasses 1,000 as Rescue Teams Race Into Cut-Off Areas

KATHMANDU — Nepal is facing one of its most devastating natural disasters in years after a glacier collapse triggered catastrophic flash floods across the Himalayan region, killing more than 1,000 people and leaving thousands still missing. The disaster began on Aug. 26, when a massive collapse of ice, rock and debris in the Himalayas sent a powerful surge of water downstream through communities along the Nepal-China border. The resulting floods and landslides destroyed homes, roads, bridges an

September 2, 2026

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THE TIBET–NEPAL FLOOD IS A HIMALAYAN CLIMATE SECURITY WARNING

A glacier-linked disaster on the Nepal–China border has exposed a much bigger problem: the Himalayas are becoming a high-risk zone where climate change, fragile infrastructure, water security and cross-border disaster response increasingly collide. On August 26, 2026, a catastrophic flash flood and debris flow struck communities along Nepal's Bhote Koshi River after a rapid slope failure involving glacier material in the Langtang area near the China border. According to the U.S. Geological Sur

September 2, 2026

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Desmond Tan’s 10kg Transformation for Pace Comes Full Circle

SINGAPORE — Desmond Tan is giving fans a striking look at just how far he went to transform himself for his latest movie role — gaining 10kg before shedding the weight and returning to his familiar toned physique. The 40-year-old Singaporean actor documented the dramatic transformation in a recent Instagram video, showing his journey from his usual athletic build to a fuller physique and eventually back to his defined, six-pack physique. The transformation was undertaken for Pace, an upcoming

September 2, 2026

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GOV’T BETS BIG ON AI,CHIPS FOR 2027 BUDGET RO COMPETE IN GLOBAL TECH RACE

SEOUL — South Korea is making a major bet on artificial intelligence and semiconductors as the government proposes its largest-ever annual budget, seeking to strengthen the country's position in the rapidly intensifying global technology race. The government has proposed ₩820.9 trillion ($597 billion) in total spending for 2027, representing a 12.8% increase from this year's original budget. The proposal marks the largest year-on-year increase in South Korea's budget since comparable records be

September 2, 2026

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China Steps Up Taiwan Blockade Preparations as PLA Drills Target Air and Sea Routes

TAIPEI — Taiwan’s defence ministry says China is intensifying preparations for a potential blockade of the island, with recent People’s Liberation Army exercises increasingly focused on controlling Taiwan’s air and sea access. The assessment was included in Taiwan’s newly released 2026 China Military Power Report, submitted to lawmakers alongside the island’s five-year military development plan and proposed defence budget for next year. According to the report, recent PLA exercises have increa

September 2, 2026

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Lorong Lew Lian HDB Fire Turns Fatal: Man Dies After Being Found Unconscious Inside 3rd-Floor Flat

SINGAPORE — A fire at an HDB flat in Lorong Lew Lian turned deadly on Tuesday (Sept 1), after firefighters found an unconscious man inside the third-floor unit. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted to the blaze at Block 8 Lorong Lew Lian in Upper Serangoon at about 2.45pm. When emergency responders arrived, black smoke was seen billowing from a third-floor flat. During firefighting operations, SCDF officers discovered an unconscious person in the living room. Firefighters brou

September 1, 2026

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The Notebook: The Musical’ Comes to Manila: Inside the Filipino Cast’s Emotional Rehearsals

MANILA — A beloved love story is getting a distinctly Filipino stage treatment as Theatre Group Asia prepares to bring The Notebook: The Musical to Manila for its international premiere this September. Based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel, the musical will open Theatre Group Asia’s 2026–2027 season at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati, with performances scheduled from September 3 to 20, 2026. The production features a multi-generational Filipino cast and reimagines the story

September 1, 2026

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Cebu Lawmaker Takes Aim at Online Gambling Ads—Here’s How the Proposed Nationwide Ban Could Change Digital Promotions

CEBU, Philippines — A Cebu lawmaker is pushing for a sweeping ban on online gambling advertisements and promotions, arguing that the rapid growth of digital betting has made gambling increasingly accessible through smartphones and social media. Cebu Third District Representative Karen Hope Garcia has filed House Bill 10982, or the “Online Gambling Advertising Prohibition Act of 2026,” which would prohibit online gambling commercials and marketing across social media, television, radio, print, b

September 1, 2026

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UK and Philippines Open Talks on Troop Pact as Manila Deepens South China Sea Security Ties

MANILA — The Philippines and the United Kingdom have opened formal negotiations on a proposed visiting forces agreement that would allow British and Philippine troops to train and temporarily operate on each other’s territory. The talks mark another step in Manila’s effort to expand its network of security partnerships as tensions in the South China Sea continue to intensify. If concluded, the agreement would make Britain the fourth NATO member to establish this type of troop-access arrangemen

September 1, 2026