Fake troops loot earthquake-hit homes in Japan’s Kumamoto
Impostors dressed in military fatigues are reportedly prowling abandoned properties, with residents warned to be on the lookout
· Julian Ryall
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Fake troops loot earthquake-hit homes in Japan’s Kumamoto
Impostors dressed in military fatigues are reportedly prowling abandoned properties, with residents warned to be on the lookout
· Julian Ryall
North dominates best-ball, wrests 3-point lead in JPGT Finals
MANILA, Philippines – Team North showed its class, resolve and championship mettle right from the opening tee, overcoming the so-called homecourt advantage to seize a commanding 7 1/2-4 1/2 lead over Team South in the Four-ball format at the start of the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior PGT Championship at the Pueb…
· The Manila Times
Thailand to review pardon rules after release of 85-year-old drug lord brings backlash
Laota Saenlee, a former anti-communist guerrilla turned drug runner, is freed after serving less than a decade of a life sentence
· Agence France-Presse
Thailand to review pardon rules after release of 85-year-old drug lord brings backlash
Laota Saenlee, a former anti-communist guerrilla turned drug runner, is freed after serving less than a decade of a life sentence
· Agence France-Presse
Arca sweeps ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships
International Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Zamboanga City completed a remarkable sweep in the open under-20 division by winning the individual gold medal in standard, rapid and blitz events at the 24th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Singapore from Aug. 7 to 17, 2026.
· The Manila Times
China plans for peak oil demand amid pipeline increase, intelligent rig development
Beijing’s peak-oil plan pairs an expansion of China’s network of pipelines with 15-km-deep drilling rigs
· Mia Nurmamat
China plans for peak oil demand amid pipeline increase, intelligent rig development
Beijing’s peak-oil plan pairs an expansion of China’s network of pipelines with 15-km-deep drilling rigs
· Mia Nurmamat
China shifting West PH Sea presence toward coast guard, research ships
MANILA, Philippines — China appears to be shifting its maritime presence in the West Philippine Sea toward coast guard and research operations, with the Philippines monitoring fewer Chinese navy and maritime militia vessels but more China Coast Guard (CCG) and research vessels in the first half of 2026, the Armed Fo…
· Gabryelle Dumalag
Gun issued to Customs official used in Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting
SHOOTING. General view of Ateneo de Zamboanga University after a shooting that killed two people, in Zamboanga City on August 18, 2026.
· jsitchon0312
India extends lead to 294 on Day 4 of 1st cricket test against Sri Lanka
India’s KL Rahul plays a shot as Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella watches during the day four of the first cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Nvidia executive visits LG Electronics robotics hub
SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- Madison Huang, a senior director at Nvidia Corp. and the daughter of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang, visited LG Electronics Inc.'s robotics hub in South Korea on Tuesday.
· Kim Han-joo
USFK commander visits defense ministry after Trump's order to reduce joint exercise with S. Korea
SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson visited the defense ministry Tuesday for a meeting with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the military to scale down a regular combined exercise with South Korea.
· Kim Seung-yeon
Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row over China ties with New Zealand
The result shows that local voters are not as concerned about geopolitical issues as claimed in earlier reports, analysts say
· Maria Siow
Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row over China ties with New Zealand
The result shows that local voters are not as concerned about geopolitical issues as claimed in earlier reports, analysts say
· Maria Siow
Death toll from Luis, Maymay, monsoon rises to 26 — NDRRMC
MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon has risen to 26, while more than 5.1 million people have been affected nationwide, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Tuesday.
· Franco Jose C. Baroña
(2nd LD) Chinese FM Wang Yi to visit S. Korea this week: foreign ministry
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details throughout)
· Kim Seung-yeon
Zamboanga school shooting: DepEd appeals for ‘compassion over clicks’
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· Iya Gozum
(URGENT) USFK commander visits defense ministry after Trump's order to reduce joint exercise with S. Korea
(2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
· Kim Seung-yeon
LTFRB chair Mendoza, OTC chief Guadiz suspended over LTO IT system
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· jpcruz0306
Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra island
An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck off Indonesia's Sumatra island on Tuesday at a depth of 18 miles, the country's geophysics agency said.
· REUTERS
Legit Status Varsity makes history as first Filipino champion in UDO World Finals category
LEGIT Status Varsity bags the Championship title in the 18 and Under Advanced Category representing the Philippines at the UDO World Finals held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens in the United Kingdom last Aug. 12 to 16, 2026. The first-ever Filipino team to win in the Category.
· The Manila Times
Malaysia holds off on pilot extradition request pending Indonesian drug probe
The goal now is to obtain information to see if the Malaysian Airlines pilot acted alone or was part of a network, the home minister says
· The Star
Malaysia holds off on pilot extradition request pending Indonesian drug probe
The goal now is to obtain information to see if the Malaysian Airlines pilot acted alone or was part of a network, the home minister says
· The Star
Did melon-gate damage relations with Japan? Today we found out
Anthony Albanese’s infamous exchange with a podcast host about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s melon gift may have been crass, ill-advised and cringeworthy. Indeed, it certainly was. The big unanswered question was whether the prime minister’s bawdy banter with a so-called bush Barbie, and his steadfast ref…
· Matthew Knott
Former Komatsu chief Sakane dies at 85
Masahiro Sakane, former president of Komatsu, dies at 85. (Photo by Jun Takai)
· Staff Writer
Behind Trump’s North Korea overtures, a tougher message for Seoul
Since 2017, I have covered South Korea’s political and economic landscape as a reporter, with a focus on foreign affairs, inter-Korean relations and security.As a foreign affairs reporter, I closely follow developments from the Ministry of Unification, the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry, tracking shifts i…
· Jung Min-kyung
(URGENT) Seoul shares end lower, snapping 5-day winning streak, on profit-taking
(2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
· Choi Kyong-ae
South Korea leader stresses US alliance in face of Trump order to cut exercises
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, second from right, speaks during a cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (Yonhap via AP)
· Hyung Jin Kim
Can China’s new Arctic Sea route to Europe replace Middle East chokepoints?
China has announced a new shipping route through the Arctic Ocean, which could ease the way for global trade amid the Middle East crisis that has paralysed critical waterways, including the Bab al-Mandeb on the edge of the Red Sea.
· Priyanka Shankar
Chip boom prompts Moody’s to lift Korea growth to 3.5%
Ratings agency expects export upcycle to run into mid-2027, easing pressure on government finances
· Im Eun-byel
How monarchies stay relevant, Pakistan’s new defence pact: 7 Asia highlights
From Southeast Asia’s monarchies to a shoving incident in Singapore, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting
· SCMP
How monarchies stay relevant, Pakistan’s new defence pact: 7 Asia highlights
From Southeast Asia’s monarchies to a shoving incident in Singapore, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting
· SCMP
South Gyeongsang reels after summer’s worth of rain in days
Recovery efforts across southeastern Korea began Tuesday after record-breaking rainfall battered the region, and the hardest-hit cities struggle to return to some semblance of normalcy.
· Lim Jae-seong
Main stock market's turnover falls to year-to-date low in August
SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- Turnover of South Korea's main bourse hit the lowest level so far this year in August, after a sharp plunge in the stock market in July, data showed Tuesday.
· Deok-Hyun Kim
Malaysian preacher faces backlash over Chinese festival remarks
Ridhuan Tee Abdullah publicly questioned why a Hungry Ghost Festival banner was in Chinese rather than Malay
· Ushar Daniele
Malaysian preacher faces backlash over Chinese festival remarks
Ridhuan Tee Abdullah publicly questioned why a Hungry Ghost Festival banner was in Chinese rather than Malay
· Ushar Daniele
Heavy rainfall expected throughout August — Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said rains would persist throughout August but won't be as intense compared to Monday.
· Allen Limos
(LEAD) Chinese FM Wang Yi to visit S. Korea this week: foreign ministry
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, minor edits in paras 3-6)
· Park Boram
New DP leader floats Mamdani's 'affordability' agenda
The new leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea is pushing "affordability" atop the party's agenda, following his election to the post on Monday.
· Son Ji-hyoung
Chinese navy’s combat software guru Zhao Xiaozhe disappears from academy website
The vice-admiral is the latest prominent expert to be removed from the prestigious national engineering institution’s membership list
· Ling Xin
Chinese navy’s combat software guru Zhao Xiaozhe disappears from academy website
The vice-admiral is the latest prominent expert to be removed from the prestigious national engineering institution’s membership list
· Ling Xin
Marikina congressman faces 5 sexual offense charges as DOJ recommends prosecution
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) National Prosecution Service (NPS) recommended the filing of four counts of rape by sexual assault and one count of acts of lasciviousness against Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcelino “Marcy” Reyes Teodoro.
· William B. Depasupil
Ombudsman flags Legarda, Leviste travel extensions as ‘quite suspicious,’ says France asylum possible
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman found Sen. Loren Legarda’s repeated extensions of her travel authority for medical reasons “quite suspicious already” and said it is possible she and her son, Rep. Leandro Leviste, could seek asylum in France, spokesman Mico Clavano said Tuesday.
· James Daniel Danio
Seoul to welcome second-largest incentive travel group from India
A 1,400-member incentive travel group from India will arrive in Seoul in three batches between Sept. 6 and 11, marking the second-largest group of its kind from India to visit Seoul, the city government said Tuesday.
· Park Yuna
Seoul denies chips eyed for first US investment project
South Korea’s Industry Ministry on Tuesday denied that semiconductors are being considered as the first project under Seoul’s US investment commitments, as Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan holds last-minute talks in Washington over the package and related tariff issues.
· Jo He-rim
‘Very positive’: Trump says Kim Jong Un has responded to his overtures
Trump says talking to North Korea’s Kim makes the south safer
· Adam Hancock
Korea's battery trio spend W4.3tr despite prolonged EV slowdown
South Korea’s three major battery makers poured over 4 trillion won ($2.84 billion) into plant construction and equipment upgrades in the first half of the year, keeping their capital spending steady even as the slowdown in electric vehicle demand drags on.
· Ahn Sung-mi
Buldak boom lifts Samyang to record overseas sales
Second-quarter profit jumps 47% as sales surge across US, China and Europe
· Kan Hyeong-woo
Why South Koreans thought Trump's drill decision was 'fake news'
Donald Trump met with the North Korean leader three times during his first term. (AP: Evan Vucci, File)
· Natalie Whiting