Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca pact ‘falls short’ of a Nato-style defence alliance
Observers say diverging strategic interests and a weak mutual security capacity will be the main challenges facing the agreement
· Fan Chen
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Businessman Jorge Araneta leads 2026 UP Alumni Association awardees
Images from UP Alumni Association; Rappler composite by Marian Hukom
· gdecastro0289
Chinese custom sees women throw embroidered balls from balconies to choose husbands
In feudal China’s strict marriage system, throwing an embroidered ball subverted rigid family control by leaving a woman’s choice to fate
· Fran Lu
Chinese custom sees women throw embroidered balls from balconies to choose husbands
In feudal China’s strict marriage system, throwing an embroidered ball subverted rigid family control by leaving a woman’s choice to fate
· Fran Lu
CK Hutchison Holdings reports 31-fold surge in first-half profit
Global environment in the first half of 2026 was ‘exceptionally turbulent and uncertain’, says chairman Victor Li Tzar-kuoi
· Cheryl Arcibal
CK Hutchison Holdings reports 31-fold surge in first-half profit
Global environment in the first half of 2026 was ‘exceptionally turbulent and uncertain’, says chairman Victor Li Tzar-kuoi
· Cheryl Arcibal
DPWH: Contractor to pay for fresh EDSA potholes
MANILA, Philippines — The contractor behind the recently rehabilitated southbound stretch of EDSA will have to fix its fresh potholes at its own expense, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said Thursday, warning that taxpayers will not pay twice for the same roadwork.
· William B. Depasupil
Comelec raises issues, concerns on amendments to party-list law
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday raised questions and cited possible challenges in its preparations for the 2028 national and local elections should the proposed measures of amending the Party-list System Act be enacted into law.
· Dianne Sampang
South Korean airport becomes busiest in world for global traffic amid Iran war
Incheon airport had 38.39m international passengers in first half of 2026, as traffic diverted from Middle East hubs
· Raphael Rashid
House prosecution defends private counsel’s social media post
MANILA, Philippines — Prosecutors from the House of Representatives on Thursday defended private counsel Amando Virgil Ligutan and insisted he did not violate the sub judice rule by posting an explanation of the prohibition on misleading questions.
· Kristina Maralit, Allen Limos
Japan protests as Russia’s Putin visits disputed Kuril Islands
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has paid his first-ever visit to a Russian-administered island chain in the Pacific that is also claimed by Japan, drawing condemnation from Tokyo.
Australian jury convicts ex-Catholic bishop of sexually abusing 2 men
Christopher Saunders, 76, is one of the most senior Australian Catholics to be convicted in a global clergy abuse scandal
· Associated Press
Australian jury convicts ex-Catholic bishop of sexually abusing 2 men
Christopher Saunders, 76, is one of the most senior Australian Catholics to be convicted in a global clergy abuse scandal
· Associated Press
Putin Makes First Visit to Disputed Kuril Islands Amid Protests From Japan
President Vladimir Putin visited Russia's far-eastern Kuril Islands for the first time on Thursday, prompting protests by Japan, which also claims the territory.
· AFP
Yellow alert lifted in Metro Manila, nearby areas — Pagasa
MANILA, Philippines —The yellow rainfall warning has been lifted in Metro Manila and in other areas, but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that light to moderate rains would prevail in the capital due to the southwest monsoon or "habagat."
· Red Mendoza
Indonesia eyes mass production of home-grown EVs by 2028
Indonesia hopes to have 13 million electric motorcycles and 2 million electric cars on its roads by 2030
· Reuters
Indonesia eyes mass production of home-grown EVs by 2028
Indonesia hopes to have 13 million electric motorcycles and 2 million electric cars on its roads by 2030
· Reuters
The 11 key achievements of China’s ‘iron premier’ Zhu Rongji – in his own words
As he laid the groundwork for China’s economic transformation, the tough reformer won a reputation for speaking bluntly
· William Zheng
The 11 key achievements of China’s ‘iron premier’ Zhu Rongji – in his own words
As he laid the groundwork for China’s economic transformation, the tough reformer won a reputation for speaking bluntly
· William Zheng
Vietnam’s warship project signals modernisation, bamboo diplomacy balance
As Hanoi seeks to build its defence manufacturing capabilities with the frigate, it is likely to remain dependent on foreign know-how
· Sam Beltran
Vietnam’s warship project signals modernisation, bamboo diplomacy balance
As Hanoi seeks to build its defence manufacturing capabilities with the frigate, it is likely to remain dependent on foreign know-how
· Sam Beltran
Li Ka-shing family's CK Hutchison logs profit jump amid stalled port deal
Cheung Kong Center, the headquarters of CK Hutchison, in Hong Kong. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
· KENJI KAWASE
Putin visits Kuril islands claimed by Japan — state media
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited for the first time the far-eastern Kuril islands, state media reported on Thursday, likely worsening ties with Japan which also claims part of the archipelago.
· Agence France-Presse
La Salle student falls to her death from school building
MANILA, Philippines — A student of De La Salle University fell to her death from a building in its campus on Vito Cruz, Manila, police confirmed on Thursday.
· Red Mendoza
Chinese carmakers could capture 15% to 30% of European market by 2035: Citi analysts
‘Made in Europe’ requirement in EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act cited as key factor in lowest growth forecast
· Xiaofei Xu
Chinese carmakers could capture 15% to 30% of European market by 2035: analysts
‘Made in Europe’ requirement in EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act cited as key factor in lowest growth forecast
· Xiaofei Xu
An inside look at SK Hynix $720 billion AI-fueled buildout that's taking over South Korea
In South Korea, where a mountainous landscape makes building huge projects an incredible undertaking, the world's leading maker of high-bandwidth computer memory is investing $720 billion on what it says will be the largest network of memory factories in the world.
· Katie Tarasov
Lee calls for swift conscription reform to expand professional ranks
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
How diplomacy changed Korea’s fate — and its future
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
North Africa-based operator of Korean content piracy sites arrested
Three websites offering illegally copied webtoons, web novels and other Korean content have been shut down, and their operator has been arrested, the South Korea's Culture Ministry said Thursday.
· Cha Min-jung
Why do Pakistan and India celebrate Independence Day one day apart? | The National
At midnight on August 14, 1947, the Indian Independence Act came into being, effectively ending 200 years of British colonialism and splitting the country into India and Pakistan.
· David Tusing
Foreign nationals support one another following quake in Kumamoto
Many foreign residents in Kumamoto Prefecture, hit by a major earthquake late last month, are supporting one another as some hesitate to go to evacuation centers or struggle to obtain information on relief supplies due to language barriers and cultural differences.
· No Author
Frieze Seoul helped unite Korea's art scene. Now it's looking to Asia
Director Patrick Lee wants Frieze Seoul to be more than an art fair — a place where the global art world comes to meet
· Park Yuna
On this day in Korea - August 15, 1945: Korea gains freedom from Japan
Korea regained its independence as Japan surrendered to the Allied forces in World War II, ending 35 years of harsh colonial occupation that began in 1910. On this historic day of national liberation, Yeo Un-hyung, a prominent left-leaning nationalist, took immediate political action by establishing the Committee fo…
· Yu doo-ho
Chinese state-linked observatory sought NZ site, spy agency says
WELLINGTON – New Zealand’s security agency said it disrupted an attempt by a Chinese state-linked observatory to install satellite-tracking infrastructure in the country, highlighting the case in its annual assessment of an increasingly dangerous espionage environment.
· Lucy Craymer
South Korea reaches U-17 volleyball quarterfinals
South Korea advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIVB U-17 Women’s Volleyball World Championship with a 3-0 sweep of the Philippines on Thursday in Los Andes, Chile.
· Korea Herald
(LEAD) N. Korea's Wed. rebuke marks its 1st official stance on Seoul's nuclear submarine push: official
(ATTN: ADDS photo, foreign ministry's response in last 4 paras; RECASTS lead)
· Woo Jae-yeon
Pentagon watchdog warns of severe decay at US military bases across Pacific region
The emergency Pentagon advisory highlights mould, structural damage and safety risks across 11 key bases in the region
· Bloomberg
Pentagon watchdog warns of severe decay at US military bases across Pacific region
The emergency Pentagon advisory highlights mould, structural damage and safety risks across 11 key bases in the region
· Bloomberg
S. Korean pentathletes driven to win S. Korea's 1st gold at 2026 Asian Games
JINCHEON, South Korea, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean modern pentathletes said Thursday they will try to win the country's very first gold medal of this year's Asian Games in Japan.
· Yoo Jee-ho
Rights panel calls bathhouse's women-only towel, soap fees discriminatory
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea ruled that a public bathhouse charging only female customers for towels and soap violated equal rights protections, recommending corrective measures to the owner and the local government.
· Cha Min-jung
Koreans dig into family roots amid Ahn Ha-young's ancestry controversy
A website that helps Koreans trace their family origins and learn about historical figures and genealogies has experienced a boost in traffic after actor Ahn Ha-young came under public scrutiny over her ancestor’s alleged pro-Japanese activities during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea.
· Cha Min-jung
Will Thailand’s potential BrahMos deal fuel ‘mini-arms race’ with Cambodia?
Analysts say BrahMos could boost Thailand’s deterrence at sea and give it more options as tensions with Cambodia persist
· Maria Siow
Why Thailand is eyeing BrahMos missiles to boost maritime defence
Analysts say BrahMos could boost Thailand’s deterrence at sea and give it more options as tensions with Cambodia persist
· Maria Siow
China’s travellers raise alarm over error-filled tourist signs in public spaces
Passengers share examples on social media of mistranslations and spelling errors, along with concern at the effect on the country’s image
· Caroline Lin
China’s travellers raise alarm over error-filled tourist signs in public spaces
Passengers share examples on social media of mistranslations and spelling errors, along with concern at the effect on the country’s image
· Caroline Lin
Nexon's Q2 net income up over 70 pct, boosted by flagship MapleStory
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's leading online gaming firm Nexon Co. said Thursday its second-quarter net income rose 72 percent from a year earlier due to continued growth of its major franchise games.
· Kang Jae-eun
Putin enrages Japan with trip to disputed island
Authorities in Tokyo lashed out at Moscow after a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the disputed island of Iturup on Thursday.
· Ferdinand Knapp
Taiwan slows internet to a crawl to test its defenses
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, center, inspects Taiwan Navy conducting coastal strike and nearshore defense exercises during the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
· Johnson Lai
Books of Zhu Rongji quotes reveal bygone era of a more open China
China's then-Premier Zhu Rongji arrives in Hong Kong in November 2002. He spoke of the city and its free media as a valuable source of critical views. © Reuters
· KENJI KAWASE