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Japan sees ‘urgent’ need to boost military
TOKYO — Japan needs to boost its military with a “sense of urgency and crisis,” its defense chief said on Tuesday, as a new government assessment again highlighted growing risks from China, North Korea and Russia.
· Agence France-Presse
What goes up must come down
AS we wrote in an editorial last week, the announcement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 that the Philippines would pursue the establishment of a space launch facility, is a pleasantly surprising ambition, and one that could pay huge dividends to the coun…
· The Editorial Board
Heavy rains trigger deadly floods, mudslides in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka closed schools in its tea-growing mountainous regions on Tuesday as heavy rains triggered floods and mudslides that left at least five people dead and three wounded, officials said.
· Associated Press
PH Blu Girls eye Asian Games podium
THE Philippine women’s national softball team is shifting its focus to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after a solid fifth-place finish in Group B of the 2027 Women’s Softball World Cup.
· Nicole Anne D.G. Bugauisan
Heat wave divides rich, poor of upmarket Seoul
SEOUL — In Seoul’s affluent district of Gangnam, a severe heat wave has changed the currency of cool: access to air conditioning now defines the line between the haves and have-nots.
· Agence France-Presse
Two hands: One steady, the other helping
FINANCIAL markets have an unfortunate habit of rewarding drama. A surprise interest rate cut sends traders into a frenzy. A collapsing currency dominates headlines. Yet, some of the most consequential developments are the ones that barely register beyond the business pages. The United States Federal Reserve’s (Fed) …
· Ei Sun Oh
August 5 and the unfinished quest for peace in Kashmir
ON Aug. 5, 2019, India revoked the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and divided the territory into two Union Territories without the consent of the Kashmiri people. These actions were followed by a strict security lockdown, the detention of political leaders and a communications …
· Asima Rabbani
Suspected heat stroke kills three lions at Tokyo zoo
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· Agence France-Presse
Death penalty for enforced disappearances proposed
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· Agence France-Presse
PH wants FTA with Canada signed this year
THE Philippines hopes to conclude free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Canada within the year, Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty said.
· Giselle P. Jordan
NLEX downs TNT, stretches streak to 6
MANILA, Philippines — NLEX stretched its perfect winning start at six after holding off TNT, 88-83 in their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup match on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
· Richard Dy
Japan's Eneos eyes $6bn in global investments after Chevron deal
Eneos plans to leverage recent acquisitions in Southeast Asia to play a major role in a government energy cooperation plan. (Nikkei photo montage)
· SHOYA OKINAGA
Air India flight plummets 300 feet mid-air, injuring 14
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· Patrick Reilly
VIP, APP, PPT: Are English abbreviations harming China’s cultural confidence?
Commentators worry that loanwords are becoming too common, especially for new tech, leaving no space for Chinese to grow
· Meredith Chen
VIP, APP, PPT: Are English abbreviations harming China’s cultural confidence?
Commentators worry that loanwords are becoming too common, especially for new tech, leaving no space for Chinese to grow
· Meredith Chen
‘He’s tiny, dumpy and funny – so his BMX tricks are hilarious’: Tanuki: Pon’s Summer, an adorable slice-of-life adventure
Denkiworks’ debut lets players pull off tricks and pull pints in a stunning, Japan-inspired setting
· Sarah Thwaites
'Baby killer': IDF reservist attacked by antisemitic Spanish tourist in Philippines
An Israeli tourist and military reservist was harassed and physically attacked at a café on Siargao Island in the Philippines on Monday, according to the Diaspora Ministry.
· ALEX CARSON
South Korea’s Lee calls heatwave a national disaster as deaths rise to 19
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· Jee Geronimo
How the 'Baby iPhone' and an Apple supplier leak explain China's recent supply chain moves
The recent cyber breach at Indian Apple supplier Tata Electronics has become propaganda gold for Beijing, as leaders vie to keep international companies locked into China's supply chains.
· Eunice Yoon
Comelec lists new areas of concern for BARMM polls
MANILA, Philippines — One area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was newly tagged under the Red category, while two others were downgraded from Red to other categories ahead of the first parliamentary elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
· Dianne Sampang
The Globally Popular Anime Hazbin Hotel Event Makes Its Debut in South Korea
New items added to the lineup following high demand
· Associated Press
Bessent cites volatility in Korean won while stressing stable yen's importance
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday the South Korean won has experienced "excess volatility," as he underscored the importance of a stable yen for the "entire region" following a recent intervention by the United States and Japan to boost the Japanese currency.
· Song Sang-ho
New Manchester City coach seeking daily improvement during S. Korea trip
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- New Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca said Tuesday he would like to see his Premier League club get "better and better" during their two-match trip to Seoul this week.
· Yoo Jee-ho
How Taiwan is preparing for a PLA sea blockade in its biggest war games
Taipei to move weapons production, prepare for internet outages and adopt US ‘back briefs’ during Han Kuang drills
· Lawrence Chung
How Taiwan is preparing for a PLA sea blockade in its biggest war games
Taipei to move weapons production, prepare for internet outages and adopt US ‘back briefs’ during Han Kuang drills
· Lawrence Chung
Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads
From global soybean market updates to China’s best trade partners, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in July 2026
· SCMP
Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads
From global soybean market updates to China’s best trade partners, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in July 2026
· SCMP
US-Saudi nuclear doubt, Boko Haram’s AI terrorism: 7 global relations reads
From US arms promises to EU sanctions and USMCA troubles, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in July 2026
· SCMP
US-Saudi nuclear doubt, Boko Haram’s AI terrorism: 7 global relations reads
From US arms promises to EU sanctions and USMCA troubles, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in July 2026
· SCMP
Kapunan calls VP Sara’s confidential funds a ‘scam’ | The wRap
Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
· grabaya0376
South Korean students detained for allegedly breaking into US military base
SEOUL, South Korea — A group of eight South Korean students were detained Tuesday for allegedly breaking into a United States air base while shouting anti-U.S. slogans, South Korean authorities said.
· Associated Press
US imports more Asian goods during first half amid tariff uncertainty
Trump last month imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 trading partners after a flat 10% levy on all imports expired on July 24. © Reuters
· PAK YIU
Typhoon Dolphin hurtles towards Japan: Tracker, updates and what to expect
Typhoon Dolphin is heading westwards across the Pacific Ocean towards Japan, and residents of Okinawa Island have been urged to prepare for severe weather before its expected landfall this week.
· Sarah Shamim
Bayern Munich defeat Jeju SK FC in preseason match in S. Korea
SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- The German football giants Bayern Munich defeated the K League 1 club Jeju SK FC 2-1 in an entertaining preseason match in South Korea on Tuesday.
· Yoo Jee-ho
San Juan rebounds with rout of Negros in MPBL
MANILA, Philippines — The San Juan Knights hit high gear in the second half and proceeded to rout the Negros Hacienderos, 120-96, on Tuesday and rebound in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province.
· The Manila Times
PBA: Titan Ultra survives gritty Macau
MANILA, Philippines — Titan Ultra led by as many as 29 points but had to hold off Macau’s blazing second half rally to pull off a 132-128 payback win in their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
· Richard Dy
Is tech the main battleground as EU and US drift apart? One Chinese prediction says so
Washington’s fury over a US$1 billion fine for Google was cited as the latest sign of a ‘profound shift’ in the nature of the relationship
· Cao Jiaxuan
Is tech the main battleground as EU and US drift apart? One Chinese prediction says so
Washington’s fury over a US$1 billion fine for Google was cited as the latest sign of a ‘profound shift’ in the nature of the relationship
· Cao Jiaxuan
Erice: Filipinos paying price for Marcos admin’s political infighting, unmet promises
MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar “Egay” Erice on Tuesday said Filipinos are paying the price for political infighting and unfulfilled promises, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pledge of national unity has given way to divisions while many campaign commitments remain unmet.
· James Daniel Danio
Poblacion shooting kills mother, wounds daughter
MANILA, Philippines — A shooting in Makati City on Monday (August 3) claimed the life of a 63-year-old mother and left her 26-year-old daughter wounded, the Southern Police District (SPD) said Tuesday (August 4).
· Izel Abanilla
South Korean students detained after protest at US air base
Air Force One with U.S. President Joe Biden arrives at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Friday, May 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, file)
· Hyung Jin Kim
Sara Duterte trial: On Day 12, prosecution tries to tell a tale of accountability
QUESTIONS. Prosecution lawyer Lornan Kapunan questions former state auditor Roderick Wamil during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on August 4, 2026.
· Bea Cupin
11 senators file resolution honoring Eala
MANILA, Philippines — Eleven senators have so far filed resolutions honoring Filipino tennis star Alex Eala on her historic win at the Mubadala DC Open.
· Catherine S. Valente
Proud Philippines honors Alex Eala
(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos stayed way past midnight on Tuesday to watch the resumption of a Women Tennis Association (WTA) 500 finals match between local tennis sensation Alex Eala and the world No. 3 and tournament top seed Jessica Pegula. And they were not disappointed.
· Catherine S. Valente, Kristina Maralit, Allen Limos
As US and China compete over AI, middle powers can craft a third path
Between American-secured diffusion and Chinese developmental multilateralism, middle powers have space to make their presence felt
· Hao Nan
As US and China compete over AI, middle powers can craft a third path
Between American-secured diffusion and Chinese developmental multilateralism, middle powers have space to make their presence felt
· Hao Nan