New Zealand seals trio of Pacific defence pacts to counter China’s reach
Wellington’s four-month diplomatic blitz aims to lock down regional allies as Washington’s commitment wavers
· Maria Siow
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Newest first · UTC+11:00New Zealand’s Pacific defence diplomacy shifts into overdrive
Wellington’s four-month diplomatic blitz aims to lock down regional allies as Washington’s commitment wavers
· Maria Siow
Where more than 200 Chinese dialects are spoken, how is China united by ‘common speech’? | South China Morning Post
Speakers of different Chinese dialects may not understand each other, but they can still communicate with the country’s standard language, Putonghua.
Alex Eala to reach WTA top 20 if she wins Washington title
MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala will reach a new career-high of No. 20 in the live WTA live rankings if she wins the 500 Mubadala D.C. Open title in Washington, which would be her first Tour-level title.
· Niel Victor C. Masoy
Asian travelers stick close to home at theme parks and aquariums
Visitors watch a Pixar-themed parade during a media preview at Hong Kong Disneyland in June. The theme park was travel platform Agoda's most-booked attraction in Asia in the first half of 2026. © AP
· LIEN HOANG
US Justice Department subpoenas New York Times freelancer over North Korea story, paper says
The US Justice Department has subpoenaed the records of a freelance journalist for the New York Times as part of a probe into the sourcing of a 2025 story about a botched US military operation in North Korea, the newspaper said on Saturday.
· Reuters
What Negeri Sembilan loss means for Malaysian PM Anwar’s political strategy
PH must now reconsider its efforts to appeal to conservative Malay voters and rebuild its long-standing reform narrative, analysts say
· Ushar Daniele
What Negeri Sembilan loss means for Malaysian PM Anwar’s political strategy
PH must now reconsider its efforts to appeal to conservative Malay voters and rebuild its long-standing reform narrative, analysts say
· Ushar Daniele
New York Times reveals Trump administration subpoena over North Korea story
The New York Times has revealed that another journalist is facing a subpoena from the administration of United States President Donald Trump, this time about reporting conducted into a secret military operation in North Korea.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Beyond curry: The many flavors of India's coastline
Kerala seafood delicacy “meen pollichathu.” Across India’s coastline, local ingredients and traditions reveal a culinary diversity that extends far beyond the catch-all label of “curry.” (Courtesy of Kumaresan Lingapathan)
· Staff Writer
(News Focus) Lee advances S. Korea's AI chip hub vision with U.S. deals, S. America critical mineral cooperation
ROK AIR FORCE ONE, Aug. 2 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung has taken a major step toward cementing South Korea's presence as a global artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor hub with a trip that helped secure chip supply deals with U.S. tech giants and expand critical mineral cooperation with South American co…
· Park Boram
From Mao to now: why China’s Communist Party is intent on control over the military
Beijing’s anti-corruption clean-up of the military reflects a historic commitment to party control, ensuring the armed forces strictly serve party goals
· Yuanyue Dang
From Mao to now: why China’s Communist Party is intent on control over the military
Beijing’s anti-corruption clean-up of the military reflects a historic commitment to party control, ensuring the armed forces strictly serve party goals
· Yuanyue Dang
China’s next export is the world’s factory itself
The next phase is building factories and Chinese brands abroad as well as embedding its tech, industrial standards in global supply chains
· Howard Yu
China’s next export is the world’s factory itself
The next phase is building factories and Chinese brands abroad as well as embedding its tech, industrial standards in global supply chains
· Howard Yu
PH deposits Panatag Shoal chart with UN, despite China control
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has formally deposited its official nautical chart of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and its surrounding waters with the United Nations, setting the maritime limits to its claim over this West Philippine Sea feature on the international record despite China’s continued control over…
· Gabryelle Dumalag
Eala stuns four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka to reach first WTA 500 final at Mubadala D.C. Open
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala ousted former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, 6-4, 6-2, to reach her first 500 WTA Tour final at the Mubadala D.C. Open at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center Stadium Court in Washington early Sunday morning in Manila.
· Niel Victor C. Masoy
Toyota offers used-car buyers retrofitting of latest safety features
Toyota dealerships sell an estimated 350,000 used cars a year, with the goal of reaching 550,000 vehicles in 2030. (Photo by Masaki Ishihara)
· Staff Writer
Asia's AI boom runs into a power wall
An engineer conducts an inspection in a data center in Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China on Feb. 13, 2025. © Getty Images
· Mayank Maheshwari
China has banned hidden retractable car door handles. How are they dangerous – and will Australia follow their lead?
The handles, which were popularised by Elon Musk’s Tesla EVs, have a record of failing and trapping passengers inside burning vehicles during deadly accidents
· Catie Mcleod
Freelance New York Times reporter subpoenaed over reporting on failed US mission in North Korea
Newspaper revealed that US prosecutors demanded contacts and sources from reporter Matthew Cole
· Marina Dunbar
3 dead, 15 injured in explosion near Moscow cafe, police say
A gas leak near the Italian cafe-restaurant Balzi Rossi was suspected to be the cause, according to unconfirmed reports on social media
· Agence France-Presse
3 dead, 15 injured in explosion near Moscow cafe, police say
A gas leak near the Italian cafe-restaurant Balzi Rossi was suspected to be the cause, according to unconfirmed reports on social media
· Agence France-Presse
China's 'push towards assimilation' could drive its minorities to extinction
Topic:Cultural Identity
· Fergus Gregg
Japan and US step up coordinated push to stem yen's slide
The yen surged in waves on Friday, strengthening to a level not seen since mid-May. (Photo by Masayuki Terazawa)
· Staff Writer
LPA inside PAR develops into Tropical Depression Luis
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· Acor Arceo
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Pakistan avalancheSearch resumes for 10 missing climbers
SKARDU, Pakistan — Pakistan rescue teams resumed a high-altitude search on Saturday for seven climbers missing after a powerful avalanche on one of the world’s highest peaks, with the remains of three mountaineers recovered.
· Agence France-Presse
DND reports progress in AFP modernization projects
SEVERAL modernization projects of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have advanced and are in various stages of procurement, the Department of National Defense (DND) said.
· Franco Jose C. Baroña
Massive Attack band barred from Singapore
SINGAPORE — British trip-hop band Massive Attack has been barred from performing in Singapore after an investigation found two members unfurled a Palestinian flag during a concert, police said.
· Agence France-Presse
The moral crisis and challenge of healing childhood abuse
AT no other time has the Philippines faced such a moral crisis and challenge to its integrity as a nation. Government officials, civil society and child protectors are challenged to take a stronger moral and social stand against the ever-spreading proliferation of crimes against children, especially over the interne…
· fr. shay cullen
Four years of winning together: WinZir celebrates anniversary with BYD Sealion 5 raffle and nationwide player rewards
WINZIR marked its fourth anniversary with a nationwide celebration that reflected the platform's continued growth and its commitment to rewarding the community that has supported its journey over the past four years. The milestone campaign culminated in a live Grand Raffle on July 21, where one qualified participant…
· The Manila Times
The Philippines’ biggest weakness is culture
THE Philippines has no shortage of talent, natural resources, advantages, or democratic freedoms, although fluctuating. It has a young population, widespread English proficiency, access to global markets, a strong service sector, and millions of hardworking Filipinos succeeding abroad.
· New Worlds
India PM Modi wants to forgive protesters who abused him
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· Agence France-Presse
Indonesia president willing to go to NKorea for dialogue
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· Reuters
Redefining our stand in the West Philippine Sea: from restraint to resolute defense
THE violent confrontations between the Philippine Navy (PN) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) at the Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal have been our country’s defining moments in protecting our territorial integrity, sovereignty and sovereign rights.
· Edgard A. Arevalo
China realiza maniobras militares cerca de banco de arena disputado con Filipinas
BEIJING (AP) — China realizó ejercicios militares cerca del disputado banco de arena de Scarborough, en el mar de China Meridional, al intensificarse las tensiones territoriales con Filipinas el sábado.
· The Associated Press
IBP to set up help desks for BARMM elections
MARAWI CITY — The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said it will mobilize volunteer lawyers to help voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) better understand their rights during the first parliamentary elections on September 14.
· Divina M. Suson
Japan ends rescue operation at a mall that collapsed after a strong quake
TOKYO — Authorities ended a massive dayslong search-and-rescue operation Saturday at a collapsed shopping mall in southwest Japan following a powerful earthquake that killed 34 people earlier this week.
· Associated Press
Akari hands Choco Mucho 3rd straight loss
MANILA, Philippines — The Akari Chargers did not allow the fan-favorite Choco Mucho Flying Titans to enter the winning column as they posted a 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-22 decision in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour on Saturday night at the Polomolok Gymnasium in South Cotabato.
· Nicole Anne D.G. Bugauisan
Nepal’s famed climber and 9 others die in avalanche in Pakistan
Nirmal Purja, who set a record for the fastest ascent of the world’s 14 highest mountains, died in an avalanche
· Reuters
Nepal’s famed climber and 9 others die in avalanche in Pakistan
Nirmal Purja, who set a record for the fastest ascent of the world’s 14 highest mountains, died in an avalanche
· Reuters
Pain or gain? US moves to decouple its defence industry from China’s rare earths
Directive seen as a long-overdue enforcement crackdown meant to inflict short-term contractor pain for long-term national security gain
· Alyssa Chen
Pain or gain? US moves to decouple its defence industry from China’s rare earths
Directive seen as a long-overdue enforcement crackdown meant to inflict short-term contractor pain for long-term national security gain
· Alyssa Chen
France humiliated itself at the UN when it compared the US to North Korea . It’s time Trump gives Turtle Bay the punishment it deserves
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· Eugene Kontorovich
UNESCO designates Lebanon's Beaufort Castle, West Bank's Sebastia as World Heritage Sites in Danger
Lebanon’s Mount Amel Castles, the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre, and the historic site of Sebastia in Area C of the West Bank, were designated as World Heritage Sites in Danger by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee during its 48th session in Busan, South Korea over the weekend.
· MIRIAM SELA-EITAM
UNESCO adds 25 new World Heritage Sites including Mount Olympus, Normandy's D-Day beaches
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee (WHC) added 25 new sites to its list of World Heritage Sites at its 48th session in Busan, South Korea this week, spanning millennia of history and carrying "outstanding universal value" for humanity.
· MIRIAM SELA-EITAM