Timor-Leste is emerging as a new front in Southeast Asia's fight against cybercrime as organized scam syndicates relocate amid regional crackdowns. Here's why UNODC says the country has become a growing target and what it means for the region.
Philippines Just Hit Upper-Middle-Income Status – What It Really Means for Filipinos
The World Bank has officially classified the Philippines as an upper-middle-income economy, a major milestone driven by years of broad-based growth. While challenges like inequality remain, the upgrade signals progress toward higher development.
Why Your June Electric Bill May Be Slightly Lower — and What’s Behind It
Filipino households may see slight relief in their June electricity bills after NGCP reduced transmission charges. The decrease, driven by lower wheeling and ancillary services costs, highlights how grid-related expenses influence what consumers ultimately pay for power.
Two Teens Kill 3, Wound 7 in Philippines School Shooting: A Test of Strict Gun Laws, Juvenile Justice After Bullying Grudge
In a rare school shooting in the central Philippines, two teenage boys allegedly entered San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on Monday morning and opened fire in a classroom, killing three students and wounding at least seven others.…
EXPLAINER: What is a ‘Pink Moon’—and Why it Won’t Look Pink in the Philippines
The April “Pink Moon” isn’t actually pink. This explainer breaks down its origins and why skywatchers in the Philippines see a normal full moon.
Rodrigo Duterte Waived His Right To Attend The ICC Hearing: What Happens Next?
Former president Rodrigo Duterte has formally waived his right to attend the confirmation of charges hearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his administration’s war on drugs. With Duterte choosing not to appear — either in person or via…
From ‘Nanlaban’ To The Hague: How A Liloy Killing Reached The International Criminal Court
I remember the first time I heard about the killing of three youngsters in Barangay Overview, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte in 2016. It was described to me in the familiar language of the drug war — nanlaban. They fought back,…
EXPLAINER: Poverty Down, Jobs Steady, But Inflation Bites In Zamboanga Sibugay
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY – The latest QuickSTAT from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) paints a mixed picture of the province’s economy. Poverty incidence is falling, employment is stable, but inflation is eating into household budgets. What does this mean for ordinary…
The Kalayaan Island Group Belongs To The Philippines — And Why Giving It Up Is Dangerous
Calls to “just give up” the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) surface every now and then, usually framed as pragmatism or a way to avoid conflict in the West Philippine Sea. But legally, constitutionally, and strategically, that position is deeply flawed.…
Explainer: Why A Zamboanga del Norte Water Pump Appeared To Move On Its Own
A video of a hand water pump in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte appearing to operate by itself has gone viral, stirring fear and speculation among residents. The footage, aired on 24 Oras in a report by Kuya Kim, shows the…
Explainer | Why A US Attack On Iran Could Destabilize The Middle East
A potential US military strike on Iran may appear, on paper, as a limited action aimed at deterring Tehran or degrading its military capabilities. But history suggests such a move could unleash consequences far beyond Iran’s borders — destabilizing an…
Nipah Virus Explained: Symptoms, Transmission, And Global Risk
Several countries, including Thailand and Nepal, have heightened health surveillance after India confirmed new cases of the deadly Nipah virus, a zoonotic disease with a high fatality rate but limited human-to-human transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) said two cases…






