In a significant geopolitical development, Arab leaders have endorsed Egypt’s ambitious plan to rebuild Gaza, a project estimated to cost tens of billions of pounds. This endorsement came during a summit in Cairo, where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi announced the comprehensive reconstruction initiative. The plan has garnered support from various international actors, including the…
In a landmark move, the Japanese government has initiated compensation for victims of forced sterilization under the now-defunct Eugenics Protection Law (EPL), which has long been regarded as a significant human rights violation. This decision comes after a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the law unconstitutional and ordered the state to compensate the victims. Compensation…
A groundbreaking study from Ateneo de Manila University has unveiled compelling evidence that early Filipinos were among the first to master seafaring, predating other civilizations by thousands of years. This discovery not only reshapes our understanding of ancient maritime history but also highlights the ingenuity and advanced technological capabilities of early Southeast Asian societies. The…
The Department of Health (DOH) has raised concerns over the alarming rise in dengue cases across the Philippines, with Calabarzon emerging as the region with the highest reported cases. As of February 22, 2025, the region, which includes Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, recorded a staggering 10,759 cases. This figure places Calabarzon at the…
Last Friday proved to be a grim day for the stock market, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting by 748.63 points, marking its worst performance of the year. Fueled by economic concerns and investor unease, the decline sent shockwaves through Wall Street. However, amidst the widespread sell-off, pharmaceutical companies emerged as a rare bright…
In a significant demographic shift, South Korea experienced an increase in births in 2024 for the first time in nearly a decade. Preliminary estimates from Seoul indicate that the total number of births reached 240,000, marking a notable rise from previous years. The country’s fertility rate also slightly improved, rising to 0.75 in 2024 from…
In a dramatic turn of events during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on March 4, 2025, Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas was removed from the House chamber after a series of disruptions. The incident unfolded as President Trump began his speech, declaring his administration’s vision and accomplishments. Rep. Green, a vocal critic of…
To address China’s declining population, Chen Songxi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), has proposed lowering the legal marriage age to 18. This proposal aims to boost fertility rates and “unleash reproductive potential” in the face of a demographic downturn. Chen’s proposal includes lowering the marriage age,…
In a recent development that has heightened tensions between Taipei and Beijing, Taiwanese authorities are investigating the Hongtai, a cargo ship suspected of severing an undersea communications cable. The incident has raised significant national security concerns, as the entire crew of the Hongtai consists of Chinese nationals. The Taiwanese coast guard reported that the Hongtai,…
To capitalize on the burgeoning professional services market, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) recently inaugurated a new office in the Philippines. This expansion comes on the heels of a remarkable year for the global professional services sector, which witnessed a nearly 10 percent growth in 2023. The professional services market has been on an upward trajectory, encompassing a…
