LATEST PULSE

When the Strait of Hormuz shut in February, the Philippines felt the shock almost immediately. Speaking by teleconference at the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit hosted by Japan, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the disruption had laid bare how vulnerable the country remains as an archipelagic economy heavily dependent on imported petroleum.   Diesel and liquefied petroleum gas prices have skyrocketed...

India has officially launched its ambitious 2026 census, marking the first time since independence in 1947 that caste data will be formally collected. This two-phase exercise will be the world’s largest population count, offering critical insights into a country of over 1.4 billion people.   Caste refers to India's long-standing social classification system that continues to influence access to jobs, education, and political represen...

A quiet but dangerous crime wave is growing in Chile, and many people are only now starting to notice. Authorities warn that Chinese organized crime groups have built strong networks across the country. These groups use legal businesses to hide illegal activities, making them difficult to track.   In Santiago, areas like Barrio Meiggs appear busy and normal. But behind the scenes, police say criminal groups are using shops, karaoke bars, a...

A pre-dawn raid in the Lanao del Sur region of the Philippines ended with 10 alleged Islamist militants dead. The region is still dealing with armed networks that are more fragmented than in years past, yet still lethal enough to kill soldiers and destabilize communities.   Attempt to Arrest Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Commander Ends in Deadly Clash Police and army troops entered a village near Marantao to arrest Amerol Mangoranca, a commander ...

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for a bold shift in the country's foreign policy. He announced that Canada can no longer rely solely on its strong economic ties to the United States.   In a recent address, Carney highlighted that the once-powerful bonds have now become a liability due to growing trade tensions with the United States, particularly under President Donald Trump. Carney said the only path forward is for Ca...