Economy & Resources

The escalating war in the Middle East is placing many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in danger, prompting urgent efforts by the Philippine government to bring them home. But bringing workers home safely is only part of the response. Authorities are also investigating whether some returning Filipinos were victims of human trafficking or illegal recruitment that placed them in dangerous jobs overseas.   As tensions between the United State...

The Philippines could face a sharp rise in fuel prices as fighting in the Middle East threatens global oil supply. With tensions escalating around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes, analysts warn that pump prices may increase quickly.   According to the Philippine Department of Energy, about 98% of the country’s crude oil supply comes from the Middle East. That dependence makes the Ph...

The 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal remains one of the largest cross-border financial crimes in modern history. When details emerged, they exposed how major banks, offshore jurisdictions, and financial intermediaries enabled more than $4.5 billion in stolen funds to move freely across borders. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak, fugitive financier Jho Low, and a network of global partners used the stolen money to buy luxury property, artwork,...

Malaysia is racing to become Southeast Asia’s top AI and data center hub, but public backlash and energy concerns are forcing a strategic reset. On February 24, 2026, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told Parliament that Malaysia will now restrict new data centers unless they are tied to artificial intelligence innovation.   The message is clear: Malaysia wants high value AI investment that creates skilled jobs, not facilities that simpl...

The world has a baby problem. In almost every country in the world, fewer children are being born. This trend may not seem important but it is. Falling birth rates threaten to change economies, societies, and the global balance of power.   People still want families but many just cannot afford them. But this baby bust is not just about family life. It is about who works, who pays taxes, and who leads the world. From Southeast Asia to the U...