News Archives - newswatchplus.ph

Iran says new sanctions threatened by ‘desperate’ US will fail

Reuters — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:40:04 +0000

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Iran’s foreign minister dismissed the threat of new U.S. sanctions as a sign of desperation on Sunday and said the expected new measures would fail to defeat Tehran. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is due to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT) on Monday, has

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‘Saudel’ seen to become super typhoon ahead of PAR entry

NewsWatch Plus Staff — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 05:14:14 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines — The weather bureau said the typhoon with the international name Saudel will intensify into a super typhoon ahead of a possible entry into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday, Aug. 24, while two other cyclones loom outside the country. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said

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Taiwan urges PH to send political message to China against use of force

Tristan Nodalo — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 10:03:55 +0000

Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan is urging the Philippines to use diplomatic and political channels to signal to China that any attempt to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait by force would be unacceptable. Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister François Chihchung Wu said Taipei understands that Manila has its own relationship with Beijing and national

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89 areas under state of calamity – NDRRMC

Chim Cantos — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 07:30:17 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – At least 89 areas are under a state of calamity from the impact of heavy rains and flooding as of Saturday, Aug. 22. The areas include Dagupan in Pangasinan, Benguet, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Rizal, Cavite and Batangas, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Separately, Sablayan, Occidental

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China, Indonesia agree to boost military ties, work closer on minerals, energy and tech

Reuters — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 04:35:15 +0000

Jakarta, Indonesia – China and Indonesia agreed on Friday to boost military ties and work closely on minerals, energy and technology, as Jakarta seeks to balance ties with both Beijing and Washington amid economic and geopolitical tensions, including in the South China Sea. Both countries should “seize the moment,” China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in remarksmade at the start of his visit to Jakarta. He

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Trump says Iran not ready to make the ‘right deal’

Reuters — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 02:40:16 +0000

Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he thought Tehran was not ready to make the “right deal” and that Washington was observing “what happens” in the Iran war. QUOTES AND DETAILS:

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Poverty rate falls to historic low 9.7% percent – DEPDev

Chim Cantos — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:03:08 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Lives have generally improved for 6.5 million people between 2023 and 2025, according to the latest poverty data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This brought the poverty incidence to a historic low of 9.7 percent in 2025, achieving the single-digit target under the Philippine Development Plan three years ahead of

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Drones first: Inside Taiwan’s new defense strategy

Tristan Nodalo — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:16:42 +0000

Taichung, Taiwan – Taiwan is accelerating the development of drones and unmanned systems as it looks to build a new layer of defense against mainland China and reduce reliance on traditional munitions, according to a local advanced weapons system producer. The push has gained urgency in light of theRussia-Ukraine war, where relatively inexpensive drones have

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Ridon proposes 4-day trial weekly to speed up Duterte impeachment proceedings

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:37:13 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines — House prosecutor Terry Ridon is proposing holding four trial days weekly to speed up the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte and make up for bad weather-induced delays. Ridon said the prosecution hopes to rest its case by the end of September, allowing the defense to begin presenting its case

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DepEd to hold nationwide active attack drill

Chim Cantos — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:54:27 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – A slew of school violence has prompted officials to conduct a nationwide simultaneous school safety drill for active attacks next week. Scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Department of Education (DepEd) said the drill aims to strengthen preparedness and response to active shooting and other attacks through preventive planning, emergency response

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