The Philippines has asked the central bank to lend it 540 billion pesos ($11.1 billion) to help finance a budget deficit that’s under strain from Southeast Asia’s worst Covid-19 outbreak. ( read original story ...)
‘Epidemic’ of Unintended Pregnancies in Philippines Amid Lockdown Measures
An “epidemic” of unintended pregnancies is building in the Philippines as lockdown measures try to curb Southeast Asia’s worst outbreak. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said that the ... ( read original story ...)
Philippines records 2,426 new coronavirus cases, 58 deaths
The Philippines' health ministry on Wednesday confirmed 2,426 new coronavirus infections and 58 additional deaths. In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed cases had increased to 311,694, ... ( read original story ...)
Duterte extends Philippines “state of calamity” as pandemic worsens
The government is ramping up state repression as the country suffers its worst economic contraction in decades. ( read original story ...)
Japan court orders gov’t, TEPCO to pay in Fukushima disaster
A Japanese court on Wednesday found the government and the operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant negligent for failing to take measures to prevent the 2011 nuclear disaster, ordering them to ... ( read original story ...)
Lost in translation: The U.S. presidential debate in Japan
Thanks to some heroic simultaneous interpreters, Japanese viewers were treated to the real-time raw chaos of the dueling candidates. ( read original story ...)
Japan ‘Twitter Killer’ Victims Consented To Death, Lawyers Argue
A Japanese man dubbed the "Twitter killer" for luring his victims on social media admitted in court Wednesday to killing nine people, local media said. But lawyers for Takahiro Shiraishi, 29, argued ... ( read original story ...)
Massive robot appears at Japan amusement park
A super-sized version of popular Japanese animation character Gundam is takingshape at an amusement park in Yokohama, Japan. The opening of Gundam FactoryYokohama, which was due to take place on ... ( read original story ...)
Japan military seeks record budget amid regional threats
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Defense Ministry is seeking a record-high budget of nearly 5.5 trillion yen ($55 billion) for fiscal 2021 to fund more purchases of costly American stealth fighters and ... ( read original story ...)
With water scarce, Pakistan helps farmers grow more with less
Obaid ur Rehman hoped to grow water-hungry cucumbers and capsicum peppers on land he'd bought in an arid area of eastern Pakistan - but the available water wasn't sufficient for traditional irrigation ... ( read original story ...)