Foreign students in South Korea hit record 500,000 as culture boom drives demand

VNExpress - Sep 17, 2026

The number of foreigners entering South Korea for study and training surpassed a record 500,000 in 2025, marking more than a sixfold increase since 2021, driven by the global expansion of Korean pop culture.

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DBS bets on strong PH growth rebound but flags energy risk

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has the potential to grow by an average of 5.8 percent a year from 2026 through 2035, according to DBS Bank Ltd., though it warned that the country’s heavy reliance on imported energy could weigh on that expansion. In a report copublished with Bain & Company and Vriens & Partners,

Toyota protests exclusion of hybrid cars from TNVS slots

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., is questioning the exclusion of hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) from the 7,500 new ride-hailing slots in Metro Manila opened by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Under Memorandum Circular No. 2026-084, which took effect on Aug. 27, the LTFRB allocated additional Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) slots

Lower rice, corn harvests expected in Q3

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Production of palay (unmilled rice) and corn could post double-digit declines this third quarter, according to the latest estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), with smaller harvest areas expected to gnaw on output. Based on standing crops as of Aug. 1, the PSA estimated palay production in the July-to-September period at 3.19

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — An increase in excise tax on sweetened beverages, alcohol and tobacco could push inflation to as high as 4.5 percent in 2027, adding to price pressures as the country continues to grapple with the oil shock fallout. This is according to Chinabank Research’s latest commentary, which said the tax increases proposed by the

BSP to tighten disciplinary actions vs erring banks, officials

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is proposing a more streamlined process for disciplining errant banks and their directors, officers and employees, with penalties ranging from reprimands and fines to suspension, removal from office and disqualification. The BSP is collecting comments from stakeholders on a draft circular that will spell out how the

‘Kiss’ for substandard steel bars

Sep 17, 2026

The expression “Keep it simple, stupid (Kiss)” has been the advocacy of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) in addressing the dangerous problem of substandard products, especially steel bars. Given climate change, this has become urgent; though some at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) favor this, such as Assistant Secretary Regino Mallari, others

GCash IPO success goes beyond P10 price point, expert says

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The success of GCash parent Mynt Inc.’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) should not be judged by whether it fetches the maximum P10-per-share price, as the quality of investors and demand after listing may prove more important. Capital market expert Jonathan Ravelas said the P10 maximum offer price in Mynt’s regulatory filing

Alternergy eyes P2B from maiden notes issuance

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Alternergy Holdings Corp., a listed renewable energy company, is making its debut in the debt market to raise P2 billion, as it rolls out more clean power facilities. The company on Wednesday said its board of directors had given the go-ahead to issue green fixed-rate notes worth P2 billion. READ: Alternergy inks

Standard Chartered sizes up Clark investment opportunities

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is bringing in one of Asia’s oldest banks to scout investment and financing opportunities across its Clark properties, which form part of the foreign-backed Luzon Economic Corridor. Under a memorandum of understanding, Standard Chartered Bank Philippines—the first foreign bank established in the country—will jointly study with

SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — SM Prime Holdings Inc. has renewed its nearly two-decade partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) to strengthen marine conservation efforts at Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas. SM Prime said on Wednesday that, through leisure resort residences developer Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI), it entered the fifth phase of the Hamilo Coast

Meralco unit tapped for Filinvest’s EV needs

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Filinvest Group has tapped the green mobility subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to equip its properties with solutions supporting electric vehicles (EVs). In a statement on Wednesday, Movem Electric Inc. said the partnership would cover the deployment of EV requirements across Filinvest’s commercial, residential and office developments. READ: Toyota cautious but

Grab takes the reins of fintech Atome Financial

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Grab is deepening its push into financial services with a $1.49-billion deal to acquire a controlling stake in Atome Financial, the Singapore-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) fintech that operates in the Philippines and four other Southeast Asian markets. On Tuesday, Grab said it would acquire a 60-percent equity interest in Atome Financial

Rodrigo Duterte's ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

Sep 17, 2026

Rodrigo Duterte"s ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

Houthi blitz leaves Saudi Arabia exposed, Iran emboldened

Sep 17, 2026

The lack of international military support for Saudi Arabia, particularly from the US, has emboldened Iran and its allies, complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region

2 of Oriental Mindoro’s most wanted, another suspect arrested

Sep 17, 2026

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — Two provincial most wanted persons and another wanted individual were arrested in separate police operations in Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Police identified the suspects as the provincial top 4 and top 5 most wanted persons, both arrested in Barangay San Jose, and another wanted person apprehended

SNAPSHOT | Cops take Hadi's statement over alleged US offer to help overthrow govt

Sep 17, 2026

What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

PM announces RM1.5b for Sarawak, BudiDiesel perks, RM500 flight aid for students

Sep 17, 2026

This comes amid friction with Umno, Borneo support needed for stability.

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind the King

Sep 17, 2026

'If you can't say, just say you can't.'

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind Agong

Sep 17, 2026

'If you can't say, just say you can't.'

Hanoi rainfall exceeds 150 mm overnight, causing widespread flooding

Sep 17, 2026

Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning has caused widespread flooding, with some schools switching to online classes.

Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight

Sep 17, 2026

Rainfall exceeding 150 mm in several parts of Hanoi from Wednesday night to Thursday morning has caused widespread flooding that paralyzed traffic and forced shop closures.

Rep. Teodoro: Strong anti-drug policy should go beyond enforcement

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — While he was responsible for defending the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) proposed budget for 2027, Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro has admitted that the government needs to have a strong anti-drug policy that goes beyond mere enforcement. In his sponsorship speech delivered on Wednesday, to defend DDB’s P526.5 million budget for 2027, Teodoro

Aquino urges creation of Filipino-made AI, warns of risks from foreign models

Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bam Aquino on Wednesday urged the government to develop a Filipino-made artificial intelligence (AI) model, warning that continued reliance on foreign-made ones could influence Filipinos’ culture, language, and perspectives. Aquino raised the concern during the Senate committee on finance’s budget hearing on the 2027 spending plan of the Department of Science

US officials met Iran-backed Houthis in Oman over the weekend, sources say

Sep 17, 2026

A US State Department spokesperson says safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terrorism from the Middle East are core US interests

Will Four-Way Test help Pia Cayetano feel less pressured as senator-judge?

Sep 17, 2026

An emotional Senator-judge Pia Cayetano tells the impeachment court's amici curiae — retired Supreme Court justices — that she 'genuinely didn't know what to do' as her fellow minority senators were being slapped with cases left and right

Senators flag last-minute flight cancellations, policy review sought

Sep 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Wednesday questioned the abrupt cancellations of flights during bad weather, saying passengers should not have to travel for hours to the airport only to find out that their flights had been canceled. During a Senate committee on finance hearing on the 2027 spending plan of the Department of Science and

High-tech dreams, low-tech reality of the Luzon Economic Corridor

Sep 16, 2026

Despite all the high-tech rhetoric, only 0.1% of the Luzon Corridor’s projects is in advanced manufacturing and 1% in digital connectivity

China marks breakthrough on railway linking Central Asia to Europe

Sep 16, 2026

China has completed drilling a key tunnel on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which will create a shorter trade route to Europe and bypass Russia.

Vietnamese student wins two physics awards at once at world's No. 1 university

Sep 16, 2026

Tran Quang Vinh, an International Physics Olympiad gold medalist, was the only student to win two of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics department's academic awards this year.

Which Southeast Asian country has the world's highest paid leader?

Sep 16, 2026

This leader earns about US$1.7 million a year, more than four times what the U.S. president makes.

[Pastilan] The curious case of Sara Duterte’s memory hole

Sep 16, 2026

Sara Duterte tries to sweep under the carpet the corruption and anomalies that took place during her father's presidency, while blaming Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as though he and he alone were responsible for all the country's institutional rot

Southeast Asian city ranks as world's most welcoming

Sep 16, 2026

Singapore has been ranked the world’s most welcoming city for travelers, ahead of London and Sydney, in a global study by travel eSIM provider Holafly.

DENR cites public role after turnover of rescued wildlife in Cotabato

Sep 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has highlighted the public’s role in wildlife conservation after two Cotabato residents voluntarily turned over 12 rescued wildlife species to its provincial office on Sept. 10. “The recovery highlights growing community initiative and adherence to Republic Act (RA) No. 9147, also known as the Wildlife

2 solons split on CHR inclusion to Dangerous Drugs Board

Sep 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Alona party-list Rep. Ma. Cristina Talavera-Lopez and 4K party-list Iris Montes on Wednesday aired different perspectives on the proposed inclusion of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) as a member of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). During the House sponsorship and plenary deliberations on the proposed budget of the DDB for next

Pagasa flags rivers across Western Visayas as ITCZ brings rains

Sep 16, 2026

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Rivers and tributaries across Western Visayas could be affected by rains and thunderstorms brought by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), prompting state weather forecasters to warn residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take precautions. In General Flood Advisory No. 1 for Western Visayas issued at 6 p.m. Wednesday,

Residents start using temporary Bailey bridge in Santa, Ilocos Sur

Sep 16, 2026

SAN ILDEFONSO, ILOCOS SUR, Philippines — Residents, commuters and motorists are now using the newly completed Bailey bridge in Santa, Ilocos Sur, which provides a temporary crossing following the closure of the Calungbuyan Bridge due to damage caused by continuous rains. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office

Thailand Business News — Morning Briefing : Thailand & Asia | 17 September 2026

Sep 16, 2026

Thailand seeks Trump meeting to unlock trade deal as US tariff pressure remains high Thailand has proposed a meeting between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and US President Donald Trump in New York on September 17 or 18, with bilateral trade negotiations and tariff rates at the centre of the agenda. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said […]

Highlights: Day 26 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Sept. 16, 2026

Sep 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – On the 26th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, the Senate impeachment court heard four retired Supreme Court justices serving as amici curiae on the disputed voting threshold needed to convict the vice president. Three of the four, former Chief Justices Artemio Panganiban, Reynato Puno, and Hilario Davide Jr., agreed

LTO revokes actor’s license involved in Antipolo crash

Sep 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday said it imposed a two-year revocation of the driver’s license of an actor who was involved in an accident along Marcos Highway, Antipolo City, Rizal. The actor reportedly lost control of the vehicle after he experienced severe fatigue, which led to him crashing into three

Foreign students in South Korea hit record 500,000 as culture boom drives demand

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DBS bets on strong PH growth rebound but flags energy risk

Toyota protests exclusion of hybrid cars from TNVS slots

Lower rice, corn harvests expected in Q3

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

BSP to tighten disciplinary actions vs erring banks, officials

‘Kiss’ for substandard steel bars

GCash IPO success goes beyond P10 price point, expert says

Alternergy eyes P2B from maiden notes issuance

Standard Chartered sizes up Clark investment opportunities

SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

Meralco unit tapped for Filinvest’s EV needs

Grab takes the reins of fintech Atome Financial

Rodrigo Duterte's ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

Houthi blitz leaves Saudi Arabia exposed, Iran emboldened

2 of Oriental Mindoro’s most wanted, another suspect arrested

SNAPSHOT | Cops take Hadi's statement over alleged US offer to help overthrow govt

PM announces RM1.5b for Sarawak, BudiDiesel perks, RM500 flight aid for students

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind the King

YOURSAY | Pardons Board should stop hiding behind Agong

Hanoi rainfall exceeds 150 mm overnight, causing widespread flooding

Widespread flooding disrupts traffic, business in Hanoi after heavy rain overnight

Rep. Teodoro: Strong anti-drug policy should go beyond enforcement

Aquino urges creation of Filipino-made AI, warns of risks from foreign models

US officials met Iran-backed Houthis in Oman over the weekend, sources say

Will Four-Way Test help Pia Cayetano feel less pressured as senator-judge?

Senators flag last-minute flight cancellations, policy review sought

High-tech dreams, low-tech reality of the Luzon Economic Corridor

China marks breakthrough on railway linking Central Asia to Europe

Vietnamese student wins two physics awards at once at world's No. 1 university

Which Southeast Asian country has the world's highest paid leader?

[Pastilan] The curious case of Sara Duterte’s memory hole

Southeast Asian city ranks as world's most welcoming

DENR cites public role after turnover of rescued wildlife in Cotabato

2 solons split on CHR inclusion to Dangerous Drugs Board

Pagasa flags rivers across Western Visayas as ITCZ brings rains

Residents start using temporary Bailey bridge in Santa, Ilocos Sur

Thailand Business News — Morning Briefing : Thailand & Asia | 17 September 2026

Highlights: Day 26 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Sept. 16, 2026

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