Could Taipei’s unexpectedly tight mayoral race add to cross-strait tensions?

South China Morning Post - Nov 1, 2026

Taipei Mayor Wayne Chiang Wan-an faces an unexpectedly tough re-election fight in a race closely watched for its potential to damage the main opposition party Kuomintang and further strain the island’s relations with Beijing. Just five months ago, Chiang appeared comfortably positioned for a second term in a city where the KMT has traditionally enjoyed an advantage over the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. A poll by local cable news network TVBS in late May put him 28 percentage points ahead...

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Zaijian Jaranilla and the pride of providing

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Zaijian Jaranilla and the pride of providing

Set to tour schools, the actor’s advocacy film “Guryon” champions family and pursuing one’s dreams

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MANILA, Philippines — Senate finance committee chair Sen. JV Ejercito and vice chair Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson promised that they would spare no one, including the son of President Marcos, from scrutiny during deliberations by the bicameral conference committee on the P7.2-trillion national budget, which is alleged to be filled with insertions akin to pork.

At 90, sis of WWII soldier visits his grave after decades long search

Nov 1, 2026

At 90, sis of WWII soldier visits his grave after decades long search

MANILA, Philippines — For only the second time in eight decades, Adelaida Samonte, 90, traveled from Batangas to Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Saturday, to visit the grave of her older brother, a World War II soldier. It was only last year when her family discovered where Victor Samonte, who died of

A buoy for the spirit in flood-weary Marikina

Nov 1, 2026

A buoy for the spirit in flood-weary Marikina

MANILA, Philippines — Dave Dela Cruz, dazed and knocked flat, woke up drenched on a chapel floor in Marikina City. He had slipped and bashed his head the previous night, when floods from Super Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) refused to spare even the holiest of places. But unlike his neighbors hauling appliances to higher

The latest in tech to keep an eye out for

Nov 1, 2026

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The first touchscreen MacBook, Samsung’s clip-on buds, and much more

Edcom: Learning gap can be fixed even before Grade 1

Nov 1, 2026

Edcom: Learning gap can be fixed even before Grade 1

MANILA, Philippines — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) has called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to strengthen early childhood and primary education curricula to address the growing number of “struggling readers” among Grade 1 students. Edcom 2 made the call after the DepEd’s Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment for the start of

DOE on ‘Undas’ energy supply alert

Nov 1, 2026

DOE on ‘Undas’ energy supply alert

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800 deportees arrive in Zamboanga from Sabah

Nov 1, 2026

800 deportees arrive in Zamboanga from Sabah

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Nov 1, 2026

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Bamboo takes center stage in Unesco geopark

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BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — I was at the early stages of graduate school thesis work at the University of the Philippines Baguio in 2007 when I was told by photographer Tommy Hafalla that the ritual “Begnas” of Sagada town in Mountain Province was to be held in the days leading up to All Saints’ Day.

This week’s milestones: Nov. 1 to Nov. 7

Nov 1, 2026

This week’s milestones: Nov. 1 to Nov. 7

Nov. 4, 1999 Tuguegarao was converted from a municipality to a component city of Cagayan province through the approval of Republic Act No. 8755. A plebiscite was later held on Dec. 18, 1999, to ratify the conversion. Designated as the capital city of Cagayan and the regional center of Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao is bounded by

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