US families ramp up efforts for loved ones’ release from China ahead of Xi’s visit

South China Morning Post - Sep 17, 2026

Chen Youlin, a Chinese-American scientist, travelled back to China in October 2024 for a month-long holiday, including to celebrate his mother’s 80th birthday. As he prepared to leave, authorities arrested him at the airport in Beijing. For more than 670 days, his wife, Rong Yufang, and other family members have not been able to see or speak with him. “Sometimes I realise I can no longer clearly remember the sound of his voice, and that breaks my heart,” Rong told the South China Morning Post....

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Mimaropa tops 2025 PSA Awards

Sep 17, 2026

Mimaropa tops 2025 PSA Awards

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office (PSA RSSO) Mimaropa placed first among the agency’s regional statistical offices in the 2025 PSA Awards held in Quezon City on Thursday, Sept. 17. In a post on Thursday, PSA Mimaropa said this recognition marked the second time the regional office

Vigan City celebrates heritage, tourism week through the arts

Sep 17, 2026

Vigan City celebrates heritage, tourism week through the arts

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Vigan celebrated its heritage, arts, and living traditions through a cultural and heritage exhibit held as part of the World Heritage Cities Solidarity and Cultural Celebration and Tourism Week 2026. Held at Balay Bigueño along Calle Crisologo, the exhibit featured artworks, traditional crafts, and other expressions of Vigan’s cultural identity.

2 alleged rebels surrender in Oriental Mindoro

Sep 17, 2026

2 alleged rebels surrender in Oriental Mindoro

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Two alleged members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) separately surrendered to authorities in Oriental Mindoro, with one turning over a .38-caliber firearm and two rounds of ammunition, police said Thursday. Police said one of the surrenderers, who was listed in the National Peace and Security Registry (NPSR), surrendered around

Lotto results: No jackpot winners in Sept. 17 draws

Sep 17, 2026

Lotto results: No jackpot winners in Sept. 17 draws

MANILA, Philippines—No bettor won the jackpots in the SuperLotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws on Thursday, Sept. 17, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The SuperLotto 6/49 winning combination was 23-31-25-15-16-36 for a jackpot of ₱25.22 million. No ticket matched all six numbers. For Lotto 6/42, the winning combination was 08-31-32-19-24-06 for a jackpot

What the China-Nepal floods teach us about crisis communication

Sep 17, 2026

What the China-Nepal floods teach us about crisis communication

The Himalayan disaster that tore through the China-Nepal border last month was a human calamity before it became a media story. A torrent of ice, rock, mud and debris swept through valleys, destroying key infrastructure, severing roads and communications, and leaving families desperate for news. In Gyirong county in the Tibet autonomous region, the disaster hit a major border crossing and created a rescue environment as physically difficult as any imaginable. The human toll extends beyond the...

JV Ejercito: No more delays in NSCR, Metro Manila subway

Sep 17, 2026

JV Ejercito: No more delays in NSCR, Metro Manila subway

MANILA, Philippines — Senate finance committee chair Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday said he is ensuring there will be no more delays in the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway. Ejercito and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez inspected the NSCR’s West Valenzuela Station and its Operations Control Center, as well

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

Sep 17, 2026

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer asked Brazil to review the sale of Anglo American’s nickel mines to a Chinese state-controlled miner in exchange for tariff relief, two people familiar with the negotiations told the South China Morning Post. Washington made the request during talks to lift the 50 per cent tariffs US President Donald Trump imposed on Brazilian goods last year. First reported by Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo and CNN Brazil on Thursday, the proposal would...

2027 budget: Congress’ spending plan should be scrutinized – watchdog

Sep 17, 2026

2027 budget: Congress’ spending plan should be scrutinized – watchdog

MANILA, Philippines — Budget watchdog People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) on Thursday said Congress’ spending plan should have faced greater scrutiny after budget discussions for the legislature were terminated without any questions on the floor. “Scrutiny should be even higher when Congress is deliberating its own budget,” PBC co-coordinator Gybel Agregado told the Inquirer in a

BFAR distributes 100,000 tilapia fry in Ilocos

Sep 17, 2026

BFAR distributes 100,000 tilapia fry in Ilocos

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur— The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Ilocos distributed 100,000 tilapia fry to fisherfolk across the region during the 70th Fishery Industry Forum held Wednesday (Sept. 16) at the Dingras Civic Center in Dingras, Ilocos Norte. The distribution was part of the forum’s efforts to boost fish production and provide

Duero mayor steps down after Ombudsman dismissal order

Sep 17, 2026

Duero mayor steps down after Ombudsman dismissal order

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Duero Mayor Al Cadorniga Taculad stepped down from office on Sept. 16 after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal for grave misconduct arising from his financial interest in municipal projects awarded to his construction firm. Vice Mayor Hernes Bajao assumed the mayoralty following Taculad’s departure. In a Sept. 1

Tinio questions P500 Pera hike, calls for budget realignment

Sep 17, 2026

Tinio questions P500 Pera hike, calls for budget realignment

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio on Thursday, Sept. 17, described the P500 increase in monthly allowance received by state workers in 2027 “woefully inadequate” after nearly 17-year impasse. Tinio said the P500-hike to the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (Pera) was not enough, primarily amid rising commodity costs. He

House passes anti-spying bill amid civil rights concerns

Sep 17, 2026

House passes anti-spying bill amid civil rights concerns

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Thursday passed on final reading a bill modernizing the country’s anti-espionage laws, despite concerns from some lawmakers that its broad definition of spying could be used to crack down on dissent. With 224 lawmakers voting for House Bill No. 9642 and 10 against, the lower chamber approved

U.S. Strike on Iranian School May Have Been War Crime, U.N. Report Says

Sep 17, 2026

U.S. Strike on Iranian School May Have Been War Crime, U.N. Report Says

Mistakes that led to the deaths of more than a hundred children “went beyond negligence,” investigators said. They also cited a separate strike the same day that killed a reported 22 civilians.

Victims' counsels to ICC: Declare former President Duterte fit for trial

Sep 17, 2026

Victims' counsels to ICC: Declare former President Duterte fit for trial

The lawyers of the drug war victims have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to declare former President Rodrigo Duterte fit for trial.

Antonio Tinio calls out Marcos alleged inaction on transboundary haze

Sep 17, 2026

Antonio Tinio calls out Marcos alleged inaction on transboundary haze

MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Thursday criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on what he described as the latter’s inaction on the issue of transboundary haze that originated from Indonesia, which also affected the air quality in parts of the Philippines.  Tinio made this remark during the House sponsorship and plenary

Russia and China Veto U.S. Bid to Renew U.N. Monitoring of Iran Nuclear Program

Sep 17, 2026

Russia and China Veto U.S. Bid to Renew U.N. Monitoring of Iran Nuclear Program

The conflict underscored the distance between world powers over the United States’ pressure campaign on Iran.

Marcoleta’s press conference inside Sandiganbayan is allowed – BJMP

Sep 17, 2026

Marcoleta’s press conference inside Sandiganbayan is allowed – BJMP

[Updated Sept. 17, 2026, 8:04 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s press conference on Thursday was well within what is being allowed by the Sandiganbayan. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the forum between the senator and reporters today inside the premises of the anti-graft court was alright with the justices.

WATCH: Romualdez’s co-accused in plunder case, out of country | INQToday

Sep 17, 2026

WATCH: Romualdez’s co-accused in plunder case, out of country | INQToday

MANILA, Philippines – Here are INQToday’s top stories this evening: A former staff member of ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is also a co-accused in the P7.4-billion plunder case, is out of the country; a witness says Sen. Rodante Marcoleta allegedly solicited money from a donor linked to his P75-million plunder case; and a House

Army: Civilian tips thwart NPA bid to establish foothold in Agusan

Sep 17, 2026

Army: Civilian tips thwart NPA bid to establish foothold in Agusan

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said information from residents helped government forces respond to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA), leading to encounters in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, last Sept. 10. The Joint Task Force Diamond and the 4ID said the incident highlighted

Overcast skies, rains to prevail over PH due to LPA

Sep 17, 2026

Overcast skies, rains to prevail over PH due to LPA

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area (LPA) off Palawan is forecast to continue bringing rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao until Friday, Sept. 18, the state weather bureau said. In its weather advisory issued at 4 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that gloomy skies with scattered rains and

DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

Sep 17, 2026

DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) targets installing 7,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points before 2028, a DOE official told the Senate finance subcommittee on Thursday. The agency’s goal is in line with its commitment to expand and promote the adoption of EVs in the Philippines, reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, and

‘Balutin mo ako’: Pangilinan lightens up DAR budget talk with Sharon hit

Sep 17, 2026

‘Balutin mo ako’: Pangilinan lightens up DAR budget talk with Sharon hit

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan brought some levity to the Senate committee on finance’s budget deliberations for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday, breaking into a song with a line from his wife Sharon Cuneta’s hit “Bituing Walang Ningning.” After discussing how better-organized farmers could help boost food supply and reduce hunger,

Pansipit River siltation among factors in Taal Lake water rise

Sep 17, 2026

Pansipit River siltation among factors in Taal Lake water rise

LUCENA CITY — Siltation at the Pansipit River is among the top factors behind the continuing rise in Taal Lake’s water level, according to a multi-agency consultation organized by the Batangas government on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Accumulated soil and sand have slowed waterway discharges. The consultation aimed to establish a unified government response and develop

US sanctions boost China’s science-driven innovation by over 70%, study finds

Sep 17, 2026

US sanctions boost China’s science-driven innovation by over 70%, study finds

US-sanctioned Chinese companies are increasingly turning to open-source research to innovate and reverse-engineer restricted foreign technology, with a 72 per cent surge in scientific literature citations in their patent applications, according to a new study. While the United States said it expanded its Entity List to safeguard national security and preserve its technological edge, an analysis of Chinese patent filings over the 12 years until 2022 showed that US restrictions on access to...

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