The Philippines is preparing new South China Sea protocols to better coordinate government agencies amid growing tensions with China. The move aims to strengthen Manila’s response to Beijing’s gray-zone activities in contested waters. Philippine Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns Andres Centino said the government is revising its rules of engagement to reflect the evolving situation at sea and in the air. “We need updated protocols that guide our law enforcement agencies in responding appropriately to China’s actions,” Centino said. The new guidelines are part of a whole-of-government approach and will apply to multiple agencies, including the navy, coast guard, National…
Author: Grace Johnson
Grace Johnson
Grace Johnson is a freelance journalist based in Beijing with over 15 years of experience reporting on Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. She earned her degree in Communication and Journalism from the University of Miami. Throughout her career, she has contributed to major outlets including The Miami Herald, CNN, and USA Today. Known for her clear and engaging reporting, Grace delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and global developments.
Beijing is giving new life to the red seats used in its Victory Day celebrations. As the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services opened on Wednesday, visitors noticed rows of these familiar seats outside the venue. These 1,508 seats were originally part of the temporary viewing platforms at Tian’anmen Square. They were installed for the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931–45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Now, they are serving the public in new ways across the capital. Liu Feifei, head of Shougang Park’s urban renewal department, explained that…
Factories remain offline Jaguar Land Rover will keep its UK plants closed until at least Wednesday. The company is still battling the impact of a cyber attack that struck more than a week ago. Production at Halewood, Solihull and Wolverhampton remains suspended. Operations in Slovakia, China and India are also affected. Assembly workers have been told to stay home. On 31 August the automaker shut down its IT systems to protect them. That step caused major disruption across operations. Race to restore networks Jaguar Land Rover says teams are working continuously to bring systems back online safely. External cybersecurity experts…
Microsoft confirmed that its Azure cloud platform faced disruptions after undersea cables in the Red Sea were cut. The company said users experienced slower connections as internet traffic through the Middle East encountered delays. Microsoft shifts routes to maintain service Microsoft did not explain what caused the damage but said it redirected traffic through alternative routes. It stressed that services outside the Middle East remained unaffected. Reports over the weekend indicated that disruptions also hit the United Arab Emirates and some Asian countries. Internet backbone under strain Cables on the seabed carry global data and serve as the backbone of…
Ludrick Cooper, an eighth-grade teacher in South Carolina, once resisted the idea of artificial intelligence in his classroom. Over time, he changed his view. “This is the new encyclopedia,” Cooper said, recalling his childhood fascination with reference books. He now joins a rising number of teachers who integrate AI into their lessons. The trend shows how quickly schools adopt the technology, even while its impact sparks debate. A Walton Family Foundation and Gallup survey revealed six in ten teachers used AI tools during the 2024-2025 school year. On Tuesday, First Lady Melania Trump launched the Presidential AI Challenge. The initiative…
Elon Musk, already the richest man alive, could become history’s first trillionaire. Tesla’s board has proposed a record-breaking pay package designed to keep him focused on the electric carmaker. The plan ties Musk’s rewards to stock milestones far beyond today’s market realities. His previous deal, once seen as impossible, turned out to be easily achievable for Tesla. Billion-dollar stock rewards at stake The proposal grants Musk 423.7 million Tesla shares, valued at $143.5 billion today. But he will only receive them if Tesla’s market value rises to $8.5 trillion. That figure is nearly eight times its current $1.1 trillion valuation.…
Jaguar Land Rover has told staff to stay home until Tuesday while it manages the fallout from a cyber attack. The breach forced the automaker to switch off key IT systems over the weekend. That step disrupted car sales and production. Factories in Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton remain shut. Managers warn closures could continue as the situation is reviewed. production and sales disrupted Car sales have been heavily affected, though some transactions still went through, according to people close to the matter. Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors, turned off systems on Sunday to contain possible damage. The…
Donald Trump has turned to the US Supreme Court to defend his tariff program. He seeks to overturn a ruling that declared his broad trade duties unlawful. Question of presidential authority The administration filed its petition on Wednesday night. It urges the court to decide swiftly whether a president can impose tariffs without Congress. Last week, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 7-4 against Trump. Judges said the authority to set import duties lies solely with Congress. Billions in jeopardy The case threatens Trump’s trade and foreign policy agenda. It could also force Washington to repay billions collected from…
The US government’s antitrust battle with Google has attracted worldwide scrutiny. Not since Microsoft stood trial in 1998 has Big Tech faced such a threat. One year after Judge Amit Mehta declared Google a monopolist, he presented remedies that some view as weak while others see as potentially effective. Google’s core platforms remain untouched During the remedies phase, speculation grew about a possible breakup. Judge Mehta dismissed demands to spin off Chrome, the world’s most popular browser. The Justice Department also asked for oversight of Android to prevent Google from strengthening its grip on search and advertising. Both products survived…
Gold has risen to a record level as global instability drives demand for safe assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price touched $3,508.50 per ounce. The rally has boosted the metal by nearly a third this year. Trade tensions drive surge Gold traditionally strengthens during periods of uncertainty. Earlier this year, its price spiked after President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs. The measures unsettled global trade and encouraged investors to seek stability. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, adding to gold’s appeal. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault, said Trump’s policies sparked the surge. He…
