US President Joe Biden has sent a high-level trade and investment mission to the Philippines, led by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, to explore business opportunities and strengthen economic ties with the Southeast Asian nation. The mission, which arrived in Manila on March 11, 2024, is composed of 22 top executives from various US companies, representing sectors such as technology, energy, …

A Batik Air flight from Kendari to Jakarta on January 25, 2024, experienced a dangerous situation when both pilots fell asleep mid-air, leaving the plane unattended for about 28 minutes. The incident, which was revealed by a preliminary report from the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), exposed the serious issue of pilot fatigue and its impact on aviation safety. …

The UAE, together with the European Union, Cyprus, the U.S., and the U.K., have announced the launch of the Cyprus Maritime Corridor, a humanitarian initiative to deliver aid to Gaza by sea. The initiative, which was endorsed by a joint statement on March 8, 2024, aims to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and to support the reconstruction of …

Korean filmmakers are increasingly traveling to the Philippines in search of dramatic scenery, energetic cities, and distinctive cultural contexts for their dramas and films. With its breathtaking beaches, verdant woods, and energetic cities, the Philippines makes an ideal setting for melodramas, thrillers with lots of action, and romantic comedies. The following 8 Korean dramas and films, which were shot in …

Taylor Swift, the global pop superstar, has made history with her Eras Tour, which featured six sold-out concerts in Singapore, her only stop in Southeast Asia. The tour, which ran from March 3 to March 9, 2024, attracted more than 300,000 fans from across the region, who flocked to the National Stadium to witness the singer perform songs from her …

TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has failed to stop a bill that could ban the app from US app stores from advancing in Congress. The bill, called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday, with bipartisan support. The bill will now move …

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his views on the rising tensions between the United States and China in the Asia-Pacific region, and the implications for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In an interview with BNN Breaking News, Anwar said that Malaysia does not want to be caught in the middle of a geopolitical rivalry, and that …

North Korea has conducted its largest-ever artillery firing exercise on Thursday, targeting a mock-up of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, state media reported. The exercise, which involved hundreds of long-range guns and rocket launchers, was supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, who praised the troops for their combat readiness and accuracy. The exercise was held at the Wonsan-Kalma coastal …

Korean pop music, or K-pop, has become incredibly popular worldwide due to its captivating lyrics, sophisticated choreography, and gifted artists. Several male groups with ten or more members have attracted a lot of attention and hoopla, although many K-pop groups only have a few members.  These massive ensembles provide exciting concerts that enthrall audiences all around the world while showcasing …

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in the Philippines and the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation (Zayed CHF) met with Sulu Governor Abdusakur M. Tan in his office in the town of Jolo on Monday, March 4, 2024.  The delegation was led by UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohammed Obaid Alqattam Alzaabi, who …