The Philippines and India have recently agreed to enhance their defense cooperation, including the export of military equipment from India to the Philippines. The deal, which was concluded in Manila in March 2021, will enable the Philippines to acquire BrahMos missiles, which are jointly developed by India and Russia, as well as other defense hardware and services from India. The …

The Met Gala, also known as the Costume Institute Gala, is an annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. The event, which is usually held on the first Monday of May, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and glamorous events in the fashion industry, as well as a major …

Europe’s luxury stocks, such as LVMH, Hermes, and Richemont, have been among the best performers in the region’s stock market, despite the slowdown of China’s economy, which is a key market for the sector.  According to the MSCI Europe luxury index, the sector has gained about 25% in 2023, outperforming the broader MSCI Europe index, which has risen by 15% …

The theme of the Budget 2024 is Building Our Shared Future Together. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said that the Budget aims to address the immediate challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to lay the foundations for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for Singapore. The Priority of the Budget The biggest priority …

In a surprising move, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced last month that he was abandoning the long-held goal of reconciliation and unification with South Korea, and instead declared the South as his country’s “permanent enemy”. Kim said that North Korea “did not want war, but we also have no intention of avoiding it”, and that his aim was …

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to transform various sectors and industries, such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and finance. Malaysia, as a developing country with a diverse and dynamic population, has recognized the importance and opportunities of AI for its economic and social development.  According to the Government’s AI Readiness Index 2020, Malaysia ranked …

Independent cinema in the Philippines has long been a powerful platform for addressing pressing social issues. Here are eight standout indie films that courageously delve into the complexities of Philippine society, shedding light on important issues and sparking meaningful conversations. 1. Ma’ Rosa (2016) Ma’ Rosa describes a small-scale illegal drug trade that permeates the urban jungle’s dark alleyways and …

Madame Web is a movie based on the Spider-Man comics character of the same name, who is a blind and paralyzed psychic who can see the past, present, and future of the Spider-Verse, a multiverse of alternate realities where different versions of Spider-Man exist. The movie stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a young woman who inherits Madame Web’s powers …

The theory that pop star Taylor Swift and President Joe Biden are secretly working together to undermine former President Donald Trump and his supporters emerged on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Parler in late 2023.  The theory claims that Swift, who endorsed Biden in the 2020 election and has been vocal about her political views, is actually …

Japan’s economy contracted by an annualized rate of 1.2% in the last three months of 2023, marking the second consecutive quarter of negative growth and pushing the country into a technical recession. The decline was mainly driven by a slump in consumer spending, which fell by 3.1% as households face higher taxes, rising inflation, and the impact of the Omicron …