The Philippines ranked among the weakest performers in Southeast Asia on human rights, protection from state abuse and basic freedoms, according to the 2026 civil and political rights assessment released by the New Zealand-based Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI).
Peru’s top election authority on Friday declared conservative politician Keiko Fujimori the winner of the country’s presidential runoff election, confirming her victory after voters chose a candidate who pledged to address rising crime.
Pope Leo XIV called on the United States to recommit to its founding ideals of protecting life and human dignity as he accepted the Liberty Medal through a live video appearance at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Friday, a day before the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday he would pursue the revival of reconciliation policies toward North Korea and renewable energy initiatives championed by former President Moon Jae-in, during a luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae.
The Vatican on Thursday declared the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in schism and excommunicated six bishops after the traditionalist group consecrated four new bishops without Pope Leo XIV’s approval, escalating its response beyond the penalties prescribed under canon law.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday officially declared the deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius over, after the last person under quarantine tested negative and was cleared to return home.
Recent genomic studies have traced the origins of Korea’s indigenous dog breeds, including North Korea’s national dog, the Pungsan-gae, to multiple ancient East Asian lineages, offering new insights into the peninsula’s canine history.
Doctors and aid workers on Wednesday warned that Venezuela could face a worsening public health crisis after twin earthquakes displaced thousands of people, damaged hospitals and increased the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.
Japan lodged a protest with China after Beijing installed a mobile offshore drilling rig on its side of the median line in the East China Sea, where Tokyo suspects it is conducting exploratory drilling for a natural gas field, sources familiar with the matter said Monday.
PorMedTec said Monday it plans to begin clinical trials of genetically modified pig kidney transplants in humans at two Japanese hospitals as early as 2028 in an effort to address the country’s shortage of organ donors.