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Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence

AdvertisementThe PhilippinesThis Week in AsiaEconomicsViews of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidenceA global index on corruption perceptions shows the Philippines posting its lowest ranking since 2012
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMP1Sam BeltranPublished: 5:00pm, 21 Feb 2026The Philippines has fallen in a global corruption perception ranking, as allegations of financial wrongdoings and court cases surrounding a multibillion-peso flood-control programme have deepened doubts about its governance and dented investor confidence.Berlin-based watchdog Transparency International said the Philippines ranked 120th out of 182 countries and territories in its 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, down six places from the previous year.
The country received a score of 32 on a scale of zero as “highly corrupt” to 100 being “very clean”, one point less than its score in 2024 and the lowest it has received since 2012.
AdvertisementThe index released on February ..

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‘Leave immediately’: Residents in Australia’s Victoria state urged to flee out-of-control bushfire

Residents in Australia’s Victoria state were told to flee on Saturday after an out-of-control bushfire tore through steep, forested country.
The blaze began on Thursday night near Gaffneys Creek, located about 50 km northeast of state capital Melbourne.
Victorian emergency services issued the state’s highest alert for residents around the A1 Mine Settlement after the fire moved rapidly along ridgelines, leading to road closures.
“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” Victoria Emergency said on its website.
State response controller Alistair Drayton told ABC News that the bushfire was burning in “remote mountainous terrain which is difficult for crews to access from the ground”.
Firefighters had managed to contain the fire’s western edge, but they were still working round-the-clock to bring it under control.
“The fire is burning in complex and steep terrain, with crews working around the clock. They are using heavy machinery to build contain..

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Trump lashes out at Supreme Court justices over tariffs ruling

Trump lashes out at Supreme Court justices over tariffs ruling 7 hours agoShareSaveDaniel BushWashington correspondentShareSaveWatch: Trump says he's “ashamed” of Supreme Court judges over tariffs rulingUS President Donald Trump lashed out in unusually personal terms against the six Supreme Court justices who handed him one of the biggest setbacks of his second term in office by striking down the administration's global tariffs.
The court's Friday ruling was “deeply disappointing”. The justices who joined the majority opinion should be “absolutely ashamed” and lacked the courage to “do the right thing”, Trump said, turning his response into a sweeping attack against a co-equal branch of government.
The broadside was remarkable even for a president known for blowing past political norms and publicly berating those who challenge his authority.
“I'm ashamed of certain members of the court. Absolutely ashamed for not having the courage to do what's right for our co..

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Trump brings in new 10% tariff as Supreme Court rejects his global import taxes

Trump brings in new 10% tariff as Supreme Court rejects his global import taxes8 hours agoShareSaveNatalie ShermanBusiness reporterShareSaveWatch: BBC inside Trump press briefing slamming Supreme Court tariffs rulingUS President Donald Trump has imposed a new 10% global tariff to replace ones struck down by the Supreme Court, calling the ruling “terrible” and lambasting the justices who rejected his trade policy as “fools”.
The president unveiled the plan shortly after the justices outlawed most of the global tariffs the White House announced last year.
In a 6-3 decision, the court held that the president had overstepped his powers.
The decision was a major victory for businesses and US states that had challenged the duties, opening the door to potentially billions of dollars in tariff refunds, while also injecting new uncertainty into the global trade landscape.
Speaking from the White House on Friday, Trump indicated that refunds would not come without a legal battle, saying he expe..

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Jeffrey Epstein’s estate agrees to $35 million settlement for victims

(AP) Years after his death in a jail cell, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's estate has agreed to pay up to $35 million to settle claims from victims who allege abuse or trafficking by him over more than two decades.The proposed court judgment was filed Thursday and covers alleged assaults from January 1, 1995, through Epstein’s death in prison on August 10, 2019. Trump Sends Shocking Epstein Message To UK Royals After Ex-Prince Andrew's Arrest Over Misconduct Epstein’s estate would pay $35 million if 40 or more people are eligible in the class, and $25 million if there are fewer than 40. Bloomberg News reported Thursday that the law firm representing the victims was confident they had at least 40 people who had not yet settled with Epstein’s estate.The co-executors of the settlement are Darren Indyke, Epstein’s former lawyer, and Richard Kahn, the financier’s former accountant. Both have denied any wrongdoing through their association with Epstein and have not been ac..

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UAE’s Etihad Rail operator Keolis appoints Yoen Dupuis as CEO ahead of passenger service launch

Yoen Dupuis named Keolis CEO to drive UAE’s National Etihad Rail Services / Image: file If you’ve taken the Dubai Metro or Tram lately, you’ve experienced Keolis's clockwork precision. Now, the global leader in shared mobility is entering a fresh chapter. The group has officially appointed Yoen Dupuis as the new CEO for its Middle East and East Asia regions. Based right here in the UAE, Dupuis is stepping into a high-stakes role that keeps millions of people moving every single day across some of the world’s most tech-forward cities.Keolis appoints new CEOKeolis Group, a major global operator of public transportation networks, has appointed Yoen Dupuis as the Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East and East Asia region. This decisive leadership change is part of Keolis’ plan to expand its footprint and accelerate modern rail and automated metro services in key growth markets.In his new regional role, Dupuis will drive strategic planning, operations, and partnerships across cou..

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US fighter jets scrambled to intercept at least five Russian warplanes over Alaska

Nine U.S. fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept five Russian warplanes spotted off Alaska.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, based at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, said it had detected and tracked two Tu-95 long-range strategic bombers, two Su-35 fighter planes, and one A-50 spy plane crossing Alaska’s coastal Air Defense Identification Zone on Thursday.
NORAD said it had responded by launching two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3, and four KC-135s to intercept the planes, positively identify them, and escort them out of the ADIZ.
The command described Russian activity in the ADIZ as a regular occurrence that was not considered a threat, adding that the five planes had not crossed into U.S. or Canadian airspace, according to CBS News.
Alaska’s ADIZ is the point at which American and Canadian jurisdiction ends and is a “defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security,” NORAD said…

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‘Blood moon’ lunar eclipse expected on March 3 in Hong Kong

AdvertisementHong Kong societyHong KongSociety‘Blood moon’ lunar eclipse expected on March 3 in Hong KongLunar eclipse will begin before moonrise, at 6.22pm that day, when part of the moon starts to enter Earth’s shadow, and end at 10.25pm
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPNg Kang-chungPublished: 5:39pm, 20 Feb 2026This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.Hong Kong astronomy enthusiasts can expect a “blood moon” lunar eclipse early next month, with residents able to view the phenomenon with the naked eye from some places.
The global event will take place in the city on the evening of March 3, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
Advertisement“The total eclipse process can be directly observed with [the naked] eye from [certain] places with an unobstructed view to the east, if weather permits,” the Observatory said on Friday.
The lunar eclipse is expected to begin before moonris..

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‘American Idol’ alum charged with murder days after wife was killed in believed ‘home invasion’

An American Idol alum who gushed about his love for his wife during his appearance on the show is now accused of her murder in Ohio.
Caleb Flynn, a 39-year-old former music pastorwho appeared on the show’s twelfth series, was cuffed on Thursday evening amid an investigation into his wife’s death.
Authorities discovered 37-year-old teacher Ashley Flynn’s body at 2.30 am on Monday, after receiving reports of a burglary at the couple’s home in Tipp City, just north of Dayton.
Dispatch logs obtained by WHIO TV captured the moment officers were sent to the so-called reporting party’s address.
“Someone broke into the RP’s house, unknown if they are still there. Garage door is open,” the dispatcher said.
open image in galleryAmerican Idol contestant Caleb Flynn has been accused of killing his wife at their home (Miami County Jail)Ashley was pronounced dead at the scene, Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins told reporters. He also confirmed that there were signs of forced entry at the propert..

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Trump’s name cleared to land on Palm Beach airport after Florida Republicans pass bill

AdvertisementUnited StatesWorldUnited States & CanadaTrump’s name cleared to land on Palm Beach airport after Florida Republicans pass billThe president’s local airport, minutes away from his Mar-a-Lago home, will be called the President Donald J. Trump International Airport
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPAgence France-PressePublished: 5:38pm, 20 Feb 2026An airport in Florida will soon be renamed after US President Donald Trump, after a bill proposing the change was approved by the state’s legislature on Thursday.Trump, a real estate mogul who has plastered his name on buildings around the world, has sought to leave his mark on the country in an unprecedented image and building campaign.
Florida’s Republican-led legislature approved a bill to rename the Palm Beach International Airport as the President Donald J. Trump International Airport, state records show. Governor Ron DeSantis, once a Trump opponent, is expected to sign the measure into law.Advertisement“Fifty years f..

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