Saudi Arabia will host the first edition of the nation-based tournament, which is scheduled to take place over four weeks and feature competitors from more than 100 countries across 16 esports disciplines. Organizers have announced a total prize pool of $20 million for players and coaches.

The Philippines has qualified a five-member squad for the League of Legends competition, while its Valorant team earned a direct invitation after finishing among the top 10 in the game’s official global rankings.

“The Esports Nations Cup is one of the biggest international competitions because countries from all over the world participate,” Marlon Marcelo, executive director of the Philippine Esports Organization, said. He added that the tournament offers the country an opportunity to demonstrate its strength in esports, particularly in mobile gaming, where Filipino players have consistently performed well.

The Philippine Esports Organization, established in 2011, oversees the national esports program known as Sibol, which recently qualified for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang event at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, scheduled ahead of the Riyadh tournament.

Esports, particularly mobile gaming, has gained widespread popularity in the Philippines over the past decade, driven by the accessibility of smartphones and competitive multiplayer titles. Filipino teams have emerged as regular contenders in regional and international tournaments across several game categories.

Marcelo also praised Saudi Arabia’s growing role in global esports, describing the Kingdom as an emerging hub for major gaming events. He expressed hope that the large Filipino community living and working in Saudi Arabia would support the national teams during the tournament, particularly if they advance to the latter stages.

The Philippines will compete for the League of Legends title while also fielding a team in Valorant. National squads are continuing qualification campaigns in additional disciplines, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Dota 2, Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile, with qualifying tournaments still underway.

The earthquake occurred at 7:42 p.m. local time (1142 GMT) at a depth of 65.7 km (41 miles), with its epicenter located about 21 km southwest of the town of Sarangani on Mindanao island, according to the USGS.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage following the quake. Authorities also issued no tsunami warning, indicating that the earthquake was not expected to generate hazardous sea waves.

Data shared by earthquake monitoring platform GlobalQuake indicated that approximately 6.4 million people experienced the tremor, with an estimated 168,100 people located in areas where shaking was strongest. The figures were preliminary and had not been independently verified by Philippine authorities.

The latest earthquake struck in one of the world’s most seismically active regions. The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast arc of seismic faults and volcanoes where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently due to the movement of tectonic plates.

The tremor comes less than three weeks after a major earthquake struck the same part of the southern Philippines, leaving more than 80 people dead and highlighting the region’s continued vulnerability to seismic hazards.

The development follows the Philippines’ ranking as the world’s top retirement destination in the Retirement Abroad Index 2026, published by international health insurer Expatriate Group earlier this month. The country was also recognized as Asia’s Best Retirement Destination in 2025 by travel platform TripZilla.

A key factor behind the ranking was the Philippines’ Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), which was identified as one of the most accessible retirement residency programs among countries evaluated in the index.

“We target approximately 4,000 new retirees every year, and our year-to-date figures show we are 54% ahead of the same period last year,” Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) General Manager Roberto Zozobrado said.

According to the PRA, the combination of affordable living costs, English proficiency, established expatriate communities and the country’s natural attractions continues to draw retirees from around the world.

The Retirement Abroad Index assessed 20 countries across several categories, including cost of living, healthcare accessibility, visa requirements, integration opportunities and expatriate support networks. The Philippines ranked highest overall, with particular strengths in affordability and visa accessibility.

Thailand ranked second in the index, followed by Colombia, Portugal, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The report estimated that a retired foreign couple can maintain a comfortable lifestyle in the Philippines on approximately £750 to £1,000 ($988 to $1,318) per month, with living expenses generally lower outside major urban centers such as Manila.

Industry observers note that the country’s extensive use of English, one of its official languages alongside Filipino, provides a significant advantage for retirees seeking easier integration into local communities and daily life.

Official figures show that approximately 62,000 foreign retirees currently reside in the Philippines under the SRRV program, which is available to foreign nationals aged 40 and above.

Chinese nationals represent the largest group of foreign retirees in the country, followed by citizens of South Korea, India and the United States. Many retirees have settled in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Central Visayas, including the popular coastal destination of Cebu.

Tourism and retirement authorities are increasingly targeting prospective retirees from Europe, Australia and Canada as part of efforts to diversify the country’s retirement market and strengthen its position within the global retirement industry.

Officials say the country’s reputation for hospitality remains one of its strongest advantages in attracting long-term foreign residents.

The Philippine Retirement Authority, which was established to promote the country as a retirement destination, said it remains focused on expanding the program and maintaining the Philippines’ competitiveness as international demand for overseas retirement options continues to grow.

The initiative, implemented by the ministry as part of Saudi Arabia’s global religious outreach efforts, will be carried out in four phases during the Islamic year 1448H. The program is designed to facilitate Umrah and religious visits for selected guests from Muslim communities worldwide.

The first phase will include 250 pilgrims and Umrah performers from 16 Asian countries: Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mongolia.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, who also serves as general supervisor of the program, said the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s longstanding commitment to serving Islam and Muslims around the world.

He expressed appreciation for the support provided by King Salman and Crown Prince , stating that Saudi Arabia continues to prioritize enabling Muslims to perform Umrah and visit the holy sites under organized and comprehensive arrangements.

According to the ministry, participants will receive a range of services throughout their stay, including assistance with performing Umrah rituals, visits to the in Madinah, tours of Islamic and historical landmarks, and meetings with scholars and imams associated with the Two Holy Mosques.

Saudi officials said the program aims to strengthen ties among Muslim communities, promote cultural and religious exchange, and enhance communication between scholars, religious leaders and influential figures from different parts of the Islamic world.

The ministry noted that since its establishment, the Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program has hosted participants from more than 140 countries. Authorities said the initiative has developed an extensive operational framework to provide accommodation, transportation, religious guidance and logistical support to visiting guests.

The program forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to expand religious services and reinforce its role as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites while promoting engagement with Muslim communities across multiple regions.

The ministry said preparations are underway to receive the first group of pilgrims and ensure the delivery of services in accordance with established operational and hospitality standards.

The shooting, which occurred on Monday at San Jose National High School in Leyte province, is among the deadliest school attacks in recent Philippine history and has prompted heightened scrutiny of youth violence, firearm access and online content.

National police spokesman Allen Rae Co said preliminary findings indicated the attack had been premeditated. Investigators found that the two suspects, aged 15 and 14, had remained together in a school restroom for more than an hour before the shooting began.

“All indications point to the fact that it was planned,” Co told reporters during a briefing.

Authorities said the suspects are in custody. The attack left three students dead and 15 others hospitalized with gunshot wounds. One victim remained in critical condition on Tuesday, according to local police.

“His condition is under strict observation, but we were told he is fighting for his life,” Tacloban police spokeswoman Evalyn Diaz said.

Police said investigators are examining claims that the suspects had experienced bullying at school, while also reviewing evidence suggesting exposure to violent online material may have contributed to the attack.

Diaz said witness accounts and early investigative findings appeared consistent with reports that bullying had been a motivating factor. However, Co said authorities had also identified indications that online communities or digital content may have influenced one of the suspects.

“Based on our initial investigation, the 14-year-old was heavily influenced by online content,” Co said, adding that investigators were examining the possible role of an unidentified online group.

Authorities disclosed that the younger suspect allegedly used a Glock 9mm pistol belonging to his aunt, a police officer who has since been suspended and taken into custody pending investigation. Police said the teenager had previously visited a firing range and possessed basic familiarity with handling firearms.

Regional police director Jason Capoy said the second weapon, a .38-caliber revolver, was registered to a security agency where the grandfather of the older suspect had previously worked.

Witnesses told investigators that the gunmen moved through a school corridor and fired through classroom windows as students sought shelter. Police said the attackers appeared to have coordinated their movements during the assault.

Capoy also said investigators discovered that the younger suspect frequently played GoreBox, a violent first-person shooter video game. Shortly after police disclosed that information, the Philippines’ cybercrime authorities announced a temporary ban on the game while an investigation is conducted.

The shooting has sent shockwaves through Tacloban, where local authorities canceled classes citywide. Philippine Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited injured students and teachers on Tuesday and said many remained deeply traumatized by the events.

“When it was the principal’s turn to share, she collapsed,” Angara told reporters. “That’s what we call trauma, which is very real.”

Teachers interviewed by police described the two suspects as ordinary students with no known record of serious disciplinary problems, according to investigators.

School shootings remain uncommon in the Philippines, where strict gun regulations and cultural factors have historically limited such incidents. Earlier this month, however, seven students were wounded in a separate knife attack at a school in Cavite province, raising concerns about campus security and youth violence.

The storm was located about 375 km (230 miles) northeast of Aparri in Cagayan province before midday on Tuesday, packing sustained winds of up to 175 kph (110 mph), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Mekkhala was moving northwest at around 10 kph (6 mph) and was not forecast to make landfall in the Philippines. However, forecasters warned that its extensive rain bands and strong winds could affect eastern coastal areas of Cagayan and the island province of Batanes, raising the risk of localized flooding, landslides and hazardous marine conditions.

Authorities hoisted the lowest level of the country’s five-tier tropical cyclone wind warning system across northeastern coastal areas, while maritime restrictions were imposed to prevent small vessels and fishing boats from venturing into rough seas.

Disaster-response agencies and local government units were placed on heightened alert in communities considered vulnerable to flooding and slope failures. Emergency personnel were instructed to monitor weather developments closely and prepare for possible evacuations if conditions deteriorate.

Forecast models indicated that the typhoon would pass closest to Batanes on Wednesday at a distance of about 275 km (170 miles) offshore before continuing northward along Taiwan’s eastern coastline. The storm is then expected to track toward Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu later in the week.

Although the cyclone is projected to remain over open waters, weather officials cautioned that strong winds, heavy rainfall and large waves could still affect northern Philippine provinces as the system moves through the western Pacific.

The Philippines is among the world’s most disaster-prone nations, facing an average of about 20 tropical cyclones annually. The archipelago is also situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic activity and other natural hazards.

The shooting occurred at around 9:00 a.m. local time at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, in Leyte province, police said. Two suspects, aged 15 and 14, were taken into custody shortly after the attack and are being questioned in the presence of their parents.

Police said the two boys fired indiscriminately inside the school compound, killing three students and injuring five others. Authorities have not yet established a definitive motive for the attack.

“We are hearing bullying was the motive behind their actions, but we have yet to ask them,” police Lieutenant Evalyn Diaz told AFP, adding that investigators were still working to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Authorities are also investigating how the suspects obtained the firearms and managed to bring them onto school grounds.

The injured students were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, although officials have not released details regarding their conditions.

Video footage circulated by local media and verified by AFP showed students hiding inside classrooms while gunshots rang out across the campus, with children heard screaming and crying during the incident.

The Philippine Department of Education described the attack as a “high-alert situation” and said officials from the national, regional and local education offices had been deployed to coordinate with law enforcement agencies and school administrators.

“Our Central Office officials, alongside regional and division office personnel, are active on the ground, coordinating closely with school authorities and law enforcement to secure the premises,” the department said in a statement.

School shootings are uncommon in the Philippines, where firearms ownership is tightly regulated. However, illegal weapons remain widely available through black-market networks, and gun-related violence is frequently linked to criminal activity, personal disputes and local political rivalries.

In 2022, three people, including a former city mayor, were killed in a shooting near a graduation ceremony at Ateneo de Manila University in the capital. Authorities later concluded that attack was motivated by personal grievances.

Monday’s shooting is likely to renew scrutiny of school security measures and access to illegal firearms in the Southeast Asian nation as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The event marked an expansion of the government’s efforts to position the Philippines as a preferred destination for Muslim travelers through improved halal services, dedicated tourism infrastructure and faith-sensitive travel experiences.

Organized by the Department of Tourism, the conference, known as RIHLAH, followed the successful launch of SALAAM, the country’s first halal travel and trade expo, in 2024. Officials said the initiative reflects a broader strategy to strengthen the Philippines’ competitiveness in one of the fastest-growing segments of the global tourism industry.

“Through the sharing of knowledge, experiences and success stories, we hope to inspire greater collaboration and innovation in advancing halal and Muslim-friendly tourism in the Philippines and beyond,” Tourism Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar said during the forum.

The conference featured speakers and tourism specialists from Oman, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, who discussed international best practices and emerging trends in Muslim-friendly travel.

Government officials outlined plans to expand standards for Muslim-friendly restaurants, improve tourism facilities, develop specialized travel packages and support promotional campaigns highlighting halal-friendly destinations across the archipelago.

Tourism remains a major pillar of the Philippine economy, accounting for more than 8 percent of gross domestic product in 2025. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector contributed nearly 13 percent of economic output, equivalent to about $44 billion.

The Philippines has steadily improved its standing among Muslim travelers. According to the 2026 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index, the country ranks fifth among non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation destinations, reflecting progress in accessibility, halal services and visitor experience.

Industry forecasts indicate the Muslim travel sector will continue to expand significantly over the next decade. The Global Muslim Travel Index projects 262 million international Muslim traveler arrivals worldwide by 2030, generating an estimated $310 billion in annual spending. The market recorded 196 million travelers in 2025 and is expected to reach 208 million this year.

Business groups view the sector as a major growth opportunity. Ruby Banarea-Victorino, president of the Makati chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said local enterprises must adapt to meet rising demand from Muslim visitors.

She noted that while the Philippines already offers internationally recognized beaches, shopping destinations and cultural attractions, further investment in halal-certified facilities and Muslim-friendly services will be essential to unlocking the market’s full potential.

Officials said continued collaboration between government agencies and private-sector stakeholders would be key to transforming the Philippines into a leading Muslim-friendly destination in Asia.

Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Russia concluded their first in-person summit in eight years on Thursday with a commitment to strengthen energy ties, expand trade and investment, and pursue long-term commercial partnerships aimed at diversifying supply sources and reducing exposure to market shocks.

The agreement comes as many Southeast Asian economies grapple with the impact of supply disruptions stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route. The region remains heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude, with around 60% of Southeast Asia’s crude oil imports originating from the Gulf.

In a joint statement issued after the summit, ASEAN and Russia voiced concern over rising global energy insecurity driven by geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions and market volatility. The two sides also agreed to enhance crisis preparedness, cooperate on energy-transition initiatives and expand engagement in civilian nuclear energy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hosted ASEAN leaders in Kazan, said Moscow was prepared to increase exports of value-added products to Southeast Asian markets, including fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and energy resources.

“Of course, we remain committed to supplying our Asian friends with food products and energy resources, which have been enjoying so much demand,” Putin said at a joint press conference with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The energy partnership has gained urgency as regional economies face higher fuel costs and supply constraints. The Philippines, for example, imports more than 90% of its crude oil requirements from Gulf producers, leaving it particularly exposed to disruptions in Middle Eastern supply routes.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said ASEAN viewed Russia as an important partner in strengthening regional energy resilience and broadening access to alternative sources of supply.

“We seek cooperation that diversifies our sources, strengthens our supply chains, and shields our region from external shocks,” Sugiono told the summit’s plenary session.

Analysts said Russia’s role as a major energy exporter could become increasingly attractive for Southeast Asian governments seeking to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical instability in traditional supply regions.

Chester Calabaza, founding president of the Manila-based International Development and Security Cooperation think tank, said the recent disruption to Middle Eastern energy flows had increased interest in Russian supplies among ASEAN economies pursuing broader energy-security strategies.

Russia’s outreach to ASEAN comes as Moscow seeks to deepen economic engagement with Asia and expand markets for its energy exports, while Southeast Asian governments look to diversify procurement channels amid heightened uncertainty in global energy markets.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck on June 8 near the Cotabato Trench off Mindanao, triggering landslides, damaging infrastructure and causing widespread displacement. Scientists say the quake also generated significant coastal uplift, a geological process in which tectonic forces force sections of land upward.

Initial assessments by Philippine seismologists indicate that parts of the seabed rose by as much as two meters, extending the shoreline by up to 200 meters in some areas and transforming previously submerged coral reefs into exposed stretches of land.

“What they see now is their new coastline,” said Nane Danlag of the Philippine seismology agency, adding that the changes are permanent.

The affected zone stretches across nearly 100 kilometers of coastline between communities in southern Mindanao, according to preliminary surveys.

Residents described witnessing the transformation as it unfolded. Arsenio Butil Jr., a fisherman and pastor from Sarangani province’s Glan municipality, said the sea repeatedly receded and returned during the earthquake.

“What I saw at the shoreline was that the water receded. After a while, I saw it slowly returning. And then it receded again. Maybe three or four times,” he said.

The newly elevated coastline has left fishing boats stranded far from the water and exposed large expanses of coral that had previously been underwater.

The geological shift has also heightened anxiety among residents already traumatized by the disaster. In a hillside evacuation site near the coast, around 100 displaced villagers continued to shelter in temporary conditions more than a week after the earthquake.

Many fear that further seismic activity could trigger a tsunami despite reassurances from experts.

“What if the sea surges forward? That is what everyone fears,” said Datu Atom Malimpnig, a local community leader whose village was heavily affected.

The changes are also threatening tourism-dependent businesses. Resort operators along the coast say the exposed coral and shallower waters have altered beachfront landscapes that once attracted visitors.

Edzel Baylon, an employee at the Isla Jardin del Mar resort, said the area’s white-sand beaches are now separated from the sea by broad stretches of uplifted coral.

“It has a huge effect on the resort, because the main draw for customers is the sea,” Baylon said.

Seismologists noted that the Cotabato Trench is among the Philippines’ most active seismic zones. Thousands of smaller tremors were recorded in the area earlier this year, and authorities have logged more than 8,500 aftershocks since the June 8 earthquake.

Scientists say the coastal uplift is part of a natural tectonic process that has shaped the region over thousands of years, although the scale of the changes has been striking for residents witnessing the transformation firsthand.

With aftershocks continuing across the region, many families remain reluctant to rebuild homes damaged by the earthquake, citing concerns about cracked ground and the possibility of further strong tremors.