MANILA, June 4, 2024 (AFP) – The Philippine military said Tuesday that Chinese boats illegally “seized” food and medicine airdropped to a Filipino outpost in the South China Sea. The alleged incident happened on May 19 at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where Filipino troops are garrisoned on a grounded navy vessel to assert Manila’s claims to the waters. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and there has been a series […]
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Hundreds in emergency shelters after Philippine volcano erupts
MANILA, June 4, 2024 (AFP) – Hundreds of people sheltered in evacuation centres on Tuesday after a volcano erupted in the central Philippines. Mount Kanlaon on Negros island exploded for six minutes on Monday night, sending a plume of ash, rocks and gases five kilometres (three miles) into the sky. The state volcanology agency raised the alert level for the volcano from one to two on a scale of zero to five, warning more explosive […]
Alert level raised for Philippine volcano after ‘explosive eruption’: volcanology agency
By Pam Castro and Cecil Morella MANILA, June 3, 2024 (AFP) – The alert level for a Philippine volcano was raised Monday after an “explosive eruption” sent a plume of ash, gas and rocks five kilometres (three miles) into the sky, the volcanology agency said. Mount Kanlaon on the central island of Negros erupted for six minutes shortly before 7:00 pm (1100 GMT), prompting warnings for nearby residents to wear facemasks due the threat of […]
In Photos: PBBM welcomes Ukraine’s President Zelensky upon his arrival at the Malacanang Palace
Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky upon his arrival at the Malacanang Palace in Manila.
Zelensky says China working hard to ‘prevent’ countries from attending peace summit
By Jing Xuan Teng and Martin Abbugao SINGAPORE, June 2, 2024 (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China on Sunday of working hard to stop countries from going to a peace summit, which Beijing has publicly criticised because Russia is not invited. Zelensky made the remarks at a security forum in Singapore as he sought to rally support for the conference and appealed for more military aid for Ukraine, which has been ceding ground […]
China defence chief says Beijing ready to ‘forcefully’ stop Taiwan independence
By Jing Xuan TENG SINGAPORE, June 2, 2024 (AFP) – Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun warned Sunday his military is ready to “forcefully” stop Taiwan independence but called for greater exchanges with the United States. The remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore followed the first substantive face-to-face talks in 18 months between the two countries’ defence chiefs. “We have always been open to exchanges and cooperation, but this requires both sides to meet […]
China defence minister warns of ‘limits’ to Beijing’s restraint on South China Sea
SINGAPORE, June 2, 2024 (AFP) – China’s defence minister warned Sunday of “limits” to Beijing’s restraint on the South China Sea and over the deployment of ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific region. Dong’s remarks at a security forum in Singapore were a clear reference to the Philippines and the United States, which have been boosting defence ties in the face of China’s growing military might and influence. “China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face […]
Zelensky arrives at Singapore security forum
By Jing Xuan Teng and Satish Cheney SINGAPORE, June 1, 2024 (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at a Singapore security forum on Saturday as he seeks to rally support for Kyiv while a Russian offensive gains ground. Zelensky got out of a white Audi sedan in front of the luxury hotel hosting the Shangri-La Dialogue and walked quickly into the lobby, which was crowded with defence officials from around the world, journalists and […]
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Austin says US ‘can be secure only if Asia is’
SINGAPORE, June 1, 2024 (AFP) – US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday the Indo-Pacific region remained a “priority” for Washington, saying the United States was secure “only if Asia is”. Lloyd made the remarks at a major security forum in Singapore, a day after he met with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun. “The United States can be secure only if Asia is and that’s why the United States has long maintained its presence in […]
Philippines’ Marcos says US presence crucial to regional peace
By Satish Cheney and Martin Abbugao SINGAPORE, May 31, 2024 (AFP) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said Friday that the presence of the United States was “crucial to regional peace”, as the Southeast Asian country faces growing Chinese pressure in waters off its coastline. Marcos has sought to deepen defence cooperation with the United States as he stands up to Chinese actions in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely. “China’s determining influence […]
Jakarta’s only MRT line shuts down due to construction mishap
JAKARTA, May 30, 2024 (AFP) – A mass rapid transit line in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta was suspended on Thursday due to a construction incident along part of its elevated line, the operator said. No one was hurt due to the incident, Ahmad Pratomo, corporate secretary at operator PT MRT Jakarta, said in a statement to AFP. “Due to an incident at a construction activity carried out at the Attorney General office’s building… affecting the train’s […]