Tensions between China and the Philippines flared on Saturday as both nations blamed each other for a series of vessel collisions near the contested Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. The latest incident adds to the ongoing maritime disputes in the region, which...
Standoff in the Philippines: Authorities Close in on Pastor Apollo Quiboloy
A tense standoff has unfolded in the Philippines as thousands of police officers have surrounded the vast religious compound of Apollo Quiboloy, an influential pastor accused of child sex trafficking and other serious crimes. Quiboloy, who self-identifies as the...
Mpox Outbreak Expands Globally with New, Deadlier Strain Detected
A new, potentially more lethal strain of the mpox virus is rapidly spreading beyond its origins in East Africa, prompting international concern. In the past week, four countries outside Africa—Sweden, Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan—have confirmed cases of...
China Urged to Set Deadline for Philippines to Withdraw from Second Thomas Shoal
A prominent Chinese maritime expert has called on Beijing to set a definitive timeline for the Philippines to withdraw from the Second Thomas Shoal. Wu Shicun, founder of the Hainan-based National Institute for South China Sea Studies, described the ongoing standoff...
Japan and Philippines Forge Historic Defense Pact Amid Rising Tensions with China
Japan and the Philippines are set to sign a pivotal defense pact on Monday, enabling Japanese forces to conduct joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, in the Southeast Asian nation. This Reciprocal Access Agreement, which also allows Filipino forces to...
Philippines Declines to Invoke Defense Treaty with U.S. After Chinese Incident at Disputed Shoal
On Friday, the Philippines announced it will not invoke its mutual defense treaty with the United States following a violent altercation with the Chinese coast guard at the contested Second Thomas Shoal. The incident saw Chinese personnel reportedly ramming, boarding,...