NAHA, Japan (AP) — A weakened Tropical Storm Mawar headed toward Japan's southern archipelago of Okinawa on Thursday, leading businesses and the airport to close and fishermen to batten down their boats in preparation.
HONOLULU (AP) — As Typhoon Mawar aimed its fury at Guam, residents facing terrifying winds and crashing waves from the strongest typhoon to hit the U.S. Pacific territory in decades had identical twin meteorologists to keep them informed — and to provide the outside world with a glimpse of the chaos unfolding on the remote island.
ASEAN leaders to agree to cooperate in fighting cyber scams
May 10, 2023 GMTLABUAN BAJO, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders have agreed to tighten border controls and law enforcement and improve public education to fight criminal syndicates that are trafficking workers to other nations, where they are forced to participate in online fraud, according to a draft statement to be issued Thursday at the end of a regional summit.
Biden: US-Philippines ‘ironclad’ partners amid China tension
May 1, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden reiterated U.S. commitment to the Philippines' security and noted the “deep friendship” of the two nations as he hosted Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Biden, Marcos set to meet as tensions grow with China
April 30, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to host President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines for White House talks Monday as concerns grow about the Chinese navy's harassment of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.
Biden to host Marcos for talks at White House next month
April 21, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for talks at the White House next month as the U.S. looks to continue to tighten relations with the Pacific nation.
Trade envoy Tai says US not seeking to ‘decouple’ from China
April 20, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Washington is not seeking to decouple the American economy from China’s, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Thursday while on a visit to Tokyo.
Tai, who is on her fourth visit to Japan after being appointed the top U.S.
US trade rep seeks close economic security ties in Asia
April 20, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The United States hopes to deepen trade ties with Japan as it fortifies cooperation on economic security with its Asian allies and partners, the top U.S. trade envoy said Thursday.
US displays firepower in combat drills with Philippines
April 13, 2023 GMTFORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines (AP) — U.S. and Filipino forces on Thursday blasted vehicles with anti-tank missiles in combat-readiness drills in the Philippines that are part of a show of American firepower that has alarmed China.
Philippines names 4 new camps for US forces amid China fury
April 3, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine government on Monday identified four new military camps, including some across the sea from Taiwan, where rotating batches of American forces will be allowed to be stationed indefinitely despite strong objections from China.
Chinese diplomats oppose US military presence in Philippines
March 23, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Chinese diplomats expressed their strong opposition to an expanded United States military presence in the Philippines in closed-door talks with their Filipino counterparts Thursday in Manila, a Filipino official said, underscoring the intense U.S.-China rivalry in the region.
Marcos defends US military presence, which China opposes
March 22, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday defended his decision to allow a larger United States military presence in the country as vital to territorial defense despite China's fierce opposition and warning that it would “drag the Philippines into the abyss of geopolitical strife.”
Philippines launches strategy of publicizing Chinese actions
March 8, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine coast guard has launched a strategy of publicizing aggressive actions by China in the disputed South China Sea, which has countered Chinese propaganda and sparked international condemnation that has put Beijing under the spotlight, a Philippine official said Wednesday.
Philippine leader orders crackdown after governor’s killing
March 6, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday that he ordered police to crack down on illegal firearms and private armies and described as “terrifying” the weekend shootings that killed a provincial governor and eight others in a crowd.
Malaysia’s Anwar urges ASEAN to speak up on Myanmar violence
March 2, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to speak up and hold Myanmar's military leaders accountable for blatant human rights violations, but said the country should remain in the regional bloc.
Malaysia leader alarmed by Myanmar’s refugee crisis
March 1, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Wednesday that more than 200,000 refugees have fled Myanmar to his country and urgently called for new ways to persuade Myanmar's ruling generals to resolve the civil conflict.
Philippine leader urges military to focus on South China Sea
February 28, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine president said the main mission of his country's military has changed to ensure the protection of its territory as disputes with China and U.S.-China rivalry intensify.
Marcos: China laser not enough to activate US defense pact
February 18, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine president said Saturday the Chinese coast guard’s use of military-grade laser that briefly blinded some of the crew aboard a Philippine patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea was not enough for him to invoke a mutual defense treaty with the United States, but warned that such aggression should stop.
US renews warning it’ll defend Philippines after China spat
February 14, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The United States renewed a warning that it would defend its treaty ally if Filipino forces come under attack in the disputed South China Sea, after a Chinese coast guard ship allegedly hit a Philippine patrol vessel with military-grade laser that briefly blinded some of its crew.
Philippines says China ship used laser against coast guard
February 13, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines on Monday accused a Chinese coast guard ship of hitting a Philippine coast guard vessel with a military-grade laser and temporarily blinding some of its crew in the disputed South China Sea, calling it a “blatant” violation of Manila’s sovereign rights.
US forces returning to Philippines to counter China threats
February 9, 2023 GMTSUBIC BAY, Philippines (AP) — Once-secret ammunition bunkers and barracks lay abandoned, empty and overrun by weeds — vestiges of American firepower in what used to be the United States' largest overseas naval base at Subic Bay in the northern Philippines.
‘A big deal’: US, Philippines tighten military ties
February 3, 2023 GMTMarcos says sea feud involving China keeps him up at night
January 19, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the long-raging disputes in the South China Sea that involve China, the Philippines and other coastal states have kept him “up at night” and warned that any major confrontation in Asia, similar to the war in Ukraine, would be disastrous to the world.
Nobel winner Maria Ressa, news outlet cleared of tax evasion
January 18, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa and her online news company were cleared Wednesday of tax evasion charges she said were among a slew of legal cases used by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to try to muzzle critical reporting.
Philippine military chief replaced by retiring general
January 7, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday cut short the term of the military chief of staff he appointed five months ago and replaced him with a retiring general without explaining the surprise move.
Philippine leader cites stable ties on visit to Beijing
January 5, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has cited stable ties with China during a visit to Beijing in which he has sought to downplay territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
After being hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, both nations are seeking to recharge investments in bridges and other projects, along with tourism and agriculture.
Philippines’ Marcos Jr. heads to China amid sea disputes
January 3, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to China on Tuesday for a three-day state visit, saying he looks forward to his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as they work to boost bilateral ties.
Floods in Philippines leave 51 dead, over a dozen missing
January 2, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Thousands of people in the Philippines remained in emergency shelters in the wake of devastating Christmas flooding, as the death toll climbed to 51 with 19 missing, authorities said Monday.
Philippines’ Marcos seeks agreements in China amid tensions
December 29, 2022 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hopes to sign a number of agreements during a visit to Beijing next week that comes amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Philippines protesters decry alleged injustices under Marcos
December 10, 2022 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Hundreds of people marched in the Philippine capital on Saturday protesting what they said was a rising number of extrajudicial killings and other injustices under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.