Philippines

Chinese coast guard establishes control over Sandy Cay, raising the flag of the PRC. The reef is of strategic importance as it allows control of Titu Island.

Countries are looking for reliable trading partners in Europe after Trump's trade war. Trust in the EU is growing, with support for membership reaching 74%, the highest level in 40 years.

The Philippines and the US have begun joint "Balikatan" exercises involving 17,000 troops amid tensions with China. For three weeks, they will practice a battle scenario near the South China Sea to deter Beijing.

The chances of Ukrainian hierarchs heading the Vatican are extremely small, the expert explained. The head of the UGCC Shevchuk will not be elected because he is not a cardinal, and Cardinal Bychok is hindered by his age and the Eastern rite.

Ursula von der Leyen stated that the usual perception of the "West" is irrelevant. Europe is the guarantor of Western values, is in demand for the organization of trade and is known for its reliability.

A 4 km ash column rose over the Philippines due to the eruption of the Kanlaon volcano. The third level of danger is maintained, there is a threat of lava flows.

The Philippines and the United States have launched joint military exercises Cope Thunder, which will last 12 days. The purpose of the exercises is to increase combat readiness and improve joint missions in the face of the threat from China.

In 2024, 151 cases of extreme weather were recorded, leading to mass displacement of the population and deepening the food crisis. Last year was the hottest on record.

Rodrigo Duterte detained at Manila International Airport under an International Criminal Court warrant. The former president of the Philippines is accused of crimes against humanity for his "war on drugs."

Two Russian citizens died during a group dive off the Philippine Islands. One was a victim of a shark attack, the other drowned after losing consciousness in a strong current.

A Delta Air Lines plane made an emergency landing at Toronto Pearson Airport due to severe weather conditions. 18 passengers were injured, three in critical condition, including a child.

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry recorded 6 Chinese balloons during the day. There were also 9 military aircraft, 6 ships and 2 official Chinese vessels near the island.

A light aircraft chartered by the US military crashed in the province of Maguindanao del Sur. Four people were killed in the crash.

The Philippines and the United States conducted joint air patrols over the South China Sea with FA-50 fighters and B1-B bombers. Chinese warships were spotted in the Philippine maritime zone.

The Philippines has suspended scientific research in the South China Sea after an incident with the Chinese military. Chinese vessels harassed Philippine boats while collecting sand samples off Titus Island.

Yemeni Houthi rebels released 25 crew members of the Galaxy Leader, including Ukrainians. The release was mediated by Oman as part of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

The fifth joint maritime exercise between the United States and the Philippines took place in the South China Sea with the participation of an aircraft carrier group. The maneuvers took place amid tensions with China over the presence of its ships in the Philippine maritime zone.

The Philippines discovered a 165-meter-long Chinese coast guard ship in its economic zone. In response, the country sent two vessels and lodged a diplomatic protest.

The US President met with the Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the Philippines to discuss security in the Indo-Pacific region. Particular attention was paid to threats in the South China Sea and economic cooperation.

In 2024, the average temperature in China reached a record 10. 92°C, 1.03°C above normal. The country also experienced devastating floods that led to loss of life and mass evacuations.

On Friday, China lodged a claim against the Philippines, accusing it of provocations in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

China has deployed the largest navy in the last three decades in regional waters off Taiwan. 47 military aircraft, 12 warships and Coast Guard activity were recorded.

A powerful eruption of the Kanlaon volcano began in the Philippines, causing a mass evacuation of 87,000 people. The authorities declared a danger zone within a 6 km radius and raised the alert level to the third level.

In the Philippines, Three people died and 32 were hospitalized after consuming endangered sea turtle meat. The animal was prepared as a traditional adobe dish in a coastal village.

In East Asia, a new species of ancient man Juluren has been discovered with a brain larger than that of modern Homo sapiens. The fossils found in China have unique characteristics that distinguish them from other known hominids.

German Foreign Minister Berbock warned China against military support for Russia during a visit to Beijing. She stressed that the supply of combat drones will lead to an escalation and will have serious consequences for relations.

A Philippine Navy frigate has discovered the Russian submarine UFA 490 80 nautical miles off the coast. The president of the Philippines expressed concern about the presence of the boat in the exclusive economic zone of the country.

Disney has presented a 30-second teaser for the live-action version of the animated film Lilo and Stitch. The film starring Chris Sanders will premiere on May 23, 2025.

The Philippines and the United States signed an agreement to share military intelligence and build a coordination center. The GSOMIA pact will allow countries to securely share classified military information.

Super Typhoon Man-yi with winds of up to 230 km/h is approaching the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Authorities are evacuating more than 500,000 people due to the threat of catastrophic storm surges and devastating floods.