Hamas releases OFW caregiver Gelienor Pacheco
FILIPINO caregiver in Israel Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco has been released from captivity by the Hamas militias, November 24 Friday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced.
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International Relations
45 posts
Houthi-Yemeni Navy chief visits 17 Pinoys held in Yemen
THE head of the Houthi-Yemeni naval forces has inspected the 25 crew, including 17 Filipinos, of seized Japanese car carrier Galaxy Leader who were held while passing through the Red Sea last Monday.
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US, PHL conduct joint air, sea patrols in South China Sea not far from Taiwan
BANGKOK—The United States and the Philippines are conducting joint air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea, which come as the two countries step up cooperation in the face of growingly aggressive Chinese activity in the area.
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PHL welcomes Czechia’s presence in infra projects
PRAGUE—Filipino diplomats who recently visited the Czech Republic capital said the Philippines is keen on the Central European country’s role in local infrastructure projects.
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Yemeni naval forces seize Japanese vessel with 17 OFW seafarers
SEVENTEEN Filipino seafarers were among the 25 crew on board a Japanese ship that Yemeni naval forces seized in the Red Sea, reports reaching the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
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PBBM meets Xi, Trudeau, Boluarte at Apec sideline
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday and raised his concerns about the brewing tension in the West Philippine Sea that resulted in the actual collision between a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and Philippine civilian boat last month.
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At APEC CEO gab, Marcos tells business to end inequity
“WE can only be as strong as the weakest members of our economies.”
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Gibo, Austin affirm PHL-US defense ties in Jakarta meet
The Philippines and US reiterated their commitment to strengthen their alliance, which helped keep the peace in the region for the past seven decades.
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The APEC summit is happening this week in San Francisco. What is APEC, anyway?
The United States is hosting the annual APEC summit of world leaders this week for the first time since 2011. Leaders from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group will gather in San Francisco to talk about how to better spur trade and economic growth across the Pacific region.
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AFP vows to sustain RORE trips to shoal despite persistent CCG, CMM harassment
Despite the increasing number of Chinese ships reported in Ayungin Shoal, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday vowed that resupply missions to the detachment aboard the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) would continue.
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Diplomacy takes a splash: Japan’s koi exports caught in the crossfire with China
What’s koi got to do with it? Souring relations between Asian rivals Japan and China now seem to be snagged on calm-inducing beauty in spas, museums and gardens. The slippery dispute between Asia’s two biggest economies adds to their spat over Japan’s release into the sea of treated but radioactive water from the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant. And it has prompted more questions than answers.
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Japan delivers ₱5.5-billion air surveillance radar system to PHL
JAPAN has delivered a part of the $103.5 million (P5.5 billion) air surveillance radar system to the Philippines, Japan’s Ministry of Defense attached agency Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) said.
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Go bares stand on sea dispute
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains steadfast in his stance to uphold the rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid accusations by the Chinese government that the country is trespassing into the waters adjacent to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
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East Timor’s Ramos-Horta due in PHL, palace confirms
MALACAÑANG on Sunday confirmed the upcoming state visit of Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta to the Philippines this week.
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Indian envoy pitches supply of choppers to Marcos
INDIA is now seeking “consideration” by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. of the pending chopper supply deal between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and an Indian aeronautics manufacturer.
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Kishida Fumio declares ‘Golden Age’ in Philippines-Japan ties, emphasizes security and economy
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio declares a "golden age" in Japan-Philippines relations during his address to Congress. Emphasizing security and defense cooperation, Kishida highlights Japan's contributions to maritime security and trilateral efforts in the South China Sea. The prime minister vows continued economic support, emphasizing Japan's role as the largest donor and investor in the Philippines. The leaders are actively coordinating on global issues, including nuclear disarmament and climate change. The future holds promise for strengthened ties with the upcoming ASEAN-Japan Friendship Conference in Tokyo.
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A long march in unison
PBBM’s vow ‘not to lose an inch’ of PHL territory resonates loudly within the DND-AFP leadership
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How China’s Belt and Road Initiative is changing after a decade of big projects and big debts
China’s Belt and Road Initiative looks to become smaller and greener after a decade of big projects that boosted trade but left big debts and raised environmental concerns.
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‘ZIONIST IN MY HEART’: Biden’s devotion to Israel faces a new test
President Joe Biden draws a direct line from his visits to Dachau, the infamous concentration camp, to the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. In a poignant speech from the White House, Biden reflects on the painful memories of the Holocaust and the scars of antisemitism. His commitment to Israel, rooted in childhood and political history, faces a test amid the escalating crisis in the Middle East. As he navigates the complex situation, Biden emphasizes 'unshakable' solidarity with Israel.
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Multilateral West Philippine Sea patrols with US, other allies eyed
THE US government is steering its other allies in increasing military presence in the South China Sea (SCS) and helping the Philippines improve its capacity to deter China’s continuing harassment and coercion in the disputed seas.
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US says Philippines took ‘bold step’ in barrier row with China
The US has backed the Philippines’ removal of a South China Sea (SCS) barrier supposedly installed by Beijing, with a Pentagon official describing the move as a “bold step” to defend maritime claims.
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Philippines lobbies UN for rules on development, use of killer robots
The Philippines calls for international negotiations on legally binding rules for AI-powered killer robots. Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo represents President Marcos Jr. at the UN General Assembly, pushing for responsible AI use and hosting an Indo-Pacific meeting to craft AI weapon governance.
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Back in full force, UN General Assembly shows how the most important diplomatic work is face to face
UNITED NATIONS — There are two opposing theses about the U.N. General Assembly: It’s a place that shows the true power of words, where leaders inspire action with rousing speeches on the urgent issues of our times; or it’s a talking shop, where leaders perform for domestic audiences with political rhetoric on the cause of the day.
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‘An ally till the end’
No Mutual Defense Board revision ‘for now,’ but US assures bigger presence in the Philippines with 500 military exercises in ’24
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Philippines, Canadian frigates complete ‘bilateral sail’ in WPS
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday announced that guided missile frigate, BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) and the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Ottawa (FFH-341) have completed a “bilateral sail” operation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
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West needs dialogue with China over AI rules, UK’s Hunt says
UNITED KINGDOM Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said the West must engage in talks with China over how best to regulate the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), after Britain invited the country to its global AI summit later this year.
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India asks citizens to be careful if traveling to Canada as rift widens over Sikh leader’s death
Tensions rise between Canada and India over allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in Vancouver. India issues a travel advisory urging caution for its citizens, particularly students in Canada. Diplomatic expulsions and allegations add to the rift between the two nations.
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Brazil’s Lula pitches his nation as fresh leader for Global South
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, former president of Brazil, makes his return to the UN General Assembly after a long hiatus. He's been actively positioning Brazil as a leader of the Global South, advocating for multilateralism, challenging US and China dominance, and supporting mediation in global conflicts. Expect a strong speech in defense of the Global South and calls for a multipolar world order.
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PCG confirms ‘severe’ reef damage in 2 West Philippine Sea features
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday confirmed earlier military reports that revealed severe damage in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal caused by the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM).
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