Philippines gets US military aid boost amid South China Sea dispute
The US has allocated more than $120 million in military aid to the Philippines this year, the most in about 15 years, a senior Philippine diplomat said on Friday, amid …
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Abu Sayyaf threatens to behead two kidnapped Canadians
Islamist terrorists on a remote Philippines island have again threatened to execute a pair of Canadian men if ransom isn’t paid soon. The violent Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf wants …
Italian kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf released in southern Philippines
A retired Italian priest abducted six months ago by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants has been released, police and the Italian government say. Rolando Del Torchio was picked up at a …
Fliers beware: New airfare rule could lead to costly mistake
The three largest US airlines have changed the way they price multi-city trips, forcing those who book such itineraries to pay hundreds of extra dollars in airfare. Most fliers buy …
EU may require visas from Americans and Canadians: EU Source
The European Union executive is considering whether to make US and Canadian citizens apply for visas before traveling to the bloc, a move that could raise tensions as Brussels negotiates …
Nickel miner Marcventures eyes third processing plant in Philippines
Marcventures Holdings, one of the Philippines’ biggest nickel miners, has said it was considering building a processing plant and acquiring a mining company to boost output and exports. If the …
US Navy to spend $81.4 billion on ships and submarines over next five years
The US Navy will seek $81.4 billion to buy 38 warships, submarines and support vessels over the next five years, according to new budget figures from the service. The dollar size …
Death by overwork on rise among Japan’s vulnerable workers
Japan is witnessing a record number of compensation claims related to death from overwork, or “karoshi”, a phenomenon previously associated with the long-suffering “salary man” that is increasingly afflicting young …
China switches on new lighthouse on occupied island in South China Sea
China has begun operating a lighthouse on one of its artificial islands in the South China Sea near where a US warship sailed last year to challenge China’s territorial claims. …
World’s first dengue vaccine launched in the Philippines
The Philippines is set to start administering the world’s first dengue vaccine to high-risk children. The historic drug took 20 years and $1.8 billion to develop. The Philippines’ Department of …
Philippine call centre taking orders for Britain’s milkmen
Once a daily sight on every British street, a dwindling but resilient band of milkmen still go out at the crack of dawn to deliver bottles of fresh milk to …
Pacquiao and Roach fondly recall 15 years at the ‘Wild Card’
Manny Pacquiao was all kinds of hungry when he first walked into the Wild Card Boxing Club 15 years ago. An undernourished and largely unknown 118-pound champion wanted to learn, …
USA and Philippines begin military exercises as maritime tension simmers
About 8,000 US and Filipino troops began military exercises on Monday against a backdrop of tension over China’s greater assertiveness in the South China Sea. Over the next two weeks, …
China limits coverage and denounces Panama Papers’ tax haven revelations
China has denounced accusations arising from a massive leak from a Panamanian law firm as “groundless” and moved to limit coverage of documents that may have exposed financial wrongdoing by …
Irishman stabbed to death by Filipina girlfriend’s ex-husband in Sydney
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that an Irishman was stabbed to death by his Filipina girlfriend’s ex-partner inside a restaurant. 53-year-old Keith Collins, along with his partner 38-year-old Jovy …
Philippines among countries with most underweight people in the world
A Study published in The Lancet, an online medical magazine, has revealed that the Philippines is among the countries with the highest rate of underweight men and women in the …
Introducing Lazada, the best way to send gifts to the Philippines from abroad
Many of our readers are concerned while they’re overseas. They want to send something back to their partner in the Philippines on their birthday or for Christmas but they’re not sure …
Israeli pensioner taking selfie dies after tumbling down rice terraces
An Israeli pensioner died after falling down the iconic Banaue rice terraces while trying to take a selfie. 79-year-old Miraim Tau, tumbled about 15ft to her death at the Hiwang …
Davao City checkpoints net three million pesos of shabu
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agents and local Army and police operatives have seized more than three million pesos worth of shabu in separate operations in Davao City this week. At the …
Girl kidnapped by a man she met on Facebook
A 14-year-old girl kidnapped from General Trias, Cavity by a man she met on Facebook. The kidnapping happened at 8am on Friday and was witnessed by several construction workers who were …
Japan submarine makes first call to Philippines in 15 years amid China tensions
A Japanese submarine made a port call in the Philippines, the first in 15 years, on Sunday in a show of growing military cooperation amid tension triggered by China’s growing …
US plans third patrol near disputed South China Sea islands
The US Navy plans to conduct another passage near disputed islands in the South China Sea in early April, a source familiar with the plan said on Friday, the third …
Indian cigarette makers halt production over health warning rules
Indian cigarette makers including ITC Ltd, part-owned by British American Tobacco, suspended production on Friday over what they said was ambiguity in the government’s new health warning rules for packs, …
US sailor charged with Okinawa rape
A US sailor was indicted in Japan on Friday for allegedly raping a Japanese woman on Okinawa, according to reports, in a case that could further increase tensions over the …
USA, Japan and South Korea warn North Korea over ‘provocations’
President Obama joined South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday, vowing to ramp up pressure on North Korea in response to its recent nuclear …