China “displeased” as US Navy destroyer passes near artificial island
China said it was “displeased” after a US warship sailed close to one of its artificial islands in the South China Sea as part of a “freedom of navigation” operation. …
Alleged recruiter for Marawi terrorists arrested in Indonesia
Indonesian police today (Friday, August 11) arrested a suspected recruiter for Islamic State-affiliated militants who are continuing to hold out in Marawi. Nearly 700 people, including 120 soldiers, have been …
Poultry culled as Philippines records first case of deadly bird flu
The Philippines declared its first ever outbreak of the H5 strain of avian influenza in Pampanga today (Friday, August 11). An immediate cull was ordered for all chickens, ducks and …
Palawan highway expansion dubbed “environmental disaster”
A plan to expand Palawan’s national highway from two to six lanes has been dubbed an “environmental disaster”. In particular, protesters are concerned about a scenic stretch of the existing …
Are beached oarfish a warning of impending earthquake?
Two fish associated with impending earthquakes washed ashore in Southern Leyte yesterday (Wednesday, August 9). Two oarfish — which are known in Japan as ‘The Messenger from the Sea God’s …
Turkish foreign minister’s wife among victims of thieving Manila airport staff
Thieving staff at Manila airport have been caught out after they targeted the wife of the Turkish foreign minister who had been attending this week’s Asean meeting. Four baggage staff …
More than 20 years on from “mad cow disease”, British beef returns to Philippines
Succulent, grass-fed British beef will be back on the menu in the Philippines following a £34 million export deal. Market access for beef was withdrawn in 1996 due to concerns …
Defence chief: Defeating Marawi terrorists will take “a month or two”
Despite being surrounded in an ever-shrinking sector of Marawi city, the Philippines’ defence chief says it will still take “a month or two” to defeat the terrorists who have been …
UN: Online child abuse trade moving from Philippines to Thailand
The UN has said that the vile trade in online sexual abuse of children was increasingly shifting away from the Philippines and into Thailand. However, Deanna Davy, senior research consultant …
Philippine government: “We are prepared for Guam missile strike”
The Philippine government has issued an assurance that it is prepared for possible North Korean missile launches targeting Guam. Speaking at a press briefing, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said: “The …
Opinion: Is Asean experiencing a mid-life crisis?
On August 8, 1967, foreign ministers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines signed the Bangkok Declaration to create the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, as it …
Government news agency publishes anti-Philippine Chinese propaganda
The official state-run news agency of the Philippines posted an article describing the Hague tribunal’s South China Sea ruling in favour of the country an “ill-founded award”. The editorial, which …
New book reveals the 50 best dive spots in the Philippines
A photojournalist has taken the plunge and published a guide to the 50 best dive sites in the Philippines. Tim Rock’s The 50 Best Dives in the Philippines, The Ultimate …
Police lauded for refusing $50,000 bribe offer from ATM hacking gang
Police officers who arrested an ATM skimming gang in San Fernando have been lauded for refusing a bribe of 2.6 million pesos to set them free. Last month, we reported …
North Korea threatens Guam after Trump’s warning over nuclear threat
North Korea said today (Wednesday, August 9) that it is considering a missile strike on Guam after President Trump told Pyongyang that any threat to the USA would be met …
The Asuncion family: Exhibition celebrates legacy of remarkable artistic clan
An art exhibition in Makati celebrates the legacy of a remarkable artistic clan of the 19th Century. Works by the Asuncion brothers — Justiniano, Leoncio, and Mariano — will be on …
Australian jihadist urges terror attacks against the Philippines
An Australian jihadist in Syria has issued a propaganda video urging attacks on the Philippines. Mounir Raad, now known as Abu Adam al-Australia, also urges Islamic State supporters to use …
New planes to make 14-hour London-Manila flight more comfortable
The 14-hour direct flight from London to Manila is set to become much more comfortable as Philippine Airlines (PAL) updates its fleet. From September 19, the route will be served …
Insider knowledge: The best loyalty card schemes of the Philippines
Everybody loves a bargain, and in the Philippines many people have made a fine art of saving a peso here, and a centavo there. In particular, store loyalty cards are …
American detained after saying: ‘You can’t arrest me, I’m a US citizen’
A US citizen was arrested at a Davao City mall after threatening a city councillor — and bragging that he couldn’t be detained because of his nationality. Gary Joseph Maraviglia …
Beijing’s diplomatic “slam dunk” over diluted South China Sea agreement
China scored a diplomatic “slam dunk” on the South China Sea issue when Southeast Asian nations issued a diluted statement on the dispute and agreed to Beijing’s terms on talks. …
“We are a responsible nuclear state” – North Korea’s missile defence
The foreign minister of North Korea — or the DPRK as it calls itself — has issued a statement seeking to justify its development of nuclear weapons. H E Ri …
Opinion: Duterte’s war on drugs shatters hopes of peace for a generation
In this contributed editorial by Richard Jalkebro of Scotland’s University of St Andrews, the author argues that while the war on drugs continues, the nation’s fights on other fronts – …
Irishman beaten up by German who caught him sleeping with ex-girlfriend
A German who attacked an Irishman after catching him in bed with his ex-girlfriend faces a complaint of frustrated murder. Jaroslaw Graczyk, aged 51, launched the attack in Barangay San …
Scotsman shot hours before his wedding in Talisay City finally ties the knot
The Scotsman shot in the chest by robbers just hours before his wedding in Talisay City last month has finally tied the knot. As we previously reported, Tarek Naggar was …
Cebu Pacific launches two new routes for Davao City
The Philippines has taken another step towards an integrated flight network with two new routes serving Davao City. Cebu Pacific is now running regular services from the Mindanaoan city to …