Eleven Filipino seafarers from the MV Magic Seas, attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, returned to Manila on July 12. Their arrival marks a bittersweet moment in the country’s maritime security narrative, as 13 crew members from the MV Eternity C remain missing. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has pledged psychosocial and…
On July 12, South Korean budget carrier T’way Air launched its inaugural flight from Seoul to Vancouver, making YVR the first North American airport to host regular service from the airline. The route, operating four times weekly, is expected to generate $39.8 million in economic output and create 237 jobs in British Columbia. Premier David…
In a bold move underscoring the shifting priorities of U.S. defence policy, the Pentagon has formally requested that Japan and Australia clarify their roles in the event of a military conflict over Taiwan. Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby emphasised the need for “peace through strength,” urging allies to increase defence spending and…
🎭 1. Virgin Labfest XX: Hinog 🎉 2. Subayan Keg Subanon Festival 🧵 3. T’nalak Festival 🛠️ 4. Wire & Cable Show Philippines 2025 🧠 5. Walking Free: Fitting of Patient Beneficiaries 🏁 6. Manila Mini Marathon 2025 🧺 7. Lubid Festival 🛶 8. Magalleones Festival 🚗 9. KIA Mid-Year Showcase 🧪 10. Scents &…
On July 12, the Philippine government marked the 9th anniversary of its landmark 2016 Arbitral Tribunal victory over China with a bold reaffirmation of its maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The Department of Foreign Affairs declared the ruling “a cornerstone of Philippine maritime policy,” emphasizing its role in defending national sovereignty and…
On July 12, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Wonsan, solidifying a sweeping military pact that includes mutual defense provisions and direct support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Pyongyang reaffirmed its commitment to Moscow’s objectives, with Lavrov thanking the “heroic” North Korean troops already deployed to aid…
On July 12, New Zealand’s opposition MP Phil Twyford reignited debate over the nation’s foreign policy direction during the opening of the Legends of the Pacific: Stories of a Nuclear-Free Moana exhibition in Auckland. Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Rainbow Warrior bombing, Twyford praised the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) movement as a…
The tariffs—ranging from 25% to 40%—will take effect August 1 and cover electronics, automotive components, and agricultural imports. Trump emphasized the need to “rebalance unfair trade deals that hollowed out American industry,” citing decades of outsourcing and foreign subsidies. On his first Asia trip, Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced a frosty reception in Kuala…
On June 22, President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. forces had executed precision airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking a historic escalation in the Middle East. The strikes, coordinated with Israeli intelligence, were described by Trump as having “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The move comes after weeks of Iranian missile attacks on…
Governments across the Asia-Pacific region scrambled to assess the fallout from the U.S. strikes on Iran, with energy security and trade stability topping the list of concerns. Japan and Australia issued statements urging calm while quietly activating contingency plans to secure oil reserves and reroute shipping lanes. The Philippines, still reeling from internal political tensions,…