Philippines

Typhoon Bavi brought strong winds and rain to Japan’s southern islands, prompting evacuations and high alerts in Taiwan and eastern China. The storm intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the southern Philippines, causing landslides that killed at least 17 people. Bavi is forecast to pass north of Taiwan before making landfall in China’s Zhejiang province.

Typhoon Bavi caused deadly landslides in the Philippines, resulting in 17 deaths, while disrupting power in Japan and Taiwan and prompting mass evacuations in China ahead of its landfall.

China evacuated over 600,000 people ahead of Typhoon Bavi's landfall near Wenzhou, following its impact on Japan and Taiwan. The typhoon, carrying significant moisture, is expected to hit Zhejiang province, with evacuations also reported in Fujian province and Taiwan.

China test-fired a missile, the Philippines initiated an impeachment trial, and Turkey hosted a NATO leaders’ summit.

Residents in northern Taiwan are preparing for Super Typhoon Bavi as authorities evacuate thousands, close schools and businesses, and anticipate heavy rain, flooding, and high winds. The storm, which caused deadly landslides in the Philippines and damage in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, is expected to make landfall in southeast China on Saturday.

China's People’s Daily has published commentaries criticizing the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling as 'illegal' and a 'destabilising force,' urging the Philippines to engage in direct talks. The article highlights a multi-agency initiative from Beijing ahead of the 10th anniversary of the ruling.

East Asia is preparing for Typhoon Bavi, a 1,000 km-wide storm forecast to be one of the strongest in decades, while landslides in the Philippines caused by the typhoon have killed 15 people.

East Asia is preparing for Typhoon Bavi, a 1,000 km-wide storm forecast to be one of the strongest in decades, while landslides in the Philippines caused by the typhoon have killed 15 people.

The Philippines commemorated the 10th anniversary of a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea. China rejected the ruling as illegal, while the U.S. reiterated its commitment to defend the Philippines under their security treaty. Territorial disputes in the region remain a flashpoint involving multiple nations.

The Philippines commemorated the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling, which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the disputed waters. China rejected the ruling as illegal, while the U.S. and allies reiterated support for the decision, citing its importance for maritime law and regional stability.

The Philippines commemorated the anniversary of a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s claims in the South China Sea. The ruling was rejected by Beijing.

ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with Myanmar's top diplomat in Bangkok to discuss the country's civil war and re-engagement with the bloc after five years of exclusion following the 2021 coup. The Philippines, as ASEAN chair, will lead the first in-person meeting with Myanmar's foreign minister since the coup.

The Philippines' foreign direct investment inflows remained stagnant in 2025, lagging behind Southeast Asian neighbors despite a regional capital boom. A corruption scandal and systemic issues have contributed to declining investor confidence, with Manila ranking sixth in the region, securing only US$9 billion of the US$244 billion influx.

The Philippines plans to establish a military space centre by 2028 to enhance surveillance, communications, and command in the South China Sea. Analysts caution that technical, financial, and manpower challenges may limit the initiative's effectiveness. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jnr announced the project.

The World Bank recently upgraded the Philippines to an upper-middle-income country based on a 2025 gross national income (GNI) per capita of $4,850, surpassing the $4,636 threshold. However, many Filipinos, like Ann Michelle Federez-Abato, express skepticism, citing rising living costs, debt, and stagnant wages as evidence that the classification offers little tangible benefit.

Beijing criticized Manila's South China Sea territorial claims as 'unlawful' and a 'grave threat' to the post-war global order. A Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources think tank issued the report, reinforcing China's stance ahead of the 10th anniversary of a Hague ruling on the dispute.

Indonesia has become the third Southeast Asian nation to purchase the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system developed by India and Russia. Analysts suggest the missiles will safeguard Indonesia’s strategic waterways from potential collateral damage in future great-power conflicts. The deal was signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Indonesia.

The Philippines’ 'Trial of the Century' has begun, with proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte marked by a sense of cynicism.

Rising electricity costs and frequent blackouts in the Philippines have led businesses like Dream Latte Cafe to adopt solar power as a practical necessity. The cafe, run by Joab Jorge and his mother Ces, has raised prices by 10% to offset higher costs driven by an energy crisis linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February.

Vice President Sara Duterte is facing impeachment in a trial that could influence the 2028 presidential race and assess public confidence in the Philippines' democratic institutions.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial on charges including threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others. She declared she would be 'bloodied but unbowed' during the trial, which began in the Senate and includes accusations of making violent threats in a 2024 online news conference.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is facing an impeachment trial and expects to be 'bloodied but unbowed' by the process.

India and Indonesia have expanded their defense ties with a deal for New Delhi to supply BrahMos missiles. This follows similar agreements between India and Vietnam, as well as India and the Philippines.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio did not attend her impeachment trial, with her lawyers defending her against charges that could remove her from office and bar her from politics, potentially reshaping the 2028 presidential race. Legal experts suggest conviction would require at least 16 senators but may be difficult to achieve.

The Philippine Senate has initiated an impeachment trial against Sara Duterte. The trial is part of a growing conflict between the country's leading political families and may influence the 2028 presidential election.

The impeachment trial of Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte has begun. The trial is related to allegations against her, though specific charges are not detailed in the provided text.

The Philippines' government approved a record 85-peso wage increase for Metro Manila's minimum-wage workers, calling it 'historic,' but labor groups criticized it as insufficient. The increase will be implemented in two stages and is barely enough to buy a meal for one, highlighting workers' dissatisfaction.

Super Typhoon Bavi, a massive cyclone, is approaching the Mariana Islands east of the Philippines and is forecast to strike Rota early Monday morning local time with extreme, life-threatening winds.

Super Typhoon Bavi, a massive cyclone, is approaching the Mariana Islands east of the Philippines and is expected to strike Rota early Monday morning local time. The typhoon brings extreme, life-threatening winds near Guam.

Beijing deployed a new coastguard task force into waters east of Taiwan, the second such deployment in about a month. The move follows China’s top diplomat urging Washington to exercise caution on Taiwan and high-level talks with the Philippines to address South China Sea tensions.

China has increased its territorial claims in the sea east of Taiwan. Beijing argues that Japan-Philippines maritime border negotiations violate international law.

Vietnam and the Philippines were reclassified as upper-middle-income countries by the World Bank in 2025 based on their GNI per capita of $4,970 and $4,850, respectively. The upgrade reflects Vietnam's 8% economic growth driven by exports and foreign investment, and the Philippines' 4.4% growth despite natural disasters. Both nations now face challenges in avoiding the middle-income trap to reach high-income status.

China issued a legal warning to Japan and the Philippines over their planned maritime border talks, calling the negotiations 'internationally wrongful.' The talks aim to delimit overlapping exclusive economic zones and continental shelf areas claimed by China.

China continues to view the United States as its primary geopolitical rival despite a report highlighting increased military activity by Japan and the Philippines in the South China Sea. The report noted Tokyo and Manila's growing defense cooperation with Washington, which Beijing perceives as threats to its territorial claims and regional influence.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to strengthen trade, energy, and security ties as Canada seeks to diversify its economy beyond the United States. The two leaders announced plans for a Canada-Philippines free trade agreement and deeper Indo-Pacific defense cooperation, supported by the Filipino-Canadian community.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to strengthen trade, energy, and security ties, including pursuing a Canada-Philippines free trade agreement and deepening Indo-Pacific defense cooperation. Canada aims to diversify its economy beyond the U.S. and double non-U.S. exports, supported by its one million Filipino-Canadian community.

Canada and the Philippines have agreed to sign a trade deal this year and expand their defense ties. The agreement was announced during a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Vancouver on July 2, 2026.

A Chinese think tank reported that Philippine military bases open to US troops have expanded more slowly than expected, based on satellite imagery. The analysis focused on nine sites under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US, noting Washington's efforts to reposition the Philippines strategically.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is visiting Canada to strengthen ties in trade, labor, energy, tourism, defense, and maritime cooperation. The visit highlights Canada's efforts to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Philippines' near-total abortion ban has led women to seek underground services, exemplified by the arrest of a 65-year-old woman selling abortion pills in Manila. Access to end pregnancies relies on informal networks like online sellers, market vendors, and uncertain-quality pills outside formal medical care.