Philippines

Thousands of Filipino and American troops kicked off joint military exercises in the Philippines on Monday, as Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region raises fears of a conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken next week will pay his second visit in less than a year to China, hoping to use easing tension to press Beijing to curb wartime support for Russia.

Little Lydia permanently lives in the Philippines

U.S. President Joe Biden made "ironclad" defense pledges to Japan and the Philippines on Thursday as he hosted his counterparts amid growing tensions with Beijing, whose actions the three leaders described as "dangerous and aggressive."

The Turkish corvette TCG Kınalıada embarks on an expedition to the Far East on April 8, retracing the route of the ill-fated frigate Ertuğrul, which sank en route from Japan in 1890.

The voyage also marks the centennial milestone of diplomatic ties between Türkiye and Japan.

A devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck Taiwan's east coast, leaving one person dead and over 50 injured, as reported by Reuters on Wednesday. The powerful tremor, originating in the Pacific Ocean, rattled buildings and infrastructure, causing widespread panic and damage in its wake.

At least nine people were killed and nearly 60 injured Wednesday by a powerful earthquake in Taiwan that damaged dozens of buildings and prompted tsunami warnings that extended to Japan and the Philippines before being lifted.

Officials said the quake and series of aftershocks was the strongest to shake the island in decades, and warned of more tremors in the days ahead.

A pair of boxing shorts worn by the great Muhammad Ali in his famous Thrilla in Manila fight are set to be auctioned off for an eye-watering $6million.

Ali's silk Everlast shorts, which are pure white except for a black belt line and black racing stripes on each leg, are autographed by the boxing legend himself and remain in excellent condition.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to return Wednesday to the Middle East in a new bid to secure a truce in the Israel-Hamas war.

Following a failed attempt to secure a ceasefire in the war in the Gaza Strip by the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan last week, a new round of negotiations hosted by key mediator Qatar has begun.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that the United States stands by its "ironclad" commitments to defend longtime ally the Philippines against armed attack in the South China Sea.