Manila

The Philippines has called for a ceasefire in Gaza and stressed that maritime disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through international law rather than force. The statement ties Manila's position on the Middle East conflict to its own territorial disagreements with China, underscoring its advocacy for a rules-based international order.

The European Union and the Philippines have achieved a breakthrough in trade negotiations, prompting speculation that a broader trade agreement covering the whole Association of Southeast Asian Nations could follow. Observers are watching whether Brussels will build on the bilateral progress with Manila to pursue a region-wide deal with Asean, deepening economic ties with Southeast Asia.

The Philippine Coast Guard has challenged a Chinese vessel operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone near Batanes, the island province at the country's northernmost tip. The encounter adds to a string of maritime standoffs between Manila and Beijing, as the Philippines continues to contest what it calls intrusions into its waters and asserts its sovereign rights in the South China Sea and surrounding areas.

An opinion analysis argues that relations between the Philippines and China may be entering a softer phase, moving away from Beijing's combative 'Wolf Warrior' diplomacy toward a friendlier 'panda diplomacy' approach following the summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. The piece suggests the meeting could reshape how China engages Manila, with implications for South China Sea tensions and regional alignments.

Public transport drivers in Manila have begun a three-day strike to protest soaring fuel prices, disrupting commutes across the Philippine capital. Drivers say rising fuel costs are squeezing their earnings, and the action is expected to pressure the government to provide relief such as subsidies or fare adjustments. The strike has drawn attention to the wider burden of fuel costs on ordinary workers in the Philippines.

A report in the Philippines suggests that businesses and consumers have become less pessimistic even as the war continues, indicating some easing of negative sentiment about the economic outlook. The piece, published by The Manila Times, is categorised under banking and finance coverage, though no further details are available from the headline alone.

The Philippine government has called for diplomacy and international law to be used in resolving conflicts around the world. The statement, carried by the Philippine News Agency, frames Manila's position as favouring peaceful, rules-based settlement of disputes rather than force. Few further details were given about which specific conflicts the appeal was directed at.

China's Coast Guard has carried out multi-vessel exercises near Huangyan Dao, known internationally as Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea. The waterway is contested between China and the Philippines, and Chinese maritime drills there regularly draw scrutiny from Manila and regional observers. Announcement of the exercises circulated with the hashtag #CoolChina among pro-China accounts.

The European Union is looking to expand its involvement in the Luzon Economic Corridor, the infrastructure and connectivity project linking Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas in the Philippines. The corridor, launched under the G7's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, is seen as a Western-led alternative to Chinese Belt and Road projects, and Manila has welcomed outside investment.

The Manila Times warns that an unregulated internet and artificial intelligence could turn into what it calls 'evil gremlins' — technologies that spiral beyond human control and cause widespread harm. The piece adds to a growing global debate among governments, regulators and tech companies over how to rein in AI risks while preserving innovation.