MANILA

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the Trump administration is prepared to assist in ending the Ukraine war but acknowledged no immediate resolution is likely. He highlighted stalled U.S.-mediated talks with Russia and Ukraine, emphasized the need for sustained diplomatic efforts, and noted ongoing U.S. military support for Ukraine. The discussion occurred amid broader regional ASEAN meetings focused on conflicts in the Middle East and the South China Sea.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that further American arms deliveries to Ukraine are 'unacceptable' during talks in Manila. Lavrov urged a diplomatic solution to the conflict, as Kyiv seeks to revive peace efforts and Washington shifts focus toward ending the war.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US remains prepared to help end the Ukraine war after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at an ASEAN gathering in Manila.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the United States remains prepared to help end the war in Ukraine after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at an ASEAN gathering in Manila.

The foreign ministers of China and the United States held a meeting emphasizing stability, discussing Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming trip to the U.S. instead of President Donald Trump's accusations of election interference by Beijing. The talks were described as 'pragmatic, positive and constructive' by China's Wang Yi, with U.S. representative Marco Rubio noting the need to manage differences between the countries.

Top US and Russian diplomats discussed the Ukraine war in Manila. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's readiness for a political and diplomatic settlement to the conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila during ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings to discuss the U.S.-Russia relationship and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting comes amid stalled U.S. efforts to broker peace in Ukraine and broader regional discussions on conflicts, including the South China Sea.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila during an ASEAN gathering to discuss the U.S. role in brokering an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, amid stalled indirect talks and regional security issues like the South China Sea tensions. Australia also raised concerns over China's recent missile test, which it described as provocative and destabilizing.

Renewed fighting between the US and Iran has overshadowed the ASEAN gathering in Manila. The conflict raises concerns about its potential impact on ASEAN's efforts to address regional issues.

Top diplomats from Asia, Europe, and North America gathered for the security-focused ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, where they aimed to call for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East amid renewed hostilities.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are set for their first in-person meeting since September in Manila, with discussions focused on Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila for their first face-to-face talks since September. The Kremlin has abandoned the idea of a territorial swap with Ukraine and is doubling down on retaining occupied border areas as a buffer zone.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro in Manila during the ASEAN foreign ministers' gathering. Both sides emphasized the need to reduce the risk of miscalculation and maintain stability in the South China Sea amid recent tensions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the US and the South China Sea dispute between Beijing and Manila during their bilateral meeting at ASEAN. The talks occurred as both diplomats attended ASEAN meetings in Manila from Monday to Thursday, including the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting with 11 member states and other regional representatives.

Canada's foreign minister Anita Anand urged de-escalation and a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East, calling the situation 'grave,' and reaffirmed support for international law in the South China Sea during meetings with Southeast Asian counterparts in Manila.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for an interim trade agreement during a meeting in Manila. They highlighted the importance of advancing trade despite potential pharmaceutical tariff challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Manila to attend the 33rd Asean Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting. The event includes discussions on Asia-Pacific political and security issues and bilateral meetings with delegates from 27 ARF member states.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a regional gathering led by ASEAN. The discussion is expected to focus on a potential September summit between their leaders.

US State Secretary Marco Rubio stated that the United States is open to engaging with Iran on the Middle East conflict but expressed skepticism about Iran's seriousness. He emphasized that the US will protect its interests and those of its allies if Iran is not serious about negotiations.

Southeast Asia’s top diplomats are holding three days of security talks in Manila, focusing on their most pressing security challenges amid the ongoing Iran war.

China and the Philippines exchanged accusations following a violent altercation between navy personnel in the disputed South China Sea. The incident occurred ahead of a major diplomatic summit in Manila, heightening regional tensions.

Beijing and Manila summoned each other's ambassadors following a confrontation between Chinese and Philippine sailors at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea.

Delta Air Lines will launch its first nonstop flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila (MNL), beginning March 28, 2027. The initial service will operate three times a week.

The Philippines protests China Daily videos that depict Filipinos as monkeys. The protest occurs amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to attend Asia-Pacific meetings in Manila, where he will meet with his Chinese counterpart to discuss preparations for a potential September summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Chinese scholars have claimed Beijing's sovereignty over the Batanes Islands, prompting pushback from Manila. The academic discussion at Jinan University in Guangzhou occurred amid Japanese-Philippine maritime border talks, with analysts viewing the claims as a warning shot.

The Philippines has started conducting active school shooter drills following a deadly attack in Tacloban City where two teenage students shot and killed three classmates and injured 20 others. In Manila, students and teachers practiced barricading classrooms and remaining silent during a simulated drill with an armed actor.

Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jnr stated that broader military engagement with China is not possible unless Beijing changes its stance, while maintaining limited communication channels. The remarks follow sanctions against Teodoro by China and tensions over the South China Sea.

Wu Shicun, founder of China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies, discusses Beijing’s potential responses to rival claimants in the disputed South China Sea. The interview addresses challenges posed by Manila’s 'transparency' campaign in the region.

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.

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.

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.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has publicly supported Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro amid China's sanctions, signaling a firm stance that observers suggest could complicate diplomatic relations with Beijing and strengthen defense ties with allies.

The article discusses the Philippines' emphasis on the West Philippine Sea for sovereignty and resource access but highlights a gap between these goals and the strategies employed. It suggests the need for more effective approaches beyond current optics.

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.

The Philippines has set a record pay hike for workers in Manila in response to rising inflation.

Asean foreign ministers are reconsidering their collective pressure strategy on Myanmar since the 2021 coup, exploring direct engagement with Naypyidaw to encourage change. The shift is part of a broader reevaluation of the bloc’s approach during their upcoming meeting in Manila.

China's temporary floating platform at Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea has highlighted its strategy to assert control, while Manila seeks support beyond the US amid renewed international attention.

The Philippines is re-entering the global bond market as pressure from oil prices diminishes. The article references Makati and Manila, indicating regional focus.

David Briscoe, a journalist for The Associated Press, chronicled the Philippines' transition from dictatorship to democracy during the 1980s. He died at 82 in Hawaii after battling amyloidosis, having covered key events including the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. and Corazon Aquino's rise to presidency.