PH, China restart dialogue on maritime concerns, possible cooperation eyed
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines and China have resumed high-level talks on maritime and bilateral issues, with officials meeting in Quanzhou to jumpstart discussions on communication mechanisms and possible energy cooperation. The Department of Foreign Affairs said the 24th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) and the 11th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea are happening back-to-back on March 27 to 28. The Philippine delegation is led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim. The meetings serve as key platforms for “frank and candid exchanges” on bilateral concerns, including tensions in the West Philippine Sea and areas of potential cooperation. The talks come as Manila and Beijing continue discussions on updating a 2016 deal between the Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard. The DFA earlier clarified that proposed amendments to the memorandum of understanding are limited to reviving a joint coast guard committee that will act…
Yemen’s Houthis strike at Israel as attacks on Iran continue
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis launched missiles at Israel on Saturday, March 28, their first such attack since the Iran war began, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US expected to conclude military operations within weeks.
Carpooling eyed as mobility option in NCR amid high oil prices
Government officials are drafting the rules for carpooling in Metro Manila as a way to cope with spiraling oil prices.
Over 1,000 buses granted with special permits for Holy Week trips
The government has granted special permits to over 1,000 buses as the transport sector prepares for the Holy Week exodus, an official said on Saturday, March 28.
Rubio says Iran war to last ‘weeks not months,’ no US ground troops needed
The US expects its military operations against Iran to conclude within weeks, not months, and Washington can meet all its objectives without using ground troops, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday, March 27.
