Philippines, US hold joint maritime drills in South China Sea, World News
MANILA — Coast Guard vessels of the Philippines and the United States have taken part for the first time in joint maritime exercises with naval and air force units in the contested South China Sea, Manila's armed forces said on Wednesday (May 21).
The exercises, held on Tuesday in waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, involved the Philippine Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, alongside the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton and a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
The "maritime cooperative activity," which was the second for the year and sixth overall since the allies launched the joint activities in 2023, included communication drills and search-and-rescue scenarios, the military said in a statement.
"Joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the Armed Forces of the Philippines' commitment to modernising its capabilities and strengthening defence partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests," AFP Chief Romeo Brawner said.
Relations between the Philippines and China have been strained by disputes over sovereignty in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion (S$3.8 trillion) of annual ship-borne commerce.
China claims most of the strategic waterway despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal that found Beijing's claims have no basis under international law. China does not recognise the decision.
[[nid:718205]]
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
23 minutes ago
- AsiaOne
US State Department shifts $321 million from refugee aid to 'self-deportations', World News
WASHINGTON — The US State Department has moved US$250 million (S$321 million) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for voluntary deportations by migrants without legal status, a spokesperson said, an unprecedented repurposing of funds that have been used to aid refugees uprooted by war and natural disasters. The money has been transferred "to provide a free flight home and an exit bonus to encourage and assist illegal aliens to voluntarily depart the United States," the State Department spokesperson told Reuters. Historically, those funds have been used "to provide protection to vulnerable people" overseas and to resettle refugees in the US, said Elizabeth Campbell, a former deputy assistant secretary of state. The re-routing of the money comes as President Donald Trump pushes to reshape US government agencies to serve his "America First" agenda. The State Department's planned reorganisation explicitly states that the agency's refugee bureau now largely will focus on efforts to "return illegal aliens to their country of origin or legal status". The funds came from Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) overseen by the Bureau of Population, Refugee and Migration. Its website says its mission is to "reduce illegal immigration", aid people "fleeing persecution, crisis or violence and seek durable solutions for forcibly displaced people". Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, citing the law authorizing the funding, said in a May 7 Federal Register notice that underwriting the repatriation of people without legal status will bolster the "foreign policy interests" of the US. He did not mention the $250 million transfer to DHS. The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump's administration is working to speed up deportations in a crackdown that the Republican president vowed during the 2024 campaign would expel millions of people illegally in the US It has encouraged migrants to leave voluntarily by threatening steep fines and deporting migrants to notorious prisons in Guantanamo Bay and El Salvador. But the volume of deportations since he took office in January appears to be less than those overseen by his predecessor Joe Biden in the February to May period of 2024, about 200,000 people versus 257,000. On May 9, Trump announced Project Homecoming, an initiative overseen by DHS that offers $1,000 stipends and travel assistance to migrants who "self-deport". DHS said in a May 19 news release that 64 people had "opted to self deport" to Honduras and Colombia on a charter flight under the programme. Some experts said that while legal, sending the money to DHS for deportation operations was an unprecedented use of MRA funds. The main purpose of the funds historically has been "to provide refugee and displacement assistance, refugee processing and resettlement to the US, and respond to urgent and emerging humanitarian crises — not to return those very people to the harm or persecution they fled," said Meredith Owen Edwards, senior director of Policy and Advocacy at the Refugee Council USA. [[nid:713796]]
AsiaOne
an hour ago
- AsiaOne
US vetoes UN Security Council demand for Gaza ceasefire , World News
UNITED NATIONS/CAIRO/JERUSALEM — The US on Wednesday (June 4) vetoed a draft United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave. The other 14 countries on the council voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month. "The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the council before the vote, arguing that it would also undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. Washington is Israel's biggest ally and arms supplier. The Security Council vote came as Israel pushes ahead with an offensive in Gaza after ending a two-month truce in March. Gaza health authorities said Israeli strikes killed 45 people on Wednesday, while Israel said a soldier died in fighting. Britain's UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward criticised the Israeli government's decisions to expand its military operations in Gaza and severely restrict humanitarian aid as "unjustifiable, disproportionate and counterproductive". Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the council members who voted in favour of the draft: "You chose appeasement and submission. You chose a road that does not lead to peace. Only to more terror." Hamas condemned the US veto, describing it as showing "the US administration's blind bias" towards Israel. The draft Security Council resolution had also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and others. Rival aid operations The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in an Oct 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. They say civilians have borne the brunt of the attacks and that thousands more bodies have been lost under rubble. Under global pressure, Israel allowed limited UN-led deliveries to resume on May 19. A week later a controversial new aid distribution system was launched by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel. Israel has long accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. Israel and the US are urging the UN to work through the GHF, which is using private US security and logistics companies to transport aid into Gaza for distribution at so-called secure distribution sites. "No one wants to see Palestinian civilians in Gaza go hungry or thirsty," Shea told the Security Council, adding that the draft resolution did not "acknowledge the disastrous shortcomings of the prior method of aid delivery". The UN and international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral, militarises aid and forces the displacement of Palestinians. No aid was distributed by the US-backed GHF on Wednesday as it pressed the Israeli military to boost civilian safety beyond the perimeter of its so-called secure distribution sites after a deadly incident on Tuesday. The GHF said it has asked the Israeli military to "guide foot traffic in a way that minimises confusion or escalation risks" near military positions, provide clearer civilian guidance and enhance training of soldiers on civilian safety. 'Delays and denials' The GHF posted on Facebook that "ongoing maintenance work" would delay the opening of its distribution sites on Thursday. It said on Tuesday that it has so far distributed more than seven million meals since it started operations. Despite US and Israeli criticism of the UN-led Gaza aid operation, a US ceasefire plan proposes the delivery of aid by the UN, the Red Crescent and other agreed channels. Israel has agreed to the ceasefire plan but Hamas is seeking changes that the US has rejected as "totally unacceptable." Ahead of the UN Security Council vote, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher again appealed for the UN and aid groups to be allowed to assist people in Gaza, stressing that they have a plan, supplies and experience. "Open the crossings — all of them. Let in lifesaving aid at scale, from all directions. Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in. Ensure our convoys aren't held up by delays and denials," Fletcher said in a statement. The UN has long-blamed Israel and lawlessness in the enclave for hindering the delivery of aid into Gaza and its distribution throughout the war zone. "Enough of suffering of civilians. Enough of food being used as a weapon. Enough is enough is enough," Slovenia's UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar told the Security Council. A similar humanitarian-focused draft resolution is now expected to be put to a vote in the 193-member UN General Assembly, where no countries have a veto power and it would likely pass, diplomats said. Danon warned: "Don't waste more of your time, because no resolution, no vote, no moral failure, will stand in our way." [[nid:718698]]
Business Times
3 hours ago
- Business Times
US-China at trade impasse as Trump's steel tariff hike strains ties
[WASHINGTON] US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday it is 'extremely hard' to reach a deal with China over a trade impasse that has roiled global markets, while his doubling of metal tariffs fueled tensions with key partners. Trump's latest salvos came as ministers from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries gathered in Paris to discuss the world economy's outlook in light of the trade war. The US leader's sweeping duties on allies and adversaries have strained ties with trading partners and sparked a flurry of negotiations. The White House has suggested Trump will speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, raising hopes they can soothe tensions and speed up a trade deal between the world's two biggest economies. But early on Wednesday, Trump appeared to dampen hopes for a quick resolution. 'I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!' he posted on his Truth Social platform. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Asked about the remarks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing's 'principles and stance on developing Sino-US relations are consistent.' China was the biggest target of Trump's April tariff blitz, hit with additional levies of 145 per cent on its goods as both sides engaged in tit-for-tat escalation. China's countermeasures on US goods reached 125 per cent. Both sides agreed to temporarily lower rates in May, while Trump delayed most sweeping measures on other countries until July 9. US neighbours incensed Trump's remarks came hours after he increased tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from 25 per cent to 50 per cent on Wednesday, raising pressure on key trading partners, while exempting Britain from the higher levy for now. The move drew sharp rebukes from immediate neighbours Canada and Mexico, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowing countermeasures if Trump did not grant tariff relief. Mexico will request an exemption from the higher metals tariff, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney blasted the levies as unjustified and illegal, adding that his country would respond. Trump's tariffs have fanned worries among Canada's workers. Ron Wells, president of United Steelworkers Local 1005 expressed concern that Canadian steel company Stelco could see significant parts of its orders dry up, impacting staff. The union's members who work at the company want to see the tariffs situation resolved, he told AFP. 'People are just pissed off that (Trump) keeps changing his mind and he's playing chicken with the economy,' Wells said. Tensions could surge further in the coming weeks, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opening the door on Wednesday to potential tariffs on imported commercial aircraft and parts. Lutnick said Washington is expecting an investigation update on such imports and will soon 'set the standard for aircraft part tariffs.' While some of Trump's most sweeping levies face legal challenges, they have been allowed to remain in place as an appeals process takes place. US-EU talks 'advancing' The United States and European Union struck a more conciliatory note after talks on the sidelines of the OECD gathering. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said after talks with EU counterpart Maros Sefcovic that negotiations were 'advancing quickly.' Greer added that the meeting was 'very constructive and indicates a willingness by the EU to work with us to find a concrete way forward to achieve reciprocal trade.' EU goods will be hit with 50-per cent tariffs on July 9 unless the 27-nation bloc reaches a deal with Washington. The EU has vowed to retaliate. Sefcovic said the doubling of metal tariffs 'doesn't help the negotiations' but both sides were nonetheless 'making progress.' The US-EU meeting took place a day after the OECD cut its forecast for global economic growth, blaming Trump's tariffs for the downgrade. A report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in Washington found Wednesday that Trump's tariffs would reduce the size of the US economy and fuel inflation, while lowering federal deficits. After talks Tuesday between UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Greer, London said US tariffs on metal imports from Britain remain at 25 per cent for now. Both sides need to work out duties and quotas in line with the terms of a recently signed trade pact. AFP
