U.S. and Philippine forces shot down drones with Stinger missiles during joint military drills in Zambales, aimed at testing readiness amid rising tensions with China over the South China Sea. Over 14,000 troops are participating in the Balikatan exercises, which run until May 9.
The drills are designed to test the readiness of the two defense allies in response to regional security concerns. China has criticized the exercises as provocative.
The drills took place in Zambales, a province in the western Philippines facing the South China Sea, a contentious area between China and Southeast Asian nations. Relations between Beijing and Manila are at a low point, with frequent clashes in the disputed waters raising fears of military conflict.
Chinese media reported maritime operations by the country's coastguard at Sandy Cay, known as Tiexian Reef in China, while the Philippines conducted its own maritime operation, accusing China of illegal activity in the area.
Despite the tensions, the Philippine military stated that this year’s drills were not directed at any specific country, focusing instead on national defense. The exercise included the live-fire testing of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), marking its second test and first deployment to the Philippines.
The Balikatan drills also featured the debut of the U.S. Navy's NMESIS anti-ship missile system, which will be used for security operations in Northern Luzon and near Taiwan.
Japan has reportedly cancelled a planned high-level security meeting with the United States after Washington pressed Tokyo to increase its defense spending, according to the Financial Times.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that American personnel are being relocated from parts of the Middle East, citing the region as potentially dangerous. He reaffirmed that the United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Los Angeles police made mass arrests late Tuesday after protesters violated a newly imposed curfew following five days of demonstrations against Trump's immigration crackdown, which were marred by looting and vandalism.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan to Washington on Tuesday for talks focused on strengthening the U.S.-UAE partnership.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Tuesday that trade discussions with China were progressing positively, as officials from both nations met for a second day in London.
Three powerful explosions were reported early Tuesday at Al-Taji military base, about 30 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Three explosions were heard in Tehran early Tuesday, shortly after the Israeli army issued an evacuation alert for the city’s Seventh District, warning of possible strikes..
U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran and Israel have agreed to a complete ceasefire that will end the 12-day war between the two countries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in London on Monday and signed a new agreement aimed at increasing Ukraine’s production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
U.S. President Donald Trump today celebrated a potential turning point in regional tensions, declaring "CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!" in a post on Truth Social.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Three powerful explosions were reported early Tuesday at Al-Taji military base, about 30 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Three explosions were heard in Tehran early Tuesday, shortly after the Israeli army issued an evacuation alert for the city’s Seventh District, warning of possible strikes..
U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran and Israel have agreed to a complete ceasefire that will end the 12-day war between the two countries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in London on Monday and signed a new agreement aimed at increasing Ukraine’s production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
U.S. President Donald Trump today celebrated a potential turning point in regional tensions, declaring "CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!" in a post on Truth Social.
Three powerful explosions were reported early Tuesday at Al-Taji military base, about 30 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Three explosions were heard in Tehran early Tuesday, shortly after the Israeli army issued an evacuation alert for the city’s Seventh District, warning of possible strikes..
U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran and Israel have agreed to a complete ceasefire that will end the 12-day war between the two countries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in London on Monday and signed a new agreement aimed at increasing Ukraine’s production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
U.S. President Donald Trump today celebrated a potential turning point in regional tensions, declaring "CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!" in a post on Truth Social.
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