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.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says the TRIPP project will establish a direct railway connection between Azerbaijan and Armenia and streng...
Afghanistan and Tajikistan have discussed boosting electricity supplies to Afghanistan and plans for a high-voltage power line through the country ...
Türkiye has rejected a news report alleging that its intelligence service arranged secret talks between Syrian officials and Hezbollah, callin...
Yemen's air force carried out 20 strikes on Houthi targets earlier on Friday, Brigadier General Majid Abdullah Al-Nuzaili, Spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said. Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthis denied targeting a power plant supplying energy to a mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel may participate in the investigation into a serious incident aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, while investigators examine the motive of the co-pilot involved.
Swiss glaciers lost more than 5 per cent of their ice in 2026, making it one of their worst years on record as a dry winter and repeated heatwaves accelerated melting across the Alps.
Passengers from a flydubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft have arrived safely in Israel.
Russia has warned NATO that it would be prepared to use nuclear weapons if the Western alliance attempted to isolate Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, according to a diplomatic document seen by Reuters.
Around 400 schools across France remained closed on Friday as protests over teacher shortages and deteriorating buildings escalated into violence, leaving dozens injured and leading to 2,000 arrests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow wanted to end the war in Ukraine through negotiations as soon as possible, while insisting that any settlement must meet conditions acceptable to Russia and include security guarantees.
The family of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen fatally shot by an immigration agent in Minneapolis in January, has sued the Trump administration, accusing federal officials of excessive force and unconstitutional conduct.
Ukraine is working to resolve a diplomatic dispute with South Korea after Kyiv publicly disclosed the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Thursday, 1 October.
As U.S. troops complete their withdrawal from Iraq, Washington's military footprint may be shrinking. Its financial influence, however, remains deeply embedded in the country's economy.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment