live Oil tankers ablaze near Iraq after Iranian strikes - Thursday, 12 March
Iran set ablaze two tankers in Iraqi waters as it stepped up attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Mi...
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed Tuesday to enhance economic and defense cooperation, affirming their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas through force or coercion.
In a bilateral meeting held in Manila, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed their countries’ shared commitment to regional peace and stability, particularly amid growing tensions with China in disputed maritime areas.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of upholding international law and pledged to oppose any efforts to alter the status quo in the East and South China Seas. Japan and the Philippines have separate maritime disputes with China, making regional security a central theme of their discussion.
Ishiba’s visit to the Philippines is part of a four-day Southeast Asia tour that included Vietnam. This marks his third trip to the region since taking office in October, signaling Tokyo’s renewed diplomatic engagement with its Southeast Asian partners.
The meeting also touched on economic collaboration, with both leaders expressing interest in advancing cooperation across key sectors such as telecommunications, energy, mineral resources, and agriculture. They also discussed restarting negotiations on “reciprocal” tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ishiba highlighted the value of the trilateral partnership between Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, formalized in Washington in April, as essential to maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
President Marcos described the visit as “fruitful” and announced plans to begin negotiations on acquisition and cross-servicing agreements with Japan, reflecting Manila’s intent to deepen its strategic alliance with Tokyo.
“As we approach the 70th anniversary of the normalization of our diplomatic ties in 2026, we look forward to a robust and dynamic partnership with Japan,” Marcos said.
The 32 countries belonging to the Internatioanl Energy Agency agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil on Wednesday (11 March), in efforts aimed at bringing down the price of crude oil, which has soared since fighting between Iran, Israel and the U.S. started at the end of February.
A towering lava fountain from Kilauea shot about 400 metres into the air late on Tuesday (11 March) on Hawaii Island, prompting temporary closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and part of a key highway as volcanic ash and debris fell over nearby areas.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Azerbaijan is evacuating nearly 200 people from the Middle East on a special charter flight departing from Oman.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Britain has deployed the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen protection for its military assets in the Middle East after a drone strike targeted a key UK air base in Cyprus earlier this month.
Member countries of the International Energy Agency have unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to stabilise global markets disrupted by the war involving Iran.
The annual pro-Palestinian al-Quds Day march in London, scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been banned by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following warnings from the Metropolitan Police about the risk of “serious public disorder.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned about the "reputational risks" of appointing Peter Mandelson as U.S. Ambassador due to his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein, files released on Wednesday (11 March) show.
At least six people have died after a bus caught fire in Kerzers, Switzerland, in what police say may have been a deliberate act. Witnesses reported a man inside the vehicle set himself alight. Three others were injured and taken to hospital, while authorities continue their investigation.
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