Latest Philippines government News

Japan's southern Okinawa Islands prepare as tropical storm approaches

Jun. 01, 2023 00:59 AM EDT

NAHA, Japan (AP) — A weakened Tropical Storm Mawar headed toward Japan's southern archipelago of Okinawa on Thursday, leading businesses and the airport to close and fishermen to batten down their boats in preparation. Many residents in the prefectural capital of Naha on the main...

Thousands evacuated as Philippines warns of flooding, landslides from approaching Typhoon Mawar

May. 29, 2023 07:24 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials began evacuating thousands of villagers, shut down schools and offices and imposed a no-sail ban Monday as Typhoon Mawar approached the country’s northern provinces a week after battering the U.S. territory of Guam. The typhoon is...

Typhoon Mawar batters Guam, and 'what used to be a jungle looks like toothpicks'

May. 25, 2023 13:24 PM EDT

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Guam's governor gave the all-clear Thursday after Typhoon Mawar tore through the second-largest U.S. territory the night before, ripping off roofs, shredding trees and leaving much of the remote Pacific island without power and utilities. There were minor...

As Typhoon Mawar hit, these identical twin meteorologists kept Guam informed

May. 24, 2023 21:38 PM EDT

HONOLULU (AP) — As Typhoon Mawar aimed its fury at Guam, residents facing terrifying winds and crashing waves from the strongest typhoon to hit the U.S. Pacific territory in decades had identical twin meteorologists to keep them informed — and to provide the outside world with a glimpse of the...

Typhoon Mawar flips cars, cuts power on Guam as scope of damage emerges in US Pacific territory

May. 24, 2023 18:45 PM EDT

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Powerful Typhoon Mawar smashed the U.S. territory of Guam and continued lashing the Pacific island with high winds and heavy rain Thursday, knocking down trees, walls and power lines and creating a powerful storm surge that threatened to wash out low-lying areas. ...

Typhoon Mawar lashes Guam, US island territory known as 'Where America's Day Begins'

May. 24, 2023 18:19 PM EDT

The powerful Typhoon Mawar that lashed Guam on Thursday has interrupted travel and tropical island life for residents and U.S. military members in one of the nation’s most remote territories. The island in the Pacific Ocean is known for a cheerful greeting drawn from the Indigenous...

Australia to provide surveillance drones to Philippines amid South China Sea tensions

May. 18, 2023 07:26 AM EDT

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Australia will provide surveillance drones and other high-tech gear to the Philippine coast guard and is considering whether to take part in joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea, Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Thursday. Wong, who held...

Vatican seeks to assure Caritas that papal firings were necessary, not a criticism of work

May. 12, 2023 06:43 AM EDT

ROME (AP) — A top Vatican cardinal defended Pope Francis’ “drastic” leadership firings at the Holy See’s preeminent charity, saying Friday they were necessary for the wellbeing of staff at Caritas Internationalis and not a condemnation of its work. Cardinal Michael Czerny,...

ASEAN leaders to agree to cooperate in fighting cyber scams

May. 10, 2023 07:21 AM EDT

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders have agreed to tighten border controls and law enforcement and improve public education to fight criminal syndicates that are trafficking workers to other nations, where they are forced to participate in online fraud, according to a draft...

Myanmar violence, sea feud are tough challenges for ASEAN

May. 09, 2023 08:38 AM EDT

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia (AP) — Alarm over Myanmar’s still-unfolding deadly civil strife, including an armed attack on an aid convoy, and China’s aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea are expected to challenge Southeast Asian leaders' commitments to non-interference and consensus...