The Philippines’ top defence official has urged the government to review a decades-old defence treaty with its longtime ally United States.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana hinted at the risks of dragging Manila into a war with China.
He said the security environment in the region has become “much more complex” since the countries’ Mutual Defense Treaty was drawn 68 years ago.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington:
Israeli airforce pounds Beirut, Lebanon death toll rises
Israel pounded Beirut's southern suburbs with airstrikes on Friday, stepping up a war with Hezbollah that has forced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese from their homes and killed more than 200, according to a health ministry toll.
US releases Epstein-related FBI interviews mentioning Trump
The US Justice Department released FBI records on Thursday that summarise interviews of an unidentified woman in which she made accusations against President Donald Trump.
Hezbollah warns Israeli residents to evacuate towns near border
Lebanon's Hezbollah warned Israeli residents to evacuate towns within 5 km of the border between the countries in a message posted on its Telegram channel in Hebrew early on Friday.
US House rejects war powers resolution, backs Trump on Iran war
The US House of Representatives rejected an effort on Thursday to stop President Donald Trump's air war on Iran and require that any hostilities against Iran be authorized by Congress, backing the Republican president's military campaign.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait intercept drones targeting territory
Multiple Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, have announced their successful interception of several drones targeting their territories and airbases.
The UAE air defences said it has intercepted 9 ballistic missiles detected in the region on Friday. Of the 112 drones detected, 109 were intercepted with 3 falling within the country's territory.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a new law on Friday, aimed at strengthening public safety across Dubai, setting out stricter standards for venues, events and public spaces.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed, on Friday, the latest developments in the region and the escalating military action that threatens regional and international security and stability.
