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:
Trump says Iran war deal close as Strait of Hormuz tensions linger
Hopes grew on Friday for peace between Iran and the US after President Donald Trump said a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend, even as Tehran said it had not made a final decision on a pact.
Victims' families mark Air India crash anniversary with prayers and tributes
Families of the 260 people killed when an Air India Boeing 787 crashed in Ahmedabad a year ago gathered on Friday for prayers and a candlelight tribute to mark the anniversary of the disaster.
Fire breaks out at New Zealand's Wellington airport, disrupting flights
A blaze broke out at Wellington Airport in the capital of New Zealand on Friday, forcing evacuations from the main terminal and flight diversions.
Ukraine and Russia trade overnight drone strikes, officials say
Ukraine and Russia exchanged overnight drone strikes into early Friday, with Ukraine targeting a major oil processing and petrochemical region while Russia attacked railway stations and electrical substations.
UN says Taliban arrest 30 women for violating hijab rules in Afghanistan
Authorities in Afghanistan's western city of Herat arrested at least 30 women, accusing them of violating dress rules imposed by the Taliban government, the UN agency for women's rights said, but added that some were later released.
A reckless female driver has been summoned by Dubai Police for allowing a female co-passenger sit on the door of a moving convertible to take photos.
Delivery riders will have access to more than 12,000 a/c rest areas across the UAE during the midday break this summer.
A Dubai court has sentenced a driver to three months in prison and suspended his driving licence for one year after a dangerous road rage incident.
