International

The Philippines and the United States will simulate the capture of an island in their next military exercises and in full tension with China

The armies of the Philippines and the United States will simulate the capture of an island controlled by enemy forces during the joint military exercises that begin next week in the Southeast Asian archipelago, in full tensions with China.

“It is the first time that maritime exercises will be carried out beyond Philippine territorial waters,” said Army Colonel Michael Logico during an interview with the public channel PTV in which he reported the simulation of the capture of the island, whose location was not specified.

The annual exercises, called “Balikatan”, will gather between April 22 and May 10 about 16,000 troops (more than 11,000 American soldiers and about 5,000 Filipinos) and will take place in areas in front of the island of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing does not rule out invading, and the disputed South China Sea, among other locations.

About 150 Australian soldiers and representatives of the French Navy will also participate in the exercises, which are not explicitly directed against China, while Japan, among other countries, will send observers.

Logico stressed that they have sent an invitation to the Japanese troops to join next year.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

The military exercises are held after the trilateral meeting organized last Thursday in Washington between US President Joe Biden; Filipino Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, where various aspects of security and defense were discussed, with a view to countering Beijing.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have been increasing lately due to incidents between vessels from both sides in areas that are disputed in the South China Sea, where the United States supports the Philippines – with which it has a mutual defense treaty – in order to maintain the right to free navigation in waters through which about 30% of the world’s maritime trade transits.

Marcos Jr., who took power in June 2022, has turned the foreign policy of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, closer to Beijing, to approach his traditional ally, the United States, in turn concerned about China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Manila and Washington announced last year a defense agreement by which the Asian country will allow US troops to use four military bases – some with easy access to and the South China Sea – which are in addition to the access agreed in 2014 over five other bases.

In parallel, the Philippines and Japan are advancing on a security agreement that could also include access to bases similar to that of Manila and Washington.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute

The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.

All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.

The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.

The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.

“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.

“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.

Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.

According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power

Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.

The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.

Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.

Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.

The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.

Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.

In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.