Manila

China has announced plans to designate Scarborough Shoal as a national “nature reserve,” drawing sharp protests from the Philippines. Manila calls the move a pretext for occupation, while Washington warns it is another attempt by Beijing to expand control in the South China Sea. The shoal, just 200 kilometers from the Philippines, lies inside Manila’s exclusive economic zone, but China has maintained its presence there since 2012 despite a 2016 arbitration ruling rejecting Beijing’s sweeping claims. Filipino fishermen say Chinese vessels are blocking their access and fear harassment will worsen if construction begins. The Philippine foreign ministry has issued a formal diplomatic protest, calling the move illegitimate and unlawful. With the U.S. backing the Philippines, the dispute has escalated into another flashpoint in the South China Sea. Stay tuned for more updates on global conflicts and diplomacy.

BLS International signs contract with the Embassy of Poland in Manila for VISA outsourcing services

The company will be processing 20,000 applications yearly and setting up offices in Manila and Cebu as part of this deal.

Budget travel | Manila calling: Far away in the East, charms of a remote Philippines

The next time you’re flying eastward, in Southeast Asia, try Manila — it’s magical, from underground rivers and caves to revolution parks, and is affordable, too, well under Rs 3 lakh.

Global population 2022: Symbolic '8 billionth baby' born in Manila

The eight billionth baby was born at Dr Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila.

Philippine capital braces for storm Nalgae, death toll cut to 45

The state weather agency, in its latest bulletin, warned of widespread flooding and landslides because of heavy and at times torrential rains over the capital region and nearby provinces .

Powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes northern Philippines, strongly felt in Manila

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the quake which occured at a shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles).

A local girl’s guide to 5 important stops in Manila, Philippines

Must-visit museums, shops, parks and churches in Manila, Philippines.

Philippines on alert after Taal volcano eruption; mass evacuation process underway

The pre-emptive evacuations began late on July 1 from five high-risk villages in the lakeside towns of Laurel and Agoncillo. More than 14,000 people may have to be moved temporarily away from the volcano. Most evacuation camps have set up isolation areas in case anyone began showing COVID-19 symptoms

Good Friday and virus lockdown leave Manila with empty streets

Filipinos marked Good Friday, one of the most solemn holidays in Asia’s largest Roman Catholic nation, with deserted streets and churches following a strict lockdown to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

‘Will we die hungry?’: A teeming Manila slum chafes under lockdown

Life was already a struggle in the crowded shanties of San Roque. Then came the coronavirus.

North and South Korea foreign ministers meet: Yonhap

The South's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-Wha had a brief encounter with her Northern counterpart Ri Yong-Ho ahead of an ASEAN Regional Forum dinner yesterday, Yonhap said.

ADB says Asia needs to double infrastructure spending

The Manila-based bank's report covering 45 countries says despite dramatic growth in infrastructure development that has spurred an economic rise, reduced poverty and improved people's lives, a substantial infrastructure gap remains.

Govt mulling PPP model for urban water supply sector

"Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is being explored as one of the options to bridge the demand-supply gap in urban water supply sector with a view to improving coverage and efficiency of sevice delivery," Minister of State for Urban Development Bahul Supriyo said in a written reply.

ADB revises forecast for China's 2015 eco growth higher

China's economy is now expected to clock growth of 6.9 percent in 2015, up from a previously expected 6.8 percent, the ADB said in its outlook update released on Thursday.

High returns make realty investors ignore risks:experts

The ongoing slowdown and steep rupee fall are among the factors making the country a riskier realty destination for global investors, even as it continues to be a high return market, say experts.

Philippine super typhoon kills at least 10,000: Official

Most of the deaths appear to have been caused by surging sea water strewn with debris that many described as similar to a tsunami, leveling houses and drowning hundreds of people in one of the worst natural disasters to hit the typhoon-prone Southeast Asian nation.

My Manila

Filipinos are very happy people and have a positive outlook on life even when it is chaotic. There‘s a positive energy amidst all the chaos going around in Manila.