The United States (US) is preparing a scaled-back version of a trade pact as Southeast Asian nations gather in Washington, where President Joe Biden is seeking to show solid commitment in the face of a rising China.Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet Biden for dinner Thursday at the start of a two-day summit, part of a renewed US focus on Asia after months of intense effort on Ukraine.Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration had

A ruling family which was driven out of power 36 years ago, accused of spectacular greed and brutality, is all but set to return to Malacañang – the presidential palace.It is a stunning blow to those in the Philippines who have campaigned for accountability for the abuses of the old Marcos era.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday that 348 probable cases of hepatitis of unknown origin had been identified, as studies into the potential role of adenovirus and COVID-19 infection gather pace.The WHO said the leading hypotheses remain those involving adenovirus.Cases have been reported in 20 countries, with 70 additional cases from a further 13 countries which are pending classification as tests await completion.Only six countries are reporting more than five cases, with more

With 98 percent of eligible ballots counted in an unofficial tally, Marcos won double the votes of his nearest rival.

There is still a long way to go before South Africa and other developing countries can manufacture COVID vaccines and treatments quickly and without paying the huge charges demanded by the big United States (US) and European drug companies.Last week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced that the 180-member trade forum had taken a step towards a patent waiver that would allow developing countries to make the drugs they need – including vaccines, tests, and treatments – for as long as f

Millions of people in Beijing stayed home on Monday as China's capital tries to fend off a COVID-19 outbreak with creeping restrictions on movement.Beijing residents fear they may soon find themselves in the grip of the same draconian measures that have trapped most of Shanghai's 25 million people at home for weeks.Officials there have said the eastern powerhouse is winning its battle against the country's worst outbreak since the pandemic began.Yet the Shanghai lockdown has in

The son of late Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos won a landslide presidential election victory Tuesday, as Filipino voters dismissed warnings his rise could put their fragile democracy at risk.With more than 90 percent of an initial count concluded, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Junior had secured almost 30 million votes, more than double the tally of his nearest rival, liberal candidate Leni Robredo.That unassailable lead spells another astonishing turnaround for the fortunes of

Taiwanese people don’t mind queueing. They’ll do it for a well-reviewed restaurant, promotional giveaways, or to take an Instagram photo at a popular tourist site. But at 3:00 pm outside a Gongguan pharmacy in Taipei, there’s grumbling in the line. It’s an inconvenient time to leave work, but for now it’s the only way to get your hands on a rapid COVID-19 test.20 minutes after the sales window opens, a woman walks out to the waiting customers: they’ve sold out.

Australia would work with its allies to prevent China setting up a military base in the Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Scott Morrison vowed Sunday during a heated debate before 21 May elections.China's growing clout in the Pacific has become a hot political issue in Australia ahead of the polls, following Beijing's announcement last month that it had signed a security pact with the Solomons.The China-Solomons deal has not been publicly released but a leaked draft alarmed countries

Voting was underway in the Philippines Monday to elect a new president, with the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos the favourite to win the high-stakes race and restore his family to the pinnacle of power.Polls opened at 6:00 am (2200 GMT Sunday), AFP reporters said.