LEGAZPI CITY — Albay disaster officials confirmed Wednesday night (Feb. 22) that the four people onboard the Cessna plane which crashed near Mayon Volcano were already dead.

MANILA, Philippines — An expert in geology and environmental science has warned those planning to purchase reclaimed land, including on any of the multibillion-peso reclamation projects in Manila Bay, to be wary of the dangers that might come with their investment, such as land subsidence, storm surges, and tsunamis.

TOKYO – Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday announced a new $5.5 billion financial aid for Ukraine and will mark the first anniversary of the war by hosting an online Group of Seven summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

SEOUL – North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward Japan on Monday in its second weapons test in three days that drew quick condemnation from its rivals and prompted Tokyo to request an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and a House leader said on Thursday that it might be premature to invoke the activation of the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States following a Chinese vessel’s “military-grade” laser shot at a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship in the West Philippine Sea.

TOKYO – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Wednesday to boost Japan’s budget for child-rearing to 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product to tackle the falling birthrate, but he did not elaborate on how to secure the costs.

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has agreed to adopt hybrid rice as a better alternative to the inbred variety for increased crop production.

TOKYO – Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda is stepping down after a 10-year tenure defined by his signature “bazooka” of easy money policies, designed to reboot the country’s moribund economy.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has accused a Chinese coast guard ship of directing a “military-grade” laser at one of its vessels, putting the Filipino crew in danger.

TOKYO – The leaders of Japan and the Philippines agreed Thursday to sharply boost their defense ties, allowing Japanese troops greater access to Philippine territory, as tensions rise in Asia amid China’s growing influence.