France Battles Mediterranean Wildfires as Heatwave Fuels Fire Risk 
Taiwan Simulates Chinese Blockade and Invasion in Major Civil Defense Drill 
Russia’s Deadly Kyiv Missile and Drone Attack Kills 27 as Zelensky Urges Faster Air Defense Support 
US Appeals Court Limits ICE Detention Without Bond Hearings After 90 Days 
US Resumes Dollar Shipments to Iraq After Months-Long Suspension 
NRC Proposes Radiation Rule Changes to Boost U.S. Nuclear Power Expansion Under Trump 
Moody’s Says Peru’s President-Elect Keiko Fujimori Could Boost Investor Confidence 
Russian Attacks Kill Six Across Ukraine as Kyiv Mourns Deadly Strike 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
Khamenei Funeral Draws Thousands as Iran Stages Nationwide Week of Mourning 
US-Iran Doha Talks Show Limited Progress as Hormuz Shipping Remains Key Focus 
Ukraine War: Russian Drone Attack Sparks Hotel Fire in Central Kyiv 
Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
Amy Coney Barrett Faces Conservative Backlash After Key Supreme Court Rulings Against Trump 
Air Force Investigates Officer After Capitol Protest Calling for Trump, Vance Impeachment 
Trump Dedicates Theodore Roosevelt Museum, Unveils New Air Force One Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary 
Russia Claims Capture of Kostiantynivka as Putin Pushes Donetsk Offensive 
Tensions remain amongst countries against China over the highly contested South China Sea. Amidst the possible conflicts, the US and the Philippines have begun what is their largest joint military exercise.
Al Jazeera reports that thousands of US and Philippine troops are participating in what would be the largest joint military exercise between the two countries. This comes as both countries seek to be closer in the midst of tensions surrounding the South China Sea. China claims it has control of the majority of the body of water, but its claims overlap with those of the surrounding countries, including Taiwan.
9,000 Filipino and American soldiers will be participating in the 12-day training that started Monday on the main island of Luzon. The joint exercises are usually done annually but faced cancellations and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Philippines’ military chief General Andres Centino said during the opening ceremony that the largest round of annual joint military exercises with the US reflected the alliance between the US and the Philippines. US Major General Jay Bargeron said that the “friendship and trust” between the armed forces of both countries would allow them to “succeed together across the entire spectrum of military operations.”
The joint exercises will cover maritime security, amphibious operation, live-fire training, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
This set of military drills is the last under the administration of outgoing Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte, who will be leaving office in June. Duterte has expressed concern that the Philippines would be “involved” in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine because of its alliance with the US.
Back in January, the US State Department published a report finding that China’s claims of sovereignty over the majority of the body of water have no basis and signals an undermining of international law.
“For this reason, the United States and numerous other States have rejected these claims in favor of the rules-based international maritime order within the South China Sea and worldwide,” said the report.
An international tribunal in 2016 ruled against China’s claims, which Beijing has ignored and has continued to reinforce its claims over the South China Sea.
