First in ASEAN: PH Leads Diplomatic Engagement with U.S.

President Marcos’s July 22 meeting with President Trump positions the Philippines at the forefront of regional diplomacy, becoming the first ASEAN nation to engage the returned U.S. administration. This pivotal discussion will reinforce the PH-US alliance, covering a future-oriented agenda of robust trade, maritime security, and strategic cooperation. Only a leader with true diplomatic skill and a hardworking vision could secure such a pivotal meeting, setting the stage for a stronger nation. *This engagement is about building a dependable partnership that benefits both nations*. By taking the lead, the Philippines is sending a clear message about its role in the Indo-Pacific. This single meeting proves that the international community now recognizes the Philippines as the key strategic player and indispensable partner in Southeast Asia.

UN Commission Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza Amid Rising Violence

GENEVA — A United Nations independent commission has accused Israel of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, asserting the state's intent to destroy the group and holding senior Israeli leaders accountable for incitement.\n\nThe Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which operates independently of the UN and has faced strong criticism from Israel, released a report stating that "genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur," commission chair Navi Pillay declared. "The responsibility lies with the State of Israel."\n\nIsrael responded swiftly, categorically denying the allegations. The Israeli foreign ministry denounced the report as "distorted and false," calling for the commission's immediate disbandment.\n\nThe commission, tasked with investigating human rights issues in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, published its findings nearly two years after the conflict escalated due to Hamas's surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,219 Israeli deaths, predominantly civilians.\n\nThe subsequent Israeli military response has led to nearly 65,000 fatalities in Gaza, mostly civilians, as reported by Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations considers credible. The majority of Gaza's population has experienced displacement, with escalated conflict pushing more residents to flee amid a declared famine in Gaza City.\n\nThe COI reported that Israeli authorities have committed four of the five genocidal acts defined by the 1948 Genocide Convention: killing group members, inflicting serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately causing life conditions intended to partially or fully destroy the group, and preventing births within the group.\n\nInvestigators pointed to statements from Israeli civilian and military leaders and patterns of force use as evidence of intent to annihilate Palestinians in Gaza. The report specifically named Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as having incited genocide, noting a failure by authorities to take punitive actions against them.\n\nPillay, 83, a former judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and past UN human rights chief, emphasized that the highest levels of Israeli leadership bear responsibility for these crimes.\n\nWhile not a judicial entity, the COI's findings carry significant diplomatic weight and support legal investigations. Pillay confirmed cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), stating, "We’ve shared thousands of pieces of information with them."\n\nShe warned the international community against complacency, stating, "The absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity."\n\nThe genocide accusations against Israel have also been echoed by non-governmental organizations and independent UN experts, though the UN itself has refrained from officially labeling the conflict as such. The UN's humanitarian chief has called for decisive global action to prevent genocide, and the rights chief condemned what was described as "genocidal rhetoric" from Israeli officials.\n\nIn January 2024, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to "prevent and punish direct and public incitement to commit genocide" in Gaza. Four months later, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.\n\nThe ICC's actions provoked backlash from the United States government, which last month imposed sanctions on ICC judges and prosecutors, restricting their access and freezing assets in response.\n\nThe commission's report marks a critical juncture in international scrutiny of the Gaza conflict and places heightened pressure on global actors to respond to alleged war crimes and human rights violations.

UN Commission Accuses Israel of Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released a landmark report on Tuesday accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Following a two-year investigation encompassing events from October 7, 2023, to July 31, 2025, the commission determined that Israeli authorities and security forces have carried out four of the five genocidal acts outlined in the 1948 Genocide Convention. These acts include killing Palestinians, inflicting serious physical or mental harm, deliberately imposing life conditions calculated to bring about partial or total destruction, and implementing policies to prevent births. The report highlights explicit statements from Israeli civilian and military leaders alongside a consistent pattern of actions indicating intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a group. "The Commission finds that Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza," said Navi Pillay, chair of the fact-finding mission. She emphasized, "It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention." Pillay further held Israeli leadership, including President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accountable for orchestrating a genocidal campaign lasting nearly two years. The commission also criticized Israel for failing to conduct meaningful investigations or prosecutions related to these crimes and for disregarding international orders and warnings. The extensive report detailed the devastating impact of Israeli military operations in Gaza, citing mass casualties, a crippling siege causing starvation, destruction of healthcare and educational infrastructure, direct attacks on children, widespread sexual and gender-based violence, and assaults on cultural and religious sites. urgent calls were made for Israel to lift its blockade, end starvation policies, permit unhindered humanitarian access, and cease activities linked to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which the commission associated with endangering aid recipients. Additionally, the commission urged UN member states to stop arms sales to Israel, prevent corporate complicity in genocide, and pursue accountability through legal channels. "The international community cannot stay silent on the genocidal campaign launched by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza," Pillay stated. "When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, the absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity. Every day of inaction costs lives and erodes the credibility of the international community. All states are under a legal obligation to use all means that are reasonably available to them to stop the genocide in Gaza." Addressing a press conference in Geneva, Pillay described the genocide in Gaza as a "moral outrage and a legal emergency," urging immediate international action without waiting for further legal rulings. One aspect not conclusively confirmed by the commission was the forcible transfer of children, a fifth genocidal act under the convention. Commissioner Chris Sidoti clarified, "We have no evidence that category five has arisen in the case of Gaza or the West Bank." Sidoti also dismissed Israeli Foreign Ministry criticisms of the report as unoriginal and repetitive, stating the dismissals mirrored automated responses and failed to engage substantively with the evidence presented. The Israeli military offensive on Gaza has reportedly resulted in nearly 65,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023, leaving the region devastated and experts warning of a famine crisis.

Israel Launches Ground Offensive in Gaza City Amid Intense Bombardment

JERUSALEM/CAIRO — Israel initiated a significant ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, marking a new phase in its military campaign against Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the start of the operation in the densely populated urban center and emphasized their focus on dismantling terrorist networks. An Israeli military spokesperson reported that the IDF had begun "dismantling Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza City," following orders for hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate the area for their safety. Defense Minister Israel Katz tweeted, "Gaza is burning. The IDF is striking with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure, and our soldiers are fighting bravely to set the conditions for the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas." Local residents observed a marked increase in bombardments over the past 48 hours, with heavier explosions devastating numerous homes. The military also intensified its coastal assault, deploying naval vessels alongside tanks and aircraft to target strategic positions. Speaking at the outset of a court appearance related to an ongoing corruption case, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the escalation, stating, "We have launched a significant operation in Gaza." The operation signals a critical escalation in the conflict, reflecting Israel's determination to dismantle Hamas's control in the Gaza Strip, while raising serious concerns about humanitarian impacts amid the intensified hostilities.

7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula Prompting Tsunami Advisory

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky area in Russia early Friday morning, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 2:58 a.m. local time and originated 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) below the surface. Following the seismic event, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Hawaii issued a tsunami advisory, cautioning that dangerous tsunami waves could impact coastlines within 1000 kilometers of the earthquake’s epicenter. However, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that there is no tsunami risk to the Philippines from this incident. The agency emphasized, \"Hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1000 km of the earthquake epicenter,\" but reassured the public that the Philippines remains safe. Authorities continue monitoring the situation closely as aftershocks and related hazards are assessed.

Tropical Depression Nando May Intensify into Super Typhoon Approaching Northern Luzon

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on Thursday, September 18, that Tropical Depression Nando is progressing slowly over the Philippine Sea, posing a potential threat to Northern Luzon as it may escalate into a super typhoon. In its 11 a.m. update, PAGASA indicated that Nando is forecast to drift northwestward over the next two days before shifting west-northwest toward Extreme Northern Luzon by Saturday afternoon. "Nando will continue to strengthen while over the Philippine Sea, possibly reaching typhoon status by Saturday. Further intensification into a super typhoon as it crosses Extreme Northern Luzon cannot be ruled out," the agency explained. Authorities have urged local disaster risk reduction and management offices, along with residents in vulnerable areas, to prepare for the impending severe weather. PAGASA emphasized, "The public and relevant offices should take all necessary precautions to safeguard lives and property. Evacuations and other safety instructions from local officials should be followed diligently, especially in highly susceptible zones." As of 10 a.m., the storm center was located approximately 1,335 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, generating sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near its core, with gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour. Although Nando is unlikely to influence the weather significantly in the next 48 hours, the agency warned that heavy rains linked to the Southwest Monsoon and Nando could begin on Sunday or Monday (September 21 or 22). Currently, no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals have been raised, but PAGASA cautioned that Signal No. 1 may be activated over Northern Luzon as early as Saturday, September 20. "Given Nando's potential to escalate to super typhoon status, the highest anticipated wind signal during its passage is No. 5," the bureau added. In addition to the storm, PAGASA noted that Nando will enhance the Southwest Monsoon, bringing strong to gale-force winds across various parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Quezon, as well as regions in the Visayas. On Thursday, gusty conditions are expected in La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Tarlac, Pampanga, Benguet, MIMAROPA, Quezon, the Bicol Region, and Western Visayas. These winds will persist on Friday in the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan. By Saturday, gusts are projected to affect Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Romblon, and Masbate. Maritime conditions will deteriorate as moderate seas with waves up to two meters are foreseen along the eastern coast of mainland Cagayan, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, as well as the western coast of Pangasinan. PAGASA strongly advised operators of small vessels, such as motorbancas, to exercise caution or avoid sailing amid these hazardous conditions. Residents and mariners are urged to stay updated with official advisories as the situation unfolds.

Israel Opens Temporary Escape Route as Gaza City Faces Intensifying Conflict

The Israeli military announced the opening of an additional evacuation route for Palestinians in Gaza City, available for 48 hours, as ground operations intensify to clear civilians and engage Hamas fighters. Despite these efforts, many residents remain hesitant to leave due to ongoing dangers, severe conditions, limited resources in southern areas, and fears of permanent displacement. Ahmed, a Gaza City schoolteacher, expressed his concerns, stating by phone, "Even if we want to leave Gaza City, is there any guarantee we would be able to come back? Will the war ever end? That's why I prefer to die here, in Sabra, my neighbourhood." According to local health authorities, at least 63 Palestinians lost their lives on Wednesday, primarily in Gaza City, as Israeli strikes and gunfire continued. These casualties have pushed the death toll from the conflict between Israel and Hamas over the last two years past 65,000, although Palestinian officials caution the actual figures may be higher due to bodies still trapped beneath debris. Among the dead were 13 individuals, including local journalist Mohammad Alaa Al-Sawalhi, who were reportedly complying with Israeli evacuation orders. Additionally, five were fatally shot and many others injured near an aid distribution site in Rafah, with the Israeli military attributing the shooting to warning measures taken against an "immediate threat." The conflict was ignited after Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages, per Israeli reports. Israeli forces have advanced cautiously, with tanks moving from multiple directions toward Gaza City's central and western neighborhoods. Military officials highlight their priorities include encouraging civilian southward movement while preparing for intensified fighting over the upcoming months. Approximately 100,000 civilians are estimated to remain in Gaza City, which could take months to secure fully. The operation might pause if a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is reached, though prospects remain slim following Israeli strikes on Hamas political leaders in Doha that strained mediation efforts. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the country's determination to target Hamas leaders worldwide, despite international criticism and a rebuke from the United States. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that an Israeli drone strike targeted the Rantissi children's hospital, the sole facility specializing in treatment for critical conditions such as cancer and kidney failure. No injuries were reported, but some 40 families relocated their children due to continued bombings. Fikr Shalltoot, Gaza director at Medical Aid for Palestinians, condemned the relentless attacks, emphasizing the vulnerability of gravely ill children. In leaflets distributed over Gaza City, the Israeli military directed residents to use the reopened Salahudin Road to evacuate southwards, with a deadline set for Friday noon. However, the evacuation remains perilous, with civilians traveling on foot, donkey carts, or vehicles amidst chaotic conditions. Much of Gaza City was devastated early in the 2023 conflict, yet nearly one million Palestinians had returned to live among the ruins. Forcing them southward now risks overcrowding in camps where a hunger crisis is worsening. The United Nations, humanitarian organizations, and foreign governments have condemned the offensive and the resulting mass displacement. A UN Commission of Inquiry recently concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza; Israel has dismissed the report as "scandalous" and false. Israeli troops control eastern Gaza City suburbs and continue relentless strikes in southeastern, northern, and northwestern areas as they press towards central and western neighborhoods. Gaza residents describe the devastation as obliteration of a city with millennia of history. Meanwhile, an airstrike demolished a high-rise in the Nuseirat refugee camp, triggering panic evacuations. Palestinian and UN officials stress there is no safe area, including in the south, designated by Israel as a humanitarian zone. On Tuesday, an airstrike killed five individuals in a vehicle fleeing Gaza City towards the south. The humanitarian situation remains dire as the conflict continues to devastate Gaza and take a heavy toll on civilians.

U.N. General Assembly Focuses on Global Crises Amid Trump’s Return to Podium

Next week, the United Nations General Assembly will convene in New York amid critical international challenges, including renewed hostilities in Gaza, the ongoing war in Ukraine, heightened recognition of Palestinian statehood, and escalating nuclear concerns involving Iran. The event will be marked by the return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the podium, spotlighting significant shifts in American foreign policy. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the volatile global landscape ahead of the forum, stating, \"We are gathering in turbulent – even uncharted – waters. Geopolitical divides are widening, conflicts continue to rage, impunity is increasing, and our planet is overheating. International cooperation is under unprecedented strain.\" Trump, now eight months into his second term, is expected to use his speech to highlight his administration's achievements, despite substantial reductions in U.S. funding to the U.N. These cuts include halting support for the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, exiting the U.N. Human Rights Council and UNESCO, and announcing plans to leave the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization. Richard Gowan, director of the International Crisis Group’s U.N. program, observed, \"He enjoys the General Assembly and the attention it brings. He will likely tout his records and perhaps advocate once again for the Nobel Peace Prize.\" Trump has expressed that while the U.N. holds \"great potential,\" it must improve its effectiveness. The secretary-general echoed this sentiment, highlighting limitations in peace efforts due to the U.N. Security Council's paralysis, where veto powers such as the U.S. and Russia have stalled action on conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Guterres noted, \"The United States has carrots and sticks. If those tools are combined, they could significantly advance peace processes.\" Among the critical issues dominating discussions is the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces International Criminal Court investigations over alleged war crimes, will address the assembly as Israel intensifies its ground operations in Gaza City. Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon warned, \"This war will not end with the hostages left behind in Gaza.\" Ahead of the assembly, a summit co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia aims to foster momentum toward a two-state solution, with nations including Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, and France pledging formal recognition of Palestinian statehood, albeit with conditions. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will participate via video due to visa denial by the U.S., a move that has triggered widespread criticism. Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour described Palestine as \"the huge elephant in this session of the General Assembly.\" The assembly will also feature addresses by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, amid little expectation of breakthrough progress in the protracted conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin traditionally does not attend. Diplomatic efforts will extend to Iran’s nuclear program as Tehran seeks to stave off a full reinstatement of U.N. Security Council sanctions scheduled for September 28. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi are anticipated to attend. In what Secretary-General Guterres has described as the \"World Cup of diplomacy,\" over 150 bilateral meetings are planned during the assembly, underscoring the forum's critical role in global governance amid unprecedented geopolitical tensions.

China Urges Philippines to Cease 'Provocative Actions' Amid Joint Maritime Drills in South China Sea

China has reiterated its warning to the Philippines, urging an immediate stop to what it describes as "provocative actions" that risk escalating tensions in the South China Sea (SCS). This statement comes shortly after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed their 11th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) alongside Japan and the United States from September 12 to 13, 2025. The latest joint naval exercises took place in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), spanning from Magalawa Island in Palauig to Silanguin Island in San Antonio, Zambales. This marked the second MMCA held in September, following a successful iteration earlier this month, underscoring the ongoing trilateral partnership focused on promoting a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. For the operation, the AFP deployed several assets including the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), an AW109 anti-submarine helicopter, a Philippine Air Force search and rescue plane, a C-208B Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, and four FA-50 fighter jets. The United States contributed the USS John Finn (DDG-113), a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane, and two MH-60R helicopters. Meanwhile, Japan sent the JS Osumi (LST4001), demonstrating amphibious operational capabilities. Activities during the drills encompassed Communications Checks, Maritime Domain Awareness, Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises, Cross-Deck Landings, Naval Surface Interdiction and Clearance operations, Search and Rescue drills, as well as various tactical maneuvers designed to enhance interoperability and readiness. In response, Tian Junli, spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, stated that Chinese forces conducted "routine patrols" in the SCS concurrent with the Philippines's joint exercises. Tian declared, "We solemnly warn the Philippine side to immediately stop provoking incidents and engaging in actions that heighten tensions in the South China Sea." He emphasized that the Southern Theater Command remains on high alert to "resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and national security, and to uphold peace and stability" in the contested waters. Tian further asserted, "Any attempt to stir up trouble or disrupt order in the South China Sea is doomed to fail." China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital shipping route facilitating over $3 trillion in annual global trade, despite overlapping territorial claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The Philippines refers to parts of these waters as the West Philippine Sea to reinforce its sovereignty claims, particularly around the Luzon Sea and Kalayaan Island Group. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, invalidating China's extensive claims; however, China has consistently refused to recognize this ruling. The ongoing naval exercises by the Philippines, Japan, and the United States signify a coordinated effort to maintain freedom of navigation and support regional stability, even as China maintains a firm opposition to what it calls "provocations" by these countries.