Philippine democracy icon Corazon Aquino dies at 76

MANILA - Philippine democracy icon and former president Corazon Aquino died Saturday after battling colon cancer for more than a year, her family said. She was 76.

Clinton says Aquino helped restore Philippine democracy after years of authoritarian rule

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says former Philippines President Corazon Aquino “helped bring democracy back” to her country after years of authoritarian rule.

Philippines president declares 10-days of national mourning to honor Aquino

WASHINGTON — Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (uh-ROY’-oh) is remembering former President Corazon Aquino as a “national treasure” who led the country at a time of great peril.

Philippine democracy icon, former President Corazon Aquino, dead at 76 after cancer bout

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Corazon Aquino, who swept away a dictator with a “people power” revolt and then sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, died on Saturday, her son said. She was 76.

Philippine democracy icon, former President Corazon Aquino, dead at 76

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Corazon Aquino, who swept away a dictator with a “people power” revolt and sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, died on Saturday, her son said. She was 76.

Philippine floods kill eight, thousands rendered homeless

COTABATO - At least eight people were drowned and thousands lost their homes in flash floods in southern Philippines, officials said Friday.

Obama says GDP report to indicate economy shrunk during 2nd quarter, nation recovering

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said he expects Friday’s report on the nation’s gross domestic product to show the economy contracted during the second quarter of the year but that the United States has, in his words, “stepped away from the precipice.”

Obama to host Philippine leader Thursday, then drink beer with police officer and professor

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is hosting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (mah-kuh-puh-GAHL’ uh-ROY’-oh) of the Philippines at the White House.

EU files trade complaint at WTO over Philippine taxes on imports of European spirits

GENEVA — The European Union filed a trade complaint against the Philippines on Wednesday over taxes the southeast Asian country charges on imports of distilled spirits such as Scotch whisky and Spanish brandy.

Survey shows global consumer confidence improved in second quarter

LONDON — Consumer confidence around the world improved in the second quarter, according to a survey by researchers Nielsen, suggesting that the public is embracing the idea of a global economic recovery.

Philippine President Arroyo vows not to seek fresh term as protesters warn of civil unrest

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, faced with the prospect of civil unrest unless she steps down at the end of her term, has vowed not to try to extend her time in office.

Trial of Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi enters its final phase

YANGON, Myanmar — The trial of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was adjourned until Tuesday when her defense team will give their reply to final prosecution arguments, Suu Kyi’s lawyer said.

Muslim rebels in Philippines rule out talks despite halt in government offensive

MANILA, Philippines — Muslim rebels said Friday they will only resume peace talks if an international body guarantees an autonomy deal with the Philippine government despite President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s order for her troops to hold fire.

Philippines halts offensives against Muslim rebels to restart peace talks

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government ordered its military Thursday to stop offensives against Muslim separatist rebels in a bid to restart peace talks, a move welcomed by the guerrillas.

India presses for anti-terror convention, to sign ASEAN FTA in October (Roundup)

PHUKET - At the meeting of foreign ministers of the ASEAN and East Asia region here Wednesday, India reminded the world of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the recent Jakarta bombings, as it pressed for greater intelligence sharing and an early adoption of a UN convention on international terrorism to defeat the scourge.

India, ASEAN set to sign FTA at Thailand October summit

PHUKET - India Wednesday made a strong pitch for a pan-Asian response to global challenges like financial meltdown and terrorism as it gets ready to sign a free trade area (FTA) agreement in goods at its next summit with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Thailand in October.

China opposed India’s plan in Manila over Arunachal Pradesh

NEW DELHI - China had opposed India’s strategy plan at the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) because of Beijing’s long-standing claim over Arunachal Pradesh, parliament was informed Wednesday.

Vietnam police detain 18 Catholics after clashes erupt over disputed land for church site

HANOI, Vietnam — Clashes broke out after Catholics erected a makeshift place of worship in central Vietnam on a site where American bombs destroyed a church during the Vietnam War. Communist authorities detained 18 people.

Indonesian TV says wife of most-wanted Southeast Asian militant detained

JAKARTA, Indonesia — A wife of one of Southeast Asia’s most-wanted militants was detained for questioning Wednesday after bombings last week at two luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital that killed seven people, local television reported.

Philippines says 10 Filipinos died in Russian helicopter crash at NATO base in Afghanistan

MANILA, Philippines — Ten Filipino workers were among the civilians killed in a helicopter crash at NATO’s largest air base in Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.

At least 669 US military deaths in Afghanistan region since 2001, Defense Department says

As of Monday, July 20, 2009, at least 669 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures Monday at 10 a.m. EDT.

Malaysian fugitive terror mastermind aspires to lead regional al-Qaida

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Southeast Asia’s most wanted Muslim militant is said to be a masterful bomb-maker and aspiring regional commander for al-Qaida, who has eluded capture for nearly a decade.

Philippine troops rescue 5 logging firm workers kidnapped by Muslim rebels

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines — Philippine troops have rescued five employees of a logging company who were kidnapped by suspected Muslim guerrillas in the country’s south last week, the military said Sunday.

Hundreds of Philippine troops deployed to crush Abu Sayyaf by year-end, military says

MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of marines and army troops have been deployed to two islands in the southern Philippines for a new offensive aimed at eradicating al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf militants by the end of this year, officials said Sunday.

Italian freed in Philippines returns home after 6 months in the hands of Islamic militants

ROME — An Italian aid worker held captive in the Philippine jungle for six months by al-Qaida-linked militants returned home to celebrations in his small Tuscan town on Saturday.

Philippines tightens security after Jakarta bombings

MANILA - The Philippines will implement additional security measures in the capital to prevent terrorist attacks after the bombings in the Indonesian capital that killed nine people and injured more than 50 others, a senior official said Saturday.

Akron-based Goodyear to close Philippines plant, cut 500 jobs

AKRON, Ohio — Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plans to close its tire plant in the Philippines by Sept. 30 as it trims production capacity. About 500 jobs will be eliminated.

At least 664 US military deaths in Afghanistan region since 2001, Defense Department says

As of Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at least 664 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to the Defense Department. The department last updated its figures Wednesday at 10 a.m. EDT.

15th NAM summit opens

Sharm-el-SHEIKH - Amid doubts over its relevance in an increasingly unipolar world, the 15th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) opened Wednesday with leaders from 118 member countries gathering on the banks of the Red Sea in this Egyptian town to debate on peace and solidarity as well as the economic crisis.

Kirin may join forces with Suntory to create major global drink company

TOKYO — Japanese beermaker Kirin Holdings Co. confirmed Tuesday it may merge with smaller rival Suntory Holdings Ltd. to create one of the world’s largest food and drinks companies.