LATEST PULSE

On June 15, 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the beginning of a two-day visit with Russia's President, Vladimir Putin. With talks being held in Kazan (Russia), both counterparts are aiming to strengthen ties based on food and energy security, two relevant matters of mutual interest.   This announcement comes at a time where the Philippines, and other South-East Asian nations, are actively seeking new economic and mil...

A Dutch warship arriving in Manila and renewed defense talks between Indonesia and France are sending a message across Southeast Asia that Europe wants to play a stronger role in the Indo-Pacific.   On May 23, the Philippine Navy welcomed the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS de Ruyter in Manila as part of the Pacific Archer deployment. The visit highlighted the close cooperation between the Netherlands and the Philippines and their joi...

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva went to Europe selling Brazil as the stable giant the world suddenly needs. From April 16-22, Lula traveled to Barcelona, Hannover, and Lisbon with a big delegation of ministers and development officials.   The message it was trying to send was clear. As the United States turns inward under Donald Trump, the Middle East burns, and Europe scrambles for safer partners, Brazil wants to be t...

Malaysia has launched one of its biggest cybercrime crackdowns yet after police arrested 117 suspected online child predators during four major operations across the country. Authorities reviewed more than 1.4 million digital files linked to Child Sexual Abuse Material, also known as CSAM, in a sweeping campaign announced on May 25, 2026.   The raids exposed how fast-moving digital crime is becoming harder to stop. Investigators say artifi...

On June 8, 2026, at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.   The disaster killed at least 32 people and injured more than 100 others, causing widespread destruction to buildings and infrastructure. Communities across the Philippines were affected, particularly residents of General Santos, a city of around 722,000 people that experienced some of t...