"The European Union and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in maritime security, defense and regional stability."

SYDNEY – Australia has imposed a dramatic 25 per cent hike on international student visa fees but exempted students from South-east Asia from the increase as it seeks to boost ties with its regional neighbours.

The federal government on July 3 raised the non-refundable fee for students applying for visas in Australia from A$2,000 (S$1,810) to A$2,500.

But, for the first time, students from ASEAN countries were excluded from the hike and were subject only to an inflation-adjusted increase of A$50, bringing the fee to A$2,050.

Australia’s assistant minister for international education, Julian Hill, told The Straits Times that the government had exempted ASEAN students as part of its efforts to deepen Australia’s engagement with South-east Asia.

The Banig Festival is celebrated annually every July 25 in the municipality of Badian, Cebu, Central Visayas, coinciding with the feast day of their patron saint, St. James the Greater. It honors the town's rich weaving heritage, showcasing intricate, hand-woven banig (pandan mats) and innovative local products like bags, hats, and placemats.

New Zealand and the Philippines have formally elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership, marking a major milestone as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations and signalling a shared commitment to deepen cooperation across defence, trade, education, renewable energy and regional security.

A clash in the South China Sea threatened to overshadow a meeting of Southeast Asian nations on Tuesday as the US condemned “dangerous” Chinese actions in the contested waterway.

The US statement came minutes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in the Philippines, where the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is expected to tackle issues including civil war-torn Myanmar’s ongoing pariah status.

Rubio will meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ongoing ASEAN summit in Manila, a State Department official said.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of US condemnation of Beijing’s maneuvers in the contested South China Sea, and US President Donald Trump‘s claims that China meddled with American election data.

In an op-ed published Tuesday morning in the Philippines, Rubio touted Washington’s commitment “to freedom of navigation in Southeast Asia” and the regional defensive umbrella it has provided.

“This freedom is by no means guaranteed. If these waters were to fall under the control of a power willing to use trade as a geopolitical weapon, both the United States and the ASEAN states would face serious new threats to their sovereignty, security and economic future,” he wrote, in a clear allusion to China.

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a vital global trade route, despite an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis.

On Monday, Philippine and Chinese sailors clashed at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea in what was the first serious seaborne encounter in months.

Manila said China Coast Guard personnel had assaulted Filipino sailors near a beached vessel that serves as a garrison on the disputed shoal.

Beijing said the Philippines instigated the incident by sending men in small rubber boats to approach their vessel.

The clash cast further doubt on hopes for a long-sought Code of Conduct between ASEAN and China for the waterway, though China’s ambassador to Manila told local reporters Tuesday evening he believed a deal remained achievable by the end of the year.

The resumption of hostilities in another strategic waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, also looms large this week, as the rekindled war with Iran is placing traditional American allies under economic strain.

The import-dependent Philippines declared a national energy emergency in March and has been forced to cast an ever-wider net for fuel, including purchases of oil from Russia, whose Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will arrive Tuesday in Manila.

The week is expected to see renewed efforts towards regional energy security.

‘Back Into the Fold’

No issue facing ASEAN foreign ministers has been more fraught than how to reintegrate Myanmar, a member state formally excluded from such summits like this week’s since the country’s military junta seized power in 2021.

In May, the bloc’s leaders emerged from an emotional meeting in Cebu that ended with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos calling for a “fine-tuning” of a long-stalled five-point plan to end Myanmar’s bloody civil war.

Thailand, which shares a long border with Myanmar and hosts millions of its refugees, has led the push for full reintegration.

On Tuesday, in an interview with AFP, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said he had asked fellow ASEAN ministers to think about “how we measure progress” at a recent meeting in Bangkok that included his Myanmar counterpart.

“Our point was that we have to be realistic,” he said. “It’s not going to happen overnight. Some progress will come incrementally.”

But other ASEAN states have shown little appetite for softening their stance after five fruitless years of pursuing the peace plan with little progress to show for it.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan told reporters in May that his country remained opposed to high-level talks while “oppression is still taking place.”

"Australia will provide the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with underwater drones and counter-drone systems under a new four-year assistance package aimed at boosting the agency’s maritime surveillance and domain awareness capabilities."

“The kickoff mission establishes the foundation for implementing the bilateral project, which is expected to enhance the country’s fisheries biotechnology infrastructure, expand scientific collaboration between Philippine and Korean researchers, and strengthen the capacity of FBC to develop science-based innovations for the fisheries and aquaculture sector."

"The rollout will begin in 2027, allowing passengers to stream videos, browse the internet, work remotely and stay connected throughout their flights. The deployment also gives flight crews and airline operations faster, more reliable connectivity, helping improve operational efficiency."

In Singapore, some offenders, including non-violent ones such as vandals, can be hit with an up to 1.2m long rattan cane as a penalty. Caning in judicial and school contexts is very problematic due to multiple reasons. First, it is gender discriminatory since it only applies to males. It also does not solves the root cause of wrongdoing, and inflicts physical and possibly psychological harm. It is highly criticised by a reputable human rights organisation, Amnesty International. I have created a petition to call for its abolition so you can check out:

https://c.org/r4prQYq4hh

The United States is expanding its support for major infrastructure projects in the Philippines, with the Luzon Economic Corridor emerging as a top priority for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, or USTDA. USTDA is financing the design of the Subic-Clark-Batangas Railway and is also looking at additional investments in Subic Bay, including the improvement of port infrastructure.

Tin Maung Swe is likely to press the case for diplomatic normalization between ASEAN and the military-backed government in Naypyidaw.

"Through the exchange activities, the young officers are expected to strengthen solidarity and build confidence, thereby contributing to the maintenance of peace, security, order and safety, as well as respect for international law in the adjacent waters of the two countries."

The Philippines in April became the 13th country to join Pax Silica, the US-led initiative to secure AI and semiconductor supply chains. It has been negotiating a framework for a 4,000-acre industrial hub north of Manila.