News Update
As of October 25, 2017 (Wednesday)
1. Manila Bulletin
N.Korea an ‘unprecedented threat’ says Mattis and Pacific allies
North Korea’s weapons programs pose “an unprecedented and grave threat” to the United States, South Korea and Japan, defense ministers from the three countries warned Tuesday. US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and his Asian counterparts vowed to step up diplomatic pressure on Pyongyang while enhancing military cooperation as they held security talks in the Philippines.
“The three ministers condemned, in the strongest terms, North Korea’s continued provocative actions,” read a joint statement from Mattis, Japanese defense minister Itsunori Onodera and South Korean defence minister Song Young-Moo. The allies also pledged to enforce United Nations sanctions against the North, and expand information sharing.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/24/n-korea-an-unprecedented-threat-says-mattis-and-pacific-allies/
2. Philippine Star
Aussie troops to train Philippine counterparts in urban warfare
Australia will train Filipino soldiers in urban warfare to combat the spread of Islamic extremism after months of fierce fighting against Maute militants in Marawi City, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced yesterday.
Lorenzana said Australia has offered to provide training based on the Philippines’ needs and Australia’s capabilities.“At the outset, this includes airspace coordination, urban warfare and maritime operations,”
Lorenzana said in a joint press conference at Clark Field, Pampanga.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/10/25/1752270/aussie-troops-train-philippine-counterparts-urban- warfare
3. Daily Inquirer
Comelec begins decryption, printing of ballot images in Marcos’ poll protest
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started to decrypt and print the ballot images from three pilot provinces that former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. cited in his election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.
The decryption and printing of the ballot images would take at least seven months.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/940182/election-comelec-poll-protest-bongbong-marcos-leni-robredo
4. Manila Times
Xi tightens grip on China as party meet ends
Xi Jinping was elevated to the pantheon of China’s most powerful leaders Tuesday as his name was enshrined in the Communist Party constitution alongside Chairman Mao.
The inclusion of Xi’s eponymous guiding philosophy for the nation at the end of a week-long congress could lay the foundation for him to remain China’s paramount leader far beyond his upcoming second five-year term.
http://www.manilatimes.net/xi-tightens-grip-china-party-meet-ends/358563/
