MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines is considering a U.S. proposal to deploy surveillance aircraft on a temporary, rotating basis to enhance its ability to guard disputed areas in the South China Sea, the Philippine defence minister said on Friday. Two days of talks in Washington this week on security ties between the two allies include plans to deploy more littoral combat ships and spy aircraft, Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said. ...

MANILA, Philippines - More than 100 individuals, including five Supreme Court (SC) justices and journalists, are being eyed as prosecution witnesses in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

From 156th to 140th is a big improvement in ranking for the Philippines in the 2011 Press Freedom Index. Placing 140th, however, is still far from 122nd – the country’s rank before at least 32 media workers died in November 2009 in the Maguindanao massacre.

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta still believes someone in authority in Pakistan knew where Osama bin Laden was hiding before US forces went in to find him, he said in a TV interview to air Sunday.

South Korean activists on Saturday released huge gas-filled balloons filled with socks over the border into impoverished North Korea despite threats from Pyongyang.

New Zealand were on the verge Saturday of a huge victory over Zimbabwe on the third day of the one-off Test after destroying the tourists for a record low 51 in their first innings.

President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday that France would pull its forces out of Afghanistan a year earlier than planned, a week after the killing of four French servicemen by a renegade Afghan soldier.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard faced demands to explain Saturday after it emerged one of her staffers triggered a fracas that led to the Australian leader being hustled to safety by security agents.

Australia wrapped up a 298-run win over India to sweep the series 4-0 early on the final day of the fourth Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Three-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova takes on debut finalist Victoria Azarenka Saturday in a high-stakes battle for the Australian Open title and the top ranking.

New Zealand held a firm grip on the one-off cricket Test against Zimbabwe Saturday after closing their first innings at 495-7 and then quickly reducing the tourists to 20-5.

The Philippines announced plans on Friday to allow a greater US military presence on its territory, in a move analysts said was directly aimed at trying to contain a rising China.

The US commander handling Asia on Friday called for greater military relations with China, saying that dialogue between the Pacific powers has not advanced beyond broad strategic issues.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is placing renewed priority on Asia as it winds down wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but has no desire for new bases in the region, the head of U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific said on Friday. Admiral Robert Willard, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, said the military's goal is to have a network of places close to the sea lanes of Southeast Asia where American forces can visit on rotation, avoiding the costly maintenance of bases. "There is no desire nor view right now that the U.S. ...

From 156th to 140th is a big improvement in ranking for the Philippines in the 2011 Press Freedom Index. Placing 140th, however, is still far from 122nd – the country’s rank before at least 32 media workers died in November 2009 in the Maguindanao massacre.

MANILA, Philippines - More than 100 individuals, including five Supreme Court (SC) justices and journalists, are being eyed as prosecution witnesses in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.