
Marcos to Invite Trump to Manila for 2026 East Asia Summit During US Visit
According to DFA Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano, the invitation is symbolic, aligning with the 80th anniversary of Philippine-U.S. diplomatic ties and the 75th year of their defense alliance.
As the 2026 ASEAN Chair, Marcos aims to showcase the Philippines' strategic vision for regional security, economic collaboration, and deeper people-to-people engagement.
The East Asia Summit gathers ASEAN member states and major global partners including the U.S., China, Japan, and India. Marcos' invitation highlights efforts to deepen U.S.-Philippines ties amid regional tensions.
His visit also marks the first official dialogue between a Southeast Asian head of state and Trump since the latter's return to the presidency.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
a few seconds ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Trump stands on White House roof, jokes about installing nuclear missiles
Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance Tuesday on a White House rooftop and joked about installing nuclear missiles at a time of escalating tensions with Russia. The US president, flanked by bodyguards and under the protection of snipers, strolled for 20 minutes on the flat roof above the press room as he looked across to the site of his proposed new ballroom. Asked why he was on the roof, he replied he was just "taking a little walk." Quizzed about what he intended to build, he joked "nuclear missiles," before appearing to mimic the launch of a weapon with his arm. The United States and Russia have engaged in heated rhetoric for several days. Trump last week ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines near Russia in response to remarks he deemed provocative by former Russian president Dmitri Medvedev. Videos circulated on social media showing Trump's surprise stroll on the roof. Take a look: There will NEVER be another President Trump ð�¤£ — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 5, 2025 Just taking a little walk — The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 5, 2025 Trump's imprint on the White House With his planned ballroom and other projects, Trump is determined to leave an imprint on the White House, drawing inspiration from the opulent style of his private properties. He has paved the lawn of the famous Rose Garden and adorned the Oval Office with lavish golden ornamentation. The 79-year-old leader recently announced plans for the ballroom, in what is shaping up to be the most significant project at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in over a century. He has vowed that he, with perhaps some help from private donors, would pay for all the work, estimated at $200 million. "It's just another way to spend my money for the country," he said Tuesday. A former reality TV host, Trump is known for his public appearances that are half-comical, half-provocative, delighting his supporters and providing television networks with the images they relish. In 2015, he announced his presidential candidacy after slowly descending a golden escalator. And during the last presidential campaign, he staged photo ops in a garbage truck cabin and served fries in a McDonald's restaurant.


Gulf Business
2 hours ago
- Gulf Business
India unites against US tariff threat over Russian oil trade
India's ruling party and main opposition condemned on Tuesday a threat by US President Donald Trump to raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases, in a show of political unity as a trade rift deepens with Washington. Trump had already in July announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, and US officials have cited a range of geopolitical issues standing in the way of a US-India trade accord. Manish Tewari, a member of parliament and leader of the opposition Congress, said Trump's 'disparaging remarks hurt the dignity and self-respect of Indians'. 'The time has come to call out this constant bullying and hectoring,' he added. BJP Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda quoted Henry Kissinger — the most powerful US diplomat of the Cold War era — in a post on X: 'To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal.' India's Foreign Ministry said the country was being unfairly singled out over its purchases of Russian oil, and highlighted continued trade between Moscow and both the United States and the European Union, despite the war in Ukraine. 'It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,' it said in a statement issued late on Monday. 'It is unjustified to single out India,' the ministry said. It said the EU conducted 67.5 billion euros ($78.02bn) in trade with Russia in 2024, including record imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reaching 16.5 million metric tons. The United States, the statement said, continues to import Russian uranium hexafluoride for use in its nuclear power industry, palladium, fertilisers and chemicals. It did not give a source for the export information. The US embassy and the EU's delegation in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Both the United States and EU have sharply scaled back their trade ties with Russia since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In 2021, Russia was the EU's fifth-largest trading partner, with goods exchange worth 258 billion euros, according to the EU executive European Commission. SUDDEN RIFT India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June this year, up 1 per cent from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by trade sources. It has faced pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine. New Delhi has resisted, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and economic needs. India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is likely to travel to Russia this week on a scheduled visit, two government sources said. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is expected to visit in the coming weeks. The sudden rift between India and the US has been deepening since July 31, when Trump announced the 25 per cent tariff on goods being shipped to the US and for the first time threatened unspecified penalties for buying Russian oil. Trump has said that from Friday he will impose new sanctions on Russia as well as on countries that buy its energy exports, unless Moscow takes steps to end the war with Ukraine. The trade tensions have caused concern about the potential impact on India's economy. The equity benchmark BSE Sensex .BSESN closed down 0.38 per cent, while the rupee dropped 0.17 per cent versus the dollar.


Filipino Times
2 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Paoay Lake declared protected area under new law signed by Marcos
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12230, declaring Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS). Republic Act No. 12230, signed on August 4, designates the Paoay Lake Protected Landscape (PLPL) under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), ensuring long-term conservation and management of the lake's rich biodiversity and cultural importance. A Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) will be created to oversee the implementation of the law. The board will be composed of representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the provincial governor, local legislators, the congressional district representative, and the mayor of Paoay. The PAMB will be responsible for approving policies, programs, and management plans for the PLPL, allocating funds, and setting appropriate fees and charges. The day-to-day administration and protection of the area will be handled by the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO). To support operations, the law also creates the Paoay Lake Protected Landscape Integrated Protected Area Fund (PLPL-IPAF). Revenues may come from regulated use of resources, lease of multiple-use zones, business contributions, collected fees, and grants or donations from both local and international sources.