The Philippine task force on South China Sea issues confirmed the removal of the structure, which Manila had earlier described as a movable platform likely deployed by Chinese research vessels operating in the area.

“While we take note of the removal, we reiterate our principled and unyielding position: Bajo de Masinloc is and will always be an integral part of Philippine territory,” the task force said in a statement, using the Philippine name for the shoal.

The task force said the Philippines possesses “indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty” over the feature, located about 200 kilometers west of the Philippine coast and approximately 874 kilometers from China’s Hainan Island.

Manila further asserted that only the Philippines has the right to construct structures, conduct activities and undertake marine scientific research within the shoal and its territorial waters. It called on foreign entities to comply with international law and refrain from actions that infringe upon Philippine sovereignty.

The platform was first observed near the entrance of the shoal in late May before later being detected inside the lagoon. Philippine authorities said the structure consisted of wooden planks forming a central deck surrounded by cylindrical flotation devices secured around its perimeter.

The Philippines previously lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing over the platform’s presence, viewing it as part of activities conducted without Manila’s authorization.

China’s Foreign Ministry maintained its claim over the disputed feature, known in China as Huangyan Island. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that the structure formed part of a program of “comprehensive research” being carried out in the South China Sea.

Lin said the activities were conducted within China’s sovereign rights and that other countries had no authority to interfere.

The episode adds to longstanding tensions between Manila and Beijing over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

Relations between the two countries have faced additional strain in recent weeks after China imposed sanctions on Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and several of his close relatives over what Beijing described as “erroneous remarks” regarding China. Teodoro responded by saying he would continue performing his duties despite what he characterized as Beijing’s “wickedness.”

China has maintained a regular presence of coast guard and maritime militia vessels around Scarborough Shoal since gaining effective control of the area in 2012 following a standoff with the Philippines.

The sovereignty dispute remains unresolved. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague ruled largely in favor of the Philippines, finding that China’s actions around the shoal violated international law and determining that the area constituted a traditional fishing ground used by multiple countries. Beijing has rejected the ruling and continues to assert what it describes as indisputable sovereignty over the shoal and surrounding waters.

Speaking to a delegation of Maronite bishops from the Lebanese diaspora, Aoun said Beirut had received assurances that developments surrounding the U.S.-Iran agreement would not dictate the course of negotiations involving Lebanon.

“We are certainly in favor of a ceasefire and welcome the efforts of any country that helps achieve it, including Iran,” Aoun said, according to remarks released by the Lebanese Presidency.

His comments came amid heightened regional diplomacy following the announcement of an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending months of conflict and creating a framework for broader negotiations.

Aoun emphasized that Lebanon’s leadership retains full authority over any discussions affecting the country and rejected suggestions that external actors could negotiate on its behalf.

“The negotiation is being conducted by the Lebanese state, which is sovereign in its decisions, and no one takes its place,” he said.

The president added that any future settlement involving Lebanon would be reached through the country’s legitimate institutions and would not come at the expense of Lebanese national interests.

His remarks appear intended to reassure domestic audiences amid growing speculation that regional diplomatic arrangements could influence parallel discussions concerning hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border.

The issue has gained urgency as international efforts intensify to secure a broader regional de-escalation. Earlier on Wednesday, leaders of the Group of Seven nations called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon while welcoming the U.S.-Iran agreement and supporting further negotiations aimed at reducing tensions across the Middle East.

Lebanon has remained a central focus of diplomatic efforts following months of conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah, with international mediators seeking pathways toward a durable ceasefire and broader regional stability.

Aoun’s statement underscores Beirut’s position that while it welcomes external assistance and diplomatic support, decisions regarding negotiations and potential settlements remain exclusively within the authority of the Lebanese state.

The meeting took place at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People following a ceremonial reception, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, and comes as Myanmar’s military government seeks to consolidate political legitimacy following the 2021 coup that ousted the elected administration of Aung San Suu Kyi.

China has remained Myanmar’s most significant external partner since Western countries severed or downgraded ties after the coup, and has played a role as a regional power broker in efforts to manage the country’s civil war and border stability.

Xi told Min Aung Hlaing that China supports Myanmar in balancing development and security and pursuing a development path aligned with national conditions, while also calling for continued cooperation between the two countries on combating transnational crimes such as online fraud, illegal gambling and drug trafficking.

The Chinese president also emphasised the importance of dialogue among all parties in Myanmar to advance peace and reconciliation, describing the bilateral relationship as one that has “stood together through thick and thin,” according to state media.

Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Beijing, his second since becoming civilian president in 2021, comes amid ongoing conflict inside Myanmar and increasing scrutiny of cross-border scam networks operating in border regions, which have affected Chinese citizens.

Beijing has also maintained defence and economic ties with Myanmar’s military authorities, while supporting limited ceasefires brokered with some armed groups operating along the countries’ shared border.

Myanmar’s political crisis, triggered by the 2021 military takeover, has fuelled armed conflict across the country and contributed to severe economic disruption, while also increasing its strategic importance in regional supply chains, including rare earth mineral production.

According to Chinese foreign ministry statements cited in a Reuters report, Wang told Khanal that China places Nepal at the forefront of its “neighbourhood diplomacy” and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Nepal’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The visit comes as China and India continue to compete for strategic influence in Nepal, a country of around 30 million people situated between Asia’s two largest economies, both of which have longstanding political and border tensions.

Analysts say Nepal’s shifting political leadership has created uncertainty for Beijing, particularly as infrastructure projects linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative have faced delays and financing disagreements in recent years.

During the talks, Wang reiterated China’s willingness to expand cooperation with Nepal in infrastructure development, including energy, transport and aviation projects, while emphasising continued engagement under the Belt and Road framework.

The report noted that Nepal has received substantial financial engagement from both China and India, with infrastructure investment and lending forming a key part of their respective regional diplomacy strategies.

China is also seeking to strengthen ties with Nepal at a time when it faces broader geopolitical competition in South Asia, while Nepal’s leadership has signalled an interest in maintaining balanced relations with both Beijing and New Delhi.

The meeting underscores Kathmandu’s effort to navigate competing regional interests while addressing domestic development priorities and political change following its recent election cycle.

Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Culture and Freedom Foundation led by former justice minister Ibrahim Najjar, Aoun dismissed calls for Lebanon to abandon the negotiations and said the government would continue pursuing talks until a settlement serving Lebanon’s national interests is achieved.

“We will not withdraw and we will continue until we reach a conclusion that benefits our nation,” Aoun said, according to remarks released by the presidency.

The Lebanese leader emphasized the role of state institutions in preserving sovereignty and stability, arguing that national authority remains the foundation for addressing the country’s security and political challenges.

Aoun’s comments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Israel-Lebanon frontier following months of conflict that have displaced large numbers of civilians and caused extensive damage in southern Lebanon.

Earlier, in a televised interview, Aoun made a rare direct appeal to Israel to pursue a negotiated settlement, arguing that military action alone could not guarantee long-term security.

He said Lebanon’s approach remains aligned with the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, under which Arab states offered normalization of relations with Israel in exchange for the establishment of a Palestinian state and Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories.

Aoun stressed, however, that progress toward broader normalization would require a gradual process and confidence-building measures rather than immediate political breakthroughs.

Lebanon and Israel agreed last week to a new ceasefire arrangement backed by the United States, but tensions have persisted amid reports of continued violence and disagreements over implementation.

The conflict escalated on March 2 when Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel in support of Iran. Israel responded with an extensive air campaign and ground operations that resulted in the occupation of areas in southern Lebanon.

According to figures cited by Lebanese officials, more than 3,600 people have been killed in Israeli military operations in Lebanon, while over one million residents have been displaced by the fighting.

Aoun’s remarks underscore Lebanon’s effort to balance diplomatic engagement with demands for concrete security and territorial guarantees, as international mediators seek to prevent a broader regional escalation.

The Pacific island nation of Nauru is preparing to decide whether to formally adopt “Naoero,” the Indigenous name used by its people, in a move that government leaders say would better reflect the country’s cultural heritage, language and national identity.

President David Adeang announced the proposal in a speech to parliament in January, describing the change as an effort to align the country’s official name with the term used by Nauruans in their own language. Parliament subsequently approved the proposal without opposition, paving the way for a national referendum that will determine whether the change becomes official.

If approved, the country would become known internationally as Naoero, pronounced “Now-ero,” replacing Nauru, commonly pronounced “Now-roo.” Government officials have argued that the existing name originated from historical adaptations made by foreign administrators and visitors who struggled to pronounce the Indigenous name correctly.

According to the government, the original name was altered over time because it could not be easily rendered by foreign speakers. Officials have said the current spelling was not adopted by the choice of the island’s inhabitants but emerged through colonial-era administrative practices.The proposed change would represent the latest chapter in the history of a nation that has undergone several name transitions over more than two centuries.

Located approximately 3,000 kilometers northeast of Australia, the island covers about 21 square kilometers, making it one of the world’s smallest sovereign states. Its population is estimated at around 13,000 people.The island first entered European records in 1798 when a British seafarer named it “Pleasant Island,” reportedly impressed by its landscape and the hospitality of its inhabitants.

After Germany annexed the territory in 1888, the name “Nauru” became established in official documentation, although other variants, including “Nawodo” and “Navoda Onawero,” were also recorded during different periods.Following World War I, Australia assumed primary administrative responsibility for the island under a League of Nations mandate beginning in 1919.

The Australian administration retained the spelling “Nauru,” and that designation remained in place after the country achieved independence in 1968. In the early 2000s, Nauru also became internationally known as the location of an Australian offshore immigration detention center.Researchers who study Indigenous place names say such renaming efforts often reflect broader questions about history, sovereignty and cultural recognition.

Zoltán Grossman, a professor of geography and Native American studies at Evergreen State College in the United States, said changing place names has historically been linked to colonial authority and control over territory.Grossman said colonial administrations frequently altered local names, diminishing the visibility of Indigenous peoples and cultures.

In his view, contemporary efforts to restore original names are often connected to broader assertions of self-determination and political identity.The Nauruan government has cited several international precedents in support of the proposal. These include Türkiye’s adoption of its preferred international name in place of the English-language “Turkey,” Eswatini’s replacement of the colonial-era name Swaziland, and the Micronesian state of Chuuk, which was widely referred to internationally as Truk until 1990.

Scholars also point to similar developments in other regions. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, several countries adopted spellings and names more closely aligned with local languages and identities. India has likewise renamed numerous cities and states since independence as part of efforts to reflect Indigenous and regional linguistic traditions.

Jordan Engel, founder of the Decolonial Atlas project, which documents Indigenous place names around the world, said there has been growing interest globally in restoring ancestral names to places and landmarks. According to Engel, the use of Indigenous names can strengthen cultural continuity and support the preservation of traditional languages.The issue, however, remains politically sensitive in many countries.

Debates over official place names have generated controversy in several jurisdictions where Indigenous and colonial naming traditions coexist. In New Zealand, proposals to increase official use of the Māori name Aotearoa have attracted public support but have also prompted political disagreements. The Cook Islands has similarly experienced periodic debate over whether to retain a name associated with British explorer James Cook.

For many Nauruans, the discussion centers on cultural identity rather than political transformation. Arcmen Willis, a wrestler who has represented the country in international competition, supports the proposed change and said he hopes people outside the island will learn to pronounce the Indigenous name correctly.

Willis said preserving national identity was important and expressed support for efforts to increase recognition of the country’s original name. At the same time, he emphasized that the proposal would not alter the daily lives of citizens, describing it primarily as a change in how the country is represented internationally.

The debate has also drawn attention to the future of the Nauruan language, officially known as dorerin Naoero. UNESCO classifies the language as “severely endangered.” While it continues to be spoken within families and communities, it is not taught in schools, raising concerns among language preservation advocates about its long-term survival.

Supporters of the name change argue that adopting Naoero could contribute to broader language revitalization efforts by increasing the visibility of the Indigenous language in official and international settings. Advocates say symbolic measures can reinforce cultural awareness and encourage future generations to maintain linguistic traditions.Even before any referendum result, elements of the proposed transition are already visible.

The name Naoero has been adopted by several public institutions, including the national postal service, health service and utility provider. Australia’s High Commission has also begun using both Nauru and Naoero in public communications.

The referendum is expected to determine whether the country formally adopts the Indigenous name in domestic law and international usage, marking a significant moment in the Pacific nation’s ongoing effort to define how it presents its history, language and identity to the world.

Bahrain said seven missiles fired by Iran toward Bahrain and Kuwait were intercepted, describing the attack as “blatant aggression” and urging Tehran to immediately halt strikes against Gulf neighbors. Kuwait’s military also reported intercepting incoming missiles and drones.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it targeted Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces, and the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

The attacks came hours after U.S. Central Command said it intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched toward Gulf allies and the Strait of Hormuz, while carrying out retaliatory strikes against Iranian coastal radar installations.

Washington said the Iranian drones posed an immediate threat to maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, a key route for global oil and gas shipments. The latest exchange has further strained a fragile ceasefire and intensified pressure on Tehran as the Trump administration seeks a broader agreement to end the conflict.

In a five-page letter posted on X, López Obrador, who left office in 2024 but remains one of Mexico’s most influential political figures, said relations with Washington had deteriorated under Trump’s current administration and argued that the U.S. president had changed significantly since their earlier interactions.

“Speaking from what I personally experienced and can prove, the Trump of today is different from the one I dealt with,” López Obrador wrote, describing Trump during his first term as cooperative, pragmatic and open to dialogue.

He attributed what he called Trump’s transformation to “false friends and advisers, both internal and external,” whom he accused of leading the U.S. leader into policies detrimental to bilateral relations.

The comments represent one of López Obrador’s most direct interventions in public affairs since leaving office and amount to a strong endorsement of President Claudia Sheinbaum, his longtime political ally and successor. In the letter, he praised Sheinbaum as the “best president Mexico has had in our time.”

The remarks come amid growing strains between Mexico City and Washington after more than a year of often difficult but largely cooperative engagement. Sheinbaum has recently adopted a firmer tone toward the United States, emphasizing the need to defend Mexican sovereignty.

A major source of friction has been the U.S. Justice Department’s April indictment of 10 Mexican officials over alleged links to drug trafficking organizations. Mexican authorities have viewed the move as a sensitive issue in bilateral relations.

López Obrador accused U.S. officials of attempting to weaken Morena, the governing party he founded, under the banner of combating migration and narcotics-related crime.

Neither U.S. nor Mexican government officials immediately responded to requests for comment regarding López Obrador’s statements.

Mexico and the United States maintain one of the world’s largest economic relationships, with close cooperation on trade, migration and security issues, although political disputes have periodically strained ties between the two countries.

López Obrador ended his message with an appeal for improved relations, writing: “For the good of all, may the other Trump return.”

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued statements denouncing the strikes and expressing solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain.

The GCC called the attacks an “unacceptable hostile policy,” while Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the strikes represented a dangerous escalation threatening regional and international security.

Iran claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. military assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including facilities linked to the U.S. Fifth Fleet. Kuwaiti authorities said missile strikes caused significant damage at Kuwait International Airport, temporarily disrupting operations before flights resumed later in the day.

Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted missiles and drones as warning sirens sounded across the country. Kuwait said the attacks violated international law and undermined efforts to reduce regional tensions.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council also condemned the strikes, expressing support for Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted an air base allegedly used in a U.S. attack on Sirik Island, without identifying the location of the facility.