US wants to ‘compete’ in Central Asia, ambassador says ahead of Rubio visit

South China Morning Post - Oct 15, 2026

The US wants to “compete” in resource-rich Central Asia, a senior American official has said as Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to head to a region of growing Chinese influence. In New Delhi on Thursday, US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said this weekend’s C5+1 ministerial meeting between the five Central Asian countries and the US in Uzbekistan would be an opportunity to “showcase American ingenuity, American technology”. Rubio would be joined by representatives from more than 200...

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MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday raised concerns on the forthcoming increase in Meralco’s electricity rates amid a surge in inflation. Meralco recently announced that electricity rates in October will be at P15.0615 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is a P0.3191 per kWh increase from September’s P14.7424 per kWh, citing elevated fuel costs.

RESULTS: October 2026 Optometrists Computer-Based Licensure Examination

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Students, faculty, and staff at two school buildings in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman campus in Quezon City were evacuated Thursday afternoon due to an alleged security threat.

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