MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denounced China in a veiled rebuke Monday in his state of the nation speech, vowing that his government will defend a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea, and saying that Filipinos “do not yield” to conquerors.

United Nations Debates About Ukraine, Russia War

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

WASHINGTON (AP) – Former FBI Director James Comey urged a judge on Monday to throw out federal charges against him, arguing that a photo of seashells arranged on a beach he posted on social media was not a call to violence against President Donald Trump but protected political speech.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to clear the way for an executive order from President Donald Trump that could dramatically change mail-in voting ahead of November’s midterm elections.

BEIRUT (AP) – The United Nations’ human rights chief said Monday that Israel must end its occupation of large areas of southern Lebanon and halt the demolition of homes, days before Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to hold another round of direct talks.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – U.S. diplomats walked out as their French counterparts were speaking at the United Nations on Monday after America’s close European ally criticized the Trump administration’s human rights record.

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) – Across seven countries, seven people woke up to days that no longer looked the way they once did. The war in Iran began months ago and thousands of miles away. But its effects quickly ricocheted across the world – oil markets first, sending fuel prices higher. Then the shock moved outward – into farms, factories and family budgets.