On Wednesday, the Philippine government said that it had created a new task force to coordinate its policy on the South China Sea – which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea – amid rising tensions with China and ahead of a verdict on a case which it has filed against Beijing. According to a document issued by the presidential office …

Travellers love Virgin America, the hip, mood-lit airline backed by Richard Branson. And why not? The self-described “low-fare, upscale” carrier promises passengers that they don’t need to accept the dismal nickel-and-dime, fee- for-everything flying experience offered by the competition. Instead, fly Virgin and you can have it all — legroom and the cheap ticket. Unfortunately, telling customers they can have …

Jean-Michel Paul There was a time when Belgium was at Europe’s vanguard. It was the second country in the world to industrialize, the founder of art deco and surrealism, and a producer of Nobel scientists who discovered — among other things — the God particle. I was born and bred in this country, but I fear we are now trailblazing …