WORLD BRIEFS

PHILIPPINES: Standoff with China at sea

The government said Wednesday its largest warship is engaged in a standoff with Chinese surveillance vessels that blocked it when it attempted to arrest Chinese fishermen at a South China Sea shoal where both sides claim sovereignty. Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario summoned Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing to resolve the dangerous impasse diplomatically. His office said the Scarborough Shoal, off the northwestern province of Zambales, "is an integral part of Philippine territory." The countries have been disputing ownership of the shoal, in addition to the Spratly Islands and other areas in the South China Sea.

IRAN: Claim of 'terror team' arrest

Security forces have arrested an Israeli-backed "terrorist team" that was planning attacks in Iran, the Intelligence Ministry announced Tuesday, four days before crucial nuclear talks with world powers are to begin. The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency said "terrorists, backed by the Zionists," were arrested following months of intelligence operations in central and border provinces and that the "Zionist regional headquarters" was discovered in another country in the region. In Iran's ideological vocabulary, Israel is called the "Zionist state." While the report did not name the regional country, Iranian media in recent months have quoted several officials as saying Azerbaijan has sheltered operatives plotting attacks in Iran.

NORTH KOREA: U.S. warns against rocket

As North Korea said it was ready to launch a long-range rocket later this week, prompting stern criticism from U.S. officials, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, speaking after a meeting with her Japanese counterpart, said Tuesday the United States would pursue "appropriate action" against Pyongyang at the Security Council for an act that she argued would threaten regional security. South Korea, Japan and the Philippines have gone on alert, with some airlines canceling or rerouting regional flights to steer clear of the rocket's trajectory.