China, Philippines reach deal to stop clashes at fiercely disputed shoal  

MANILA — China and the Philippines reached a deal they hope will end confrontations at the most fiercely disputed shoal in the South China Sea, the Philippine government said Sunday. The Philippines occupies Second Thomas Shoal but China also claims it, and increasingly hostile clashes at sea have sparked fears of larger conflicts that could involve the United States. The crucial deal was reached Sunday, after a series of meetings between Philippine and Chinese diplomats in Manila and exchanges...