Philippine News

BELEM, Brazil, November 9 ------ World leaders were to meet in the Brazilian Amazon in an effort to show that climate change remains a top global priority despite broken promises and the United States shunning the gathering. About 50 heads of state and government are expected in the rainforest city of Belem for a summit on Thursday and Friday, ahead of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) that opens next week. Almost every nation is participating, but Was

ISTANBUL, Turkey, November 9 ------ Afghan and Pakistani negotiators are set to resume ceasefire talks in Turkey, aiming to prevent a return to hostilities following their worst clashes in years. Relations between the South Asian neighbors have soured in recent years, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan deny. The latest conflict erupted after explosions in the Afghan capita

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 8 ------ Travelers across the United States were left scrambling to rebook flights as the government shutdown heaps pressure on the country's air traffic control system, prompting hundreds of Friday flight cancellations at major American airports. Airlines starting Friday will begin implementing up to a 10-percent reduction in flights for 40 high-traffic areas of the country, complying with a Federal Aviation Administration order made on safety grou

SINGAPORE, November 8 ------ The dollar retreated in early Asia trade, leading declines among major currencies as investors lacking official data on the U.S. labor market seized upon signs of weakness in private sector surveys. The dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, fell 0.5% to 99.674, reversing its gains so far this month as bets mounted on a cut at the Fed's next meeting on December 10. With the U.S. government shutdow

HOUSTON, November 7 ------ Oil prices declined as investors considered a potential supply glut, as well as weakened demand in the United States, the world's largest oil consumer. Brent crude futures settled down 14 cents, or 0.22 per cent, to $63.38 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures settled down 17 cents, or 0.29 per cent, to $59.43. Global oil prices fell for a third straight month in October on fears of oversupply as OPEC and its allies - known as OPEC+ - incre

WASHINGTON, November 7 ------ President Donald Trump's administration has revoked around 80,000 non-immigrant visas since its inauguration on January 20 for offenses ranging from driving under the influence on assault and theft, a senior State Department official said. The extent of the revocations, first reported by Washington Examiner, reflects a broad immigration crackdown initiated when Trump came into office, deporting an unprecedented number of migrants including some w

November 7 ------ Talks between Ukraine and holders of its GDP warrants have broken down for a second time in six months, the Kyiv government said, adding another delay to its hopes of restructuring the $3.2 billion worth of bond-like instruments. "The parties have jointly decided to terminate the restricted discussions without reaching a final agreement on the terms of potential restructuring of the warrants," the finance ministry said in a statement. Having failed with an o

KYIV, November 7 ------ Ukraine plans to replace its kopek coins to shake off a lingering symbol of Moscow's former dominance, Central Bank Governor Andriy Pyshnyi said, adding that he hoped the change could be completed this year. Ukraine introduced its hryvnia currency in 1996, five years after it gained independence from the Soviet Union, minting its own coins but retaining the former Soviet name kopeck - kopikya in Ukrainian. New coins, to be known by the historical Ukrai

WASHINGTON, November 6 ------ The US government shutdown became the longest ever on Wednesday, topping the 35-day record set during Donald Trump’s first term, as his administration warned of holiday air travel chaos and threatened Americans’ benefits in a bid to force a resolution. Federal agencies have been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past Sept. 30, and the pain has been mounting as welfare programs — including aid that helps millions of Ameri

PARIS, November 6 ------ A surge in deadly bird flu cases in Europe has prompted more countries to confine millions of poultry indoors to shield them from infected wild birds, with Ireland the latest to take action. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has been concerning for the poultry industry and governments since it led to the death of hundreds of millions of birds in recent years and spread to dairy cows in the US, disrupting supply, fueling food

KYIV, November 6 ------ Ukraine has resumed gas imports from a pipeline that runs across the Balkan peninsula to Greece, to keep its heating and electric systems running through the winter after widespread damage from intensified Russian attacks. Russia intensified strikes on Ukraine's gas sector in October, depriving Ukraine of at least half of its own gas production, forcing it to import an additional 4 billion cubic meters of gas to compensate for the decline. Data from th

MOSCOW, November 6 ------ Russia said that its forces were advancing north inside Pokrovsk in a drive to take full control of the Ukrainian city, but the Ukrainian army said its units were battling hard to try to stop the Russians from gaining new ground. Ukraine has acknowledged that its troops face a difficult position in the strategic eastern city, once an important transport and logistics hub for the Ukrainian army, which Russia has been trying to capture for more than a

NEW YORK, November 5 ------ The dollar rose to a four-month high against the euro as divisions in the Federal Reserve raised doubt about the prospect of another rate cut this year, while a risk-off move sent investors seeking the U.S. currency for safety. Meanwhile, sterling fell after the UK finance minister pointed to "hard choices" in her upcoming budget. Overall market sentiment was noticeably darker, with stocks falling and government bonds drawing demand, while safe-hav

BRUSSELS, November 5 ------ The European Commission said that the EU could welcome new members as early as 2030 as it praised Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova for their progress on reforms needed to join the bloc. The Commission also criticized Serbia for slowing down its reform process. It accused Georgia of "serious democratic backsliding" and said the former Soviet republic was now considered a candidate country "in name only." "Expanding the Union is in our best i

BERLIN, November 5 ------ Germany plans to increase its financial aid to Ukraine by about 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) next year, a spokesperson for the finance ministry said. Germany is Europe's largest contributor of military aid to Ukraine, having provided around 40 billion euros since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In its 2026 budget, Germany had allocated 8.5 billion euros to Ukraine. "We will continue our support for as long as necessary to defend against Russi

MOSCOW/KYIV, November 5 ------ Russian and Ukrainian troops fought battles on Tuesday in the ruins of Pokrovsk, a transport and logistics hub in eastern Ukraine that Moscow has been trying to capture for over a year. Ukraine's military said fierce fighting was underway in a part of the city that was key for Kyiv's frontline logistics. It said additional special forces had arrived there, and more weapons and equipment were being sent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sai

November 4 ------ Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and Western sanctions are helping major oil companies in the US and Europe. Profits from refining at ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and Total Energies jumped 61% in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter, boosting overall profits by 20%, Reuters reported. Drone attacks on Russian refineries and export terminals since July have cut daily petroleum product shipments by 500,000 barrels in September from this ye

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, November 4 ------ A strong earthquake killed at least 20 people in northern Afghanistan, authorities said just months after another deadly tremor that left the country reeling. The 6.3-magnitude quake struck overnight at a depth of 28 kilometers with the epicenter near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, according to the US Geological Survey. More than 20 people were killed and around 320 were injured in the provinces of Balkh and Samangan, health ministr

November 4 ------ The UK has resupplied Ukraine with an additional batch of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to support Kyiv’s strikes deep inside Russian territory, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the delivery was made to ensure Ukraine remains well-stocked for the coming winter months. London reportedly fears the Kremlin may intensify attacks on Ukrainian civilians as temperatures drop. T

BRUSSELS, November 4 ------ Ukraine is showing "remarkable commitment" to joining the EU, but must reverse recent negative trends in the fight against corruption and accelerate rule of law reforms, the European Commission said in a draft text seen by Reuters. Ukraine applied to join the EU days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has been pushing to make progress on its bid, despite the challenges of Russia’s war and EU member Hungary blocking K