Philippine News

BANGKOK, April 3 ------ Asian nations are increasingly competing for Russian crude oil as an energy crisis mounts amid the month-old war by the United States and Israel against Iran, which has choked off roughly a-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Much of the oil from the mostly shut Strait of Hormuz was headed for Asia, hit hardest by recent energy shocks. Over the weekend, Iran-backed Houthi rebels entered the conflict, further threatening shipping. To shore up global crude

SYDNEY, April 3 ------ A host of tech giants, including Facebook and YouTube, are under investigation for potentially breaching Australia's world-leading social media ban for under-16s, the nation's online watchdog said. Australia in December banned users under 16 from the world's largest social media platforms, citing the need to protect them from "predatory algorithms" and online bullying. There were "significant concerns" that Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and You

TOKYO, April 2 ------ Japan's Coast Guard said it had confirmed a Chinese marine research vessel was operating in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) west-northwest of Uotsuri Island, and it had demanded the activity be halted. The Chinese oceanographic survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 22 was spotted around 1:30 p.m. (0430 GMT), about 37 nautical miles (69 km) from Uotsuri Island, and was seen extending pipe-like equipment from both sides of the ship and wire-like equipment from its

TEHRAN, Iran, April 2 ------ Iranian state media reported that a parliamentary commission had approved plans to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway vital to oil and gas shipments that has been effectively closed due to the Middle East war. Citing a member of the parliament's security commission, state TV said the plan involved, among other things, "financial arrangements and rial toll systems" and "implementing the sovereign role of Iran", as w

TOKYO, April 1 ------ Asian stocks fell sharply in early trade and oil prices rose as the Middle East crisis further escalated with US President Donald Trump threatening to destroy Iran's main export terminal. South Korea's benchmark Kospi index was down more than four percent around 0030 GMT, while Japan's Nikkei index dropped 2.24 percent, before both recovered slightly. The price of the main US benchmark for oil, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), was up 3.30 percent at $106.2

SINGAPORE, April 1 ------ Twelve new measles cases have been reported in Singapore, including four who are part of a known cluster. This brings the total number of cases so far this year to 23. There were 27 cases in 2025. The 12 new measles cases were reported between Feb 1 and Mar 24, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said. All were living in Singapore, with six having recently travelled overseas. Among the 12 cases, 11 were not fully vaccinated, including two infants

KYIV, April 1 ------ Ukraine signed a 10-year defense agreement with Bulgaria, a major arms manufacturer, covering production of drones and other weapons, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The Ukrainian leader said he was "very pleased" with the deal, signed during a visit to Kyiv by Bulgaria's interim Prime Minister, Andrey Gyurov. The agreement covers "joint production, on the territory of our countries, of various types of weapons, including drones," Zelensky said at

April 1 ------ Ukrainian drones attacked Russia’s major Baltic export hub of Ust-Luga overnight on March 30-31, marking the fourth strike on the port in just seven days. Leningrad Region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said Russian air defenses shot down 38 drones but confirmed the port sustained damage. He did not provide details on what was hit. Previous strikes on March 25, 27, and 29 had already disrupted operations at Ust-Luga, which handles crude oil, naphtha, fuel oil, je

JERUSALEM, Undefined, March 31 ------ Israel's parliament approved a bill that would allow the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks, a move that has been criticized as discriminatory and immediately drew a court challenge. Sixty-two lawmakers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, voted in favor and 48 against the bill, championed by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. There was one abstention and the rest of the la

TOKYO, March 31 ------ One month after the United States and Israel began attacking Iran, concerns are growing in Japan that soaring crude oil prices could lead to even higher food and other prices, putting additional strain on businesses and households. Iran's de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil chokepoint, has driven up crude oil prices, hitting businesses such as farms, "sento" public bathhouses, and public transportation operators. Dubbed the "blood of

KYIV, March 31 ------ Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected reports that the government may suspend the payment of salaries for soldiers and state workers because of a blocked European Union loan. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an ally of Russia's President Vladimir Putin, has blocked an EU loan of 90 billion euros ($115 billion) ahead of a national election in April. The first 45 billion euros was meant to be disbursed this year but Zelenskyy said urgent sp

KYIV, March 31 ------ Ukraine on Monday signed a 10-year defense agreement with Bulgaria, a major arms manufacturer, covering production of drones and other weapons, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The Ukrainian leader said he was "very pleased" with the deal, signed during a visit to Kyiv by Bulgaria's interim Prime Minister, Andrey Gyurov. The agreement covers "joint production, on the territory of our countries, of various types of weapons, including drones," Zelen

March 30 ------ Oil prices extended gains on Monday after Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis launched over the weekend their first attacks on Israel since the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, widening the conflict in the Middle East. Brent crude futures jumped $3.16, or 2.81 per cent, to $115.73 a barrel by 2205 GMT after settling 4.2 per cent higher on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $102.77 a barrel, up $3.13, or 3.14 per cent, following a 5.5 per cent gain in

SEOUL, South Korea, March 30 ------ North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a test of an upgraded solid-fuel engine for weapons capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, and called it a significant development boosting his country’s strategic military arsenal, state media reported. While the test was in line with Kim's stated goal of acquiring more agile, hard-to-detect missiles targeting the U.S. and its allies, some experts speculate North Korea's claim may be an exaggeratio

March 30 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv was working on reaching an agreement with countries in the Middle East on supplies of diesel, the type of fuel most in short supply in the country. Zelensky was speaking to a Ukrainian television interviewer while on a tour of Middle Eastern countries. Earlier, he said Ukraine and Saudi Arabia had signed an agreement on defense cooperation that lays the foundation for future contracts, technological coopera

KYIV, March 30 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he discussed a possible security partnership with Jordan’s King Abdullah over defending against drone attacks amid rising tensions over the Iran conflict. “We discussed a possible partnership in the security sphere and the overall situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram. Zelensky is seeking support from Gulf states for Ukraine’s war against Russia as Western military aid fa

TOKYO, March 29 ------ Japan's government is set to announce plans to temporarily lift restrictions on coal-fired power plants as it seeks to ease an energy crunch caused by the Middle East war, media reported. The Japanese industry ministry will announce its proposal to boost the use of coal by rolling back rules that were aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions, Jiji Press and other Japanese media reported, citing unnamed sources. Power suppliers have previously been requ

ISTANBUL, March 29 ------ A new global report has found that only 13 countries met safe air quality standards in 2025, as pollution levels worsened worldwide due to climate-related factors and continued reliance on fossil fuels. According to the World Air Quality Report released by Swiss monitoring firm IQAir, just 14 percent of cities globally recorded air pollution levels within the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), do

HONG KONG, March 28 ------ The dollar pushed higher toward multi-month peaks as investors sought safety in the shadow of an intensifying Middle East war and mounting doubts over any path to de-escalation. Markets were on edge following another rollercoaster week as U.S. President Donald Trump again extended a pause on strikes against Iran's energy facilities into April, even as Washington and Tehran offered starkly conflicting accounts of diplomatic progress. The Pentagon is

March 28 ------ The near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a global energy crisis. Countries around the world are struggling to cope with rising prices. Ways to cut demand vary and include: rationing fuel, working from home, and avoiding air travel With 20% of the world's oil unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil prices touching $100 a barrel, and 400 million barrels of emergency oil reserves already on the market, countries across the globe