Philippine News

March 26 ------ Russia has launched a huge wave of nearly 1,000 drones at Ukraine, killing at least seven people, as Moscow appears to be stepping up a spring offensive intended to break Ukrainian resistance along the front. Ukrainian officials said Moscow fired nearly 400 long-range drones and 23 cruise missiles overnight, followed by another 556 drones in an unusual daytime assault on Tuesday, hitting cities across the west of the country. Taken together, the barrage marks

March 26 ------ The U.S. is proposing security guarantees to Ukraine in exchange for Kyiv withdrawing its troops from parts of the Donbas still under Ukrainian control, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Reuters published. "The Americans are prepared to finalize these guarantees at a high level once Ukraine is ready to withdraw from Donbas," Zelensky said. The president warned that such a withdrawal would threaten Ukraine's security by forcing Kyiv to give

March 25 ------ Brent crude oil, the global market benchmark, dropped close to six percent Wednesday after US President Donald Trump sent a peace plan to Iran. At around 0030 GMT, a barrel of Brent crude was down 5.92 percent at $98.30. Benchmark US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, was down 5.01 percent at $87.72. In Asia markets, Japan's Nikkei index and South Korea's Kospi were up by more than three percent. Trump sent a peace plan to Iran as he voiced optimism Tuesda

ISLAMABAD, March 25 ------ Pakistan’s foreign minister said that the country remains committed to “eradicating the menace of terrorism”, as the clock ticked down to the end of a temporary ceasefire with Afghanistan. Both countries last Wednesday announced a halt to weeks of hostilities for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of Ramadan, agreeing to a temporary ceasefire until midnight Monday. Pakistan vows to 'eradicate terrorism' as Afghan truce nears end. This satellit

March 25 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukrainians to pay particular attention to air raid alerts, citing information from Ukrainian intelligence. In his evening address, posted on Telegram, the president warned that Russia “may be preparing a massive strike.” “The necessary orders have already been given to our air defense forces. Please take care of yourselves and of Ukraine,” he added. Zelensky said he had received a report from Ukrainian intelligence chief Oleg

March 25 ------ Ukrainian and US delegations wrapped up a second day of talks in Florida aimed at finding ways to end Russia’s war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Russian representatives were absent from the talks, which began last Saturday and were initially expected to take place in Abu Dhabi with Moscow’s participation. The US delegation was led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, a senior adviser and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. In his evenin

March 24 ------ The global economy is under "major threat" from the energy crisis caused by the Middle East war, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said, warning that "no country will be immune" to its effects. Speaking at the National Press Club in Australia's capital, Birol compared the current energy crisis to those of the 1970s and the impact of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. "This crisis, as things stand, is now two oil crises and one gas crash put all tog

SYDNEY, March 24 ------ Share markets slid in Asia while US bond yields hit eight-month peaks as the United States and Iran traded escalating threats and Israel planned for "weeks" more fighting, sending oil prices on another roller-coaster ride. Japan's Nikkei slid 3.9 per cent, bringing losses for March so far to over 13 per cent. South Korea's market shed 4.5 per cent, making a 12 per cent drop for the month. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell

March 24 ------ Ukrainians began receiving compensation for high fuel costs. In a country at war, the state will partially reimburse drivers who refuel with traditional fuel types, helping offset a sharp rise in prices. Not all Ukrainians have welcomed the initiative, however. The government’s decision to introduce fuel cashback has drawn resistance and widespread criticism from both experts and drivers – even as most say they still plan to use the program. Why fuel has becom

KHARKIV, Ukraine, March 24 ------ The night air in eastern Ukraine is crisp, and a myriad of stars scatter above a small crew of soldiers watching for Iranian-designed Shahed drones that Russia launches in waves. Such teams are deployed across the country as part of a constantly evolving effort to counter the low-cost loitering munitions that have become a deadly weapon of modern warfare, from Ukraine to the Middle East. While waiting, the crew from the 127th Brigade tests an

JERUSALEM, March 23 ------ US President Donald Trump on Saturday gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping or face the destruction of its energy infrastructure, as Tehran launched its most destructive attack yet on Israel. The ultimatum, made just a day after the US leader said he was considering "winding down" military operations after three weeks of war, came as the key oil passage remained effectively closed and thousands more American Marines headed to

ISTANBUL, March 23 ------ Bahrain and Egypt called for international cooperation to protect the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the importance of "stopping Iran’s threats to disrupt freedom of navigation" in the Strait of Hormuz. The call came during a meeting between Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who arrived in Bahrain after visiting Qatar and the United Arab Emirates amid rising regional tensions, according to the Bahrain N

KYIV, Ukraine, March 23 ------ US and Ukrainian negotiators met in the United States in a bid to revive stalled talks on ending the four-year Ukraine war launched by Russia, officials said. US-led efforts to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II have stalled since the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran in February, prompting turmoil to erupt across the Middle East. Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have not met since last February in Geneva.

MOSCOW, March 23 ------ Ukraine launched more than 280 drones at Russia overnight, one of Kyiv's largest barrages since the start of the war, Russia's state news agency reported, citing the defiance ministry. Around 90 drones were shot down in the southern Rostov region, its governor, Yuri Slyusar, posted on Telegram. Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, in a series of posts, reported that 27 drones headed to the capital had been intercepted. Two people were wounded in drone atta

ROME, March 22 ------ The Vatican's top diplomat called on US President Donald Trump to end the expanding Iran war as soon as possible and suggested Israel should also stop its strikes against Lebanon. "I would say to finish it as soon as possible...and to leave Lebanon alone," Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a senior advisor to the American Pope Leo, said in an unusually direct appeal. "This message also goes to the Israelis," he added, speaking to journalists at an event a

TOKYO, March 22 ------ Sample Somei-Yoshino cherry trees began to bloom in the cities of Kofu and Gifu in central Japan and Kochi in western Japan, marking the country's first blooms this season, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced. Kochi was the first in the country to see cherry blossoms for the third straight year. Cherry trees in the city began to bloom six days earlier than average and seven days earlier than last year. Kofu saw the earliest blooming since records

DUBAI, March 21 ------ Dubai’s tourism machine, which just months ago was breaking records, is now rotating at a slower pace, with limited flights to and from the country as airspace remains volatile across the region. Hotels and restaurants are notably quieter, but officials in the Pearl of the Gulf insist it is still very much open for business. For years, Dubai has sold the dream of being the Middle East’s ultimate safe haven – with all-year-round sun and a five-star exper

GENEVA, March 21 ------ Vaccine programs are being challenged by rising misinformation and an uncertain pipeline for research funding, the World Health Organization's immunization experts said. And the war in the Middle East will likely hamper the fight against polio, the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) said. The group held its biannual meeting last week, focusing on COVID-19 jab recommendations, typhoid vaccine dosing schedules, and oral poli

March 20 ------ Hong Kong aviation giant Cathay Pacific has suspended flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until the end of April over the war in the Middle East. "In view of the developing situation in the Middle East," all Cathay Pacific flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh will be suspended "up to and including 30 April 2026," the company said in separate statements on Wednesday. "Further changes to our flight schedule may be needed in the coming days," it added. Customers

OSLO, Norway, March 20 ------ NATO chief Mark Rutte said that the military alliance's members were discussing the "best way" to open the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large chunk of the world's oil supply normally passes. "I have been in contact with many allies. We all agree, of course, that Strait has to open up again. And what I know is that allies are working together, discussing how to do that, what is the best way to do it," Rutte told a news conference during a vis