Philippine News

MANILA, Philippines, March 4 ------ President Marcos met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the start of the latter’s two-day state visit, which saw the signing of 10 agreements on key sectors, including defense, nuclear energy and technology. The agreements come as both nations vowed to deepen their 77-year-old ties cemented by their common experiences during the Korean War. These include the memoranda of understanding (MOU) between the Department of Information an

March 4 ------ The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has recorded no direct operational or routing disruptions affecting any port of the country following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Located between Oman and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global oil trade, and experts said its prolonged closure could lead to disruption in global shipping routes. As far as the operation of Philippine ports is concerned, P

MANILA, March 4 ------ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said there is no significant disruption yet in the global supply chain despite escalating tensions in the Middle East. In a press conference at Malacañang Palace in Manila, Marcos described the situation as “very fluid and volatile,” noting that information reaching the government remains limited as the conflict area is a war zone. Marcos said potential increases in consumer goods would depend on the duration of the cri

MANILA, March 4 ------ The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it may grant a provisional fare hike for all modes of public transport should regular diesel prices hit P60 per liter amid the ongoing Middle East war. This is to cushion the impact of rising oil prices on public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, while still keeping in mind the welfare of passengers, LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza said. He added that a fare hike could be with

NEW YORK, March 4 ------ Global oil and gas prices jumped on as the United States-Israeli war on Iran halted energy exports from the Middle East, with Tehran attacking ships and energy facilities, closing navigation in the Gulf, and forcing production stoppages from Qatar to Iraq. The benchmark Brent crude oil settled up US$3.66, or up 4.7 per cent, at US$81.40 a barrel, its highest settlement since January 2025. European gas prices soared as much as 40 per cent before paring

ISTANBUL, March 4 ------ The widening conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran has led to sweeping airspace closures across the Gulf, disrupting global air traffic through some of the world’s busiest transit hubs. Over the past two decades, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha have developed into central transfer points linking Europe and the Americas with Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The current airspace restrictions are disrupting that role, triggering ripple effects across

March 4 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to share its air defense expertise with Middle Eastern countries but will not transfer weapons that remain in short supply domestically. Speaking March 3, after a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), Zelensky said he remains in constant contact with representatives of Middle Eastern states interested in Ukraine’s experience countering missile and drone attacks. According to Zelensky, Kyi

March 4 ------ EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will discuss “energy security” with Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky, Brussels said, as Hungary is locked in a row with Kyiv over a blocked oil pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of deliberately dragging its feet on reopening the Druzhba pipeline, which Kyiv says was damaged by Russian strikes in January. Orban, one of the few leaders in the European Union who is close to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, has b

March 3 ------ Iran's senior leadership has announced a full shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to "set on fire" any vessels passing the blockade. Multiple leading P&I clubs have announced that they are suspending war risk insurance for transits of the strait effectively making the risk exposure too high for tanker owners to bear, and energy shipping traffic through the strategic waterway has ground to a near-halt. As of Monday night, maritime tracking platforms

March 3 ------ The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said Monday it was tracking Philippine-registered vessels in international waters as conflict continued in the Middle East following United States and Israeli strikes against Iran. "Marina has conducted an assessment of the Philippine-Registered Overseas Fleet (PROF), with particular attention to vessels operating within or transiting through areas of geopolitical concern," said the agency, which is responsible for regul

March 3 ------ Given the centrality of the oil trade to the GCC states, tankers have rightfully received the most attention of any vessel class in the new conflict in the Gulf. But cruising is increasingly popular in the region, and at least half a dozen cruise ships are in the affected area - including some which may be staying longer than expected due to ongoing Iranian strikes. One of these vessels is newly homeported in the region. The Saudi cruise ship Aroya Manara (ex-n

March 3 ------ Shipping companies Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM are rerouting vessels around Africa, away from the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "Due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East region following the escalating military conflict, we have decided...to pause future Trans-Suez sailings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the time being," Danish container sh

March 3 ------ It was laughter, tears, and heartfelt gratitude on the first day of the Philippines–Japan Film Festival as Vice Ganda and Jun Robles Lana met audiences following the screening of "Call Me Mother" and "About Us But Not About Us." For Vice Ganda, the moment marked a milestone. “It was actually a wonderful experience. First time kong um-atend ng film festival abroad,” Vice said, visibly thrilled. “Ganap na ganap ako.” Although her previous film "Praybeyt Benjamin"

March 3 ------ We stan a strong independent queen! Caprice Cayetano is choosing to focus on herself despite her popular and trending ships on “Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0.” On “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Monday, the Kapuso Big Winner said, “Gusto ko pong mag-focus sa sarili ko pong career.” Caprice shared that her parents always advise her to enjoy her teenage years, “kasi ‘yun po ‘yung hindi nila na-enjoy before. So lagi po nila ‘kong binabantayan. Pin

March 3 ------ Marian Rivera is open to the possibility of performing in a dance concert, as long as she’s joined by the contestants and fellow “Dance Authorities” on “Stars on the Floor.” Rivera seemed excited about the prospect, especially since she was surrounded by Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Rocco Nacino, Paul Salas, Sugar Mercado, Chanty Videla, Alamat’s Jao, KAIA’s Sophia, 1ST ONE’s Joker, Calista’s Denise, and HORI7ON’s Jeromy. “Sandali, ‘yung age ang pinaguusapan,” she qui

March 3 ------ Jodi Sta. Maria is now enrolled in her master’s degree program. "After the setbacks and delays… it's finally happening 🥹 Officially enrolled in my MA in Psychology with Specialization in Family Life Development," she announced on her Facebook page. Expressing her gratitude, she said, "Delayed doesn’t mean denied. Thank You, Lord." Among the subjects she will be taking in her first semester for her master's degree are Family Dynamics and Mental Health, Child Ca

TOKYO, March 3 ------ The yen and euro were broadly lower as the widening Middle East conflict focused attention on countries dependent on energy imports and how central banks may respond to inflation pressures. The dollar benefited from safe-haven demand as the U.S. and Israeli air war against Iran spilled out into neighboring countries. The euro steadied after sliding more than 1 per cent as doubts swirled about when oil shipments from the region would be restored. Japanese

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 3 ------ The war in the Middle East spiraled further as Israel and the U.S. pounded Iran. Tehran and its allies hit back against Israel, neighboring Gulf states, and targets critical to the world’s production of oil and natural gas. The intensity of the attacks, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the lack of any apparent exit plan set the stage for a prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences. Safe haven

March 3 ------ The United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF) concluded its first two months of operations, receiving 138 investment applications through its portal. Following a review by the Project Sourcing Committee on the website of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, 22 projects have been selected for further processing, and 8 reached a high level of readiness. The fund, established under the minerals deal signed in April 2024 between t

March 3 ------ The National Assembly of Quebec unanimously adopted a Motion in support of Ukraine proposed by the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, and representatives of all political parties on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This Motion provides: “THAT the National Assembly of Quebec recalls that, for four years, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had terrible human and material consequences; THAT it reaffirms its full solid