Philippine News

MANILA, May 1 ------ After several weeks of big rollbacks, diesel prices are set to increase again next week based on the first three trading days on the world market. With still two more trading days to go, fuel prices have already risen by the following amounts: - Diesel - P3.60/L increase - Gasoline - P3.00/L increase - Kerosene - P0.50/L decrease LPG vendors have also said that cooking gas prices may stay unchanged or increase on May 1. World oil prices have been rising i

May 1 ------ In a recent interview to UN News, Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO, pointed out that blockading of ships in the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates how ships and seafarers have become “leverage in geopolitical disputes.” Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO spoke to UN News. Since conflict began with the US-Israeli bombing of Iran in late February, up to 20,000 seafarers have been stranded on some 2,000 vessels in the Persian Gulf, which is bo

May 1 ------ There are songs that become hits, and then there are songs that somehow outgrow even the artist who first sang them. For Ice Seguerra, “Pagdating ng Panahon” is that song. Before it became one of OPM’s most enduring love ballads, before it found its way into weddings, proposals, anniversaries, heartbreaks, and second chances, it was simply a song handed to a former child star who was no longer sure where he belonged in the business. At that time, Ice — still know

LOS ANGELES, May 1 ------ Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points, Tari Eason added 18 and the Houston Rockets avoided playoff elimination for the second straight game with a 99-93 victory over the Lakers in Game 5, trimming Los Angeles' lead in the first-round series to 3-2. Alperen Sengun had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who sent the series back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday night with a gritty performance to overcome Austin Reaves' r

WASHINGTON, May 1 ------ The US State Department said it would produce a limited number of commemorative passports bearing a portrait of Donald Trump, the latest example of the administration attaching the president's likeness or name to official property. The passports will be released as part of celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in July, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement, which did not mention that th

MANILA, Philippines, May 1 ------ Japan’s Naoya Inoue said he will face a "clever, serious" opponent in fellow unbeaten countryman Junto Nakatani when they clash in front of 55,000 at a sold-out Tokyo Dome. Undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Inoue puts his belts on the line for the seventh time in one of the biggest bouts in Japanese boxing history. Both Inoue and Nakatani have 32-0 records and the fight has been over a year in the making. Inoue is Japanese boxing's

May 1 ------ Iran has executed at least 21 people since the start of the war with the United States and Israel two months ago and has arrested more than 4,000 on national security-related charges, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said. Turk said at least nine people have been executed in connection with protests in January, 10 for alleged membership in opposition groups, and two on espionage charges. “I am appalled that – on top of the already severe impacts of the conflict

May 1 ------ Two years after launching its ECDIS Training Assessment (ETA) platform, NorthStandard draws on cumulative assessment data in a new report which includes key insights on the way shipping can improve ECDIS proficiency on the bridge. Assessments found two-thirds of bridge teams could not identify electronic navigational chart (ENC) updates, and nearly half did not prioritize correct ENC scale in planning. Many also struggled to distinguish alarms from alerts, spot d

May 1 ------ Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has not even been released yet, but it is already dominating film industry conversations worldwide. Set for release on July 17, the adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic is generating extraordinary buzz due to its scale, its technical ambition, and its creative risks. From its IMAX-first production strategy to its grounded take on mythology, the film is being positioned as more than a blockbuster. It is emerging as a cultural

MANILA, May 1 ------ The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the participation of its 960th Air and Missile Defense Wing (AMDW) in the Balikatan "Integrated Air and Missile Defense" (IAMD) drills last April 26 to 29 showcased its capability to boost the defensive missile firepower of allied forces. "During the exercise, Philippine and United States forces worked together to detect, track, and engage simulated targets through a coordinated sensor-to-shooter process. Radar systems

April 30 ------ According to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), approximately 1,200 Filipino seafarers have now safely exited the Strait of Hormuz. The DMW said that two vessels, Omicron Nikos and Nord, successfully cleared the strait on 25 April 2026 after becoming temporarily affected by disruptions in the Persian Gulf linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The ships, sailing under Russian and Liberian flags, carried 36 Filipino crew members, bringing

April 30 ------ At least six ships - a fraction of the usual traffic - have crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, shipping data showed, while the U.S. and Iran remain deadlocked over coming to terms that would re-open the crucial waterway. The vessel traffic was mainly through Iranian waters and included the Vast Plus chemical tanker, which is subject to US sanctions, according to Kpler ship-tracking data and satellite analysis from SynMax. Most of the ships were

April 30 ------ A merchant vessel transiting southbound through the Somali Basin was approached by a single skiff, approximately 470 nautical miles off Somalia, east-northeast of Mogadishu, according to Diaplous Group. As explained, the skiff, carrying an estimated 6–7 persons dressed in black clothing, approached from the vessel’s bow. Those onboard were observed carrying equipment assessed as suitable for boarding or climbing. In response, the vessel’s armed security team i

April 30 ------ The first car and vehicle carrier in the world to exceed 10,000 units was officially delivered, marking a new milestone as the sector continues to build out capacity to meet the demand for exports from Asia. In addition to its capacity, the vessel is notable as it is owned by South Korea’s HMM and part of a strategy by Hyundai Glovis to expand and diversify its operations. Named Glovis Leader, the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) was built by China’s Guangzho

MANILA, April 30 ------ Robert Bolick took charge in the closing seconds to lift NLEX over Rain or Shine, 92-90, in a thrilling clash in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Road Warriors erased a 14-point deficit and proved to be more poised in the closing stretch as they handed the Elasto Painters their second loss of the conference. Both teams now have identical 8-2 win-loss records, sharing the top two spots in the league standings. NLEX

NEW YORK, April 30 ------ The San Antonio Spurs punched their ticket to the second round of the NBA playoffs leading wire to wire in a 114-95 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Victor Wembanyama scored 17 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked six shots to help the Spurs wrap up a 4-1 win in their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series. In the East, Philadelphia star Joel Embiid scored 33 points and handed out eight assists as the 76ers fended off eliminat

SANYA, April 30 ------ The Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Women were unable to clinch a coveted gold medal in the 6th Asian Beach Games after falling against host country China, 21-13, in the gold medal match at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium. Going up against bigger defenders, the quartet of Mikka Cacho, Tantoy Ferrer, Kaye Pingol, and Gabi Bade were left trailing in the final. While speed and consistent drives to the basket made things interesting after an and-one from Bade got the

MANILA, Philippines, April 30 ------ The Iloilo United Royals averted a major collapse and bested Manila Batang Quiapo, 101-96 in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Baliwag Star Arena in Bulacan. Way ahead, 72-50, Iloilo turned cold in the fourth quarter, allowing Manila to briefly seize control at 93-92 with 2 minutes and 14 seconds to go. Kyt Jimenez and Levi Hernandez, however, combined for nine points in the homestretch to prese

WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, April 30 ------ The Philippine Navy monitored several Chinese naval vessels and aircraft within the vicinity of the Multinational Maritime Exercise (MME) under Balikatan 2026, officials said. According to Capt. Paul Michael Hechenova, commanding officer of BRP Miguel Malvar, a number of foreign vessels were detected from the start of the maritime drills on April 24 until their conclusion. “During the duration of this activity, we detected, so far, four PL

MANILA, April 30 ------ The Philippine peso continued to weaken against the US dollar, falling to a new low of P61.567 at the end of Wednesday’s trading, according to the website of the Bankers Association of the Philippines. This fresh depreciation came just a day after the peso breached the psychological barrier of 61 to the dollar. The peso opened Wednesday’s trading at 61.20 to the dollar, and reached an intraday low of 61.67 to the dollar. Since the outbreak of the Midd