Philippine News

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 6 ------ Iran launched a new wave of attacks at Israeli and American bases and threatened that the United States would “bitterly regret” torpedoing an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, and a religious leader called for “Trump's blood,” while Israel said it had begun a “large-scale” attack on Tehran. Israel announced multiple incoming missile attacks, and air sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Iranian state television said additiona

PARIS, March 6 ------ Fewer commercial flights were cancelled in the Middle East despite continued military strikes, with more than 100 flights taking off from the United Arab Emirates, according to a specialist data firm. The United States and Israel launched a campaign of air strikes against Iran on Saturday, killing its supreme leader and sparking retaliatory attacks by Tehran across the Gulf, with airports also targeted. Airports in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are

March 6 ------ Ukraine and Russia began a major prisoner-of-war exchange, with 200 Ukrainian servicemen returning home as part of a planned 500-for-500 swap between the two sides. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the return of the Ukrainian prisoners in a social media post, saying their release brought relief to hundreds of families. “Today, 200 Ukrainian families received the message they had been waiting for most: their loved ones are returning home,” Zelensky wrote.

KYIV, March 6 ------ A new round of United States-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv planned for this week has been postponed because of escalating war in the Middle East, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said. This comes as the United States and its allies in the Middle East seek Kyiv’s expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, of which Zelensky said, Russia has fired tens of thousands at Ukraine since Moscow’s invasion began in February 2022. Tehran has respon

March 5 ------ Amid escalating tensions and a deteriorating maritime security environment in the Middle East, the Joint War Committee has expanded its Listed Areas to include five additional Gulf states and revised key regional boundaries. The ongoing U.S., Israel and Iran conflict marks a significant escalation of long-standing tensions, creating a highly volatile and fluid maritime security environment. Vessels operating in the region face a range of evolving threats, and s

March 5 ------ Shipowners and managers, and ultimately ship masters, have the ultimate responsibility for assessing risk to their vessels and their cargoes. Governments may be keen to persuade operators that the coast is clear, in support of attaining political objectives, but captains always need to be the final arbiter, not the least because lives are at risk. Hence the behavior of tankers, in particular those with freedom of movement outside the Gulf, gives an indication o

March 5 ------ Oil prices rose 3% on Wednesday as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupted Middle East supplies, but the pace of gains slowed from past sessions after President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. Navy could escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent LCOc1 rose $2.67, or 3.3%, to $84.07 a barrel by 0659 GMT, after closing on Tuesday at its highest since January 2025. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 rose $2.24, or 3%, to $76.8, after settling at its h

March 5 ------ A small feeder containership, Safeen Prestige, became the fourth vessel targeted by the Iranians in and around the Straits of Hormuz over the past 24 hours. The Royal Navy of Oman reports it evacuated the crew from the vessel and that they were safe and receiving medical attention. The 23,425-dwt vessel has been owned since 2022 by Safeen Feeders, a part of the AD Ports Group. With a capacity of 1,740 TEU, it operates a regional feeder service and was traveling

March 5 ------ The Cleveland Cavaliers shrugged off to the injury absence of star point guard Donovan Mitchell to score a 113-109 upset of the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. Jaylon Tyson scored 22 points while James Harden and Evan Mobley finished with 18 points apiece to give the Cavs an impressive victory before their home fans. A hard-fought encounter saw Cleveland take the lead early in the second quarter, and dogged defense combined with consistent defense k

MANILA, Philippines, March 5 ------ Alex Eala is also set to see action in the Indian Wells doubles tournament as she reunites with former partner Iva Jovic. Eala and Jovic will face Hailey Baptiste and Jelena Ostapenko on Friday in the round of 32. The Filipino tennis ace teamed up with Jovic in the ASB Classic, where they reached the semifinal before falling to Chinese Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan, 7-5, 6-3. Eala will play her third straight WTA1000 tournament. She faces the

MANILA, March 5 ------ Spikers' Turf breezed past VNS Always Bright Laticrete, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22, to stay unbeaten in the 2026 Spikers' Turf Open Conference at the Filoil Center in San Juan. The Spin Doctors needed just an hour and 14 minutes to improve to 3-0 in the tournament. "Happy ako kasi so far nasa 85 percent na kami. Nandoon na kami – talagang nag-a-adapt na kami sa system namin," Savouge coach Sydney Calderon said. "Sabi ko nga sa kanila, compared to our last seas

MANILA, March 5 ------ Mikey Williams is making his return to the PBA after nearly three years away from the league. The Converge FiberXers confirmed on their official social media pages that the two-time PBA champion is joining the team. The announcement comes one week ahead of the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup, which tips off on March 11. "The wait is over! Mikey Williams is now a FiberXer. Welcome to #PurpleNation!" the post on Facebook read. The 34-year-old likewise posted on

March 5 ------ Ashtine Olviga is aware of the pressure of being entrusted to lead her own anthology series — with four different characters at that — but she’s taking things one step at a time, choosing not to give in to the pressure. Olviga is the first actress to lead the four-part anthology series “Viva One Originals: Ashtine Olviga,” covering four different genres. The episodes include “Who’s The Boss?”, “My Melody,” “Balik-Eskwela,” and “Bahay-bahayan,” ranging from come

March 5 ------ “VISA” — SB19’s latest single — reached another milestone as it entered the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart at No. 6, weeks after its release. P-pop powerhouse’s newest single entered the sixth spot on the World Digital Song Sales chart dated March 7, making them the Filipino artist with the most singles that entered the Billboard-owned chart. Other songs that entered the chart are “Gento,” “DAM,” “DUNGKA!”, “Burn the Flame” and “Umaaligid,” the latter

March 5 ------ Whenever Belle Mariano appears onscreen and onstage, she emits an effortlessly bright aura. She has a unique gift for making people smile, as reflected in “Like U,” her newest album, which she hopes will make people feel loved. “We want to focus on the relatability of the album. We wanted people who listened to it to relate and take inspiration,” she said on how she wants the record to be remembered. “Love is a universal language, and we want them to feel kilig

March 5 ------ OPM ‘rockestra’ band Silent Sanctuary is set to reach a new international milestone as the group performs a three-date tour in Japan from March 27 to 29, followed by a Singapore show on April 5 at Timbre+ One North. Originally planned as a single concert, the Japan run expanded to three performances after strong fan demand, with all shows now officially sold out. “This is our first time in Japan. Supposed to be one show only, but because of the fans, they opene

MANILA, March 5 ------ A total of 299 Filipinos affected by the escalating tensions in the Middle East safely returned home, the Department of Migrant Workers said. The DMW said the group included some individuals who were “returning to the Philippines for their safety and security as advised by their employers,” while others were “OFWs who finished their contract, and some are returning home for good and personal reasons.” The group arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay Ci

MANILA, Philippines, March 5 ------ The Philippines’ outstanding debt swelled to a record P18.13 trillion at the end of January, as authorities accelerated debt issuance ahead of global market volatility that threatens to drive borrowing costs higher. Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the national debt was 11.2 percent higher than the P16.31 trillion recorded in end-January 2025. Month-on-month, the sovereign fund inched up by 2.4 percent, beating the r

MANILA, Philippines, March 5 ------ The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for restraint and immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, triggered by US and Israeli military strikes on Iran which retaliated hitting targets across the region. In a statement, the ASEAN foreign ministers expressed serious concern over the escalation of conflict in the Middle East as coordinated US and Israeli strikes against Iran aimed at regime change continue. Ira

MANILA, Philippines, March 5 ------ The Department of Foreign Affairs, defended its deal with China over resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, stating for the record that it does not require the Philippines to seek permission for missions and does not allow Chinese boarding of Philippine vessels. This was a direct response to recent criticism from legal scholars and lawmakers who have questioned whether the 2024 agreement — which was never publicized — undermines the Philippine