TOKYO (Jiji Press) -- The Japanese government plans to diversify its crude oil suppliers beyond the Middle East amid ongoing instability in the region, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Wednesday. Takaichi unveiled comprehensive measures to strengthen the country 's energy security and...
The Philippine economy is headed for a “slow and bumpy” recovery, with growth likely to fall below the government’s target this year after the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal and the war in the Middle East dragged economic expansion to a post-pandemic low, according to...
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) Chairman Alejandro Tengco has pointed to e-wallet delinking and the Middle East oil crisis as reasons for its reduced revenue in 2025. In a budget briefing held Monday, Aug. 24 on the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) by the House Committee...
The Philippine economy could weaken further in 2026 as the prolonged war in the Middle East, governance concerns, and El Niño threaten growth while elevated inflation and borrowing costs cloud the outlook, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) warned. “The country’s...
Iran 's president defended a memorandum of understanding with the United States as the best way out of a stalled war. Meanwhile, the new head of the Islamic Republic 's top security body warned, in a more forceful tone, of retaliation if neighboring countries support U.S. threats to...
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday the U.S. has no talks planned with Iran but insisted the Strait of Hormuz remains "open and operating," despite limited traffic and a reported strike on a ship exiting the waterway. Earlier this week, Trump also threatened to bomb Oman as the country sought...
The Philippines recorded the second-largest increase in 10-year government bond yields among selected Asia-Pacific economies since the war in the Middle East began, raising the government’s borrowing costs at a time when the Marcos Jr. administration is relying heavily on domestic debt to finance...
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) swung to a net loss in the first half of the year as escalation in Middle East geopolitical conflict pushed jet fuel expenses sharply higher, overwhelming steady top-line growth and disciplined non-fuel spending. PAL’s parent firm PAL Holdings Inc. reported...
The Philippine economy faces an uphill battle in the second half of 2026 after posting its weakest post-pandemic growth, with private sector economists warning that faster infrastructure spending, easing inflation, and stronger investor confidence will determine whether the country can meet the...
The net income of Social Security System (SSS), the state-run pension fund for private-sector workers, fell by 28 percent to ₱48 billion in the first half of 2026 as expenses, especially benefit payouts to pensioners, continued to rise faster than its income. SSS’ latest condensed statement of...
Malacañang said that the P12-per-liter fuel discount for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers will continue as long as the transport sector needs government assistance amid the impact of higher fuel prices. In a press briefing on Thursday, Aug. 6, Presidential Communications Office (PCO)...
Eight fencers from the University of the East juniors squad take a huge test as they face tough competition in the Taiwan leg of the Asian Cadet Cup (ACC) fencing championship set July 31 to Aug. 2 in Taipei City. Leading the charge for the Red Warriors are three Grade 10 student athletes that won...
