On Feb. 28, 2026, the United States (US) and Israel launched a surprise attack on multiple cities across Iran. Within days, oil prices surged from around $70 a barrel to well over $100. Like many others, I was stunned to see diesel prices at the gas station spike above ₱100 per liter—and...
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A likely strike by the United States hit the central Iranian city of Isfahan early Tuesday, sending a massive fireball into the sky, and Tehran struck a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. The attacks were testament to the intensity of the...
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro will seek talks with Iran 's top diplomat in Manila to ensure safe passage of tankers bringing oil bound for the Philippines as the country races against time to secure enough fuel before looming global shortage. Presidential...
MADRID (AP) — Spain closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in the Iran war, officials said Monday, in another step by Europe’s loudest critic of U.S. and Israeli military actions in the monthlong conflict. The country earlier said that the U.S. couldn 't use jointly operated military...
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump openly mused about seizing Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal in the Persian Gulf and the United States and Israel kept up their attacks Monday on the Islamic Republic, even as there were signs of progress in nascent ceasefire talks....
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan announced Sunday that it will soon host talks between the U.S. and Iran, though there was no immediate word from Washington or Tehran, and it was unclear whether discussions on the monthlong war would be direct or indirect. "Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the...
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have driven up prices, darkened the outlook for the world economy, sent global stock markets reeling and forced developing countries to ration fuel and subsidize energy costs to protect their poorest. Ongoing strikes and counterstrikes on...
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian-backed Houthi rebels entered the month-long war in the Middle East on Saturday, claiming two missile launches at Israel. About 2,500 U.S. Marines arrived in the region. And Pakistan 's government said regional powers plan to meet Sunday to discuss...
The peso tumbled to a fresh record low on Friday, March 27, breaching the 60.5-level as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified and the central bank signaled it sees no immediate need to defend the currency. The peso weakened to ₱60.55 per dollar, surpassing the previous historic low...
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Farmers around the world are feeling the squeeze of the Iran war. Gas prices have shot up and fertilizer supplies are waning due to Tehran 's near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli bombing. The fertilizer shortage is putting the...
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Iran appears to be setting itself up as the gatekeeper for the Strait of Hormuz, the world 's most important artery for oil shipments. The move could cement Tehran 's de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its own oil...
With tough times ahead, austerity is the new buzzword. Yes, Virginia, we are in belt-tightening mode. The legs of inflation have walked their way into every aspect of basic services, with no apparent de-escalation of hostilities on the horizon. As an emerging economy, the Philippines is believed to...
