(Photo: Anadolu) TEHRAN – Iran said Thursday that its forces struck a Togo-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz after accusing the vessel of attempting what it described as an illegal passage through the strategic waterway. In a statement carried by state-run IRNA, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said the tanker Trend was…
Domestic fuel prices could increase sharply next week as escalating tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global oil supply routes. Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said Friday that diesel prices are projected to rise by Php 10 to Php 10.50 per liter, while gasoline may increase by Php 4.50 to Php 5 per…
Total assets of the Philippine banking system grew by more than 10 percent year on year in July, reflecting the sector’s continued expansion despite domestic and external uncertainties. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed banking system assets reached Php 30.71 trillion in July, up from Php 27.74 trillion in the same month last…
(Photo: Anadolu) BRUSSELS – The European Union will disburse another €3.3 billion to Ukraine for defense needs, including missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Von der Leyen said the payment forms part of the EU’s broader Ukraine Support Loan, which provides financing…
(Photo: Anadolu) UNITED NATIONS – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Thursday that hate speech is increasingly exploiting digital platforms, algorithms and artificial intelligence, allowing harmful rhetoric to spread rapidly across societies. Speaking at a UN event on intercultural dialogue and countering hate speech, Guterres said hateful rhetoric is eroding trust, dividing communities and dehumanizing groups…
(Photo from Lanao del Sur PPO) MARAWI CITY – Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office director Col. Caezar Cabuhat on Thursday commended more than 1,000 police augmentation personnel for helping maintain peace and order during the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. During a send-off and recognition ceremony in Marawi City, Cabuhat thanked the deployed personnel…
(Photo courtesy of PCG) The Philippine Coast Guard has revised the number of people confirmed onboard the ill-fated MV June Aster to 128 after verifying that four passengers listed in the ticket manifest never boarded the vessel. PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the four passengers were located and physically verified on Sept. 16 after…
(Photo: Anadolu) KYIV – A Russian drone struck a Tanzanian-flagged civilian vessel in the Black Sea while it was heading to a Ukrainian port, killing the captain and injuring three crew members, Ukrainian authorities said Thursday. Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry said the condition of the vessel was still being assessed and did not identify the port…
The Department of Justice said Thursday that Sen. Robinhood Padilla could be deemed to have waived his right to present a defense if he fails to appear at the preliminary investigation into an obstruction of justice complaint against him. Justice Undersecretary Ian Dato said the case may then be resolved based on the evidence on…
(Photo courtesy of PCG) All passengers and crew of a roll-on/roll-off passenger vessel that ran aground off Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, were safely evacuated, the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday. PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said MV RoRo Master 5 was traveling from Batangas to Abra de Ilog when it ran aground about 30…