The head of the International Energy Agency warns that oil disruptions will double this month, affecting Europe, while the UK government continues contingency planning for the economic fallout from the Middle East crisis. Germany's economic growth forecast has been cut from 1.3% to 0.6% due to the Iran war, the Czech National Bank discusses mitigating impacts, and Romania and the Netherlands see a surge in electric and hybrid car registrations due to rising fuel prices.
The Philippine government has set a P50 per kilo price ceiling for imported rice and is taking measures to protect consumers, as soaring fuel costs from the Middle East conflict are causing commodity price increases and impacting local livelihoods, with oil companies announcing significant price hikes for diesel and gasoline.
The Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) in Manila, Philippines, will provide free rides to all Filipino veterans from April 6-11, 2026, in line with a presidential proclamation.
At least 35 gasoline stations across the Bicol region in the Philippines were temporarily closed as of Wednesday, March 31, due to various issues, according to data from the Police Regional Office.
Two police officers in Bataan, Philippines, have been arrested for their failure to recapture two carnapping suspects who escaped custody, as reported by the Police Regional Office Central Luzon.
The Department of Justice has charged ten individuals in connection with a massive cryptocurrency wash trading scheme that allegedly used bots to fake demand and inflate prices.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaged in China-brokered discussions in Urumqi aimed at resolving a months-long conflict, with Pakistan emphasizing its core demand for decisive action against terrorist outfits.
U.S. retail sales bounced back in February after a brief weak spell, suggesting the economy continues to expand at a decent pace despite a turbulent start to the new year.
Greece's Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Pierrakakis, highlighted the MSCI upgrade of the Greek capital market as strong international recognition of the country's progress, signifying Greece's return to the core of developed economies in both government bonds and capital markets. This move, confirmed by Morgan Stanley, is seen as a milestone in the nation's economic recovery.
Stock markets, including the Euro-Stoxx-50, ATX, Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures, experienced a significant surge, driven by optimism surrounding de-escalation talks in the Iran conflict. This rally helped close out the first quarter with strong gains, particularly benefiting banking, airline, and mining sectors, while oil and gas prices fell.
Thirty-eight families affected by the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Extension project in the Philippines have been relocated to San Pedro, Laguna.
La Mesa Ecopark in the Philippines, in partnership with youth organizations and local officials, celebrated the International Day of Forests, focusing on youth involvement in environmental initiatives.
A 29-year-old massage therapist was arrested in Parañaque, Philippines, for allegedly attempting to secretly video-record a female client undressing inside a mall spa.
Fuel prices continue to rise globally, with petrol and diesel spiking again in Ireland, prompting the EU to consider interventions and consumer services to add fuel surcharges, while stopgap measures prove insufficient to halt rising gas prices as the world scrambles for more oil, impacting summer travel.
European capitals, including France, Italy, and Spain, are adopting differing approaches regarding US aircraft access amid the Middle East conflict. France's refusal to allow US military overflights for Israel has drawn criticism from Donald Trump and led to Israel ending French arms imports, sparking debate within France.
South Asia is facing a severe energy crisis, marked by power outages, four-day work weeks, and rapidly rising food prices, all exacerbated by the Middle East War. This comes as India's power sector continues to pursue self-reliance through increased coal production and green energy diversification in response to oil supply disruptions.
A government's measure to curb fuel prices is being criticized as mere political theater, with critics arguing it's a cautious intervention primarily for political appeasement.
The Philippines has seen a decline in maternal mortality rates, but progress remains fragile and uneven, falling short of the Sustainable Development Goal targets, particularly for newborns and young children.
A 40-year-old passenger endured a 12-hour wait at a terminal in Quezon City, Philippines, filled with excitement to finally reunite with her children in the province after a year apart.
The 'Iran war' is causing a fossil fuel shock in the UK, impacting food prices, fuel costs, and interest rates, with warnings that it could lead to higher energy prices and increased mortgage costs for homeowners. UK borrowers coming off five-year fixed-rate mortgages are particularly affected, facing an average increase of £395 per month, necessitating rapid adaptation of the country's energy system.
