SINGAPORE, June 17 (Reuters) – Oil prices inched lower on Wednesday, extending the previous session’s declines as investors assessed the U.S.-Iran peace deal, though uncertainty over the full resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz limited further falls. Brent crude futures dipped 16 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.80 a barrel by 0340 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell 25 cents,…
Fitch Ratings has warned that a prolonged El Niño could heighten the risk of economic disruptions worldwide. “The formation of an El Niño weather phenomenon that is set to persist into early 2027 raises the risk of economic disruption in a range of sovereigns,” Fitch Ratings said. In a report, the credit rating agency said the environmental effects of El Niño could…
Frequent consumption of instant noodles has long carried negative health perceptions, yet global demand for the convenience food continues to surge. Originating in Japan in the 1950s as a post-war staple, instant noodles have evolved into a multi-billion-dollar global industry, widely consumed in homes, offices, and schools. Driven by inflation and the fast-paced lifestyles of working professionals and students, instant noodles—requiring little…
When Ariel Nepomuceno took over the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in July last year, he knew what he was walking into. The bureau had long carried a reputation for corruption so entrenched that even the mention of reform invited skepticism. His response was immediate—and deliberate. “‘Yung mga ayaw sumabay, tinanggal ko na kaagad,” Nepomuceno said in an interview on DZRH News program…
With the perceived ouster of career health officials, Malacañang now stands accused of putting institutional stability and expert leadership at risk for political convenience. The uproar follows the exit of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and other veteran DOH officials in what appears to be a politically motivated shake-up. About 55 professional medical groups signed a joint statement expressing concerns of what…
The Laguna Lake is fast deteriorating into the country’s “biggest septic tank,” Biñan City Rep. Walfredo “Arman” Dimaguila Jr. warned on Saturday, August 2. In an interview on DZRH News’ Special on Saturday, Rep. Dimaguila urged the Marcos Jr. administration to take urgent and science-based action to rehabilitate the vital water body affecting millions across Southern Luzon and Metro Manila. “Magkakaroon na…
The Iran war is showing why the Philippines can’t afford to neglect its farmers
A war thousands of kilometers away is beginning to ripple through something as basic as the Filipino dining table. The conflict involving Iran has pushed oil prices higher, disrupted key shipping routes, and strained global supply chains—especially for fertilizer, a critical input for food production. Farmers are already feeling the pressure. Fertilizer prices have surged by as much as 30% to 40%,…