Thousands of Philippine jeepney drivers protest as rising fuel prices drive up costs
The Straits Times
Local diesel prices more than doubled after global oil prices surged because of the Iran war. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MANILA – The ripple effects of the war in the Middle East are hitting home hard for Philippine jeepney driver Toni Prado, whose daily earnings have been gutted by soaring fuel prices.
He was one of thousands of jeepney drivers who took to the streets across the country on March 19 to protest against a more-than-doubling of local diesel prices after global oil prices surged because of the US-Israel war on Iran.
“We are losing our income. What we earn just goes to paying for diesel,” said Mr Prado.
“Before I could earn at least 1,000 pesos (S$21) for three trips, now I only take home 200 pesos,” said the father of four.
“How can I support my children? How can I send my daughter to school? How do I pay for electricity, water, and food?”
The Philippines relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil, and the surge in fuel prices is threatening to stoke inflation in the consumption-driven economy.
Asia-bound travelers bypass Gulf hubs due to Iran conflict, boosting Singapore Airlines and other Asian carriers. Read more at straitstimes.com.
COPENHAGEN, March 19 - A Russian fighter jet violated neighbouring Estonia's airspace on Wednesday, triggering a response from NATO's Baltic Air Policing, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. Read more at straitstimes.com.
For years Washington had pressed China to arrest sellers of chemicals used to make the deadly drug. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The suspect's five-year-old brother was found dead in a home Denver, Colorado, on March 11. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The French government said in February it will wage "year of resistance" against Shein. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Clean water is a privilege in the country of 1.4 billion people. Read more at straitstimes.com.
LJUBLJANA, March 19 - Slovenia holds a parliamentary election on Sunday in which liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob will face off against pro-Donald Trump populist Janez Jansa after a combative campaign marred by accusations of foreign meddling and government graft. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MOSCOW, March 19 - The Kremlin on Thursday condemned what it called an intensification of Ukrainian attacks on Gazprom gas compressor stations serving two major pipelines, saying such incidents threatened critical infrastructure and international energy routes. Read more at straitstimes.com.
35 per cent of those tested contained substances at levels up to 200 times over the safety standard. Read more at straitstimes.com.
A Mandalay People’s Defence Force spokesman suggested the event was propaganda. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Two people have died since the epidemic came to light at the weekend. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MORONI, March 19 - At least eight bodies have been recovered from a boat carrying African migrants that was found on the coast of Comoros, officials on the Indian Ocean archipelago nation said on Thursday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Entry will be restricted to designated pathways, while ID and bag checks may be conducted. Read more at straitstimes.com.