Liam Demafelix
Reporting from the TSR newsroom.
U.S. imposes new 12.5% tariff on Philippine exports
The United States has imposed new tariffs of 12.5% on Philippine exports, citing the country’s alleged failure to adopt sufficient safeguards against goods produced using forced labor. The decision, announced Friday (Manila time) by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, followed an…
Car sales weakened by 11.4% in six month due to high fuel prices: CAMPI
Vehicle sales in the Philippines declined by 11.4% year-on-year to 204,557 units, weighed down by high fuel costs linked to the Middle East crisis. Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers Association showed that sales in June alone fell…
Oil prices reach above $100 as Houthi attacks intensify Middle East supply risks
NEW YORK, July 23 (Reuters) – Oil prices settled above $100 on Thursday for the first time since May after Yemen’s Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, causing further global supply disruptions following a near-halt in trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent futures…
Air conditioning: Is it a necessity, a luxury or an ecological threat?
As extreme heatwaves scorch different parts of the world, people are increasingly turning to cooling systems such as air conditioning. But the debate over whether air conditioning is a necessity, a luxury, or an ecological threat remains unresolved. A commentary by Chelsea Follett for the Cato…
Taiwan to slow mobile internet in civil defence drills as China threat grows
Taiwan will deliberately slow mobile internet speeds for the first time during annual civil defence drills in August, testing how citizens would communicate if bandwidth became scarce in emergencies ranging from disasters to a Chinese invasion. During the 30-minute slowdown, high-bandwidth…
Seven nights worth of sleep lost annually due to climate change, study shows
Rising nighttime temperatures driven by climate change are quietly robbing people of sleep worldwide, a new study has found. The analysis, conducted by Climate Central, showed that hotter nights cause the average person to lose nearly 56 hours of sleep per year between 2020 and 2025. Examining…
Oil prices rise to six-week high as US-Iran tensions escalate
Oil prices rose more than 1.5% to their highest in more than six weeks on Thursday, with the United States launching a new round of strikes on Iran and Yemen’s Houthis targeting oil tankers in the Red Sea. Brent crude futures rose $1.93, or 2% to $96 by 0011 GMT, the highest since June 8. It had…
French parliament backs social media ban for children under 15
French lawmakers approved on Tuesday a ban on social media access for children under the age of 15, as concerns grow around the world over the impact social media have on the health and safety of minors. France becomes the first in Europe to follow Australia, where the world’s first ban for…
Japan sizzles in first ‘brutally hot’ days of the year
TOKYO, July 22 (Reuters) – Japan sizzled under sweltering, life-threatening heat on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some cities in what the government has newly designated as a “brutally hot day.” The weather agency issued heat stroke…
The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why do incompetent people think they’re the best?
A landmark 1999 psychological study explains why some people who perform poorly tend to overestimate their abilities. The research, conducted by Justin Kruger and David Dunning of Cornell University, found that individuals with low performance in tasks such as humor, grammar, and logical reasoning…
Louvre heist gallery to reopen to public on Wednesday
Paris (France) (AFP) – The Apollo Gallery of Paris’s Louvre Museum, where French crown jewels worth 88 million euros were stolen in 2025 in a brazen heist, will reopen to the public on Wednesday. But no jewels will be on display and it will revert to its 17th century function as a state gallery…
Phones stealing mornings and bedtime is a threat to human attention, psychologist says
For millions of adults worldwide, the day begins with reaching for a smartphone—and often ends the same way before falling asleep. This growing phenomenon, in which people start and end their day with a phone in hand, is eroding focus, attention, and overall well-being, social psychologist…
Brent oil tops $90 as US, Iran intensify attacks in Middle East
SINGAPORE, July 20 (Reuters) – Oil prices jumped 3% on Monday, with Brent surpassing $90 a barrel, as the United States and Iran expanded attacks in the Middle East that have curbed energy shipments in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures climbed $2.69, or 3.05%, to $90.79 by 2343 GMT…
DA says ube may help manage diabetes, offers morehealth benefits
Ube, or purple yam, is more than just a popular Philippine crop known for its sweet, nutty flavor—it also offers a range of health benefits. Agriculture Undersecretary Asis Perez said ube’s low glycemic index makes it a suitable food option for people with diabetes. Speaking to DZRH News’…
Spain wins second FIFA World Cup in history, dethroning Argentina
EAST RUTHERFORD, United States – Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game on Sunday as Spain beat 10-man Argentina 1-0 after extra-time to win their second World Cup. The European champions dominated the match at the MetLife Stadium but struggled to find a breakthrough against the streetwise…