North Korea and Belarus's strongmen leaders signed a "friendship and cooperation" treaty on Thursday after Kim Jong Un gave a lavish welcome to President Alexander Lukashenko on his maiden visit. North Korea's state news agency confirmed in a report on Friday the leaders had signed the treaty. Russia and North Korea signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2024 that obliges either side to provide "military and other assistance" should the other be attacked. Analysts say North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies from Russia, helping Pyongyang reduce its reliance on its long-time backer China. Trade between the two countries is "modest", but areas for growth include Belarus exporting pharmaceutical products and food to North Korea, Ryzhenkov said.

More than half of Filipinos suffer housing-related woes — reportMANILA, Philippines — At least half of Filipinos have expressed difficulty in housing in 2025, according to a report. In the 2023 Urban Land Institute Asia Pacific Home Attainability Index, the Philippines' ratio to median monthly rent to medium monthly income is the highest in Asia. Home prices in the Philippines cost between 16 to 25 times the annual household income. Meanwhile, the median monthly rent is over US$1,000, which is 166% of the median monthly household income. Data from the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department found that in 2022, the average Filipino household made an average monthly income of P15,820.

Emotional intelligence at workHave you ever worked for a boss who is highly emotional and high-strung all the time? Different roles may require different emotional intelligence skills, but the core habits – like managing the quiet pause before reacting – are universally beneficial. They don’t bottle up emotionsPeople with emotional intelligence show their true feelings rather than pretending to be okay when they actually feel bad. They don’t avoid difficult conversationsPeople with emotional intelligence recognize that hard conversations serve an essential purpose. Here’s the secret superpower of emotional intelligence: restraint.

Balance Project, LTSA boost gymnasticsSabina Estelle Tayag of The Balance Project and Alex Tolentino of LTSA (center) join the young gymnasts from Laoag City. MANILA, Philippines — The Balance Project PHI successfully held its inaugural camp last March 20 to 22 at LTSA Makati, marking the beginning of a youth-driven initiative aimed at supporting grassroots sports development in the Philippines. The project was conceptualized by 15-year-old Sabina Estelle Tayag, a Grade 10 student from Brent International School Manila and a high-performance gymnast. “I am part of the LTSA Future Internationals Program, or FIP,” said Tayag. “We’ve always helped out in outreach programs under the LTSA LGU Assistance Program.”The first official camp of The Balance Project PHI brought in 13 artistic gymnasts from Laoag City, all preparing for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa.

Sabalenka, Sinner see ‘Sunshine’Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her win against Naomi Osaka of Japan during Day 7 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 10, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka subdued second-ranked rival Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday to book a Miami Open title clash with American Coco Gauff. Sabalenka, who fell to Rybakina in the Australian Open final before turning the tables on the Kazakh in the Indian Wells title match this month, broke the big-serving Rybakina twice in each set to come out on top and keep her bid for the “Sunshine Double” of Indian Wells and Miami on track. 2 Jannik Sinner, who like Sabalenka lifted his first Indian Wells title two weeks ago, also advanced, dominating American Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 6-2 to reach the men’s semifinals. Four-time Grand Slam champion Sinner needed just 71 minutes to dispatch Tiafoe and set up a semifinal meeting with fourth-ranked German Alexander Zverev – who swept past 19th-ranked Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 6-2 in just 65 minutes.

Defunding higher education developmentThe House of Representatives recently passed, on second reading, a bill to abolish the travel tax paid by departing passengers. CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis said that removing the travel tax would significantly reduce the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), which she says supports scholarships, research, institutional development and tourism education programs, benefiting 5.4 million students across 1,906 higher education institutions. The need to secure continuing funding for higher education was heavily debated during discussions on the Higher Education Act of 1994 (RA 7722). Higher education has historically been neglected and underfunded by the national government, which prioritized basic education. In what universe are all these covered under the “strengthening of higher education in the entire country” provision of RA 7722?

Senators: Hold abusive oil companies accountableA gasoline station in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan announces that it has run out of diesel March 8, 2026. He said the Philippine Competition Commission must monitor oil companies for possible anti-competitive behavior and abuse. Oil firms, including Shell, Petron and Chevron, told senators that supply remains tight, with inventory expected to last only until May. Price freeze urgedSen. Bam Aquino urged the government to declare a price freeze on basic commodities and essential goods to shield the public from the inflationary impact of rising oil prices. “We need immediate action, and my suggestion is to implement a price freeze for the many Filipinos who are already struggling.

Lawmakers hit petition before SC on VP impeachmentMANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers yesterday slammed the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte over the filing of a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to halt the impeachment proceedings. Now, there is a hearing, they are again questioning the hearing,” Luistro said. Despite political tensions surrounding the impeachment, Luistro said the focus should remain on accountability and transparency. De Lima: VP desperateVice President Duterte ran again to the SC because she is “desperate to evade” accountability, House senior minority leader Leila de Lima said yesterday. Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said he is not surprised that Duterte’s lawyers again ran to the SC.

President Marcos: ‘Very bare-bones’ Asean summit to push throughMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will push through with its hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, President Marcos said yesterday, amid calls from some quarters to postpone it to free up public funds to support vulnerable sectors heavily impacted by the skyrocketing fuel prices sparked by the Middle East conflict. We will push through with the ASEAN Summit, but the way that we described it is that we have – it is a bare bones ASEAN Summit,” the Chief Executive said. The 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit will take place on May 8 to 9 in Cebu, bringing together leaders from the 11 ASEAN member-states. The 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, meanwhile, is scheduled from Nov. 10 to 12 in Manila, at the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center that will also be attended by leaders from ASEAN’s dialogue partners. The 2026 hosting will mark the country’s fourth time to host the ASEAN Summit.

CBCP: Oil crisis may affect Visita IglesiaMANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) acknowledged that the oil crisis may affect the observance of the Visita Iglesia or church visits during Holy Week, in the face of the continuing surge in the prices of petroleum products. We are worried that the Filipinos are really affected by the rising prices of oil. If people want to save, it’s understandable,” CBCP Episcopal Commission of Public Affairs executive secretary Fr. The Visita Iglesia is a Philippine Catholic tradition during Holy Week, specifically on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, involving the visitation of seven churches. The CBCP has also renewed nationwide divine mercy consecration amid ongoing national and global crises.

PNPA grads told: Zero tolerance for corruption, rights abusesGraduates of the Philippine National Police Academy celebrate during their 47th commencement exercises in Silang, Cavite yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday reminded this year’s graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to have zero tolerance for corruption and human rights abuses, and to ensure the safety of communities and stability of the country amid ongoing international conflicts. Despite a promising career in science, Cagasan enrolled in the PNPA to become a police officer. Zero toleranceMarcos stressed that corruption and human rights violations have no place in the police service, warning that misconduct erodes the foundation of public safety. Marcos directed the PNP, together with the National Police Commission, to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and human rights abuses.

Iran has declared that ships from China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, and Bangladesh can safely navigate the Strait of Hormuz, which remains closed to enemy nations, while its parliament is reportedly drafting legislation to impose a US$2 million "transit fee" on vessels passing through the strategic waterway. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTForeign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a state media interview that the US had forced Iran to demonstrate its control over the strait. With the area now considered a war zone, he said Iran has no reason to allow enemy vessels passage. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Iran's parliament is drafting a bill to formalize a US$2 million transit fee for vessels seeking safe passage. Sources said the legislation, expected to be completed next week, aims to legally establish Iran's authority over the strait.

The oil shock could be worse than CovidThere is a dangerous tendency in government – and, frankly, in the public – to assume that every crisis can be managed the way we managed Covid-19. The oil market does not care about any of that. Public transport becomes erratic. A prolonged fuel shock will not remain confined to gas stations. In an oil shock, many countries will discover they are passengers.

SC asked: Stop House ‘fishing expedition’ on VP SaraVice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 to announce her presidential bid in the upcoming 2028 elections. Torreon’s petition included lawyers Martin Delgra III, Jimmy Bondoc and Vic Rodriguez, who used to be President Marcos’ executive secretary. Threshold review is not a license for a fishing expedition,” they emphasized. Torreon explained, “The House of Representatives violated its own rules. That story was quickly debunked by (Department of the Interior and Local Government) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who confirmed that VP Sara visited Teves, not Madriaga,” he said.

PAL suspends flights to RiyadhMANILA, Philippines — In the face of continued tensions in the Middle East, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has suspended flights between Manila and Riyadh until March 31. The country’s biggest carriers Cebu Pacific and PAL are also cutting Cebu flights to save fuel. PAL is also terminating Cebu flights to Ho Chi Minh indefinitely starting April 19. Further, Vietnam Airlines is suspending scheduled flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh on May 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26 and 27. DMW said about 2,663 individuals have been assisted in their repatriation since the Middle East conflict, 1,913 of whom are OFWs (1,448) and their dependents (465).