Jay Hilotin

Senior Assistant Editor

Articles from the author

62 countries: Visa-free entry to Germany

Full list of visa-free entry to citizens of 62 countries in 2026: Yours included?

Travelers from 62 countries may visit Germany visa-free for short-term stays but must comply with the 90-day limit within any 180-day period.

War with US won't end in 'surrender': Ghalibaf

Washington pursues a dual-track strategy of military pressure and back-channel diplomacy

A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off from a base in the Middle East.

Day 5: Prosecutors build case against Sara Duterte

Senate wraps first week as prosecutors press case over alleged public threats

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte arrives before the start of the impeachment trial at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila on July 7, 2026.

China nails reusable rocket booster landing at sea

Long March 10B sea landing makes China third to master reusable orbital boosters

The the rocket booster descends vertically onto the offshore platform with engines firing, producing smoke/plume effects typical of a controlled landing (similar to SpaceX footage). The rocket was launched from Hainan, and state media/CASC confirmed the success. This marks a major milestone for China’s space program, making them the third entity (after SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Blue Origin’s New Glenn) to achieve orbital-class reusable booster recovery.

Sara Duterte impeachment trial on livestream

When every objection is content: The Sara Duterte case in the age of endless replay

National Bureau of Investigation senior agent John Mark Calilung (C) takes the oath as a witness during the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila on July 7, 2026.

Flood alert in Manila, hundreds evacuated in Taiwan

Warning of flooding risk in and around Manila raised, Taiwan prepares for strong winds

The location of Typhoon Inday (Bavi) as of 10.30am Friday (July 10, 2026).

Day 4: Threat evidence dominates Duterte impeach trial

Prosecutors press death-threat case as defence cries politics, 'weak proof'

Prosecution counsel Amando Ligutan (C) reacts as defence counsel Carlo Narvasa (L) questions witness John Mark Calilung (R), a National Bureau of Investigation senior agent, during proceedings of the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte (not pictured), at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City, Metro Manila on July 8, 2026.

Oil rises as Middle East tensions return

Geopolitical risk lifts crude, but Fed expects supply resilience to cap prices

The modest gains in oil prices came after another volatile week for energy markets as reports of fresh explosions in Iran, renewed US military operations and Iranian missile attacks revived concerns over potential disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints.

iPhone maker Foxconn to anchor Philippine tech city

Foxconn eyes major role in Philippines’ ambitious AI and semiconductor hub

Hon Hai, also known as Foxconn, is the world’s largest manufacturer of iPhones and other electronics for brands from HP to Sony.

Israel vows stronger military action against Iran

Gulf bloc urges immediate steps to safeguard international shipping and energy supplies

This screen grab taken from video footage shared by the US Military Central Command on social media platform X and made available via AFPTV on July 9, 2026 shows a fresh round of strikes against Iran.

Did Iran overplay its strategic leverage in Hormuz?

Strikes on civilian vessels erode Tehran’s power to weaponise Hormuz uncertainty

Iran has launched missiles and drones on targets in the Gulf, amid the latest escalation in its conflict with the United States. The missile and drone launches come amid renewed military exchanges following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire, further raising tensions across the Middle East and fueling concerns over regional security, global energy supplies and commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Ship traffic through Hormuz plunges on renewed war

Renewed US-Iran clashes choke vital oil corridor, spooking global shippers

Ship trackers have reported a plunge in transits through the Hormuz Strait on Thursday and into Friday after the US-Iran war has reignited. Photo shows a cargo ship off coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal on June 28, 2026.

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