Philippine News

MANILA, January 5 ------ The US Navy said it rescued three Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea on New Year’s Day. The crew of the USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) spotted the Filipinos’ distressed fishing vessel and launched a rigid-hulled inflatable boat to recover the fishermen around 12:45 p.m. on January 1. The three individuals were brought aboard Cesar Chavez, evaluated by the ship’s medical staff, and were found to be in good health. The group said their vessel’s eng

MANILA, January 5 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines is gearing up for this year’s anticipated activities in the pipeline as it ends a “very fruitful” 2025. AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said they will continue their prioritization in multifaceted modernization as they confront modern challenges. “Tinututukan natin pa rin ‘yung modernization natin. So with that, we have a focus on maritime, aerial assets and cybersecurity and of course, disaster

MANILA, Philippines, January 5 ------ The local stock market opened the first trading day of the year on a strong footing, climbing its way back above the 6,100 level as investors went on a buying spree. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index surged by 1.36 percent, or 82.14 points, to finish yesterday’s session at 6,135.06. The broader All Shares index also posted significant gains, rising by 1.26 percent or 43.81 points to 3,517.05. Luis Limlingan of Regina Capital s

MANILA, January 5 ------ The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday it is closely monitoring the situation and welfare of an estimated 800 Filipinos in Iran following recent protests in the host country. "There are no Filipinos reported to be affected," the DFA said in a statement. "Members of the Filipino community are advised to avoid unnecessary movements, especially into crowded areas." Foreign affairs officials have urged Filipinos in Tehran and other affected a

January 5 ------ Egypt is hoping to enhance the navigational safety of the busy Suez Canal after securing a $22 million grant to finance the construction of a dual-fuel diving support vessel (DSV). As more shipping lines make a return to the waterway owing to the gradual return of stability in the Red Sea region, the country said it has secured the grant from the Japanese government for the vessel, which will join the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) fleet. The grant was provided t

January 5 ------ Finland has unleashed a gamut of inspections and is searching for multiple violations aboard the cargo ship Fitburg, which was detained on Wednesday, December 31, over a suspicion of damaging undersea cables. The authorities are saying it is still in the early stages of the investigation, but they have arrested and detained crewmembers and are reporting the vessel’s cargo is suspected of violating European Union sanctions. The Finnish Border Guard quickly id

January 5 ------ While the Port of Galveston made headlines with the opening of its fourth cruise terminal in 2025, next year we’ll celebrate another port milestone – completion of major improvements at the West Port Cargo Complex. Located on Galveston Harbor, one of the nation’s busiest cargo waterways, the port moves more than 3 million tons of general and breakbulk cargos, including roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) and giant wind turbine pieces a year. Hundreds of cargo ships call

January 5 ------ An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that a towing vessel operating on the Columbia River in Washington State veered from the channel and hit a U.S. Coast Guard dock after the captain in charge of the vessel fell asleep. They note that the individual, the night before self-medicated with ivermectin, a prescription medication normally used to treat parasitic infections, and was later diagnosed with an acute COVID-19 coronavirus in

MEXICO CITY, January 5 ------ A powerful earthquake shook southern Mexico damaging roads and hospitals and briefly interrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum's first press conference of the new year. A woman, aged 50, died in the southwestern state of Guerrero when her home collapsed due to the tremors, the state's governor, Evelyn Salgado, said. Local media also reported that a 67-year-old man died in Mexico City while going down the stairs as he tried to evacuate his apartmen

NEW DELHI, India, January 5 ------ At least nine people have died and more than 200 have been hospitalized in the central Indian city of Indore after a diarrhea outbreak that officials said was linked to contaminated drinking water, according to a lawmaker and local health authorities. Kailash Vijayvargiya, a lawmaker, said nine people had died in Indore. Indore's chief medical officer, Madhav Prasad Hasani, told Reuters by phone that drinking water in the Bhagirathpur area o

January 5 ------ Russia finished 2025 with what Ukraine described as an information operation designed to avoid engaging in peace talks and continue its war, despite suffering staggering casualties for meagre territorial gains this year. On Monday, December 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin at his residence at Lake Valdai, 140km (87 miles) northeast of Moscow. “The Kyiv regime launched a te

January 5 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named spy chief Kyrylo Budanov as his new chief of staff, just over a month after his previous top aide resigned amid a corruption row. "At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues," Zelensky said in a post on social media, publishing a photo of his meeting with Budanov in Kyiv. Budanov, 39, has until now led the Hur military intelligence, which has claimed a number of highly-effective strikes agains

January 4 ------ THE Eya Laure sweepstakes finally has a winner, with the Alas Pilipinas standout set to suit up for Choco Mucho in the 2026 PVL season. Laure’s new home made the announcement right at the stroke of midnight, ushering in the new year with a bang as Choco Mucho formally unveiled her signing. She will be joined by fellow new additions in ex-Chery Tiggo setter Alina Bicar and former Nxled middle blocker Jaila Atienza, along with the returning Caitlin Viray, as th

January 4 ------ The Japanese Government is seeking to raise its visa issuance fees starting fiscal year 2026. It is the first hike in over 48 years. Lawmakers already approved it as part of their 2026 budget proposal. Currently, visa processing fees cost 3,000 yen (₱1,125). Under the new proposed hike, it will rise up to 15,000 yen (₱5,625). For multiple-entry visas, the price can go as high as 30,000 yen (₱11,250). Though these prices are not yet final, as the Japanese Gove

MANILA, January 4 ------ The Philippines is "deeply concerned" about China's military drills around Taiwan, which it believes can "undermine regional peace and stability." In a statement, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said China's military and coast guard actions around Taiwan are "further creating cracks in an already fragile geopolitical environment." China launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels around the island on Mond

January 4 ------ Foreign-flagged tankers continue to call in Venezuela despite a White House "quarantine" order and the new U.S. policy of seizing Venezuela-linked ships, according to TankerTrackers.com. The independent consultancy told Reuters that it was aware of at least two sanctioned vessels that have arrived in Venezuela in recent days. Two more unsanctioned vessels are reportedly en route. Lloyds List has identified these vessels as the Thousand Sunny and the Xing Ye,

MANILA, January 4 ------ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Tuesday he invited "America’s Got Talent" Season 20 grand winner Jessica Sanchez to perform during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit in the Philippines. During Sanchez’ courtesy call in Malacañang, Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos said that Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong — a music aficionado — is a fan and looks forward to seeing the Filipina songstress perform in Cebu

January 4 ------ Attracting little publicity, Cyprus, Greece and Israel have deepened their military cooperation, signing a trilateral agreement in Cyprus last week that builds on a multiyear partnership between the three nations. Last week’s agreement, signed at technical level by military staff, covers joint air and naval exercises, training and intelligence cooperation. Greece is expected to take part once again in the Israeli-led naval Exercise Noble Dina in the Mediterra

MANILA, Philippines, January 4 ------ Minimum wage earners and household workers or kasambahay in Northern Mindanao will receive an increase in their daily or monthly salary effective Jan. 16, the Department of Labor and Employment announced. The DOLE said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) granted an increase of P39 in the daily pay of workers both in the non-agriculture and agriculture sectors. The wage adjustment will be given in two tranches. “Th

January 4 ------ New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe made his first visit to the Philippines extra special by giving back to young Filipino athletes through a free baseball camp in Taguig. Volpe, 24, is in town for a family wedding. What began as a personal trip, however, turned into a meaningful opportunity as he and his family decided to organize the camp for aspiring Filipino players. The young Yankees star wound up giving tips to 200 young players in the free camp, h