Philippine News

January 1 ------ Israel became the first country to formally recognize the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state - a decision that could reshape regional dynamics and test Somalia's longstanding opposition to secession. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology and the economy. In a statement, he congratulated Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed

January 1 ------ Indian Register of Shipping has reported a strong year across defense, merchant marine, digital innovation and research during 2025, reinforcing its position as a key technical partner for governments, shipowners and shipyards at a time of accelerating change for the maritime sector. In merchant marine, IRS recorded broader engagement in international projects. It completed its first new construction project for Penguin Shipyard in Singapore, delivered its fi

The last time I saw Filipino tech titan Dado Banatao was when I had dinner with him and his wife, Maria, at their home in Silicon Valley. It had been a while since I last saw him, and his wife gently told us before we were to meet him that he had been ill and had trouble remembering things. Little did I know then that that would be my final dinner with this great man. He succumbed to his illness last Christmas. I was glad to have visited at that time. Sitting across from Dado

In the Philippines, traditional practices and values have long supported a healthy lifestyle. These customs, passed down through generations, offer wisdom and practical tips for maintaining wellness. Here are some healthy lifestyle tips inspired by Filipino traditions: 1. Eat Fresh and Local Filipinos have always valued fresh, local produce. Traditional markets, or "palengkes," are filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and seafood. Incorporating more fresh and local fo

According to a report, most people will give up on their New Year’s resolution just 19 days into the year. That’s not the most reassuring thought if building your financial foundation depends on playing the long game. But here’s the good news: setting realistic, actionable financial resolutions can make all the difference. Whether it’s saving for the future, tackling unexpected expenses, or simply taking control of your money, you can create goals that stick—and start 2026 on

For those who are not aware, January 4 to January 8 is the National Time Consciousness Week (NTCW). This means people are encouraged to be punctual. In our case, we, Filipinos, cannot run on ‘Filipino time.’ READ: DOST Encourages Filipinos to Synchronize Time to PHL Standard Time. Filipino Time was originally coined for Filipinos arriving later than the set time (sounds familiar?). But, don’t get it twisted as I’m also a statistic! 🙂 However, being with an American partner a

MANILA, Philippines, December 31 ------ Motorists traveling on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway will see higher toll fees starting Jan. 1, 2026, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) announced. The toll hikes cover both Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles across key sections of SLEX and STAR Tollway. For SLEX, the new toll rates are as follows: Alabang to Calamba Class 1 – P126 (up P10) Class 2 – P253 (up P21) Class 3 – P379 (up P31) Ca

December 31 ------ Donald Trump's return to power, a ceasefire in Gaza and massive investments in artificial intelligence: Here are 10 events that defined 2025. Trump returns A protectionist offensive. Mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Dismantling entire sections of the federal government. Since his return to the White House for a second term in January, Republican President Donald Trump has targeted adversaries, deployed the National Guard in Democrat-voting citi

December 31 ------ Egyptian government sources have briefed the UAE’s National newspaper that Egypt is to help develop the ports of Assab in Eritrea and Doraleh in Djibouti, in part to better host the Egyptian naval vessels which already visit these ports, and apparently as part of its long-running campaign to put pressure on Ethiopia. Egypt has for some time being trying to force Ethiopia to negotiate over Nile water flows governed by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GER

December 31 ------ Philippine showbiz marked 2025 with major milestones, landmark collaborations, and moments of remembrance. In Aubrey Carampel’s 2025 Showbiz Recap, which aired on “24 Oras,” Friday, milestone celebrations were highlighted, led by GMA Network’s 75th anniversary. The network marked its diamond anniversary with a special gathering of Kapuso artists and executives, highlighting years of programming and public service. “We look forward to the next 75 years of be

MANILA, Philippines, December 31 ------ Alex Eala was at the forefront of an eventful Philippine sports scene in 2025, taking the country to greater heights through her emphatic breakout year. Inquirer looks back on a busy year for Philippine sports, with Eala consistently delivering, from the opening quarter of the Women’s Tennis Association season to the Grand Slams and a historic finish in the Southeast Asian Games. The Miami Open proved to be Eala’s springboard, launching

December 31 ------ Coming off a strong 2025, the Kapamilya entertainment world is going to be bigger in 2026! With a star-studded slate of upcoming shows, ABS-CBN is serving up everything from destination-set romance and gripping action thrillers to never-before-seen pairings of some of the industry's brightest names, plus the comeback of beloved programs. Altogether, these offerings signal a bold and exciting new chapter for ABS-CBN as it continues to lead Philippine enterta

TOKYO, December 31 ------ Kyoto, temples, neon lights, crowds. For many, Japan is nothing more than that. But in the north, Hokkaido provides an entirely different experience. It is a journey where the sounds of silence, open spaces, and nature take center stage. As travelers around the world look to escape mass tourism, the island stands as a true alternative: A destination where travel still means discovery. Beyond cliches In an era where people choose their destinations ba

December 31 ------ This has been a significant year for ClassNK and for Hayato Suga, who stepped up to the role of President & CEO in March. Drawing on 40 years of ClassNK experience, the new CEO suggests shipping needs additional support from classification societies at a time when "boundaries between industries are becoming increasingly blurred due to environmental challenges and digital transformation." "It is our responsibility to work with customers to provide certifica

December 31 ------ It has been a tough stretch for the Gilas Pilipinas Boys and Girls, as both squads dropped their positions in their respective categories in the latest International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rankings. The Gilas Boys saw themselves dropping eight notches to settle for No. 43 in the global list with 343.3 points. The LA Tenorio-mentored crew, led by Prince Carino and Jolo Pascual, endured a quick exit in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia last

MANILA, December 31 ------ From investigations into infrastructure projects and corruption probe, to continued clashes between former political allies and battles before an international court, 2025 delivered a cascade of issues surrounding familiar names. Before we ring in 2026, here’s a look back at 10 personalities whose actions shaped national discourse and made Philippine headlines this year. 1. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This year has been one of the most challengin

WASHINGTON, United States, December 30 ------ Chet Holmgren scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead reigning champion Oklahoma City over Philadelphia, 129-104 as the NBA's winningest team snapped a two-game losing streak. Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 27 points, five assists, two steals and two rebounds as the Thunder improved to 27-5. "We just did a good job getting back to our style of play and our standards," Thunder reserve And

MANILA, December 30 ------ Gasoline prices remain steady as diesel and kerosene prices go up a few days before the new year. Oil companies announced the following price movements effective today: SHELL PILIPINAS, SEAOIL (effective 6 a.m.) Gasoline - No change Diesel - P0.60/L increase Kerosene - P0.60/L increase PETROGAZZ (effective 6 a.m.) Gasoline - No change Diesel - P0.60/L increase CLEANFUEL (effective 4:01 p.m.) Gasoline - No change Diesel - P0.60/L increase Source: new

December 30 ------ As investment needs are anticipated to hover around €1.5 trillion by 2040, the European Commission (EC) has adopted a new list of 235 cross-border energy projects, granting them the status of projects of common interest (PCIs) and projects of mutual interest (PMIs). This step is set to unlock access to the European Union (EU) funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and streamline permitting processes, supporting the rapid deployment of critical

TOKYO, December 30 ------ The Japanese government has recently approved a draft budget for fiscal 2026, with defense spending set at about 9.04 trillion yen (about $58 billion), marking a new record high and sparking public concern. An editorial published by Japan’s Shimbun Akahata noted that the country’s defense budget stood at 5.4 trillion yen in fiscal 2022 and has surged by 3.6 trillion yen in just four years. The newspaper said the latest figure is comparable to the 3.5