Philippine News

MANILA, Philippines, December 29 ------ The Philippines posted its smallest trade deficit in nine months in November as exports continued to grow, while imports declined. Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the balance of trade in goods – the difference between the value of exports and imports – amounted to a deficit of $3.51 billion in November, down by 29 percent from the $4.94 billion shortfall in the same month last year. This is

MANILA, December 29 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 91 fireworks-related injuries during the Christmas week, from Dec. 21 to 27. Forty cases were reported in Metro Manila, followed by Ilocos Region with 10 wounded, and Western Visayas at 8, the DOH said in a report. Most of the victims were males aged 10 to 14, with 5-star, boga, kwitis, and pla-pla as the top causes of injuries, the report added. Meanwhile, the DOH said it monitored 331 cases of road crash

TOKYO, December 29 ------ A massive crash involving 67 vehicles in snowy weather killed two people and injured 26 on an expressway in Japan as the country kicked off its end-of-year holiday season. The Gunma prefectural highway police said Saturday that the pileup on the Kan-etsu Expressway started with a collision between two trucks in the town of Minakami, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Tokyo. The initial crash blocked parts of the expressway, and cars coming

WASHINGTON, December 29 ------ US President Donald Trump congratulated the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on a ceasefire agreed the previous day after weeks of border clashes that have killed dozens. "I want to congratulate both great leaders on their brilliance in coming to this rapid and very fair conclusion," said Trump, who has claimed credit for a previous truce that was broken earlier this month when the border conflict reignited. In a post on his Truth Social platfor

PALM BEACH, December 29 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will sit down with Donald Trump and seek to secure the US president's stamp of approval for a new proposal to end the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. The 20-point plan, which emerged from weeks of intense US-Ukraine negotiations, lacks Moscow's approval, and the face-to-face in Florida comes in the wake of a massive Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv. The meeting, to be hosted by Trump at his o

KYIV, December 29 ------ Russia attacked Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones ahead of what President Volodymyr Zelensky said would be a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump to work out a plan to end nearly four years of war. Zelensky cast the vast overnight attack, which he said involved about 500 drones and 40 missiles and which knocked out power and heat in parts of the capital, as Russia's response to the ongoing peace efforts bro

December 28 ------ The Philippines may have fallen short of surpassing its 58-gold medal haul from Cambodia in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, but the 33rd edition in Thailand still offered shining moments that give Philippine sports fans plenty to look forward to. Among the most exciting developments was the emergence of young Filipinas who thrived under the bright lights of Southeast Asia’s premier sporting stage. By winning gold in their respective events, they gave a glim

BAKU, December 28 ------ The Japanese government will provide roughly 1 trillion yen (USD6.34 billion) in support over five years to help a planned new company develop home-grown artificial intelligence, a source close to the matter told South China Morning Post. The company will be established by around 10 firms, including SoftBank Group Corp, aiming to develop the country’s largest base AI model through public-private cooperation, the source said. The five-year support sche

MANILA, Philippines, December 28 ------ The country’s external debt service burden decreased by 21 percent from January to September this year compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The BSP reported a lower debt service burden of $10.08 billion during the nine-month period from $12.78 billion in the same period last year, driven by lower interest payments and a significant reduction in principal payments. Of t

December 28 ------ The Suez Canal Authority is highlighting what it is calling a “new phase in the return of containerships” as it marked the first transits in two years by ultra-large vessels. Today was a milestone for the Suez Canal as two of CMA’s large vessels passed in the Canal while Maersk’s first ship completed its transit, the first time the majors have sent their large vessels back since the start of the Houthis’ campaign in late 2023. Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairma

December 28 ------ Rock band My Chemical Romance (MCR) has announced the rescheduling of its highly anticipated concert in the Philippines following the postponement of its Asia tour dates for The Black Parade 2026 tour. The announcement was shared through the band’s official Instagram account, where they addressed fans across Southeast Asia and clarified that the affected shows would still push through. The band was originally set to perform at the Philippine Arena on April

MANILA, Philippines, December 28 ------ Three Premier Volleyball League superstars will make a much-awaited return to their respective mother clubs after their tour of duty with the national team. Jia de Guzman and Bernadeth Pons should be back with the Creamline Cool Smashers, and Sisi Rondina with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans when the PVL All-Filipino Conference unfolds Jan. 30. De Guzman was originally scheduled to return to Creamline in the Reinforced Conference but even

MANILA, Philippine, December 28 ------ The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned the public against using 31 prohibited firecrackers and reminded violators of jail time and fines under the law. Col. Rex Buyucan, chief of the Explosive Management Division of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office, said the banned firecrackers include watusi, lolo thunder, boga, pla-pla, piccolo, goodbye Philippines, goodbye Delima, giant bawang, goodbye Napoles, atomic bomb, Bin Laden, super

WASHINGTON, December 28 ------ U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing for a more aggressive immigration crackdown in 2026 with billions in new funding, including by raiding more workplaces – even as backlash builds ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Trump has already surged immigration agents into major U.S. cities, where they swept through neighborhoods and clashed with residents. While federal agents this year conducted some high-profile raids on businesses, they lar

MANILA, Philippines, December 28 ------ A film can reflect on the present, preview the future or look back on the past. This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, “Manila’s Finest,” takes on the latter, bringing one back to 1969 and following a police squad. Personal and collective stories will unfold as viewers try to make sense of the actions and decisions of the characters. Among them are policemen Severino Meneses, Rogelio Liwanag and Epifanio Javier, played by

December 28 ------ Kuwait and China formalized a new agreement, building on their cooperation and which aims to complete the development of a new port in northern Kuwait. Known as the Mina Mubarak Al-Kabeer port, it is a key part of Kuwait’s Vision 2035 project and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Plans have been discussed for the new port as part of Kuwait’s economic diversification project aimed at moving the country’s economy away from its total dependence on oil. In 2023

TOKYO, December 27 ------ The Japanese government and ruling parties began considering tightening the requirement for acquiring Japanese nationality to 10 years of residency or longer in principle, compared with the current five years, informed sources said. By extending the necessary period of residency to at least 10 years, Japan would bring the nationality requirement in line with that for obtaining permanent residency. The move is expected to be implemented by changing ho

December 27 ------ This year has marked a major leap forward in maritime digitalization, driven by rapid advances in AI and a surge in tools supporting compliance and operational efficiency. But the wider shift happening across global industries goes far beyond adopting new software. In accounting, property management, transportation, legal, IT services and wealth management, we are now seeing a new kind of consolidation: AI-native, large-scale service companies. Venture and

MANILA, Philippines, December 27 ------ Domestic workers in Metro Manila are expected to receive a higher pay next year after the wage board set a hearing for their minimum wage determination. Interested groups are invited to attend the hearing on Jan. 12, 2026 at the Philippine Trade Training Center Building in Pasay City, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board said. Domestic workers in Metro Manila currently receive a monthly salary of P7,000. The last minimum

NEW YORK, United States, December 27 ------ Reigning champions Oklahoma City Thunder have the NBA's best record, but they can't find a way to defeat San Antonio, with superstar Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench to help lift the Spurs to an emphatic 117-102 victory. De'Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 points while Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes and guard Stephon Castle added 19 points for the Spurs. After roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dr