Philippine News

December 24 ------ The Federal Maritime Commission has completed its first phase of an investigation into possible unfavorable actions by Spain against U.S. shipping and is now seeking further input from the shipping community. It is considering what remedial actions, including fines on Spanish vessels, might be appropriate to retaliate against the policies that it believes hinder U.S. trade. The investigation was launched a year ago into the regulations or practices imposed

December 24 ------ Jaylen Brown tossed in a game-high 31 points and added nine rebounds to help the Boston Celtics overcome a 20-point deficit and defeat the visiting Indiana Pacers 103-95. Indiana, which led by 20 early in the third quarter, was held to 34 points in the second half and 13 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics received 19 points from Derrick White and a game-high 11 rebounds from rookie Hugo Gonzalez. Pascal Siakam tallied 25 points for Indiana and Andrew

NIIGATA, Japan, December 24 ------ The Japanese region of Niigata is expected to endorse a decision to restart the world's largest nuclear power plant a watershed moment in the country's pivot back to nuclear since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, located about 220 km (136 miles) northwest of Tokyo, was among 54 reactors shut after a massive earthquake and tsunami crippled the Fukushima Daiichi plant in the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. Since then, J

December 24 ------ Families gather together during Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the real reason for this Yuletide season. Preparations for the holidays begin as early as September. A dazzling array of lights has decorated our houses and the malls. There are annual Christmas tree lighting events in various places in the country. Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong City is one of the most visited streets during the holiday season because of the grandiose displ

MANILA, December 24 ------ The Philippines is ready to mediate between Cambodia and Thailand should both parties seek Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) help once Manila assumes the bloc’s chairship next year. "Following the discussions today, the Philippines said that it is prepared to assume the role of facilitator/mediator between Cambodia and Thailand should both parties decide to make use of the good offices of the Chair once the Philippines assumes the ASEA

December 24 ------ Ahtisa Manalo has shared her perspective on the viral confrontation involving Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, who was the eventual winner of Miss Universe 2025. Manalo, who represented the Philippines and finished as third runner-up at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, offered her firsthand account of the tense moment between Nawat and Bosch in a recent interview with Vice Ganda. The incident occurred at a p

December 24 ------ The U.S. Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.6 billion ahead, cementing its place among the largest lottery prizes in American history. The jackpot swelled after Saturday's drawing produced no winners, allowing the payout to climb. The next drawing was set for 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday (0359 GMT on Tuesday), with the odds of winning the jackpot 1 in 292.2 million. Players may choose between an annuitized payout of $1.6 billion over 29 years or a

MANILA, Philippines, December 24 ------ The cast is complete and it’s gonna be a calm before a fiery storm hits Smart Araneta Coliseum on Christmas Day to reveal the presents and fates of the featured teams in the PBA Season 50 quarterfinals. There will be no love on the court from the four teams of reigning champion San Miguel, NLEX, Converge and crowd darling Barangay Ginebra when they tangle in the first quarterfinal bracket to continue the PBA tradition during Holidays an

December 24 ------ All hospitals nationwide have been placed under Code White until Jan. 6, 2025, as the Department of Health (DOH) braces for a possible increase in medical emergencies during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The directive was announced by DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa on Monday, Dec. 22, following inspections at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and the Philippine Heart Center (PHC). The two hospitals said they remain ready to accommodate a

December 24 ------ After their life in oceangoing service, shipping containers get repurposed for all sorts of inventive uses - storage sheds, shop spaces, mobile offices, housing, even indoor aquaculture ponds. This month, bystanders in a Russian-occupied area of Ukraine spotted a new and even more creative application: two Russian tank crews (and possibly more) have installed cut-up shipping containers atop their vehicles to create improvised anti-drone cages. Ever since dr

December 23 ------ Maersk confirmed that one of its smaller containerships has successfully completed the company’s first transit through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb in two years. The company is calling it a trial, and it comes after the Suez Canal Authority had been strongly lobbying for the return to the route. The Maersk Sebarok (108,215 dwt) completed the transit between December 18 and 19. The vessel, which is owned by Maersk and registered in Singapore, was built

December 23 ------ Building on their previous ties, Norwegian shipowner Ocean Yield and Japan’s shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) have teamed up to split ownership in four liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers that are yet to be constructed. However, available charter options could double the newbuilding fleet to eight LNG vessels. While disclosing its new investment in LNG carriers on long-term charters, Ocean Yield explains that it has agreed to co-inve

December 23 ------ Investigators from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) have begun an investigation into how thousands of bananas ended up on beaches near Southampton, and why shipping was disrupted after 16 reefer boxes went overboard. They are looking into the events that led to the accident, saying initial findings showed the containers were not properly secured. “The investigation will focus on the practice of removing cargo securing arrangements while

December 23 ------ South Africa’s Transnet officially signed the partnership agreement with International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) for the privatization and upgrade at the Durban port. It comes more than two years after the deal was first announced and after courts rejected a challenge from Maersk’s APM Terminals. Durban, which accounts for nearly half of South Africa’s container volume, has been plagued with problems and consistently ranked at the bottom of the le

December 23 ------ Reina Hspano-Americana 2025 Dia Mate was named the winner of the sixth round of "Your Face Sounds Familiar." Mate's transformation as Kylie Minogue, performing the song "Santa Baby," entertained and won the hearts of jurors and her fellow celebrity performers. "'Yung ginawa mo ngayon eksakto, parang guwantes na eksaktong eksakto sa kamay at dahil doon ay ang ganda ng performance mo. Ang palakpakan nang ka-Familiars ginawa nila 'yon sa kalagitnaan ng perform

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, December 23 ------ More than half a million people in Cambodia have been displaced by two weeks of deadly border clashes with neighboring Thailand, Phnom Penh said ahead of regional talks aimed at easing tensions. The renewed fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbors this month, including with tanks, drones and artillery, has killed at least 22 people in Thailand and 19 in Cambodia, officials said. The conflict stems from a territorial dispute over

MANILA, Philippines, December 23 ------ December offers some respite from rising fuel costs, with oil firms set to roll back prices by up to P1.60 per liter starting today — just in time for the holiday break. After climbing by a cumulative P1.60 over three weeks, gasoline prices will be cut by P0.80 per liter, reversing half of the earlier hike. Diesel and kerosene, meanwhile, have been on a downward trend over the same period following steep increases in November. Kerosene

BANGKOK, Thailand, December 23 ------ Team Philippines collected 50 golds, 73 silvers, and 154 bronzes for a total of 277 medals as the 2025 Southeast Asian Games came to a close. Following a tight battle for the fifth spot with Malaysia and Singapore, the Philippines eventually finished sixth in the race for the overall championship expectedly dominated by host Thailand, which captured a SEA Games record of 233 golds to go with 154 silvers and 112 bronzes. Victories in bask

December 23 ------ Ginebra flipped the switch in the second half and turned back the upset-seeking Titan Ultra, 108-105, for a rousing finish entering the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinal at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. The Kings were already out of contention for a top-four finish following TNT’s 94-83 victory over Magnolia earlier, but that didn’t stop them from taking care of business against the Giant Risers to end the eliminations with five wins in a row. After t

MANILA, December 23 ------ After a decade as a leading man, Alden Richards is embracing his first role as an antagonist in the Hollywood action film "Big Tiger." According to the actor, portraying a villain has long been on his bucket list. "I have been dreaming about this, the bad guy," Richards said Sunday in Mandaluyong City. "Iba, medyo disturbing kasi hindi ako sanay. But at the end of the day, when I saw the teaser—I think I am going to like this job." Richards describe