Philippine News

MANILA, December 23 ------ The Philippine Navy (PN) announced that one of its offshore patrol vessels, BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), conducted a maritime patrol off Los Frailes Island, Zambales, where it also successfully test-fired its 76mm main gun. BRP Emilio Jacinto is assigned to the PN's Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC) based in Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar, Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union. "During the patrol, PS-35 maintained heightened maritime domain awaren

SYDNEY, Australia, December 23 ------ Australians fell silent in flickering candlelight on Sunday to honor the Bondi Beach shooting victims, marking one week since gunmen fired into crowds at a Jewish festival. A father and son are accused of targeting the beachside Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in almost three decades. From raucous city pubs to sleepy country towns, Australia observed a minute's silence at 6:47 pm (0747 GMT)

LOS ANGELES, United States, December 23 ------ Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 47 points as the New York Knicks toppled the Miami Heat, 132-125. Star point guard Brunson also managed eight assists and three rebounds, in his highest-scoring performance ever at the Knicks' Madison Square Garden home. The in-form New York team's eighth win in nine games improves its record to 20-8 in the Eastern Conference, where it sits second behind the Detroit Pistons. That hot streak incl

MANILA, Philippines, December 23 ------ The Philippine National Police (PNP) has shifted its focus toward investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of former Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral and securing potential evidence related to a multi-billion-peso flood control controversy. In a statement, PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said the case is now a matter of "national interest" due to Cabral's alleged involvement in the ongoin

December 23 ------ IU and Park Bo-gum-headlined K-drama series “When Life Gives You Tangerines” topped the much-anticipated “Best K-dramas of 2025” list released by Time magazine. The magazine published its Top 10 picks last Thursday, Dec. 18, stating how the slice-of-life series managed to pull off director Kim Won-suk’s goal of “[helping] break down the invisible barriers between generations, genders, and just people in general” with its storyline. “This year’s best K-drama

MIAMI, December 23 ------ A White House envoy said he held “productive and constructive” talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Posting on social media, Steve Witkoff said the talks aimed at aligning on a shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States and Europe. “Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine's recovery, s

MANILA, Philippines, December 23 ------ Chezka Centeno’s bid for a breakthrough WPA World Women’s 9-Ball crown came to a crashing end after falling to Russia Kristina Tkach, 0-4, 4-3, 4-3, 4-1, in the quarterfinals in Jacksonville, Florida. It was a heartbreaking result for the 26-year-old Zamboanga City native, who was hoping to add another world crown after claiming a second 10-ball title in Bali, Indonesia last October. It wasn’t a bad year for Centeno overall, though, as

LOS ANGELES, United States, December 23 ------ "Avatar: Fire and Ash," the third installment in James Cameron's blockbuster sci-fi fantasy series, debuted atop the North American box office with $88 million (P5.1 billion) in ticket sales in the weekend before Christmas, industry estimates showed. "Fire and Ash" grossed $345 million (P20 billion) worldwide in its opening weekend, and is expected to do very well abroad, according to David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Res

December 23 ------ The Ukrainian army is battling an attempted Russian breakthrough in the Sumy region, it has said, after reports Moscow forcibly moved 50 people from a border village there. That marks a renewed Russian advance in the part of the region largely spared from intense ground fighting since Ukraine regained land there in a 2022 counteroffensive. “Fighting is currently ongoing in the village of Grabovske,” Ukraine’s joint taskforce said adding the troops were “mak

MANILA, December 23 ------ One of the two alleged Bondi Beach shooters visited a gun store during their stay in the Philippines, police said as they attempted to retrace the pair's movements. An Australian counter-terrorism team is investigating whether Sajid Akram and his son Naveed met with Islamist extremists during a nearly month-long visit to the southern island of Mindanao before the mass shooting that killed 15 people in Sydney six days ago. The staff of Davao City's G

December 22 ------ Two years after a cargo ship crossing the northern Pacific experienced two cargo hold fires, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report finding that when the vessel encountered heavy weather, improperly secured cargo caused the fires in each hold of the ship. They warn about the unique challenges of handling lithium-ion batteries and the need to properly secure cargo following the manuals and instructions. The fires began on December 25, 2023,

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, December 22 ------ Thailand carried out more airstrikes on Cambodia, claiming its jet fighters struck a warehouse where the Cambodian army had stored rockets that had been deployed to deadly effect in combat that began last week. that have been damaged by the fighting, with Thailand claiming Cambodian forces had used them as began last week. The two nations have been fighting over patches of territory along the border that both claim. Several disputed ar

MANILA, Philippines, December 22 ------ The United States Congress has approved $2.5 billion (roughly P146 billion) in new security assistance for the Philippines, locking in Washington's multi-year military funding for Manila at a time of flaring tensions in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The funding was approved this week as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, a $900-billion annual Pentagon policy bill passed by the Senate on Wedne

December 22 ------ With her doll-like beauty and fair complexion, Kai Montinola is noted for her potential to represent the Philippines in international beauty pageants, notably, Miss International, as some refer to her as the prototype. In every pageant, there is a certain prototype that candidates aspire to follow, which can be seen in the visual appeal of its winners. For Miss International, the global tilt prefers beauties with fair complexion, innocent aura, and a Barbie

MANILA, December 22 ------ The East Asia Super League (EASL) will be the official qualifier to the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia), FIBA’s flagship continental competition featuring Asia’s strongest teams. The historic step strengthens EASL’s position at the core of elite East Asian basketball, further integrating the league into FIBA’s global competition framework and recognizing the standard of play, professionalism and competitive excellence showcased throughou

DUBAI, December 22 ------ Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has secured $11 billion in structured financing to monetize future gas production from its Hail and Ghasha development, the state company said, after Russia's Lukoil exited the project. The deal, signed with partners Eni, opens new tab and PTTEP, opens new tab, involves 20 global and regional banks. It uses a "pre-export finance" model backed by future gas throughput, providing upfront cash years before first production

December 22 ------ Sparkle GMA Artist Center is ending the year with fresh collaborations and stronger ties with both new and established artists. Present during the ceremony were GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group and President and CEO of GMA Films Annette Gozon-Valdes, and First Vice President of Sparkle GMA Artist Center Joy Marcelo, Assistant Vice President for Talent Recruitment and Development Jenny Donato,

December 22 ------ Proton Ventures, a Dutch player in the clean ammonia arena, has established a new development company with Norway’s independent clean energy company Barents Blue, previously a subsidiary of Horisont Energi, to bring to life a clean ammonia project, said to be Europe’s largest clean ammonia production plant, located in Finnmark, Northern Norway. While Barents Blue holds a 75% interest in Barents Clean Ammonia, Proton Ventures has the remaining 25% of the sha

MANILA, December 22 ------ The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said more than 500 overseas Filipino workers in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand are currently receiving government assistance after they were affected by natural disasters, border tensions, and those victimized by human trafficking. In a press briefing on Thursday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac assured the government is responding to various crises involving Filipinos overseas, as directed by Presi

December 22 ------ VETERAN Vic Manuel is bound for a PBA comeback after signing what he referred to as a short-term contract with Converge. “Oo, pumirma na ako,” Manuel confirmed to SPIN.ph after practicing with the FiberXers. The 37-year-old forward earlier teased basketball fans on social media when he posted his Converge uniform bearing his old jersey No. 87. The ‘Muscle Man’ last played for Terrafirma in the Season 49 Governors’ Cup before his contract expired last Februa