Philippine News

December 14 ------ Two of Japan’s leading shipping companies and operators of car carriers have agreed to settle a long-running case in the UK that alleged the major shipping companies worked as a cartel to fix prices and collude in vehicle shipment contracts. The UK case is similar to other complaints brought in jurisdictions around the globe, which all found the car carriers had colluded to set global pricing. Most of the cases had been brought by regulators, including the

MANILA, December 14 ------ While annual new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and AIDS-related deaths continue to decline globally and in Asia and the Pacific, the cases in the Philippines steadily rise. During hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that between 2010 and 2024, the percent change in new HIV infections in the country was at 555 percent, much higher compared to the percent change globally of

December 14 ------ The feisty, blind earthbender Toph Beifong — played by Miya Cech — has been introduced in the first look for “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” which continues Aang discovering his abilities as the chosen one. Glimpses of the live-action adaptation’s second installment of the hit Nickelodeon series were posted on its social media platforms on Wednesday, Dec. 10, with the poster showing Aang (Gordon Cormier), Toph (Miya Cech), Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian

December 14 ------ AS she is preparing for the tennis tournament of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Philippine tennis star Alex Eala made it to the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open. Currently ranked 52nd in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings, Eala is among 105 women who will take part in the women’s singles main draw. The list consists of 102 of the world’s best women’s singles tennis players, along with three wild cards. Although Eala remained 50th in t

MANILA, Philippines, December 13 ------ The Abra Solid North Weavers climbed out of a deep hole to nip the Quezon Huskers, 81-80, in overtime and take Game 1 of the 747 Live presents Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season National Finals at the Gov. Andres Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra. Trailing 72-80 as Quezon opened the extension period with an eight-point run, Abra bunched nine points, five by Mike Ayonayon, to pull off the squeaker that lured an overflow crowd and w

MIAMI, December 13 ------ President Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy split more than 5,000 children from their families at the Mexico border during his first term. Border crossings sit at a record low nearly a year into his second administration and a new wave of immigration enforcement is dividing families inside the U.S. Federal officials and their local law enforcement partners are detaining tens of thousands of asylum-seekers and migrants. Detainees are mo

MANILA, December 13 ------ The second round of negotiations between the Philippines and France on the proposed Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) successfully concluded the Department of National Defense (DND) said. DND Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning Ignacio Madriaga, the negotiation committee chair, led the Philippine delegation, while the French delegation was headed by Rear Admiral Jérôme Theillier from the Ministry of the Armed Forces of France. Describ

December 13 ------ The oceans have to play a role in helping humanity remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to curb dangerous climate warming. But are we ready to scale up the technologies that will do the job? The answer, according to an expert group reporting to the European Union, is no. At least, not yet – not until there are measures in place to ensure these technologies, called marine carbon dioxide removal technologies, are doing what they are supposed to do and wo

December 13 ------ It’s not every day a trailer moves its stars to tears — not while watching, at least. But at the “Love You So Bad” media conference held Monday night at the Dolphy Theater, everything changed when the preview rolled. A moment that started with smiles and nerves ended with voices cracking and eyes glistening from dreams coming full circle. “Grabe, ganito pala ang pakiramdam na matupad ‘yung pangarap,” said Bianca de Vera, visibly moved after watching the cli

December 13 ------ The Maritime Union of New Zealand and the International Transport Workers’ Federation are celebrating the decision of New Zealand’s Associate Minister of Transport to uphold the country’s cabotage rules. It comes at a time when many flags are under pressure due to rising costs and the option to switch to less costly foreign flag operations. The debate was triggered after Holcim New Zealand, a supplier of cement, aggregates, and ready-mix concrete, announced

December 13 ------ Star Magic talent takes over the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival with a slate of projects that spans horror, romance, comedy, and character-driven drama — an unmistakable presence across this year’s holiday box-office race. Regal Entertainment’s iconic “Shake, Rattle & Roll” returns with a fresh roster of emerging and established names. Ivana Alawi, JM Ibarra, Fyang Smith, Dylan Yturralde, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Karina Bautista, Angelica Lao, Raven Ri

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 13 ------ A new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed there is no link between vaccines and autism -- contrary to theories being propagated in the United States. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month revised its website with language that undermines its previous, scientifically-grounded position that immunizations do not cause the developmental disability autism. Years of research demonstrate that

HOUSTON, December 13 ------ Amen Thompson’s three-point play with 17.2 seconds left helped the Houston Rockets to a 115-113 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. Thompson tipped in Alperen Sengun’s miss to break a 110-110 tie, was fouled by Kris Dunn and hit the and-1 free throw. The putback came off Houston’s third offensive rebound of the possession and 21st of the night. Thompson made 8 of 12 from the field and finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assi

MANILA, December 13 ------ Gasoline prices will go down in the third week of December, the Department of Energy said. Based on the four-day trade monitoring of the Means of Platts Singapore, DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero said the following decreases could be expected next week, excluding the cost of businesses. Gasoline – P0.30 per liter Diesel – P0.60 per liter Kerosene – P0.65 per liter Romero explained this came after oil investors shi

BANGKOK, December 12 ------ The Philippines claimed three gold medals to take the fifth spot after Day 2 of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Gymnast Aleah Finnegan and jiu-jitsu fighters Kimberly Anne Custodio and Dean Roxas seized the gold medals, bringing the Philippines’ total to five, as of posting time. The Philippines has also registered seven silvers and 20 bronzes to overtake Malaysia, which has a 3-9-19 gold-silver-bronze tally. There was a missed opportun

LOS ANGELES, December 12 ------ It was a playoff-level atmosphere at Crypto.com Arena for the NBA Cup quarterfinals, but the San Antonio Spurs — still without Victor Wembanyama — walked in unfazed and walked out with a 132–119 upset win over the Lakers, securing their spot in Las Vegas to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals. The night started strong for Los Angeles, who jumped out to an 18–12 lead midway through the first behind Luka Dončić’s early rhythm. But th

December 12 ------ The Philippine women's national football team is headed to the semifinals of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. The Filipinas overpowered Malaysia, 6-0, in their final assignment of the group stage to punch their ticket to the knockout round at the IPE Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand. Rising star Alexa Pino starred for the Philippines, collecting a hat-trick, while Jessika Cowart, Ariana Markey, and Anicka Castaneda also found the back of the net. The F

December 12 ------ KAYLA Sanchez broke a Southeast Asian Games record in the women’s 50m backstroke, less than 24 hours after copping her first gold medal in the biennial competition in Thailand. Sanchez clocked 28.47 seconds in the heats on Thursday morning at the Sport Authority of Thailand Aquatics Center, erasing the previous mark of 28.89 seconds set by Masniari Wolf of Indonesia in 2023 in Cambodia. Incidentally, Wolf was also in the heats, and had the second best time

December 12 ------ Even after more than three decades as a broadcast journalist, Rico Hizon does not get tired of constantly honing his craft and proudly winning accolades for his professional ventures, especially as a TV host. He recently arrived from Jakarta, Indonesia, where he received his award for Best Talk Show Host for his weekly ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) program “Beyond the Exchange” at the 30th Asian Television Awards. “I felt incredibly proud and deeply humbled at

December 12 ------ Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray joined volunteers of Angat Buhay for a day-long repacking drive under the organization’s “Pamaskong Handog: Reverse Caroling” initiative. Angat Buhay highlighted the joint effort in a social media post on Thursday, Dec. 11, sharing photos of the beauty queen alongside the other volunteers packing goods and loading them into the trucks. “Simula umaga hanggang gabi, nagtulungan ang ating #AngatBayanihan volunteers kasama si Mi