Philippine News

December 8 ------ Despite a year of turbulent trade policies and interruptions, China’s container volumes are continuing to surge. Two of the country’s largest port complexes have set new records after just 11 months, combined handling over 90 million boxes so far in 2025. The Port of Shanghai, which highlights that it has maintained the top global ranking for 16 years, has once again surpassed the 50 million TEU threshold. It is the second consecutive year the port complex r

MANILA, Philippines, December 8 ------ As the government grapples with the massive infrastructure scam, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said that more transparency portals will be launched, with the Social Security System (SSS) and Philhealth already rolling out theirs. In a Palace briefing, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the websites will be powered by artificial intelligence (AI), where people can track the projects and the amount of mone

December 8 ------ The Philippines is sending its biggest delegation yet to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games with over 1600 athletes, coaches and staff composing the team that is hoping to surpass the country’s performance in the past biennial meets. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio led the official send-off of the delegation on Friday, Nov. 28, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Alth

MANILA, December 8 ------ Following the conclusion of the Red Bull Half Court 2025 World Finals in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Red Bull shifts the global spotlight to the Philippines, proudly announced as the next official host of the Red Bull Half Court 2026 World Finals, marking the first major 3-on-3 world championship staged outside FIBA. As the next host country, the Philippines invites the world to witness firsthand the heart and grit that define Filipino streetball in

TOKYO, Japan, December 8 ------ Oysters in Japan are dying en masse in parts of the country's top production area, likely due to warmer sea temperatures, officials said. In some coastal areas surrounding the Seto Inland Sea in western Japan -- an area that accounts for more than three-quarters of Japan's farmed oyster production -- around 90 percent of cultivated oysters are dead. "I've never experienced this in my whole career," Tatsuya Morio, who has farmed oysters for more

December 8 ------ As the global commercial fleet approaches the end of its operational life, demand for ship-recycling capacity is projected to triple over the next decade. This surge will be driven by accelerated decarbonization efforts and the retirement of large numbers of aging tankers and bulk carriers. At present, South Asia accounts for 80–90% of global ship-recycling activity, with Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan operating the world’s dominant dismantling yards. If gl

MANILA, Philippines, December 8 ------ "APT.," the hit collaboration between Filipino-American artist Bruno Mars and Blackpink member Rosé, topped a majority of Apple Music's charts according to the streaming platform's new year-end data. Apple Music unveiled its streaming data for 2025, along with its Replay information for users to check their most-streamed tracks and listening habits in the past year. Bruno and Rosé's song was the runaway leader for the Top 100 charts for

MANILA, December 8 ------ Price monitoring of basic commodities will continue to ensure that retailers will not raise their prices to the detriment of the public, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque said. This, as she assures the public that prices of basic goods remain generally unchanged ahead of the Christmas holiday. “Continuous pa rin ang monitoring natin ng mga supermarkets and groceries for the basic necessities and prime commodities kasi utos ng ating Pangulo,

December 7 ------ The Philippine Navy has further strengthened its alliance with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as part of the measures to enhance professional expertise and operational interoperability between the two countries. Read Admiral Joe Anthony C. Orbe, commander of the Navy’s Philippine Fleet, said the four-day visit of the JMSDF destroyer Harusame (DD102) also reaffirmed the two nations’ commitment to supporting the shared goal of a secure and stabl

December 7 ------ ALEX Eala and Bryan Bagunas will carry the Philippine flag in the opening ceremony of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on December 9. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) revealed the world-ranked tennis player and Alas volleyball star will stand at the head of the Philippine delegation as flag bearers in the opening rites at the Rajamangala National Stadium. Eala is one of the fastest-rising young stars of Philippine sports after her performance in the WTA

December 7 ------ An LPG carrier has become the latest target of the ongoing piracy off West Africa, with reports confirming that nine of the ship’s crew have been kidnapped and one injured. The vessel was underway bound for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, when it was boarded. Security group Vanguard reports the vessel was approximately 50 nautical miles west of the coast when an unknown number of armed pirates boarded the ship. The vessel is identified as the CGAS Saturn (3,090 d

LONDON, United Kingdom, December 7 ------ TV kick-started a new era of music and pop culture in 1981, when it went on air for the first time, emblematically playing "Video Killed the Radio Star" as its debut music video. More than four decades later, the channel, now owned by US media giant Paramount Skydance, will wind down its international music broadcasting by the end of the year as it struggles to compete with online streaming and social media. MTV Music, MTV Hits, and i

December 7 ------ As the global artificial intelligence race heats up, the technology could deepen existing inequalities between countries if left unmanaged, according to a new report released by the United Nations’ lead agency on international development. Such a divide will be most visible in Asia, where nations differ widely in income levels, digital capacity, and governance, noted the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The agency is tasked with supporting countrie

MANILA, December 7 ------ Veteran big man Japeth Aguilar said his final game for Gilas Pilipinas was a fitting way to end his tour of duty for the national team. Ahead of their clash with Guam in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers, Aguilar was honored at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo de Manila University. "Yeah tingin ko. Very fitting," Aguilar told reporters when asked if this was indeed his last dance for Gilas. The Barangay Ginebra big man turned nostal

December 7 ------ With Europe working to revamp its industrial sector, the availability of cost-competitive steel is a major factor. But as the European Union tightens its climate regulations, focus has shifted to the decarbonization of steel production as well. Currently, the steel industry’s carbon footprint in Europe accounts for approximately five percent of all regional emissions, which is equivalent to about 190 million tons of CO2. Thus, the steel sector is critical in

MANILA, Philippines, December 7 ------ The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has postponed to January next year the scheduled impounding of electric bicycles and e-tricycles along national roads. Multiple public complaints led to the deferment of the ban’s enforcement today, LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said yesterday. An information drive about the prohibition will instead take place today, Lacanilao said. “President Marcos and acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez are

SYDNEY, December 7 ------ Google's YouTube shared a "disappointing update" to millions of Australian users and content creators, saying it will comply with a world-first teen social media ban by locking out users aged under 16 from their accounts within days. The decision ends a stand-off between the internet giant and the Australian government, which initially exempted YouTube from the age restriction, citing its use for educational purposes. Google had said it was getting l

December 7 ------ KC Concepcion affirmed that she intentionally took a break from show business, but she never planned for it to last for seven years. The daughter of Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion said that losing her beloved grandmother, Elaine Cuneta, profoundly affected her, causing her to quietly step back and focus on herself — both physically and mentally. “It was a long time, but 2020 (the start of the global pandemic) was included in that. So, I never th

December 6 ------ Bella Belen and Angel Canino join forces with Jia De Guzman as the country is sending a mix of young and veteran players in women’s volleyball at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand set next week. The 14-player list released by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as of Thursday, Dec. 4, also include Dawn Catindig, Maddie Madayag, Vanie Gandler, Justine Jazareno, Eya Laure, Shaina Nitura, Dell Palomata, Amie Provido, Alyssa Solomon, Alleiah Malaluan

December 6 ------ Philippos Ioulianou, Managing Director of EmissionLink, has warned the IMO’s decision to delay its Net Zero Framework is creating a regulatory vacuum that threatens to fragment global shipping decarbonization efforts. “What looks like a pause is, in reality, an open door for national governments to move ahead with their own systems,” Mr Ioulianou said. “Instead of gaining clarity, we risk creating a patchwork of unaligned carbon schemes that will make global