Philippine News

December 3 ------ Oil prices held firm as traders weighed up risks from Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy sites, mounting U.S.-Venezuela tension, and mixed expectations for U.S. fuel inventories. Brent crude futures rose 7 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $63.24 a barrel by 0657 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 13 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to stand at $59.45 a barrel. Both benchmarks advanced more than 1 per cent on Monday, while WTI was near a two-week high. "O

KINSHASA, Congo, December 3 ------ Congo announced the end of an Ebola outbreak that killed 43 people in one of the country's southern provinces, with authorities saying no new confirmed cases had been reported in the past 45 days. Health Minister Roger Kamba said the 43 deaths were among 53 confirmed cases in the outbreak, which was first announced in September in the Kasai province town of Bulape. He said more than 27,000 people were vaccinated, including 4,000 front-line w

PARIS, December 3 ------ Ukraine’s president spoke optimistically about the progress of revising the Trump administration’s peace plan, saying “it looks better” and the work will continue during talks on how to end Russia’s nearly four-year war. President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke after meeting with France’s president, the latest in discussions aimed at brokering the terms for a potential ceasefire in the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. Meanwhile, Kremlin

WASHINGTON, DC, December 3 ------ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to discuss ongoing efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the State Department said. The call comes amid growing tensions in transatlantic discussions over how to balance pressure on Kyiv with the urgency of ending Russia’s war of aggression. According to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Rubio emphasized that Washington’s goal remains a swift conclusio

MANILA, Philippines, December 2 ------ Two years after the death of his brother JM, Elijah Canlas and his family continue to grapple with their loss. Elijah shared in an interview during the presscon for “Salvageland” how his craft has aided him in dealing with grief and anxiety. Aside from movies, he is also pursuing music and theater. “I like being busy. It keeps me not really distracted, but when I’m busy, I think less about the grief or whatever anxieties I have. When I’m

December 2 ------ John Paulo Nase — best known as SB19’s Pablo — has been named as one of the top composers of the year by the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Inc. (FILSCAP). Pablo, along with Jim Paredes, Lito Camo, Rico Blanco and Vehnee Saturno, was recognized by FILSCAP at its thanksgiving party in November, with the awardees’ names revealed on its Facebook page days later. The non-profit organization also honored ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star

MANILA, December 2 ------ "Star for All Seasons" Vilma Santos-Recto added another milestone to her illustrious career as she clinched the Best Actress trophy at the 41st PMPC Star Awards for Movies. She received her 10th Best Actress award from the body for the movie "Uninvited." In her acceptance, the veteran actress expressed how deeply meaningful the recognition remains to her even after decades in the industry. “Definitely, I feel so, so happy. Every time nabibigyan ka ng

December 2 ------ BINI - composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha and Sheena — continues their dominance as a P-pop powerhouse after bagging the trophy for Best Female Group at the 2025 iteration of the Jupiter Music Awards. While BINI’s distinction was recognized in September yet, the trophy for the Best Female Group award was presented to the group only on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Emtek Studio City in Jakarta, Indonesia. The female octet, however, was n

December 2 ------ Scrap metal is among the most notorious cargoes for fire risk, not because of its inherent properties but because it is often contaminated with flammable debris and ready-made sources of ignition, like damaged lithium-ion batteries. A recent blaze at the port of Hull, UK illustrated the continuing danger to shipping, port facilities and public health from scrap-related fires. On June 27, 2025, the freighter Altay was alongside a scrap yard at Albert Dock in

December 2 ------ The Republic of Panama was re-elected today with 148 votes to Category A of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council during the 34th Assembly held in London. This strong international support once again highlights the country’s strategic importance within the global maritime sector and its firm commitment to strengthening the IMO. This achievement reflects the sustained and effective diplomatic work of Panama’s Permanent Mission to the IMO, carr

December 2 ------ The United Nations warns that gang warlords in Haiti have turned the country’s coastal waters into a pivotal transshipment hub for drugs originating from South America and destined for key markets across the Caribbean, the U.S. and Europe. As the country plunges deeper into the abyss of lawlessness, the UN contends that large gangs have taken control and are deeply entrenched along strategic corridors, in effect turning most of the country’s coastal waters i

MANILA, Philippines, December 2 ------ Oil firms are having a major rollback in diesel and kerosene today, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumers should brace for a price hike this December. In separate advisories, Jetti, Seaoil, Petron, Caltex and PTT Philippines announced a price cut of P2.90 and P3.20 per liter for diesel and kerosene, respectively. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are set to increase by P0.20 per liter. The Department of Energy (DOE) has attributed the

December 2 ------ GILAS Pilipinas completed a sweep of Guam, 95-71 in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers at the Blue Eagle Gym in perhaps Japeth Aguilar's final international game. The Nationals went on a 17-3 run to start the game and led by as many as 27 points which proved enough to begin the qualifiers for the next World Cup in Qatar with a 2-0 win-loss record in Group A. Gilas gained a share of the lead with Australia, which the Philippines will face at

December 2 ------ Oslo-headquartered classification society DNV is hosting the first open tender process to offer long-term access to renewable e-methanol as a means of supporting the decarbonization of industry, transport and chemical sectors. As disclosed, the tender is in line with the European Union’s (EU) Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III)—which represents a set of guidelines that target enhancing renewable energy use and slashing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by

DOHA, Qatar, December 2 ------ The three-way F1 title fight will go down to the last race of the season after Max Verstappen took full advantage of a McLaren blunder to win the Qatar Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver made an immediate pit stop during an early safety car intervention, when McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris stayed out, and he capitalized by driving with cool precision to triumph in convincing style. His win lifted him into second place in the title race

December 2 ------ The Philippine and Japanese militaries conducted a joint activity in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. In a statement, the AFP said the Philippine military and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) held their third bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) on Saturday, reflecting the steady growth of their defense cooperation. The AFP deployed the BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), a PN AW159 (NH441) helicopter

MANILA, Philippines, December 2 ------ A Filipina worker who saved a baby during the massive fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Nov. 26 is now in stable condition, according to the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong. Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. broke the news during an interview on dzMM yesterday, on the condition of overseas Filipino worker Rhodora Alcaraz Tuñacao who saved a three-month-old baby – by embracing the infant and protecting him from heavy smoke fo

LOS ANGELES, December 2 ------ The NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder avenged their only defeat of the season using a fourth-quarter surge to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 123-115 and improve to 20-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points to lead six Thunder players in double figures. With their 12th straight win Oklahoma City are off to the best start since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors opened the season 21-0. Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander's 9

LEGAZPI CITY, December 2 ------ Minimum wage earners in the Bicol region will see a P20 increase in their daily take-home pay. With the implementation of the second tranche, the new daily minimum wage in the Bicol region will now be P435. Imelda Gatinao, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and chairperson of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB V), said the salary adjustment is part of Wage Order No. RBV-22, which was appr

December 2 ------ BLACKLIST International fell to Malaysia’s Alpha Gaming, 1-4, in the lower bracket semifinals, bowing out of the Honor of Kings International Championship 2025 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay. Even though Blacklist International’s KIC 2025 run ended in heartbreak, the team fought until the final moment and proved how far the Philippines has risen on the global Honor of Kings stage. Here’s a recap of Blacklist’s last two matches in KIC 2025. Blacklist International