Philippine News

ROME, October 19 ------ A trip to Gaza is in Pope Leo XIV's heart, the Prefect of the Eastern Churches, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, told journalists when asked whether a papal visit to the Strip is possible. Speaking to journalists during the Silvestrini Prize event, Gugerotti said a papal visit to the war-torn territory is “certainly possible,” but logistical and safety issues must first be addressed. "I believe Pope Leo XIV deeply desires to visit Gaza, but we must also tak

October 19 ------ The regional prefect for Alpes-Maritimes has finalized rules to manage future large cruise ship calls after the local authorities had attempted to take matters into their own hands. The prefects announced the proposed rules which will govern areas ranging from the Bay of Cannes and the popular ports of Cannes, Nice, and Villefranche. The regional prefect of the Ales-Maritimes, Laurent Hottiaux, and the Maritime Prefect for the Mediterranean, Christophe Lucas

MANILA, Philippines, October 19 ------ The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said that it is eyeing to add more medicines to be offered for free under its new Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (Gamot) package. During a roundtable discussion, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Edwin Mercado said that this may be rolled out this year or early next year. “‘We are studying adding more medicines based on the approval of

BEIJING, China, October 19 ------ Rare earths are minerals used to make magnets crucial to the auto, electronic, and defense industries, as well as in renewable energy. The US Treasury Secretary slammed export curbs imposed by Beijing last week on technologies used for rare-earth mining, smelting, and other processing steps. Scott Bessent said it was "China versus the world". Here are some key things to know: Are they rare? Not really. With names like dysprosium, neodymium, a

October 19 ------ Ogie Alcasid and Odette Quesada are bringing their collaborative concert “Q&A” back to Manila, promising a grander and more heartfelt version of the show that charmed audiences here and abroad. Set for November 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, this ninth staging of the well-loved music-and-stories concept marks its most ambitious run yet — one filled with nostalgia, new arrangements, and a full-force celebration of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). “The sound wi

October 19 ------ Erik Spoelstra is expected to be named as the new head coach of the United States men’s national basketball team, ESPN reported. The Miami Heat coach will succeed Steve Kerr for the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Spoelstra, 54, joined Mark Few and Tyronn Lue as assistants on the Americans’ gold-medal winning squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Spoelstra — who traces his roots to San Pablo, Laguna in the Philippines — has guided the Heat to two NB

MANILA, October 18 ------ Oil prices are again expected to go down next week, said the Department of Energy Friday, Oct. 17. 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 rollbacks are expected next week: • Gasoline – P0.30/per liter • Diesel – P1.10/ per liter • Kerosene – P0.65/ per liter Romero noted these numbers do not cover business and other premium costs.

October 18 ------ Remittances from overseas Filipinos posted a decline in August after the seven-month high seen in July, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed. Cash remittances, or money transfers coursed through banks or formal channels, were recorded at $2.977 billion in August, down from $3.179 billion in July, but higher than the $2.885 billion recorded the same month last year. Land-based workers accounted for $2.35 billion which reflected a 3.0%

SINGAPORE, October 18 ------ The United States has fallen out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports for the first time in 20 years, marking a continued decline in the strength of the American passport. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, released, the US passport now ranks 12th globally, tying with Malaysia and offering visa-free access to 180 out of 227 destinations. Singapore, with access to 193 destinations visa-free, occupies the top spot, while South K

October 18 ------ Faced with increasing financial pressures and a competitive workplace, a growing number of seafarers are exaggerating their work experience or downright falsifying their resumes to secure jobs on tankers, warns international crewing service provider Danica. The group is calling for closer collaboration between authorities, training centers, and manning agencies to address the problem while also warning shipowners and operators to work only with reputable cre

October 18 ------ Fashion designer Louis Pangilinan has etched his mark on the beauty pageant industry, not just on the national stage, but in the international arena as well. And his global impact has further expanded in the recent Miss Globe competition. The international pageant has been tapping the Laguna-based designer to provide gowns and other dresses for the semifinalists in the past years, but it was only in the recently concluded 2025 edition that he was invited to

MANILA, Philippines, October 18 ------ Chezka Centeno became the second player to win the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship twice after defeating Rubilen Amit, 4-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-4, 4-2, recently in Bali, Indonesia. Centeno battled her way through the loser’s bracket before edging out her friend and mentor to repeat the title run she pulled off two years ago in Austria. The 26-year-old defeated Amit, who was the first cue artist to rule the competition twice back in 2009 in Qu

OSAKA, Japan, October 18 ------ Naomi Osaka pulled out of the Japan Open ahead of her quarterfinal after the four-time Grand Slam champion failed to recover from a leg injury. The former World No. 1 was tearful after struggling through her last-16 match against defending champion Suzan Lamens in Osaka. Top seed Osaka, who turned 28 this week, was supposed to face Romania's Jaqueline Cristian in the last eight. "We regret to announce that Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a l

October 18 ------ The creative collaboration of film producer Dondon Monteverde, director Erik Matti, and actor-director Coco Martin could have happened sooner or perhaps even later. But director Erik insisted there couldn’t have been any better time to partner than now. In a press conference on Tuesday, Dondon and Erik, through their movie production outfit, Reality MM Studios, announced that they are joining forces with Coco, who runs his own company named CCM Film Producti

NEW YORK, October 18 ------ Carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in Earth’s atmosphere climbed to their highest point on record in 2024, increasing by an unprecedented margin and further locking the planet into long-term warming, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin attributed the surge to continued emissions from human activities, intensifying wildfires, and a weakening of natural “carbon sinks” such as forests an

October 18 ------ By 2050, the world has pledged to reach net zero. For shipping - a sector responsible for moving 90% of global trade - the clock is ticking loudly. This week’s meeting at the IMO, aptly titled “Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)” will likely adopt the widely anticipated GFI (Greenhouse Fuel Index), ensuring clarity and alignment of parties. But it still won’t be enough. Before combustion engines were invented, shippin

MANILA, Philippines, October 17 ------ Team Asia got its Reyes Cup title defense to a smashing start after building a commanding 4-0 lead over Team Rest of the World at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. From singles to doubles to team duels, the quintet of Filipinos Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, AJ Manas, Singaporean Aloysius Yapp, and Vietnamese Duong Quoc Hoang were simply superior as they swept the opening-day matches to gain headway in the race-to-11 contest. The Asians swiftly took

MANILA, Philippines, October 17 ------ After an unconventional start to her PVL career, 2025 top overall pick Bella Belen finally has a pro league win in her bag as the Capital1 Solar Spikers downed the Nxled Chameleons in four sets, 25-20, 23-25, 27-25, 25-12, at the Araneta Coliseum. The young UAAP legend out of National University tallied 15 points and 14 excellent digs to support Ukrainian import Sasha Bytsenko’s season-high 39-point explosion, as Capital1 got into the 20

October 17 ------ AJ Edu emerged victorious in his battle with Gilas Pilipinas teammate Dwight Ramos when their respective teams met in the 2025-26 Japan B.League season. Edu commanded the defense in the Gunma Crane Thunders' 99-72 home win over the Levanga Hokkaido at Openhouse Arena Ota, finishing with six points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two blocks to push his team's record up to 3-2. Ramos only had six points and two assists, as Hokkaido slipped to 3-2. Ray Parks w

October 17 ------ Former MVP Russell Westbrook is joining the Sacramento Kings, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the deal. Westbrook's agent, Jeff Schwartz, confirmed the deal to ESPN earlier Wednesday. Schwartz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP. The 36-year-old Westbrook is entering his 18th season in the league. He's the all-time leader