A news and information service for Filipino seafarers sponsored by the All Japan Seamen's Union, International Mariners Management Association of Japan and Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council, Inc.
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January 10, 2026
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HEADLINES
Snow and ice ground flights, choke highways in parts of Europe
Russia: US Seizure of Oil Tanker is Piracy
Unemployment, underemployment rates ease in November 2025
Cup of Joe extends sold-out 'Stardust' tour with new Philippine and international dates
Air Supply to celebrate their 50th anniversary in Philippines
PH to host Asian Beach Games in 2028
Hawks trade Trae Young to Wizards - report
FULL NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
China hacked email systems of US congressional committee staffers – report
January 10 ------ China has hacked emails used by staff members of powerful committees in the US House of Representatives, as part of a cyber espionage campaign known as Salt Typhoon, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter. China accessed email systems used by some staffers on the House China committee as well as aides on panels covering foreign affairs, intelligence, and the armed services, the report said.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Chinese Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu condemned what he called “unfounded speculation and accusations,” while the Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to comment. The White House and the offices of the four committees reportedly targeted in the surveillance sweep did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The FT cited a person familiar with the campaign as saying it was unclear whether the attackers had accessed lawmakers’ emails in the intrusions, which were detected in December. US lawmakers and their aides, especially those who oversee America’s sprawling military and intelligence agencies, have long been top targets for cyberespionage ,and reports of hacks or attempted hacks have surfaced periodically.
In November, the Senate Sergeant at Arms notified multiple congressional offices of a “cyber incident,” where hackers may have accessed communications between the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which provides key financial research data to lawmakers, and some Senate offices. In 2023, the Washington Post reported that two senior US lawmakers were among the targets of a Vietnam-linked hacking operation.
The Salt Typhoon hacks have long rattled the US intelligence community. Hackers have also been alleged to have intercepted conversations, including those between prominent US politicians and government officials. US officials have previously alleged that the hacking group is prepositioning itself to paralyze critical American infrastructure in case of a conflict with China. Beijing has repeatedly denied being behind the intrusions. Early last year, the US imposed sanctions on alleged hacker Yin Kecheng and cybersecurity company Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology, accusing both of being involved in Salt Typhoon.
Source: rappler.com
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Snow and ice ground flights, choke highways in parts of Europe
SCHIPHOL, Netherlands, January 10 ------ More than 1,000 stranded passengers spent the night at Amsterdam's international airport as snow and ice that is pummeling parts of Europe grounded hundreds of flights and choked highways and railroads.
In Paris, a skier slid along the snowy bank of the Seine river, and roads and parks around the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum were blanketed in snow, which also snarled traffic in parts of France. There was good news for some Berlin residents during the cold snap as power was being restored to thousands of households in the German capital that had been without electricity in freezing temperatures for four days following a suspected far-left attack on high-voltage lines, authorities said.
Schiphol Airport, on the outskirts of Amsterdam, set up hundreds of field beds overnight and served breakfast to weary travelers as staff worked to clear snow from runways and deice airplanes. At least 800 flights were canceled on Wednesday at the airport, one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs.
Sonja Wurmlingel, trying to make her way home to Argentina, had to endure repeated disappointments and was still not sure how she would get back. She originally was supposed to fly via the German city of Düsseldorf, but that flight was canceled. Then she was rerouted through Paris, but that was canceled, too. The next option was taking a train to Düsseldorf. “I’ve come from the train and they told me there’s no train,” she said, adding, after a long pause: “I don’t know.”
National airline KLM said that lines at the airport were decreasing, in part because passengers were warned on time that their flights were canceled, so they didn't head to the airport. The Dutch rail and road networks were also hard hit by fresh snowfall during the morning rush hour and more squalls later in the day.
Rail operator NS urged travelers to “delay your journey if possible.” It warned of fewer trains operating as problems caused by the snow and icy temperatures in the Netherlands hit train travel harder than expected. Both domestic and international trains were affected, NS said. Drivers braving the snowy conditions didn't fare much better, with more than 700 kilometers (435 miles) of traffic jams clogging the country's roads as trucks slid across highways and slow-moving snow plows cleared the roads.
Snow in Paris
France's national weather service, Meteo France, said large parts of northern and western France, including the Paris region, were on alert for snow and black ice. French authorities advised people to work from home and avoid using their cars in the snow-hit regions. Trucks and school buses were banned from using the roads. Bus traffic was suspended in Paris.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said that more than 100 flights were canceled on Wednesday at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and about 40 others at Paris Orly airport. French railway company SNCF warned passengers about disruptions and delays because of weather conditions, saying that “snow on the tracks is forcing us to limit train speed and cancel trains or adjust traffic.” Eurostar trains between Paris, London, and Brussels were also being delayed.
Wintry Sweden
Even countries more accustomed to harsh winter weather reported problems as the snowy snap endured over large parts of Europe. There was heavy snow in western Sweden, and authorities in Göteborg took all the city’s trams out of service on Wednesday morning because of the weather, broadcaster SVT reported. Snow banks churned up by passing trams posed a risk to other traffic. In Finland, difficulties starting diesel buses that had been standing in the cold over the holidays and poor driving conditions led to bus cancellations and delays in the Helsinki area, Finnish broadcaster Yle reported.
Source: mb.com.ph
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MARITIME NEWS
Texas A&M Researchers Develop "Smart" Collision-Avoidance System
January 10 ------ Researchers at Texas A&M University have made significant progress in the development of a computerized system that has the ability to combat collisions by giving seafarers real-time maneuvering advice. The ultimate goal is to save the shipping industry massive losses, including loss of lives, that are brought about by collisions.
Dubbed "Smart-Sea," the system combines raw radar imaging data with advanced machine learning is designed to give seafarers real-time guidance on how and when to maneuver their vessel to ensure safety. By providing information visually on a dashboard, seafarers will have a tool that empowers them to make a decision on maneuvering the vessel away from potential dangers. The system's vessel maneuvering model is based on seafarer experience, computational fluid dynamics models and machine learning trained on past vessel motions.
The team says that the raw radar images are processed using a machine learning tool that identifies and classifies stationary objects like offshore oil platforms and depleted wellheads, among others that are near the vessel. Once identified, the vessel’s maneuverability and seafarer’s experience level are considered to recommend the safest action for the vessel.
To assess the effectiveness of the Smart-Sea, the researchers tested it aboard the Texas A&M research vessel Trident, with preliminary data supporting the prototype as a way to reduce marine collisions. The 70-meter vessel with a cruising speed of 17 knots supports a wide range of underwater study and exploration.
Human error remains the single major cause of collisions, with data from Europe offering a recent glimpse. In October, the European Maritime Safety Agency published its annual overview of marine casualties and incidents, covering the period from January 2015 to December 2024. During the period, over 26,000 casualties and incidents occurred, and nearly 65 percent were linked to human action. Just over 50 percent of the contributing factors were related to human behavior. The report shows that when considering both, nearly 80 percent of the marine casualties and incidents involved a human element.
The Texas A&M University researchers are developing Smart-Sea through initial funding from the U.S. Department of the Interiors and Energy. They hope to secure additional funding to continue testing the system on other vessels. While currently designed for large merchant vessels, the researchers believe that development of low-cost models could allow the system to be adapted for recreational vessels as well.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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Russia: US Seizure of Oil Tanker is Piracy
January 10 ------ Russia said that the U.S. seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic was a violation of maritime law, and a senior lawmaker described it as "outright piracy".
Russia's Transport Ministry said contact with the vessel, the Marinera, had been lost after U.S. naval forces boarded it near Iceland as part of efforts to block oil exports from Venezuela. "In accordance with the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia is demanding that the United States ensure humane and decent treatment of the Russian crew members and their swift return home, state news agency TASS quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying. The Marinera, originally known as the Bella-1, had previously slipped through a U.S. maritime blockade of sanctioned tankers in the Caribbean.
U.S. WAGING PRESSURE CAMPAIGN AGAINST VENEZUELA
The blockade was part of a U.S. pressure campaign against Venezuela that culminated when President Donald Trump sent in U.S. special forces on January 3 to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and bring him to New York to face drug trafficking charges, which he has denied. "After a 'law enforcement operation' that killed several dozen people in Venezuela, the U.S. has engaged in outright piracy on the high seas," Andrei Klishas, a lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party, posted on Telegram.
Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Wednesday's operation was carried out by the Coast Guard and U.S. military. They said Russian military vessels, including a submarine, were in the general vicinity. There were no indications of any confrontation between U.S. and Russian military forces.
Relations between Moscow and Washington plunged to their worst state since the Cold War after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, though they have become more cordial since Trump began his second term last year and started engaging with President Vladimir Putin to seek an end to the conflict. Military incidents between the nuclear-armed powers are rare. In March 2023, a U.S military surveillance drone crashed into the Black Sea after being intercepted by Russian fighter jets, prompting Washington to protest and warn of the risk of an escalation.
Venezuelan leader Maduro was the second close ally of Russia to be ousted in just over a year, following the toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Russia has said it backs Delcy Rodriguez, sworn in on Monday as interim president, and will continue to support Venezuela in the face of what Moscow has called "blatant neocolonial threats and foreign armed aggression".
With Russians still in the midst of an extended New Year holiday period, Putin has yet to comment publicly on the U.S. action to remove Maduro.
Source: marinelink.com
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Singapore Cites Fatigue, Manning and Safety Culture in Fatal 2024 Accident
January 10 ------ The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore issued its final report on the July 2024 incident in which a Hafnia oil tanker hit an anchored Chinese-owned shadow fleet tanker in the South China Sea. The catastrophic allision of the fully-laden vessel moving at 14 knots with the empty tanker at anchor caused a massive fire that killed one person, injured several crew members of the anchored vessel, and severely damaged the two ships.
The report, which was issued at the end of December 2025, highlights that safety rules and company regulations were not being properly followed. The ships were in a very busy traffic area, and the report finds that both crews could have taken additional actions to prevent the allision.
The Hafnia Nile, which was registered in Singapore, was underway, having departed Singapore after a call for fueling and a crew change. The report highlights that it had been a busy port call, with the ship also undergoing inspections during its stay. The master of the vessel later told investigators it was customary for the Chief Mate not to take the first watch after departure because of the level of fatigue from the duties during extended port stays.
The Second Mate was leading the watch after the departure. The report, however, finds he had just joined the ship traveling from Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a transit through Kuala Lumpur. He reported having had just two hours of rest in a 38.5-hour period, as well as the strains of joining the ship and involvement in port activities. When he had finally gone for a rest, it was interrupted by an unannounced fire alarm test. The investigation concludes the Second Mate was likely tired from overnight travel, workload from joining the ship, and disrupted rest.
Despite transiting a high-traffic region, the Second Mate had left the bridge to prepare two reports. He was in the chartroom, which was separated by a curtain from the wheelhouse. The report concludes that the paperwork was non-critical and could have been completed the following day.
An Able Seafarer was left alone in the wheelhouse. During the departure, the master had been on the bridge along with a pilot and an ordinary seaman. The seaman was to be the lookout but had left to restring the pilot’s ladder. He had ultimately been relieved, and the master had stayed after the pilot’s departure until he was satisfied the vessel was in the traffic lane. He reviewed safety management and the navigation before leaving the Second Mate, who was the officer of the watch, alone on the bridge with the AB.
In command of the tanker, the Second Mate had made multiple changes in course and speed to deal with traffic before leaving the bridge at about 0540. He had returned to the bridge to make some further course adjustments. They had first spotted the anchored tanker, Ceres I, at a distance of over 6 miles and assumed there was little danger. The shadow fleet tanker had also identified the Hafnia Nile as approaching. As the distance between the vessels narrowed, another ship underway complicated the passage, but the report concludes that the Hafnia Nile and Ceres I would pass at about 0.7 nautical miles as the Hafnia Nile attempted to thread between the two ships.
The Second Mate had returned to the bridge at 0601 and saw that the Ceres I was very close and switched to manual steering and applied hard right rudder. At 0602, the Hafnia Nile’s bow contacted the Ceres I’s port anchor chain, which became entangled with the Hafnia Nile’s port bilge keel and drew the ships closer. The Ceres I’s bulbous bow breached the Hafnia Nile’s shell plating near the Heavy Fuel Tank and one of the cargo tanks loaded with naphtha, causing the fires on both ships.
The investigation also found that the Hafnia Nile’s S-band radar alarms had been silenced. The X-band radar alarms had been deactivated. It notes that these violations had removed an important safeguard for earlier detection. The report also cites the crew of the Ceres I for not taking more actions to attempt to contact the Hafnia Nile as it was approaching. They had used sound signals and the Aldis lamp, but received no response from the Hafnia Nile. The report highlights that the Ceres I crew, despite the escalating risk, never tried using VHF to warn the Hafnia Nile.
The report notes that Hafnia has, since the incident, undertaken measurements focused on improved bridge watchkeeping practices and fatigue management after the incident. It says that the company strengthened its bridge team coordination and watchkeeping standards. The company also took steps to reinforce adherence to the bridge manning levels prescribed in its Safety Management System. The managers of the Ceres I, it reports, updated their management systems for the use of communications tools. They revised instructions about responding to developing or time-critical close-quarter situations.
Singapore notes that the role of the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau is not to assign blame, but to prevent future maritime incidents. It is not their role to assign liability. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority, however, filed charges related to the fatal 2024 incident. The two individuals, one from India and one from Sri Lanka, who were the navigational officer and lookout aboard the Hafnia Nile, were being charged under the Merchant Shipping Act. The Second Mate was accused of failing to maintain situational awareness and making a full situational appraisal of the risks to navigation. He was also charged with failing to ensure a proper watch was maintained. The Able Seafarer was charged with navigating the vessel on his own without the officer of the watch and failing to alert the officer of the approaching danger. If convicted, they could each face up to two years in jail and a fine of up to approximately $39,000 each.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
Inflation hits 9-year low at 1.7% in 2025
MANILA, Philippines, January 10 ------ The Philippines closed 2025 with average inflation easing to 1.7 percent, its lowest level in nine years and below the government’s target as the increase in food prices slowed, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in a press conference yesterday that headline inflation – the rate of increase in consumer prices – averaged 1.7 percent last year, lower than the 3.2 percent average inflation in 2024. He said last year’s average inflation was the lowest since 2016 when inflation averaged 1.3 percent.
Last year’s average inflation was also below the government’s two to four percent target band. Driving the downtrend in last year’s average inflation was the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages, which posted a slower uptick of 1.2 percent last year from 4.4 percent in 2024. In December last year, inflation rose to 1.8 percent from the previous month’s 1.5 percent, but was below the 2.9 percent print in the same month in 2024.
The December 2025 inflation print was also within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 1.2 to two percent forecast for the month. The PSA attributed the uptrend in December inflation mainly to the faster year-on-year increment in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 1.4 percent last month from 0.1 percent in November 2025.
Inflation for food alone rose to 1.2 percent in December last year from the 0.3 percent decline in the previous month. Mapa said this was due to higher prices of vegetables and flour products used for goods consumed during the holiday season. Vegetables registered faster inflation of 11.6 percent in December 2025 from four percent in the previous month. “The typhoons had an effect of course because if you remember, the month of November, there were strong typhoons. This most probably impacted vegetable farms so prices increased,” he said.
Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products and other cereals also registered higher inflation of 1.8 percent in December 2025 from the previous month’s 1.6 percent. Inflation for rice, the country’s staple food, registered a slower 12.3 percent decline in December last year from the previous month’s 15.4 percent. The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said that the government is committed to implementing policies to temper price pressures and keep inflation within the two to four percent target range for 2026 to 2028. “Despite global headwinds and domestic challenges, the Philippine economy has remained resilient against inflationary pressures due to the government’s timely and targeted interventions,” DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. “Building on this momentum, the government will continue to pursue prudent fiscal and monetary coordination and advance structural reforms to sustain the downward inflation trend and support inclusive growth in 2026 and beyond,” he said.
As part of efforts to keep inflation within target, the government has allocated P297.1 billion for the agriculture sector in this year’s national budget to boost farmer productivity and strengthen food security. The allocation for the agriculture sector will be used to build farm-to-market roads and bridges; develop food hubs, cold storage facilities and rice mills, as well as implement programs to keep prices affordable. To address the impact of rising electricity demand and manage energy-related price pressures, the Department of Energy is accelerating the completion of 200 power generation projects. “These policy initiatives form part of our broader thrust to attain food security, improve human capital and enhance the quality and efficiency of public service delivery – priorities that enable inclusive, broad-based growth for all Filipinos,” Balisacan said.
Source: philstar.com
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Unemployment, underemployment rates ease in November 2025
MANILA, January 10 ------ The Philippines' unemployment and underemployment rates eased in November 2025 compared to October, the Philippine Statistics Authority said. However, compared to November 2024, the jobless rate as well as the total number of unemployed workers actually increased.
The PSA said the jobless rate was seen at 4.4 percent of the labor force in November, which was lower than the 5 percent clip seen in October. This meant that 2.25 million workers were jobless that month. PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the underemployment rate also eased to 10.4 percent in November last year from 12 percent in October. This meant that 5.11 million workers were underemployed.
The PSA classifies the underemployed as workers who already have jobs but are still looking for extra jobs or extra work hours. But the PSA also noted that compared to the 3.2 percent jobless rate in November 2024, the unemployment rate in November 2025 was actually higher. The number of jobless workers also rose from 1.66 million in November 2024. Mapa said the two strong typhoons, Tino and Uwan, which hit the country in November last year, had a big effect on the country's accommodation and food service, as well as wholesale and retail trade sectors. “Ang reading namin is that because of this typhoon, nagkaroon ng slowdown in economic activities related to tourism, doon sa accommodation services at of course yung sa retail trade,” Mapa said.
On an annual basis, these two sectors caused job losses totaling 567,000. The PSA also noted that jobs in construction increased month-on-month by 143,000. “We were looking at the numbers ng construction industry…ng July to November para makita natin yung effect nung current investigations sa flood control, nag-increase yan ng mga 203,000, July to November 2025 vs. July to November 2024,” Mapa noted.
Growth slowed in the third quarter of 2025 as the government put the brakes on infrastructure spending amid the flood control mess. The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government will continue to work to make businesses more resilient as bad weather continues to hurt workforce numbers. “The government will actively support establishments in developing and implementing Business Continuity and Resiliency Plans,” DEPDev said.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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DOH to release MAIFIP rules vs pol guarantees
MANILA, Philippines, January 10 ------ The Department of Health expects the guidelines for a program providing medical aid to needy patients to be completed by the middle of February, as it maintained that patients seeking treatment in DOH-run hospitals do not need to seek “guarantee letters” from politicians.
The Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program, which covers the hospital costs of eligible beneficiaries, has been given a P51-billion budget this year. The DOH had sought a hike in the MAIFIP outlay to carry out the zero-balance billing policy in hospitals under local governments. “I expect to have the guidelines by the end of the month or by mid-February. So we now have basic principles and a working draft,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa told a Palace press briefing yesterday. “As of now, (MAIFIP) will be following the existing 2025 implementing rules and regulations. So, I will follow that until we craft the current one for 2026,” he added.
The MAIFIP was one of the controversial items during the deliberations on the P6.793-trillion national budget for this year. Some sectors argued that the higher funding for the program is not consistent with the goals of the Universal Health Care Act. Critics also expressed concern that the assistance makes financially challenged patients overly dependent on politicians who issue guarantee letters. Malacañang has clarified that the MAIFIP would be implemented by the DOH, not by politicians.
At the same press briefing, Herbosa said there is no need for patients to secure guarantee letters because the government is now implementing the zero balance billing policy in DOH-run hospitals. “The DOH does not use guarantee letters,” the health chief said. “We only issue guarantee letters to private hospitals with which the DOH has a memorandum of agreement. Other than that, we do not use guarantee letters,” he added.
If a politician issues a guarantee letter, he or she would shoulder the hospital bill, not the government, Herbosa said. The zero billing policy, which seeks to ensure that eligible patients are discharged without paying any out-of-pocket expenses for services covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), has been in effect since July last year. The policy guarantees that PhilHealth members admitted in a DOH hospital’s basic accommodation or ward are fully covered for hospitalization, diagnostic services and medicines included in the state insurer’s case rates.
The DOH was given a P448-billion budget for this year. The 2026 budget contains a provision prohibiting elective officials, candidates, politicians, political parties and their representatives from influencing or participating in the actual distribution of aid, except for officials with direct administrative authority over the implementing agency. President Marcos has vowed to strictly implement the provision, which aims to discourage political patronage. Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday rejected claims that the P10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk was a last-minute insertion in the 2026 national budget. “First of all, it is not an insertion because it was discussed in the bicam. In fact, it was in the GAB (General Appropriations Bill). It was already discussed long ago,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, responding to Sen. Imee Marcos who claimed the funding came “out of nowhere.”
Gatchalian said safeguards were built into the measure, including requirements for implementing guidelines to be crafted by the Department of Agriculture. He also stressed that the assistance was designed to go directly to farmers and fisherfolk, particularly those in rural areas, and not to urban beneficiaries. On education, enrollment in state universities and colleges (SUCs) will be affected by President Marcos’ decision to veto the P43.245-billion budget, which will fund the salaries of new government workers.
Source: philstar.com
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License eyed for driving 2 or 3-wheeled electric vehicles
MANILA, January 8 ------ The Land Transportation Office is studying the possibility of requiring drivers of two or three-wheeled electric vehicles to have a driver's license, an official said.
LTO Chief Markus Lacanilao said the issue is safety, especially if these drivers take the major thoroughfares in going to and from their destination. In an interview with DZMM's Gising Pilipinas, Lacanilao said some drivers of these e-trikes do not have a driver's license, and the vehicle is not registered with LTO. He said this means that these vehicles have no insurance at all. Lacanilao admits that in case of accidents, passengers and other parties involved will not get any insurance remedy since these e-trikes or e-bikes are not insured.
The LTO also plans to expand roads where e-trikes and e-bikes will not be allowed, to include Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and Marcos Highway leading towards the Eastern Part of Metro Manila and neighboring Rizal. According to Lacanilao, the Department of Transportation will come up with a memorandum circular that will address the issue of who should have a driver's license and which units need to be registered with the LTO. Regulators have begun implementing a ban on e-trikes along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, citing safety concerns.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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PAL named most punctual airline in Asia
MANILA, January 11 ------ Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) ended 2025 as Asia’s most punctual airline, dominating in a region where some of the world’s finest operators are based.
Based on the on-time performance review of aviation analyst Cirium, PAL registered the highest on-time score in Asia-Pacific of 83.12 percent in 2025. This marks the first time that PAL was named the most punctual airline in a region that is usually led by the likes of All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
PAL achieved this feat by being the most on-time carrier in Asia-Pacific for five months – in April, August, September, October and November. Overall, Cirium monitored 116,628 flights from PAL last year. This means most PAL passengers arrived at their destination on time. Cirium assesses the timeliness of an airline based on how early their flights make it to designated gates. Under Cirium standards, a flight is deemed punctual if it arrives ahead of schedule by less than 15 minutes, minimizing disruption in airport schedule and providing passengers more flexibility. In Asia-Pacific, PAL’s closest competitor was Air New Zealand, which posted an on-time rate of 79.29 percent.
ANA placed third with 78.88 percent, Singapore Airlines came next with 78.58 percent, while Japan Airlines ranked fifth with 78.25 percent. IndiGo landed sixth with 78.12 percent, followed by Cathay Pacific and Virgin Australia with 76.78 percent and 76.54 percent, respectively. Qantas settled at ninth with 76.51 percent, while Korean Air rounded up the leaderboard with 75.34 percent. Globally, flag carrier Aeromexico is the most punctual airline for the second consecutive year, as it recorded a world-leading 90.02 percent. Saudia was far second with 86.53 percent, followed by Scandinavian Airlines’ 86.09 percent, Azul Brazilian Airlines’ 85.18 percent and Qatar Airways’ 84.42 percent.
Before 2025 ended, PAL took delivery of the first of its nine Airbus A350-1000s, considered as the most efficient widebody jet right now, to scale up its fleet for long-range flights, particularly to North America. PAL can also sustain its on-time leadership with the expected arrival of more aircraft, including 13 A321s, the first batch of which would come in this year.
Source: philstar.com
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DOJ sets Jan. 15 for Zaldy Co’s response to plunder raps
MANILA, Philippines, January 10 ------ Resigned Rep. Zaldy Co has until Jan. 15 to respond to a plunder complaint filed against him before the Department of Justice (DOJ). “No counsel appeared for Mr. Zaldy Co,” DOJ spokesman and prosecution attorney Polo Martinez told reporters, referring to Monday’s preliminary investigation. “He was given until Jan. 15 to file his counter-affidavit,” he added.
Co was also a respondent to another case already ongoing formal probe before the DOJ, but Martinez said this Monday’s preliminary investigation was the first plunder filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Co before the DOJ. Martinez refused to give further details about the plunder complaint. However, under the Anti-Plunder Act (Republic Act No. 7080), plunder is committed by a public official who, alone or with others, amasses at least P75 million (originally P50 million) in ill-gotten wealth through a series of criminal acts like illegal use of funds, accepting kickbacks, or taking advantage of their position.
An arrest warrant was already issued against Co and 17 others for malversation of public funds worth P289.5 million for a flood control project in Mindoro. Co has been out of the country since July 2025.
Source: inquirer.net
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Embassy tells Filipinos: J-1 visas 'not path to US citizenship'
MANILA, January 10 ------ Filipino nationals are reminded that the J-1 exchange visitor program visa is a nonimmigrant program and does not lead to United States permanent residency nor citizenship. The Philippine Embassy in Washington DC issued the reminder after receiving reports of illegal recruiters and individuals posing as immigration lawyers promising US citizenship through the J-1 program.
According to the embassy, the visitor program is temporary and designed solely for cultural exchange. “Overstaying in the United States beyond the authorized period of stay is a serious violation of US immigration law, and can result in deportation and long-term bans,” it said.
J-1 teachers are required to return to the Philippines after completing the program and are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement. “Waiver of this requirement is difficult to obtain, not guaranteed, and requires exceptional hardship or highly meritorious circumstances,” the embassy said.
It said illegal recruiters are demanding large sums of money for immigration assistance, and even encourage overstaying, misusing visas, or filing asylum claims solely to remain in the US. “Teachers who are J-1 visa holders or applicants are urged to participate in the program only with a clear understanding of its objectives and limitations,” the embassy said. “Those considering long-term immigration options must seek advice from a qualified US immigration attorney,” it added.
Under the Trump administration, the US has intensified its crackdown on US immigration violations, including those overstaying a visa or entering the country illegally. According to the US Department of State, overstaying a visa may cause a national to be “ineligible for a visa in the future for return travel to the United States.”
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Most Pinoys say 2025 a bad year, but 78% remain hopeful for 2026
January 10 ------ A LARGE majority of Filipinos view 2025 as a year of hardship for both their families and the nation, according to a nationwide survey conducted over the New Year holiday.
The non-commissioned survey by market research firm Tangere found that 67 percent of respondents described 2025 as a “bad year,” pointing to persistent government corruption and the cumulative impact of natural calamities as the primary drivers of public frustration.
The sense of adversity was most pronounced outside the capital, with the highest levels recorded in Mindanao at 71 percent, followed by the Visayas at 70 percent and Northern Luzon at 69 percent. Economic vulnerability emerged as a defining factor in how Filipinos experienced the past year. Among respondents belonging to socioeconomic Class D, 70 percent reported significant hardship, emphasizing the disproportionate toll on lower-income households. This finding carries added weight as Class D accounts for nearly 90 percent of the Philippine population, making their experience broadly reflective of national conditions.
Despite the bleak assessment of 2025, the survey also revealed a strong current of optimism. Seventy-eight percent of Filipinos said they expect 2026 to be a better year for both their families and the country. However, this optimism appears conditional, hinging largely on expectations of improved governance and a tougher, more credible campaign against corruption. Survey results indicate that Filipinos are looking beyond symbolic or mid-level enforcement actions. While 20 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the arrest of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and contractors, a decisive 75 percent said genuine justice would only be achieved if accountability reached senior officials, including senators and congressmen allegedly linked to flood control anomalies.
The survey was conducted from Dec. 30, 2025, to Jan. 2, 2026, using a mobile-based respondent application and a sample size of 1,800 participants. It carries a margin of error of ±2.48 percent at a 95-percent confidence level and employed a stratified random sampling, quota-based method to ensure national representation. Respondents were drawn from across the country, with 12 percent from the National Capital Region, 23 percent from Northern Luzon, 22 percent from Southern Luzon, 20 percent from the Visayas, and 23 percent from Mindanao.
Source: manilatimes.net
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Cup of Joe extends sold-out 'Stardust' tour with new Philippine and international dates
January 10 ------ Wrapping up 2025 as multi-awarded Filipino artists, record-breaking band Cup of Joe has announced additional dates for their ongoing world tour and confirmed more live shows in various cities in the Philippines for their sold-out “Stardust” concert.
This January, the group is set to continue the second leg of their tour in the US, followed by concerts in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in February. They will then return to Asia for more stops in Singapore in March, and Malaysia and Indonesia in May. Additionally, they are also expected to perform in Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand in June.
At the same time, Cup of Joe exclusively disclosed more confirmed dates for their Philippine tour, including Baguio City at the University of Baguio on February 6; Santa Rosa, Laguna at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex on February 28; Tacloban City at the Tacloban City Convention Center on March 21; Cebu City at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on March 28; Iloilo City at the Iloilo Convention Center on May 9; Davao City at the SMX Convention Center Davao on May 30; and Cagayan de Oro at the Limketkai Atrium on June 13.
More details about their remarkable “Stardust” concert will be announced soon on their social media channels. Named Top Local Artist of the Year by Billboard Philippines, Spotify Philippines, and Apple Music Philippines, Cup of Joe was also recognized by Believe Music for surpassing a total of four billion all-time streams on across all music platforms. This recognition further confirms that they are the most-streamed act in the Philippines.
Moreover, Cup of Joe’s hit track “Multo,” now with 446.6 million streams, still holds the record for the longest-running No. 1 song and the highest single-day streams in Spotify Philippines’ history. They have also surpassed 11.6 million monthly listeners on the platform. During their three-day concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in October, the phenomenal band was recognized by The Araneta Group for making history as the first Filipino band to achieve a total of five sold-out concert days in a single year at The Big Dome.
Meanwhile, the group recently launched the vinyl record of their award-winning “Silakbo” album, which won Album of the Year in the first Filipino Music Awards. As Cup of Joe continues to reach new milestones and wider audiences around the world, their success stands as a testament to the strength of Original Pilipino Music, with its powerhouse label Viva Music Group remaining at the forefront of the music industry.
Source: manilatimes.net
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Live-action ‘Tangled’ will star Teagan Croft, Milo Manheim as Rapunzel, Flynn Rider
LOS ANGELES, January 10 ------ Disney will let down Rapunzel’s lengthy hair once again as it announced, its live-action adaptation of “Tangled,” which will star Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim in the title role and Flynn Rider, respectively. The 2010 animated hit followed Rapunzel, the magically long-haired princess locked away in a tower, whose carefully ordered life is upended when she teams up with Flynn Rider, a charming outlaw on the run.
The original film featured the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, grossed more than $590 million worldwide, and spawned both the short film “Tangled Ever After” and the Disney Channel series “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.”
The new “Tangled” will be directed by Michael Gracey, best known for “The Greatest Showman,” with a screenplay by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Croft, an Australian actor, is best known for starring as Rachel Roth, aka Raven, on the DC series “Titans,” and her role on Netflix’s “True Spirit.” Manheim is already a familiar face to Disney audiences after leading the “Zombies” franchise. The actor and singer, who is also the son of Emmy and Golden Globe winner Camryn Manheim, finished as runner-up on season 27 of “Dancing with the Stars.”
“Tangled” was first reported to be in early development in December 2024. It’s the latest animated Disney title to receive the live-action treatment. The studio’s growing slate includes “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “The Little Mermaid, “Snow White, and “Lilo & Stitch,” the first $1 billion release of 2025.
Source: inquirer.net
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Air Supply to celebrate their 50th anniversary in Philippines
January 10 ------ Australian soft rock duo Air Supply is set to return to the Philippines in the coming days for the 50th anniversary concert. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock will serenade Filipino fans with their timeless hits in Iloilo on Jan. 11, Calamba, Laguna, Jan. 24, and Cebu, Jan. 27.
From their first meeting in 1975 during the Australian production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” to their early days of making music together and up to the present, their onstage dynamics and offstage friendship have remained strong and unchanged.
“Graham gets to write the songs, and I just sing them. The way we look at the world, and the way we look at our music has matured since we started in the early days, yet the dynamic has always been the same. We just got better at what we do in a live show and recording in the studio,” Russell shared with the Philippine media during a virtual presscon.
The secret to their career longevity and enduring friendship, they said, is “surrounding yourself with good and honest people.” As Russell elaborated, “Because there are many pitfalls for a new act, but I would say make sure to do your homework with whoever you work with. We have been with the same manager for 50 years, the same agent for 48 years because they’re great people and they know what they’re doing.” To fellow musicians aiming for longevity in the music scene, he offered these words of wisdom: “They should follow their heart and not listen to other people. Don’t do something that’s already been done. Create something new.”
During their December 2022 concert at the Newport World Resorts, which The STAR attended, Graham fondly recalled how he met his closest friend in Australia in the ‘70s. “(We’ve been friends) for almost 50 years, and we never had an argument of any kind. And that is true friendship. I met this gentleman in a musical… There were 34 people. We sang together.”
Air Supply’s music catalogue has resonated with fans across the globe, both young and old, with hits such as Lost In Love, All Out of Love, Every Woman In The World, The One That You Love, Even The Nights Are Better, Two Less Lonely People In The World, Making Love Out of Nothing and At All, Just As I Am. Graham and Russell lauded their Filipino fans and expressed their gratitude for the ardent support and appreciation shown to them.
Russell enthused that “Filipinos are people with open hearts,” adding, “They appreciate us being there. You have lots of great singers; they sing along at our shows, and that’s always a good thing to hear as a performer.” He also noted how Filipinos “took us to their hearts” from the very beginning, describing the support they received from them as a “fantastic thing.” “Our audience got bigger. It’s a fantastic thing, and it’s a very specific thing to the Philippines. Wonderful people, wonderful energy, very romantic,” he added.
Graham also remarked on how enthusiastic Filipino fans are, not just in the country but across the world. “When we play to any Filipino audience or the entire Filipino population in the US, they sing loudest and more in tune than anybody else,” he added. He emphasized that there’s a “definite connection with this country and our fans certainly.”
Source: philstar.com
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SPORTS NEWS
PH to host Asian Beach Games in 2028
MANILA, January 10 ------ The Philippines is set to host the Asian Beach Games in 2028. Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said that after email correspondence and phone calls with Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) officials, the country will stage the Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games in late 2027 and the Asian Beach Games (ABG) in early 2028.
The POC had announced the creation of the SEA Plus Youth Games and the Philippine hosting. “The Asian Beach Games will have its third edition this April in Sanya (China) so it will be two years after when we host the games in 2028,” Tolentino said on Saturday, adding that the two hostings run in consonance with the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) – through its chairman, Patrick “Patò” Gregorio – intensified sports tourism campaign. “We will submit both letters (of intent) to the OCA before its General Assembly later this month in Tashkent. It’s a mere formality. After getting the official approval from the OCA, we’ll immediately be proposing to the PSC on hosting both events.” he added.
Tashkent is hosting the important OCA activity that will also tackle Uzbekistan’s hosting of the 2029 AYG. The POC and PSC are on the same page on the sports tourism campaign, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. setting into motion last year the multi-pronged National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) headed by Gregorio. “These coming international events fit well with the goal of the NST-IAC, we at the POC are remaining proactive on these efforts,” said Tolentino, also the president of the national federation for cycling.
PhilCycling will hold the Asian Cycling Confederation Track Championships in March at the brand-new and International Cycling Union-standard Tagaytay CT Velodrome. Tolentino said expectations are high for Filipino athletes’ participation at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics on Feb 6-22 and the ABG on April 22-30 in Sanya, China. Also on the POC calendar are the Asian Games in Nagoya on Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 28 to Dec. 7.
The SEA Plus YG are designed for athletes aged 17 and under who will compete in two mandatory sports, a maximum of 12 Olympic sports, a maximum of five Asian non-Olympic sport,s and one traditional sport with up to six medal events. Tolentino is the founding president of the SEA Plus YG, which counts as members Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Timor Leste. The “Plus” refers to at least one invited Asian NOC in other Asian sub-regions for each edition of the Games for the purpose of providing added competition for the region’s grassroots.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Hawks trade Trae Young to Wizards - report
MANILA, Philippines, January 10 ------ The Atlanta Hawks are finally moving on from Trae Young. The Hawks have traded Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charamia reported.
The 27-year-old Young, the fifth overall pick of the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 draft before being traded to the Hawks for Luka Doncic, had an eventful stint with Atlanta. Through seven seasons with the team, he averaged 25.3 points, 9.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds a contest while shooting 43.3% from the floor and 35.2% from beyond the arc.
He led the Hawks to three playoff series, including an Eastern Conference Finals trip in 2021. But now, that partnership is over, with Young averaging 19.3 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds this season. McCollum, for his part, is a veteran guard who was traded to Washington from New Orleans this season.
The 34-year-old is averaging 18.8 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per contest for the Wizards. Kispert, the 15th overall pick by Washington in the 2021 draft, has 9.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists splits. Both the Hawks and the Wizards are struggling in the Eastern Conference, with the former ranked 10th in the standings with a 17-21 record, and the latter at 10-26, good for 14th in the East.
Source: philstar.com
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Tyson Fury plans comeback, targets 2026 return
MANCHESTER, England, January 10 ------ Tyson Fury is returning to the ring after announcing that he will step out of retirement.
The former heavyweight world champion confirmed his comeback in a post on social media, which sets up the prospect of a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua. “2026 is that year. Return of the mac," Fury posted on Instagram. “Been away for a while but I’m back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it.”
Fury retired last year after losing for a second time to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. Before his two bouts with Usyk he was unbeaten in 35 fights, winning 34 and drawing one. Fury did not mention potential opponents, but his announcement comes after increased speculation about a clash with British rival Joshua in 2026. Joshua, who is also a former world champion, last month knocked out YouTube star Jake Paul. But he was injured in a fatal car crash that killed two of his friends in Nigeria this week, which has resulted in uncertainty over his immediate plans.
Fury is a two-time world champion. He ended the reign of Wladimir Klitschko with a points win in 2015 that saw him crowned Super WBA, IBF and WBO champion. He didn't fight again until 2018 - but a thrilling trilogy with American Deontay Wilder resulted in a draw and two victories to claim the WBC title.
Fury previously said he was retiring after he beat Dillian Whyte in 2022, but was back in the ring the following year. A fight with Joshua has long-been anticipated. There is also the potential of a trilogy-capping fight with Usyk or a clash with WBO champion Fabio Wardley.
Source: mb.com.ph
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