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The moment Filipino-Canadian actor Gordon Cormier was told he got the part of Aang --- or the last living airbender in the live-action adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" --- he made it a point to watch the original cartoon 26 times and more. Cormier was born four years after the beloved animated series took the world by storm. But Aang navigating the four nations as the chosen Avatar was not only the focal point of its storyline. He was also surrounded by larger-than-life characters dealing with inner demons of their own, most of them with a hunger to take down the Fire Nation once and for all. "When I booked the role, they pulled me in for a getting to know you thing -...

Keep on reading: Meet Filipino-Canadian Gordon Cormier, lead of new ‘Avatar’ series

MELBOURNE, Australia --- Freestyle motocross competitor Jayden Archer, the first rider to perform a triple backflip in competition, has died while practicing in Melbourne. He was 27. The accident occurred Wednesday but there were few details released. Victoria state police said Thursday they would not comment on individuals or incidents due to privacy concerns. Archer had been a member of the Nitro Circus crew for more than a decade. The group confirmed his death in an Instagram post. "Jayo was the epitome of passion, hard work & determination," Nitro Circus said. "He pushed what was possible on a dirt bike to heights never seen before. A positive influence to those arou...

Keep on reading: Motocross rider Jayden Archer dies in training accident

MADRID/LONDON - Zara owner Inditex, the world's biggest listed fast fashion company by sales, is expanding its low-priced Gen Z-focused brand Lefties to counter Chinese-founded rival Shein. The rapid growth of Shein, an online marketplace with no physical stores, is putting pressure on retailers like Inditex and Sweden's H&M to find ways to respond to its budget prices. Zara has become less competitive on price since Inditex started hiking prices at its core brand to protect profit margins from inflation and as part of a shift towards more upmarket customers. But the Spanish company is also quietly growing its budget ranges. The expansion of Lefties, which sells 17.99-eu...

Keep on reading: Zara owner Inditex expands bargain brand to counter Shein

Joseph Aldana, the vocalist of OPM band Rockstar 2 known for their hit songs "Ika'y Mahal Pa Rin" and "Bakit," among others, died on Thursday morning, Feb. 22. He was 55. Joseph's death was confirmed by his son John Mark Aldana and his nephew JC Aldana through an exclusive statement to INQUIRER.net. "We are deeply saddened to announce that our father Joseph Aldana, aka Rockstar 2, has passed away this morning in Meycauyan Doctor's Valenzuela due to brain aneurysm," John Mark said. No further details on Joseph's condition was immediately known, although his family said he had hypertension. Among those who remembered Joseph was veteran composer and songwriter Vehnee Saturno...

Keep on reading: Rockstar 2’s Joseph Aldana dies of brain aneurysm

  LOZUVATKA, Ukraine -- Wives have become widows, parents long for captured sons, classrooms are empty and farmers can't find the hands to work the land. Unlikely friendships have formed; old ones have fallen apart. Even in the village of Lozuvatka, about 100 km (60 miles) from the frontlines, signs are everywhere of a two-year-old war that has irrevocably changed the face of Ukraine. Alona Onyshchuk and her five-year-old daughter Anhelina visited Lozuvatka's graveyard on a snowswept winter's day. Husband and father Serhii Aloshkin lies there alongside 10 other soldiers in a new section called Heroes' Alley.   READ: On eve of Ukraine war anniversary, Putin ta...

Keep on reading: How life in Ukraine has been shattered by two years of war

  MANILA, Philippines --- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. told Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto that he is interested to meet the Indonesian leader and talk about diplomatic matters. Indonesian defense minister Prabowo is currently the leading candidate in the Indonesian presidential elections. "That might be a good idea. Yes, there are many areas [that] opened up," Marcos said to Prabowo over the phone. "The traditional ties has grown stronger over 70 years. In the recent years, President [Joko] Widodo explored many new possibilities," he noted. "I would be very interested to meet with you to go into some details," Marcos told Prabowo....

Keep on reading: Marcos to see leading Indon pres’l bet Prabowo: ‘That might be a good idea’

Renowned Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco called out those celebrities and influencers who support international brands but tend to ask for free stuff or services from local workers or designers. On his Instagram story, the Dubai-based fashion designer began his series of posts by asking a question to readers on why local celebrities and influencers tend to spend heaps of money on European brands instead of the Filipino brands that need more support. "So Filipino celebrities and famous influencers are often seen wearing European designer clothes? It seems like they spend a fortune on these items just to keep up with the latest fashion trends. But have you ever stopped to...

Keep on reading: Michael Cinco slams celebrities who refuse to pay Filipino designers

SAKHIR, Bahrain--- Team principal Christian Horner was with Red Bull as Formula 1 preseason testing began Wednesday even as he faces an ongoing investigation by the team's parent company into an alleged claim of misconduct. Horner was alongside Adrian Newey, who is the team's chief technology officer and car designer, as Max Verstappen drove Red Bull's new car at the start of Wednesday's morning session. It is the start of the Dutch driver's campaign for a fourth consecutive world title. The Red Bull parent company said Feb. 5 it was investigating allegations of misconduct toward a team employee. Horner denies any wrongdoing and has continued in his role as team principal durin...

Keep on reading: F1: Christian Horner with Red Bull team at start of testing

Richard Gutierrez expressed excitement as he disclosed that he had entered a new chapter with his ABS-CBN family, marking "new beginnings" and a "fresh start." The actor announced this by showing himself with ABS-CBN executives Cory Vidanes and Lauren Dyogi at a conference room through his Instagram page on Wednesday, Feb. 21. "New beginnings. Fresh start. Excited for this new chapter with my [ABS-CBN] family, and thankful for their continued support," he captioned his post. "Looking forward to sharing more with you in the near future. Glory to the most High," he added.   View this post on Instagram ...

Keep on reading: Richard Gutierrez teases new project with ABS-CBN: ‘Fresh start’

SINGAPORE - Chinese state-owned planemaker Comac upstaged industry leaders Airbus and Boeing at the Singapore Airshow this week, showing off its self-developed C919 and ARJ21 jets as it pursues international certifications and foreign orders. "A reliable new choice," proclaimed an advertisement on Comac's large booth in the centre of the show's event hall. Aviation, government and investment professionals thronged to its display, demonstrating the keen interest from trade delegates in learning more about a company with limited public engagement outside its home market to date. The C919, a rival to the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo family single-aisle jets, flew for the f...

Keep on reading: China’s Comac upstages Airbus, Boeing at Singapore Airshow

NBA Scores, News, Schedules There's no NBA player who is a bigger fan of harness racing than Denver's Nikola Jokic. He owns horses, goes to tracks whenever he can and even accepted one of his MVP awards while riding around at his farm in Serbia. He knows the stretch run often decides races. And the same holds true in the NBA, which is entering its stretch run. READ: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ascend to NBA MVP favorites The All-Star break is over, games resume on Thursday and the defending champion Nuggets --- along with a slew of other contenders --- are hoping that this is the time when they can start hitting their best stride. Denver is coming out of the break ...

Keep on reading: The NBA season stretch run has arrived. Time for playoff push

It might have taken Kang Ji-won, portrayed by South Korean star Park Min-young, a while to reclaim justice in the hit K-drama "Marry My Husband," but the same role earned for the actress the respect of her co-stars, especially her leading man Na In-woo. The 16-episode series revolves around Ji-won, who wakes up 10 years earlier after she was murdered by her husband Park Min-hwan (Lee Yi-kyung) who was having an affair with her best friend Jung Su-min (Song Ha-yoon). Stronger and more assertive, Ji-won takes it upon herself to ensure that either Min-hwan or Su-min gets her destiny. She is accompanied by her boss Yoo Ji-hyuk (Na In-woo) who has always been in love with her. Ap...

Keep on reading: Park Min-young’s leadership in ‘Marry My Husband’ earns cast’s respect

MANILA, Philippines --- Flight delays ensued after a C-130 aircraft stalled at the Ninoy Aquino Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Thursday, the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) said. As of this writing, Miaa said it is still completing the list of flights affected by the stalling of the C-130 plane at Naia but assured the public that international and domestic runways of the airport remained open while recovery efforts were ongoing. "As of the time of this advisory, [the] aircraft has been towed and parked at Remote Parking Bay 24 in NAIA Terminal 1," Miaa said in a statement. READ: SMC wins bid for P170.6-billion Naia rehabilitation project "Mopping ope...

Keep on reading: Miaa: Stalled C-130 aircraft at Naia resulted in flight delays

SINGAPORE - Oil prices rose for a second day on Thursday, buoyed by expectations that demand in the U.S., the world's biggest oil consumer, will improve as refineries try to return to service after outages and as the dollar weakened. Brent crude futures rose 34 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $83.37 a barrel at 0740 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 37 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $78.28 a barrel. "Oil prices have been resilient thus far, with market participants seemingly eyeing a retest of its year-to-date high following its rally in February," said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG, adding that geopolitical tensions provided support. "That said, gains co...

Keep on reading: Oil rises for second day on improving signs of US refinery demand

MANILA, Philippines --- A survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) on Thursday found that 87 percent of Filipino adults have personally experienced the effects of climate change. The survey was done in December 2023. READ: Majority of Filipinos noticed climate change impacts in 2023, survey shows According to the SWS, 43 percent said that they experienced a moderate impact, 24 percent said that they experienced a little impact, 19 percent said that they experienced a moderate impact, and 13 percent said that they did not experience any impact of climate change. On the other hand, 88 percent of Filipinos said that climate change is dangerous to their physical health, while ...

Keep on reading: SWS: 87% of Filipinos experienced effects of climate change

  BEIJING -- China on Thursday condemned a US delegation visit to Taiwan as "interference", after the chairman of the House of Representatives committee on China arrived on the self-ruled island with four other lawmakers. "China always resolutely opposes any form of official exchange between the United States and Taiwan authorities, and resolutely opposes the United States' interference in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.   READ: US lawmaker praises 'rock-solid' partnership in visit to Taiwan Mike Gallagher heads the five-member delegation that met Thursday with Taiwan'...

Keep on reading: China condemns US delegation visit to Taiwan as ‘interference’

MANILA, Philippines --- The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has not intercepted any information indicating threats to the life of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) sect leader and alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy. Quiboloy has claimed a plot to have him killed that's why he's gone into hiding while a subpoena has been issued against him to appear before a Senate investigation into his and his KJC's alleged crimes against women and children. READ: Quiboloy on rape: Too many women fight over me; 'pinag-aagawan ako' "But if Pastor Quiboloy has a basis for what he's saying, we are ready to provide appropriate security upon his request. But this extends to everyone, whet...

Keep on reading: No threat to Quiboloy’s life, says PNP

  LESUND -- Norway's fish farms are feeding their salmon an increasingly vegetarian diet in order to make their businesses more sustainable, but for these carnivorous pink-fleshed fish, all is not rosy. In submerged cages at the Oksebasen fish farm, located at the crossing of two fjords in western Norway, the salmon are under constant watch on mobile underwater cameras. At the first sign the fish are feeling a little peckish, employees at an operations centre 100 kilometers (60 miles) away turn on a "sub-feeder" which releases special pellets swiftly gobbled up by the hungry fish.   READ: Norway salmon farming moves to cleaner waters: indoors The small b...

Keep on reading: Norway salmon farms turn to veggie menu

MANILA, Philippines --- Three alleged members of New People's Army (NPA) were killed and four soldiers were injured in three successive battles in Negros Occidental that spanned two days. The encounters happened amid the ongoing talks to resume the peace negotiations between government and the communists. Clashes occurred between the Army's 79th Infantry Battalion and NPA's Northern Negros Front in Sitio Mansulao, Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante city. The first encounter, which lasted for about half an hour, transpired at about 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday (February 21) while the troops were on combat operations. On the same day, after around three hours, the soldiers got invo...

Keep on reading: 3 battles between AFP, NPA in Negros Occ. kill 3 rebels, injure 3 troops

NEW YORK---Nearly $100,000 for Elton John's monogrammed silver boots and around $2 million for a triptych by street artist Banksy from his collection: the music icon's personal items brought in almost $8 million at auction Wednesday, Feb. 21, in New York. Christie's auction house is running a series of eight sales,both in person and online, through Feb. 28 for the collection of the 76-year-old's belongings, including an ivory and gold glam rock jumpsuit from the early 1970s designed by Annie Reavey, which sold for $12,600. As enthusiastic collectors made bids, John's grand piano fetched over $200,000, while a pair of sunglasses, a key element of the singer's signature look, fou...

Keep on reading: Elton John items fetch $8 million at New York auction