Inquirer Breaking News

BERLIN, Germany ---Weaker exports, costly energy and a stuttering green transition have combined to form a "perfect storm" for the German economy, leaving Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition bickering over how to change course. The government will unveil its latest economic forecasts for 2024 on Wednesday, with media reports suggesting a sharp downgrade to a mere 0.2 percent growth. In its autumn projections, the government was still expecting output to expand by 1.3 percent. The country ended 2023 in recession, shrinking by 0.3 percent, and the latest data suggest the first quarter of 2024 will see another contraction. Germany also risks facing anemic growth up to 2028 if no ...

Keep on reading: German economy buffeted by ‘perfect storm’

PARIS, France ---Europe has cut its gas demand by 20 percent since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) should peak next year thanks to renewables and efficiency gains, a study published Wednesday said. The February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia triggered a massive shift by European nations away from Russian natural gas delivered by pipelines, with prices for LNG soaring as they competed on international markets for limited supplies. With a limited number of import terminals, European nations were also forced to undertake measures to restrain consumption, but made it through the winter of 2022-2023 without cuts to residential heating or el...

Keep on reading: Europe’s gas demand at 10-year low, to peak in 2025: report

MANILA, Philippines--La Salle toppled another rival in straight sets, maintaining a straight path in its bid to defend the crown. But for Angel Canino, the Lady Spikers are still far from their championship form. "All of us feel that our movements are not yet polished, which means we have to double our efforts in training," said Canino after leading La Salle to its second straight victory at the expense of Far Eastern University, 25-20, 25-17, 25-22, on Wednesday at UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball. SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round Canino, last season's rookie-MVP during their title run, pummeled the FEU side with 13 points highlighted by 11 attacks and had se...

Keep on reading: UAAP volleyball: La Salle goes 2-0 but still far from top form

MANILA, Philippines --- The economic policy advocacy group Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) on Wednesday said that it supports the lifting of restrictions on foreign investments in vital crops such as rice and corn. According to the group, this move will support local farmers and competition and will also reduce crop prices for consumers. . "The divestment requirement is a unique restriction to the Philippines and the rice and corn sector, in particular. Foreign companies that have established operations in the country are hesitant to expand their operations as they near the divestment period since they will lose control of their investments," FEF Technica...

Keep on reading: Group backs foreign investments in rice, corn

MANILA, Philippines --- A member of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was arrested in Cavite for indiscriminate firing of his gun. PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the personnel, whose name is being withheld, went to Barangay Latoria in Naic where he met his live-in partner on February 18 (Sunday). The PCG personnel began shouting as he and the woman engaged in a heated argument. The incident caught public attention. The personnel then pointed his PCG-issued firearm to the ground and fired indiscriminately. Police later arrested the PCG member for violation of Republic Act 11926 or the Act Penalizing Willful and Indiscriminate Discharge of Firearms. The weapo...

Keep on reading: PCG personnel arrested for indiscriminate firing in Cavite

SINGAPORE ---Boeing said Wednesday it was preparing to compete with China's first domestically produced passenger plane, which was showcased for the first time to international buyers at Asia's biggest airshow. The single-aisle C919 aircraft made its international debut this week at the Singapore Airshow, featuring in both flying and on-the-ground displays in a bid to woo international buyers. The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (Comac), is seeking to position the C919 as a potential competitor to the market-leading A320, made by Europe's Airbus, and the 737 MAX from US-based Boeing. Dave Schulte, Boeing's commercial marketing managing director for the Asia-Pac...

Keep on reading: Boeing says ready for competition with China-made plane

  GENEVA -- More than half the world's countries will be at high or very high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of the year unless urgent preventative measures are taken, the World Health Organization warned on Tuesday. Measles cases have been increasing across most regions mainly due to missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 years when health systems were overwhelmed and fell behind on routine vaccinations for preventable diseases. "What we are worried about is this year, 2024, we've got these big gaps in our immunization programs and if we don't fill them really quickly with the vaccine, measles will just jump into that gap," the WHO's Natasha Crowcroft, a Senior ...

Keep on reading: More than half the world faces high measles risk, WHO says

      MOSCOW -- Russia's top general, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, visited troops fighting in the war in Ukraine to discuss the next steps after the taking the town of Avdiivka, state media reported on Wednesday. President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russian troops would push further into Ukraine to build on their success on the battlefield after the fall of the town of Avdiivka where he said Ukrainian troops had been forced to flee in chaos. READ: Russia claims 'full control' of Ukraine's Avdiivka Gerasimov was shown awarding medals to Russian troops involved in taking Avdiivka and he was given a report by the commander in charge o...

Keep on reading: Russia’s top general visits troops in Ukraine to discuss next steps

Copper and gold are expected to see the largest immediate price boost in the commodities sector from potential U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, analysts at Goldman Sachs said. "The immediate price boost from a Fed driven 100 basis point decline in U.S. 2-year rates is the largest for metals, especially copper (6 percent), and then gold (3 percent), followed by oil (3 percent)," Goldman Sachs said in a note dated Feb. 20. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange was trading near a three-week high of $8,548 per metric ton as of 0542 GMT on Wednesday, while spot gold was at a near two-week high at $2,030.30 per ounce. The Wall Street bank, however, said it expect...

Keep on reading: Copper, gold seen to get ‘largest immediate’ boost from Fed easing

Hollywood singer and actress Vanessa Williams is set to don the heels of Miranda Priestly, previously played by Meryl Streep in the 2006 film, as she landed the lead role for "The Devil Wears Prada" musical. The announcement was made on Instagram by Williams and the production's official account on February 19, as they posted a clip of the former Miss Americana titleholder embodying the iconic character as she walks into the offices of Runway magazine in a red slingback, tossing her things onto the assistant's desk, sitting down to work, and delivers the line, "Don't just sit there. Buy tickets or... something," in a demanding tone.   View this pos...

Keep on reading: Vanessa Williams plays Miranda Priestly in ‘Devil Wears Prada’ musical

MANILA, Philippines ---Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri prefers that the House of Representatives just adopt the upper chamber's Charter change (Cha-cha) bill. Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 (RBH 6) is currently being discussed by the Senate subcommittee on constitutional amendments led by Senator Sonny Angara. "'Pag natapos na, mas magandang i-adopt na lang para walang gulo, walang away, hindi kwestiyonable at hindi rin magkakaroon ng uncertainty," Zubiri said in an interview at the Senate on Wednesday. (When it's finished, it's better to just adopt it to avoid any confusion, conflict, questions, or uncertainty.) RBH 6, proposing changes to specific economic provisions o...

Keep on reading: ‘Para walang gulo’: Zubiri prefers House to adopt Senate Cha-cha bill

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Energy (DOE) said on Wednesday that it will conduct a business-to-business event on February 22 to match foreign investors with local enterprises for the country's push in renewable energy (RE). Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the DOE will exploit international interest in the country's potential for RE, and that the event will help both local and foreign companies start RE initiatives in the country. "There is a heightened enthusiasm from international investors for unlocking the country's RE potential, and we are linking them with financing institutions, development organizations, concerned government institutions, and engin...

Keep on reading: DOE eyeing more renewable energy investments

Grab is not authorized to participate in the pilot study on motorcycle transport services or MC taxis. It is also not allowed to operate such a service in the country. These clarifications were made by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III. Guadiz also heads the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (MC Taxi TWG) that is conducting the study. In a letter dated February 1 addressed to Attorney Noel Valerio, Guadiz stated only motorcycle companies Joyride, Angkas, and Move It can join the project. Valerio is counsel from Maderazo, Valerio and Partners. "Prefatorily, the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Wor...

Keep on reading: Grab not allowed to join pilot study on motorcycle taxis, says LTFRB

  MANILA, Philippines --- The decision on whether or not to award lone bidder Miru Systems the supply contract for the vote counting machines for the 2025 midterm elections will be announced this week, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday. Garcia said a contract negotiation will follow if the South Korean firm gets the contract. A negotiated bidding process, however, will be conducted where another firm will be selected to participate in the project if the South Korean firm is not awarded the deal. "Malalaman ninyo po within this week kung ibibigay namin yung award sa nag-iisang bidder na ito base sa ginawang techni...

Keep on reading: Comelec decision on vote counting machines deal out this week

Kyla disclosed that she had another miscarriage just before Christmas last year, with the singer turning emotional as she apologized to her son Toby for not being able to give him a sibling. The R&B singer shared the unfortunate news during an episode of the morning talk show "Magandang Buhay" on Wednesday, Feb. 21, where she was accompanied by her husband Rich Alvarez. "For us 'yung biggest challenge would be giving Toby a sibling," she opened up when asked about the challenges they have faced in their years of marriage. "We've been struggling for years and years and years." "It's been really hard, especially very recent lang 'yung sa amin eh. Just before Christmas actu...

Keep on reading: Kyla reveals she suffered fifth miscarriage before Christmas 2023

  BANGKOK -- Thailand's influential ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was released this week from detention, was visited on Wednesday by former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, one of the tycoon's closest allies during his 15 years of self-imposed exile. Political heavyweight Hun Sen, the self-styled strongman of Cambodia, was prime minister for nearly four decades until handing over to his son last year. Hun Sen provided the billionaire with sanctuary during his exile, naming him a special advisor and allowing him to visit frequently and meet allies in Cambodia, frustrating Thaksin's rivals, who saw it as interference by a neighboring country.   READ: Can Thai ex-...

Keep on reading: Thai ex-PM Thaksin gets visit from old ally Hun Sen of Cambodia

MANILA, Philippines --- The commemoration of the 38th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution on February 25 will be more meaningful this year as it would coincide with calls to preserve the 1987 Constitution, several groups said on Wednesday. According to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary-General Mong Palatino, the Edsa People Power anniversary is especially important this year because it has a "more urgent theme." READ: Redeeming the promise of Edsa "Mas meaningful ang dahilan ngayon dahil ang tema hindi lang commemoration ng Edsa kundi, ang nais sana ng mga grupo ay labanan ang Cha-cha (Charter change). Iyon ang urgent issue na nagbigkis sa maraming grupo,"...

Keep on reading: 38th Edsa revolution anniv ‘more meaningful’ amid Cha-cha drive — groups

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday announced that it will enlist the aid of a US-based company to help destroy pests that affect Philippine mango. According to the DA, it will invite experts from Florida-based biotechnology company Sun & Earth Microbiology LLC to help eradicate Cecid flies (Procantarinia mangivora). Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr said that aside from products against mango pests, the DA will also look into its other products that can fight fusarium wilt in banana, abaca, and coconut trees, as well as products against rice pests. The fusarium wilt is a type of fungus that can infect plants, turni...

Keep on reading: DA teaming up with US firm vs PH mango pest

NEW YORK---The fab four are back, with each member of the iconic Beatles to be immortalized in their own big-screen biopic, all directed by Sam Mendes, Sony Pictures said on Tuesday, Feb. 20. "The project marks the first time (Beatles' label) Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles---Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison---have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film," the studio said in a statement. "We intend this to be a uniquely thrilling and epic cinematic experience: four films, told from four different perspectives which tell a single story about the most celebrated band of all time," said Pippa Harris, who will cod...

Keep on reading: 4 Beatles biopics in the works: one film each for Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison

  MANILA, Philippines --- It is better to focus on creating more jobs, rather than implementing an immediate wage hike. This view was expressed by Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion on Wednesday at Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing. Concepcion commented on the P100 legislated wage hike, which recently garnered the approval of Senate. "Not everybody can afford a 100-peso wage increase. Maybe larger corporations can. Those who are doing well. But there are many also that are still not doing well. No," he said. "Our micro entrepreneurs, I guess, they will be exempted from that wage increase. But what about the medium-sized 'negosyantes (businessmen),' 'no?" he ...

Keep on reading: Legislated wage hike not good for medium-sized business – Concepcion