Inquirer Breaking News

  The western Canadian province of Alberta on Tuesday declared an early start to wildfire season as a result of an unusually dry and mild winter, allowing the government to put more money and resources into tackling blazes. Canada endured its worst wildfire season on record last year as 18.5 million hectares (45.7 million acres) burned, nearly seven times the 10-year average, according to the federal government. READ: City empties as thousands flee huge wildfire closing in on capital of Canada's Northwest Territories Alberta is also suffering from drought, and there are 52 wildfires still burning in the province from last year as well as 17 new blazes so far in 2024....

Keep on reading: Alberta wildfire season starts early as Canada’s mild winter persists

SINGAPORE---Singapore has awarded Taylor Swift a grant to perform in the city-state, government authorities said on Tuesday, acknowledging efforts to persuade the pop superstar to perform on the island---her only stop in Southeast Asia---and the potential boon to the economy from her concerts. Swift is set to perform six sold-out shows in Singapore early in March. The tourism board and culture ministry did not disclose the amount of the grant, but in a statement referred to the economic benefits brought by Swift's concerts around the world due to her popularity, and said the ministry had worked with concert promoter AEG Presents to get Swift to perform in Singapore. "It is l...

Keep on reading: Singapore lures Taylor Swift with grant for sold-out March concerts

MANILA, Philippines ---Tycoon Edgar Saavedra-led Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) on Tuesday broke ground for its 69-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Negros Occidental province as part of plans to further expand its solar portfolio. The Citicore Solar Negros Occidental 2 plant covers 69 hectares of land in Silay City. It is expected to be operational this year in compliance with the second Green Energy Auction Program of the Department of Energy. "With the completion of this project, we will not only be able to augment the power generation needs of Negros Occidental and the Visayas grid, but also contribute to the growth of the province," CREC president and chief executive ...

Keep on reading: Citicore Renewable Energy starts 69-MW solar power project in Negros

Alex Gonzaga, who suffered from miscarriages in 2021 and 2023, remains hopeful as she revealed she is preparing to get pregnant again this 2024. The actress-TV host announced this through her Instagram broadcast channel on Tuesday, Feb. 20, showing herself and her husband Mikee Morada after her medical checkup. "Came from my immunology doctor. Prepping my body for pregnancy!" she said. "Claiming it this year." In her Instagram Stories, she also gave a closer look at her arm which has a red bandage on it. She, however, did not expound on what tests she underwent during her visit to her doctor.   Gonzaga has been vocal about her yearning to be a mother ...

Keep on reading: Alex Gonzaga prepares body for pregnancy anew: ‘Claiming it this year’

TOKYO - Japan's exports rose more than expected in January, driven by U.S.-bound shipments of cars and car parts and Chinese demand for chip-making equipment, helping ease some concerns about weakness in the broader economy. Ministry of Finance data out on Wednesday showed Japan's exports rose 11.9 percent in January from the same month a year ago, faster than a 9.5-percent gain expected by economists in a Reuters poll and 9.7 percent growth in the previous month. The brisk exports could ease some concerns about further economic decline as the Reuters Tankan survey showed manufacturers' business morale soured sharply, with pessimists outnumbering optimists for the first time in...

Keep on reading: Japan’s January exports grow more than expected

TOKYO ---Japanese manufacturers' business morale soured sharply in February with pessimists outnumbering optimists for the first time in 10 months, the Reuters Tankan survey found, adding to concerns about further economic decline. The monthly poll, which closely tracks the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) quarterly tankan, follows data last week that showed Japan unexpectedly tipping into recession in the fourth quarter and losing its spot as the world's third-largest economy to Germany. The loss of business confidence raises worries Japanese firms may become reluctant to boost wages enough to achieve stable and sustainable inflation in a country that has been mired in a deflationary min...

Keep on reading: Japan manufacturers’ gloom rises, adds to growth pains

  LONDON --- Britain's Prince William called on Tuesday for an end to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, saying the "sheer scale of human suffering" had brought home the need for peace in an enclave "where too many have been killed". In an unusually direct intervention for a member of the royal family, William, the heir to the British throne, said it was critical that aid got through to those sheltering in Gaza, and that Hamas must release hostages. "I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack (on Israel) on 7 October. Too many have been killed," William said in a statement. READ: US blocks ce...

Keep on reading: UK’s Prince William: ‘Too many’ have been killed in Gaza war

Amazon is set to join the Dow Jones Industrial Average, replacing Walgreens Boots Alliance effective next week, S&P Dow Jones Indices said on Tuesday. Shares of Amazon rose 1.3 percent in extended trade after the announcement, while Walgreens dipped 3 percent. Adding Amazon will increase consumer retail exposure as well as other areas in the Dow, and the move was prompted by Walmart's decision to split its stock, S&P Dow Jones Indices said in a news release. The Dow, which debuted in 1896, is widely followed by retail investors, making it an important reflection of the U.S. stock market. Institutional investors more frequently benchmark their performance against the ...

Keep on reading: Amazon to replace Walgreens in Dow Jones Industrial Average

NEW YORK --- Technology stocks led Wall Street broadly lower on Tuesday as chipmaker Nvidia pulled back ahead of its highly anticipated earnings report this week. The S&P 500 fell 30.06 points, or 0.6 percent to 4,975.51. It is coming off only its second losing week in the last 16. The losses pushed the benchmark index further below the record it set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 64.19 points, or 0.2 percent, to 38,563.80. The Nasdaq composite fell 144.87 points, or 0.9 percent, to 15,630.78. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market, with chipmakers as a particularly heavy weight. Nvidia slumped 4.4 percent. It's still the S&P 500's bi...

Keep on reading: Tech stocks pull Wall Street lower, led by investor favorite Nvidia

    Moscow, Russia --- A Moscow court on Tuesday said jailed US journalist Evan Gershkovich would remain in pre-trial detention until at least March 30, ensuring he will spend at least a year behind bars, as a dual citizen was separately arrested in Russia. Russian prosecutors have charged Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich with espionage -- the first time such a criminal accusation has been leveled against a Western reporter in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. READ: Putin says he hopes for prisoner swap for Gershkovich, Whelan but talks are 'not simple' Gershkovich, his employers and the White House all reject the charges, which carry a maxim...

Keep on reading: Moscow court upholds detention of US journalist, Russian-American arrested

SINGAPORE ---Philippine budget airline Cebu Pacific will decide in May or June whether to choose Airbus or Boeing for an order of more than 100 narrowbody aircraft flagged last year, the carrier's CEO Michael Szucs said. Cebu Pacific is deciding whether to choose a combination of Airbus' A320neo and A321neo models or Boeing's high-capacity 737 MAX 8-200 and 737 MAX 10 for delivery from 2027, he said in an interview on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow. It will be a significant market test for Boeing following the latest in a series of crises when in January a mid-air cabin panel blew out on a MAX 9 jet mid-flight. Cebu Pacific needs a mix of shorter and longer plane mod...

Keep on reading: Cebu Pacific to decide Airbus vs Boeing for 100 jets order in Q2

BENGALURU - The U.S. Federal Reserve will cut the federal funds rate in June, according to a slim majority of economists polled by Reuters, who also said the greater risk was the first rate cut would come later than forecast rather than earlier. Reuters surveys since September have consistently predicted the first rate cut would come around the middle of this year. Markets, however, have gone from March to May, and now are priced for June as the most likely time for the first rate reduction. Although stock markets have surged to record highs, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield has jumped nearly 50 basis points to 4.28 percent this month alone, thanks to a series of releases showin...

Keep on reading: Fed seen cutting US rates in June, risks skewed toward later move

  MANILA, Philippines --- The eastern portion of Visayas and Mindanao may experience overcast skies and rain on Wednesday due to the effects of the easterlies, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Easterlies are warm winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean. READ: Pagasa: Cool mornings to return on weekend due to amihan While this weather system may bring hot and humid conditions, Pagasa specialist Rhea Torres advised residents in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao that it will still bring rain over their areas. "The northeastern portion of Mindanao as well as the southern portion of Visa...

Keep on reading: Eastern part of Visayas and Mindanao to experience overcast skies, rains

BENGALURU -India's Zee Entertainment is making a final attempt to restart discussions with Japan's Sony Group to revive their $10- billion merger deal that was scrapped on Jan. 22, Indian business daily Economic Times reported on Tuesday, citing people aware of the matter. Representatives from both parties have been working to salvage the deal, with efforts to revive the merger gaining momentum over the past two weeks, the report added. However, there is a chance that the discussions might fail as significant differences remain unresolved and both sides are standing firm on their positions, it said. Zee denied being involved in any such negotiations in an exchange filing. So...

Keep on reading: India’s Zee Entertainment seeks to revive $10-B merger with Sony

  TAIPEI --- Taiwan on Tuesday drove away a Chinese coast guard boat that entered waters near its sensitive frontline islands, in a rise in tensions a day after China's coast guard boarded a Taiwanese tourist boat that a Taiwan minister said has triggered "panic". A Chinese coast guard boat, numbered 8029, entered Taiwan's waters near Kinmen on Tuesday morning, Taiwan's coast guard said, adding that it dispatched a boat and used radio and broadcast to drive away its Chinese counterpart, which left the area an hour later. READ: Possible scenarios for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan Taiwan's coast guard said it will continue to use radar, surveillance and patrols to ensur...

Keep on reading: Taiwan drives away Chinese coast guard boat as frontline island tensions rise

NEW YORK --- About 40 percent of small business owners in the U.S. think 2024 will be a "make or break" year for their business, according to a survey by messaging service Slack. After several years of dealing with the pandemic, rising inflation and a tight job market, some small businesses --- 32 percent of respondents --- aren't sure they'll make it through 2024. Still, others are feeling optimistic about the future. Seventy-one percent of respondents said they are optimistic about the state of their business this year. But many are still facing tough issues like a volatile economy, a polarizing election on the horizon and declining sales. In fact, 38 percent of small busi...

Keep on reading: Many small business owners see 2024 as a ‘make or break’ year

    On the Ukraine-Belarus border, Ukraine --- Eleven Ukrainian children crossed the border from Belarus to Ukraine Tuesday evening, in the latest return of children taken to Russia and occupied territories during the nearly two-year Ukraine war. Emerging from the darkness at a humanitarian crossing on the Belarus border, the children hugged family members who had been waiting for more than six hours. READ: 'Bring them back': Ukrainian orphans demand return of children in Russia Oleksandr, 16, is the oldest among those returned by Moscow through a Qatar-mediated scheme. "My new life is starting," he said, smiling shyly and describing the "joy and slight ne...

Keep on reading: Eleven Ukraine children returned from Russia

  UNITED NATIONS --- The United States on Tuesday again vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution on the Israel-Hamas war, blocking a demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as it instead pushes the 15-member body to call for a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas. Thirteen council members voted in favor of the Algerian-drafted text, while Britain abstained. It was the third U.S. veto of a draft resolution since the start of the current fighting on Oct. 7. Washington has also used its veto to block an amendment to draft resolution in December. "A vote in favor of this draft resolution is support to the Palestinians r...

Keep on reading: US blocks ceasefire call with third UN veto in Israel-Hamas war

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he would support the filing of a case in connection with the alleged use of cyanide in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) "if there is enough ground to do so." The Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a statement also on Tuesday describing as "sheer fabrication" an earlier claim by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that Chinese fishermen use cyanide to "intentionally destroy Bajo de Masinloc." There was no reference to those fishermen by Mr. Marcos or the media during his ambush interview with them, but he said, when asked by reporters about "cyanide fishing" that "If we feel that there is enough ground to do so, w...

Keep on reading: Marcos: Build case over cyanide use if there’s enough proof

The United States has sent a nuclear-capable bomber for its first joint patrol with the Philippine military over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), prompting China's military to send its forces there to monitor that activity. Three FA-50 light fighters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday flew in tandem with a B-52H Stratofortress long-range strategic bomber deployed by the US Pacific Air Forces. The joint flyovers covered 90 nautical miles (166.7 kilometers) west of Candon, Ilocos Sur, and 50 NM (92.6 km) northwest of Lubang, Mindoro, within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, the PAF said in a statement. The B-52s---touted as a long-standing symbol of US military pow...

Keep on reading: B-52H bomber joins PH jets for WPS patrol, irks China