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    ROME -- Italy will become a target if it takes part in attacks against Yemen, a senior official from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said in an interview published on Monday. Mohamed Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthi's supreme revolutionary committee, told daily La Repubblica that Italy must be neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and put pressure on Israel to stop attacks on Gaza, adding that would be the only way to achieve peace in the region.   READ: US, Britain wage strikes against Iran-linked Houthis in Yemen Italy said on Friday it would provide the admiral in command of a European Union Red Sea naval mission it has joined to protect ships ...

Keep on reading: Italy to become target should it join attacks vs Yemen–Houthi leader

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday that "rain-fed" farms are already feeling the effects of El Nio and suggested that impacts may worsen as it expects drought to intensify this month through March. While there is enough water in irrigated farms which source their supply from dams, water is starting to become scarce in some areas. READ: El Nio could make 2024 hotter than record 2023 The government, nevertheless, gave assurance that it has been preparing to cushion the impact of the El Nio phenomenon, which is forecast to last until June. "Iyong epekto ng El Nio, gaya ng inaasahan, medyo kinakapos na iyong tubig doon sa mga rain-fed areas...

Keep on reading: Farms relying on rainwater already feeling El Niño effects – DA

MUMBAI ---India's $4-trillion stock market is pulling in billions of dollars of domestic and foreign money as investors flock to a fast-growing alternative to China, brushing aside risks around overpriced shares, upcoming elections and regulatory uncertainty. The stream of investment has lifted the benchmark NSE Nifty 50 Index by a third in the last 10 months and attracted $20 billion in foreign inflows in 2023, according to India's national depository data. India's allure is rising this year as global investors seek substitutes for sickly Chinese markets and as expectations grow that national elections this year will see current Prime Minister Narendra Modi return for a rare t...

Keep on reading: Investors dig into India’s stock market as China flounders

"It's Showtime" Miss Q&A season one winner Juliana Parizcova Segovia clarified that she didn't sell her crowns to internet personality Jayzon Luzadas, alias Boss Toyo, saying what transpired that time was merely for"content" purposes. With 11 crowns, Segovia made waves after winning the noontime show's pageant segment in 2018. However, she was the subject of criticism after she attempted to sell her "Miss Q&A" crowns in an episode of "Pinoy Pawnstars" series of Boss Toyo in March 2023. "Hindi, hindi ko naman binenta. For the content lang 'yun with Boss Toyo (No, no I didn't sell them. That was meant for content with Boss Toyo)," she said when asked by showbiz writer ...

Keep on reading: Juliana Parizcova Segovia says pawning Miss Q&A crowns to Boss Toyo just for content

HONG KONG ---More distressed property developers in China have had projects added to local authorities' so-called whitelists, reflecting the rapid expansion of a government policy aimed at injecting liquidity into the crisis-hit sector. Sunac China, Greenland and CIFI said local governments had listed some of their projects as being suitable for bank loans, following a similar announcement by Country Garden at the weekend. Under the "project whitelist" mechanism launched on Jan. 26, governments of 35 cities are recommending to banks residential projects needing financial support, and are coordinating with financial institutions to meet projects' needs. READ: China unveils ne...

Keep on reading: Distressed Chinese developers get project loan backing

MANILA, Philippines --- The House of Representatives has adopted a resolution defending Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and the "integrity and honor" of the chamber amid its so-called "intense assault" from the Senate. House Resolution (HR) No. 1562 was adopted via viva voce or voice voting during a plenary session on Monday. The office of Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said 286 lawmakers have signed the resolution. According to HR No. 1562, "while taking criticisms is part and parcel of a healthy and working democracy, the House takes exception to the recent statements and allegations made by the Senate" which, it noted, erodes the independence of the House. "The con...

Keep on reading: House OKs resolution defending Romualdez vs Senate’s ‘intense assault’

        MANILA, Philippines -- Hackers operating in China attempted to break into websites and e-mail systems of the Philippine's president and government agencies, one promoting maritime security, but failed, an information and communications ministry official said on Monday. The mailboxes of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the website of National Coast Watch, and the personal website of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr .were among the targets of the unsuccessful hacking operations in January, DICT spokesperson Renato Paraiso told DWPM radio. "We are not attributing this to any state. But using the int...

Keep on reading: Philippines wards off cyber attacks from China-based hackers

German exports fell more than expected in December due to weak global demand, data from the federal statistics office showed on Monday. Exports fell by 4.6 percent in December compared with the previous month. The result compared with a forecast 2 percent decrease in a Reuters poll. Exports to EU countries fell by 5.5 percent compared with the previous month, while exports to countries outside the EU declined by 3.5 percent, the office said. Imports fell by 6.7 percent from November, the federal statistics office reported, versus analysts' expectations for a 1.5 percent decline. The foreign trade balance showed a calendar- and seasonally adjusted surplus of 22.2 billion e...

Keep on reading: German exports fall more than expected in December

Mikel Arteta hailed "ruthless" Arsenal's crucial 3-1 win against Premier League leader Liverpool on Sunday which helped the Gunners boost their title hopes. Arteta's second-placed side moved within two points of Liverpool thanks to a dynamic display at the Emirates Stadium and a helping hand from a mix-up between Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defender Virgil van Dijk. After taking an early lead through Bukayo Saka, Arsenal was pegged back late in the first half by Gabriel Magalhaes's own goal. But Liverpool gift-wrapped Arsenal's victory after the break when Alisson raced off his line to deal with a long ball and completely missed his clearance, with Van Dijk also ...

Keep on reading: ‘Ruthless’ Arsenal back in Premier League title race

MANILA, Philippines --- The Department of National Defense (DND) will "strictly enforce" its mandate to protect the integrity of the national territory amid calls for a separate Mindanao, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Monday. "The mandate of the Department of National Defense is to secure the sovereignty of the State and integrity of the national territory as enshrined in the Constitution," Teodoro said in a statement. "We will strictly enforce this mandate whether externally or internally," he added. On January 31, former president Rodrigo Duterte claimed that local political forces would regroup in the Davao Region to start a movement for Mindanao's indepe...

Keep on reading: DND to secure PH sovereignty, says Teodoro on Mindanao independence push

    DAKAR, Senegal --- Police made arrests and fired tear gas at opposition supporters during protests Sunday against the decision by President Macky Sall to postpone Senegal's Feb. 25 elections as federal lawmakers prepared to debate a bill to formalize the postponement. Demonstrators rallied in the capital of Dakar after leading opposition figures and candidates in the presidential election rejected Saturday's announcement of the election postponement. Opposition leaders had called on citizens to defend democracy amid a push for dialogue by West Africa's regional bloc, ECOWAS. Among those arrested as the protests spread in the capital included former Prime M...

Keep on reading: Senegal police quash protests as opposition rejects election delay

LONDON ---Britain's unemployment rate was much lower late last year than previously thought, the Office for National Statistics said on Monday, citing re-weighted survey results that might add to the Bank of England's caution about cutting interest rates quickly. The new data showed a unemployment rate of 3.9 percent in the three months to November, compared with 4.2 percent provided by the ONS last month on a temporary, experimental basis. The BoE is watching Britain's labor market closely as it considers whether inflation pressures in the economy have cooled enough for it to cut its benchmark interest rate from its highest level in nearly 16 years at 5.25 percent. The ONS ...

Keep on reading: UK unemployment rate much lower than thought in late 2023

MANILA, Philippines --- Lawmakers are convinced the firearm found in an anomalous arrest of four female Chinese in Paraaque city was merely planted by police. Members of House committee on public order and safety determined the weapon actually belonged to the foreigners' bodyguard. During the committee's hearing on Monday, Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo interrogated three individuals who worked for the arrested Chinese. He also investigated their bodyguard Michael Novecio, who surrendered to the House on Thursday. Acop's resolution launched the House probe. He asked Novecio to confirm the testimony of former cop Lord Jean Antonino. Antonino had said it w...

Keep on reading: SPD cops may have ‘planted’ gun used in anomalous raid vs 4 Chinese – Acop

NBA Scores, News, Schedules PORTLAND, Oregon--- Damian Lillard was greeted with a lengthy standing ovation by an appreciative Portland crowd when he was introduced for Milwaukee's game against the Trail Blazers in the NBA on Wednesday night. Lillard, who spent 11 seasons with the Blazers and still has a home in Portland, played his first game in the city since the offseason trade that sent him to the Bucks. The sellout crowd at the Moda Center feted Lillard with cheers. He responded with by applauding the fans and held up his hands in a heart shape before his Bucks teammates danced around him. But the celebration was muted at the end of the night by the Blazers' 119-116 sur...

Keep on reading: Damian Lillard cheered in return to Portland after trade to Bucks

MANILA, Philippines ---Tycoon Manuel Villar Jr.'s flagship property firm Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. postponed a $700-million (P39.2 billion) overseas bond sale amid tepid demand from buyers, underscoring debt market constraints faced by corporations while interest rates remain elevated. Vista Land canceled plans for its US-dollar 5NC 3-year notes that were priced at 8.875 percent after bond investors sought higher returns. The cancelation was first reported by debt market-focused news service Debtwire. A source with knowledge of the matter told the Inquirer that bond investors sought yields above 9 percent. While the final price was set, the issuer decided to drop the offer a...

Keep on reading: Vista Land shelves $700-M bond offer amid tepid demand

      YANGON -- Myanmar on Thursday entered its fourth year since a coup ended a short-lived dance with democracy, with the embattled junta warning it will do "whatever it takes" to crush opposition to its rule. The junta extended a state of emergency by six months on the eve of the anniversary, once again delaying promised elections as it struggles to quash growing resistance to its rule. Streets in commercial hub Yangon were quieter than usual on Thursday morning, AFP reporters said, as opponents of the military called for people to stay indoors in a "silent strike" against the coup. Buses usually packed for the morning rush hour were almost empty a...

Keep on reading: Myanmar enters fourth year of post-coup crisis

Despite spending over a week in isolation due to COVID-19, Shaina Magdayao said she's grateful to have had the pause she "didn't ask for but apparently needed." The actress, who appears to have contracted the virus in early January, reflected on the kind of peace attained through spending time with one's self via her Instagram page on Tuesday, Jan. 30. "Trust YOUR process. With isolation, everything you feel will sort itself out," she said, quoting American author R.M Drake. "Beautiful words I kept on reading and reminding my frustrated sick self during more than a week of isolation and testing positive," she stated. READ: Piolo Pascual grateful to Shaina Magdayao for 'pu...

Keep on reading: Shaina Magdayao reflects on ‘rest, pause’ she needed after bout with COVID-19

NBA Scores, News, Schedules OKLAHOMA CITY --- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the short-handed Denver Nuggets 105-100 on Wednesday night in a matchup of teams near the top of the NBA Western Conference standings. Denver star Nikola Jokic sat out because of pain in his lower back. Oklahoma City took advantage of the two-time league MVP's absence by holding the defending champion Nuggets to 39.8% shooting. Oklahoma City's MVP contender wasn't sure he'd play, either. Gilgeous-Alexander was questionable but ended up with his 14th game in January with at least 30 points. "Dealing with a little bit of illness, but I (felt) good enou...

Keep on reading: NBA: Thunder pounce on short-handed Nuggets

        SYDNEY -- An Australian toddler who clambered into a "Hello Kitty" arcade claw machine and "was in no hurry to get out" has been saved in a smash-and-grab rescue, police said Thursday. Queensland police said that during a shopping trip three-year-old Ethan climbed into the machine -- which was filled with stuffed toys -- via the prize dispenser chute. Police video shows four officers sizing up the problem before shooing the unperturbed toddler to the far side of the glass compartment.   READ: Pakistani children rescued from a broken cable car say they repeatedly feared they would die "Police ensured Ethan was at a safe distance ...

Keep on reading: Australian toddler rescued from arcade claw machine

It is safe to say that the no-pants trend has firmly planted its roots in Korea, especially within the K-pop scene. This look has triggered mixed reactions, with some arguing that it is a way of expressing freedom while others say that it is too provocative and simply inappropriate. The now-trending no-pants look speaks for itself, featuring a style that discards pants, skirts, or any bottom-covering attire, except for briefs, often paired with tights. The origins of this look can be traced to the attire of dancers in the 1950s. This trend first gained attention on various Korean online forums in 2022 when Kendall Jenner donned a look from Bottega Veneta's spring 2023 collec...

Keep on reading: Too hot to handle? K-pop stars’ ‘no pants’ look sparks debate