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Andrea Del Rosario admitted that she did not like being tagged as a "sexy star" during her early days in show business but had to endure it to help provide for her family. In a guest appearance on "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" on Wednesday, Jan. 24, the King of Talk bluntly asked the actress, "When you're being packaged as a sexy star, did you like it?" "Of course not," responded Del Rosario. "But my drive to work kasi at that time was to help my family." "Nagkahiwalay po ang mga magulang ko, and then it was just my mom and then she had to take care of the four of us. 'Yun ang opportunity ko to somehow, move forward in life," she added. The former member of Viva Hot Babes r...

Keep on reading: Andrea Del Rosario says she didn’t like her ‘sexy star’ image before

MANILA, Philippines --- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief Benhur Abalos Jr. on Friday advised vehicle owners to check the legitimacy of their license plates with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). His recommendation came after the LTO, DILG-Special Project Group, and Quezon City Police District's Kamuning Station arrested three LTO employees for allegedly stealing license plates from the LTO Plates Making Plant. In a press conference, Abalos warned car owners who may have obtained their vehicle license plates through illegal means that what they are using right now may be unregistered. "Sa lahat ng nanood ngayon, check-in ninyo na agad sa LTO [kung ...

Keep on reading: Car owners urged to check legitimacy of license plates with LTO

As a style icon who frequently attends international fashion events, it is not uncommon for Heart Evangelista to be rubbing elbows and getting acquainted with different artists, may it be from Hollywood or K-pop, and the most recent face to be added to her list is TWICE member Myoi Mina. Heart and Mina were seatmates at the FendiCouture Spring/Summer 2024 show in Paris on Thursday, Jan. 25. The Filipino actress and the K-pop star were spotted looking undeniably gorgeous as they posed for cameras, and the fans couldn't help but gush over the great moment. Netizens are pointing out how beautiful both the women are and how comfortable they were to be sitting next to each other, no...

Keep on reading: LOOK: Heart Evangelista poses with K-pop star Mina of TWICE at Paris Fashion Week

We've seen AI teachers and AI learning platforms, so why not AI students? Ferris State University will become the first educational institution in the US to let two AI-powered robots attend courses as pupils. Believe it or not, Ferris-U aims to help the school learn more about the student experience on campus.  This AI student project can be difficult to understand, especially when most would likely suggest surveying human students instead. Still, it is a seemingly harmless yet strange experiment that might reveal insights previously unknown. If it succeeds, perhaps Ferris State University could improve the student experience, and other schools might do the same. This article...

Keep on reading: AI students to attend college soon

NEW YORK --- Denim giant Levi Strauss & Co. said Thursday that it's slashing its global corporate workforce by 10 percent to 15 percent in the first half of the year as part of a two-year restructuring plan that seeks to cut costs and simplify its operations. The company employed about 19,100 people as of the end of November, according to its annual report filed with securities regulators. San Francisco-based Levi's said the restructuring is expected to generate net cost savings of $100 million in the current fiscal year. It estimates it will book charges of $110 million to $120 million in the first quarter and said there could be more restructuring charges ahead. Revenue ...

Keep on reading: Levi’s to slash global workforce by up to 15%

Maja Salvador could not help but be emotional during the surprise baby shower organized by her friend and fellow TV host Maine Mendoza. Moments from the intimate party were shown by Salvador and Mendoza via their Instagram Stories on Thursday, Jan. 25. The event---which featured blooms, balloons and ornaments in white, green and yellow hues---was also attended by Salvador's husband, Rambo Nuez; Mendoza's husband, actor-politician Arjo Atayde; and the actresses' friend, actress-beauty queen MJ Lastimosa. "Thank you, my sez [Maine]. Ang swerte kong kaibigan kita (I'm so lucky to have you as my friend)," Salvador told Mendoza. Lastimosa as well as...

Keep on reading: LOOK: Maja Salvador treated to surprise baby shower by Maine Mendoza

NEW YORK---A Seattle man who police say has been stalking and harassing Taylor Swift was ordered held without bail Thursday, Jan. 25, after he was arrested three times in recent days in front of the pop star's home in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood. David Crowe, 33, was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on a misdemeanor charge of second-degree criminal contempt, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office. He was also ordered to undergo a psychiatric exam. Prosecutors said Crowe violated a protective order issued Wednesday mandating he stay away from Swift and her home and refrain from any communication with her. READ: Man arrested near Taylor Swift's...

Keep on reading: Man arrested outside Taylor Swift’s NYC home held without bail for violating protective order

MANILA, Philippines --- Malacaang remained mum on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s separate executive sessions with Senate and House of Representatives members. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil on Friday explained that the discussions made during the independent meetings are top secret. "The meetings were held in executive session, so all matters tackled therein are treated confidential," Garafil told reporters in a Viber message. READ: Marcos 'not as warm as usual' in latest meeting with senators -- source Members of the Senate and House were supposed to meet with the President on Thursday for a Legislative Executive Development Advisory Counci...

Keep on reading: Palace mum on Marcos’ separate meetings with Senate, House

MANILA, Philippines --- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was not as "warm as the usual" when he met with senators on Thursday, a source said. Instead of convening the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac), the President met separately with the senators and members of the House of Representatives. The source, however, did not say if the President was frustrated over the ongoing feud between the Senate and the House on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution. "Sabihin na lang natin na (Let's just say that) both walked away not happy," the source said over the phone. Was it because of the postponement of the Ledac meeting? "Dahil sa PI," the source ans...

Keep on reading: Marcos ‘not as warm as usual’ in latest meeting with senators – source

MANILA, Philippines ---A new order from Malacaang directing government agencies to accelerate their implementation of energy efficiency measures could result in up to P2 billion in energy savings for the government, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Thursday. According to the DOE, its projection on savings was based on 2023 figures. The projected amount of savings is based on the condition that 8,000 identified entities---government buildings and others ---are fully implementing the measures. Last year, the government logged P300 million in energy savings---equivalent to more than 30 million kilowatt-hours--- with the implementation of the Government Energy Management Program ...

Keep on reading: Energy program can ring up P2B in savings

MANILA, Philippines ---Listed Pryce Corp. logged a 31.6-percent growth in earnings last year to end at P2.22 billion on the back of stronger cooking gas sales. According to Pryce, its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sales climbed by 7.9 percent to 298,499 tons due mainly to improved demand in the Luzon market. Consolidated revenues, meanwhile, slightly went up to P19.26 billion from P18.77 billion last year amid the 21.57-percent drop in the average LPG contract price. LPG prices dipped to $576.46 per metric ton, translating to a decline in domestic prices. "The increase in consolidated revenues could have been higher had it not been for the [contract price] decline," it said i...

Keep on reading: Higher LPG sales boost Pryce Corp 2023 profit

Tesla tumbled over 12 percent on Thursday after CEO Elon Musk warned sales growth would slow this year despite price cuts that have already hurt margins at the world's most valuable automaker and fueled investor concerns about soft demand and Chinese competition. Musk said on Wednesday that growth would be "notably lower" as Tesla focuses on a cheaper, next-generation electric vehicle to be made at its Texas factory in the second half of 2025, which is expected to spark the next boom in deliveries. But he said ramping up production of the new model would be challenging because it would involve cutting-edge technologies. READ: Musk: Chinese EV firms will 'demolish' rivals wit...

Keep on reading: Tesla erases $80B in valuation after Musk’s sales warning

THE HAGUE --- United Nations judges on Friday will rule on South Africa's request for emergency measures against Israel, which is accused at the World Court of state-led genocide for its military operation in Gaza. Friday's ruling at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will not deal with the core accusation of the case -- whether genocide occurred -- but will focus on the urgent intervention sought by South Africa. Among the measures South Africa requested is an immediate halt to Israel's military operation, which has laid waste to much of the enclave and killed more than 25,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel has asked the court to reject the case ...

Keep on reading: World Court to rule on urgent measures in Gaza genocide case

TOKYO - Core inflation in Japan's capital slowed below the central bank's 2 percent target to hit the lowest level in nearly two years, data showed on Friday, underscoring policymakers' view that cost-push pressures will continue to ease in coming months. The focus shifts to whether wages will rise enough to underpin consumption and help Japan sustainably achieve the Bank of Japan's 2 percent inflation, which it describes as a prerequisite for phasing out its massive monetary stimulus, analysts say. The core consumer price index (CPI) in Tokyo, a leading indicator of nationwide inflation trends, rose 1.6 percent in January from a year earlier, government data showed, slower tha...

Keep on reading: Inflation in Japan’s capital slips below central bank target

Microsoftwill let go of1,900employees atActivisionBlizzardandXboxthis week, it said on Thursday, the latest cuts in the technology sector that has extended massive layoffs over the past years into 2024. The cuts represent about 8 percent of the overallMicrosoftGaming division and will mostly happen atActivisionBlizzard. BlizzardPresident Mike Ybarra and Chief DesignOfficer Allen Adham are also leaving the company, while a previously announced survival game byBlizzardhas been canceled,Microsoftsaid. READ: Tech layoffs continue after 'Year of Efficiency' The news comes months afterMicrosoftclosed its $69-billion deal forActivisionBlizzard, boosting its heft in the videogami...

Keep on reading: Microsoft to lay off 1,900 Activision Blizzard, Xbox staff

The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense announced the successful test firing of its high-powered DragonFire laser weapon against an aerial target. The institution hasn't revealed its power and range, but an official statement says it can hit a "1 coin from a kilometer away." Soon, the country will deploy its new weapon to the battlefield. Most believe laser weapons are only possible in science fiction stories like Star Wars. Contrary to popular belief, the United Kingdom, the United States, and China have been testing laser armaments for the next evolution of warfare. More importantly, it is a testament to how far laser technology has progressed that it is turning sci-fi into realit...

Keep on reading: UK laser weapon down aerial target

Spanish football club Sevilla uses IBM's Generative Artificial Intelligence platform to pick promising players. Their partnership led to the development of the Scout Advisor AI tool, which enhances recruitment and competitiveness. It lets scouters receive a curated candidate list based on specific player characteristics.  Artificial intelligence guides our decision-making, so seeing a sports team use this technology for recruitment is unsurprising. Soon, other sports will deploy the same application to improve their teams. As a result, it might improve the performance of your favorite groups, especially if they haven't been winning championships lately! This article will disc...

Keep on reading: Football AI picks player candidates

LONDON - Majorcentralbankshave likely come to the end of what has been the most aggressive tightening cycle in decades, but some are pushing back against market expectations forratecutssoon. The EuropeanCentralBank (ECB) on Thursday left interestrates steady and reiterated its commitment to fighting inflation. The Bank of Canada on Wednesday said its focus was shifting to when it can start easing. READ: European Central Bank leaves key interest rate at a record high Majorratesetters have hiked borrowing costs by 4,015 basis points (bps) so far this cycle, with Japan expected to end its negative interestratepolicy soon. Here's how they stand, in terms of the scale ofratehikesi...

Keep on reading: Central banks navigate tricky path from rate hikes to cuts

MANILA, Philippines --- State meteorologists predicted Friday no tropical cyclones would enter or develop within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) until the end of the month. State weather agency expert Benison Estareja, however, said in a public report that overcast skies and rain may occur in several areas of the country due to the prevailing influence of the shear line and northeast monsoon (locally known as amihan). "Wala naman tayong inaasahang bagyong papasok ng ating Philippine area of responsibility and low chance na magkakaroon pa tayo hanggang sa matapos ang buwan na ito," said Estareja, of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Ad...

Keep on reading: Pagasa: No tropical cyclone may be expected until end of January

FRANKFURT - European Central Bank chief ChristineLagardeplayed down the significance of asurveyin which a majority of ECB employees said she was not the right person toleadthe bank, saying its mission of price stability was more important. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm irrelevant," she told reportersafterthe bank's policy-setting meeting on Thursday. "As long as I deliver onleading this institution of talented people who are driven to do their job, the rest - me as a person - irrelevant," she said. READ: At halfway point, next challenges loom for ECB's Lagarde The tradeunionrepresenting ECB staff said earlier this week a majority of employees thinkLagardeis not the best p...

Keep on reading: Lagarde says ‘proud, honored to lead ECB’ after bleak union survey