Feed aggregator

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

    BEIJING -- Authorities in Beijing shut some highways on Wednesday after heavier-than-expected snowfall hit the Chinese capital, part of a cold spell sweeping many parts of the country this week. With freezing rain and snow expected to last until Monday, officials boosted public transport arrangements in the sprawling city of nearly 22 million and shut eight highways, state broadcaster CCTV said. Mountainous areas were still receiving snowfall, though it had stopped in urban areas.   READ: China's Xinjiang battles harshest cold spell in over six decades "I feel like the few days after the snow are a bit inconvenient because the road is kind of s...

Keep on reading: Chinese capital closes highways after heavy snowfall

MANILA, Philippines--EJ Obiena kicked off his indoor season campaign in triumph by asserting himself in the Memorial Josip Gasparac on Wednesday in Osijek, Croatia. Obiena, the world No. 2 pole vaulter, cleared 5.83 meters in his victory warmup for the coming World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. "Indoor season (has) finally kicked off. 5.83 for the win here," Obiena posted on his Instagram. READ: EJ Obiena goes through tests to determine Paris Olympics readiness Portugal's Pedro Buaro placed second with 5.73 meters and American Olen Tray Oates claimed the bronze medal in 5.61. Next stop for the Paris Olympics-bound Obiena, the Asian record holder of s...

Keep on reading: EJ Obiena wins gold in Croatia to begin 2024 season

  MANILA, Philippines --- Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed hopes on Wednesday that a divorce bill could find its way back onto the Senate's legislative agenda. In the House of Representatives, a bill on absolute divorce was brought for plenary consideration on Tuesday. The divorce bill in the Senate, however, remains pending for plenary discussion. "Napapirmahan ko na, months ago pa, 'yung committee report ng Senate committee on women tungkol sa dissolution of marriage bill... pero hindi pa siya scheduled for plenary interpellation and debate," Hontiveros said in a press briefing. (I had the committee report of the Senate committee on women regarding the dissolution ...

Keep on reading: Hontiveros hopes divorce bill can be given ‘fair hearing’ in Senate

NEW YORK/SHANGHAI ---The rapid rise of fast-fashion e-commerce retailers such as Shein and Temu is upending the global air cargo industry, as they increasingly vie for limited air-cargo space to woo consumers with rapid transit times, more than 10 industry sources said. Shein, PDD Group's Temu and ByteDance's TikTok Shop, which recently began online shopping in the U.S., ship the majority of their products directly from factories in China to shoppers by air in individually addressed packages. And their growing popularity - Shein and Temu together send almost 600,000 packages to the United States every day, according to a June 2023 report by the U.S. Congress - is boosting air-f...

Keep on reading: Rise of fast-fashion Shein, Temu roils global air cargo industry

Filipina actress and "Lisa Frankenstein" breakout star Liza Soberano and former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) alumna Ylona Garcia will be among the presenters at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The Anime Awards (@animeawards.official) Anime Awards posted on their official social media accounts a promotional image that shows Soberano among the top musical talent and entertainment icons that will grace the upcoming ceremony. Aside from her roster of Filipino films and television shows and her now blossoming Hollywood career, Soberano is also no s...

Keep on reading: 2024 Anime Awards: Liza Soberano, Ylona Garcia tapped as presenters

MANILA, Philippines --- University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University seized the early 2-0 lead in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament after overcoming separate foes on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. UST needed to fight back from a six-point deficit in the third set before fending off University of the East, 28-26, 25-19, 26-24, for the share of the UAAP lead. The Golden Spikers crawled back from a 14-20 deficit and erased a 20-23 disadvantage as they scored four straight points capped by Dux Yambao's back-to-back blocks to reach match point, 24-23, only to commit a four touches violation that allowed the Red Warriors to save a point. SCHEDULE: UAAP Sea...

Keep on reading: UAAP volleyball: UST Golden Spikers, FEU Tamaraws share early lead

MANILA, Philippines --- Majority Floor Leader Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe on Wednesday said that the House of Representatives committee of the whole would discuss Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 on the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution extensively, holding three hearings per week from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. starting February 26. Dalipe confirmed that the hearings would start on Monday --- and not today as initially announced --- because the committee on rules is still finalizing the schedule of resource persons invited for the discussions on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution's economic provisions. Dalipesaid that they are unsure whe...

Keep on reading: House to conduct comprehensive hearings on RBH7, says solon

Ask most people about their dream future, and it would likely involve flying cars. From The Jetsons cartoon to the Star Wars movies, we've always imagined soaring through the skies riding a car becoming part of everyday life. However, we wouldn't need to wait longer as more companies are developing flying vehicles worldwide. Case in point, the Philippine News Agency announced that a German air mobility firm will launch its first Southeast Asian network in the country. In other words, the company will build a system of flying cars or eVTOLs right here in the Philippines. Soon, Filipinos may ride flying taxis to visit relatives, go to work, or explore the Philippines' thousand islands....

Keep on reading: ‘Flying cars’ in PH coming soon

| PHOTO: Official twitter page of the Senate of the Philippines MANILA, Philippines --- A total of 57 lawmakers have signed a manifesto rejecting the proposal of former President Rodrigo Duterte for a separate Mindanao Republic. The signatories include 53 legislators representing different districts in Mindanao. One of them was Lanao del Norte 1st District Representative Khalid Dimaporo. Dimaporo on Wednesday said the paper is titled 'The Unified Manifesto of Mindanao Congressmen for National Integrity and Development.' Unified-Manifesto-of-Mindanao-Congressmen-for-National-Integrity-and-Development-Download The document calls for national unity and opposes the secessi...

Keep on reading: 57 lawmakers sign manifesto vs. ex-Pres. Duterte’s Mindanao republic idea

MANILA, Philippines --- IBON Foundation on Wednesday said that there is enough data to prove that employers can afford to pay the proposed P100 daily wage increase for private workers in the country. This follows statements from some members of the House of Representatives and employers claiming that businesses would be adversely affected if the proposal becomes law. "All those with a sincere belief that workers should have a just share in the fruits of their labor can have confidence that the data at hand already clearly affirms that workers deserve much more than they're getting and that employers can give much better wages than they're giving," IBON Executi...

Keep on reading: Data shows employers can afford P100 wage hike — IBON

SINGAPORE -Chinese markets lifted Asian stocks on Wednesday on optimism over steps taken by policymakers to boost confidence, while looming earnings from Nvidia kept investors on edge following the recent frenzied AI-driven global rally. Financial markets will also look out for the minutes of the Federal Reserve's last meeting in January for further clues on the policy outlook as expectations of early U.S. interest rate cuts dissipate in the wake of sticky inflation data. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.62 percent on Wednesday, touching their highest in seven weeks, with stocks in China and Hong Kong providing the biggest boost. The blue-chip ...

Keep on reading: China boosts Asian shares as investors brace for Nvidia earnings

MANILA, Philippines --- The United States (US) Embassy in the Philippines said on Wednesday that they are confident that religious leader Apollo Quiboloy will face justice for his "heinous crimes." Despite repeated denial from Quiboloy himself, the embassy maintained that Quiboloy has engaged in rights abuses, including rape of girls. READ: Apollo Quiboloy on FBI's 'most wanted' list "For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted List," said US Embassy Spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay in...

Keep on reading: US Embassy ‘confident’ Quiboloy will ‘face justice for heinous crimes’

MANILA, Philippines --- The government of the United States of America, through its United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a program aimed at strengthening the state of Philippine higher education and make it more receptive to global demands. The U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning Program, has a $30 million budget, or around P1.6 billion, and will run for five years. "The challenges and opportunities that young people face today in the workplace make college training and education critical for their future success," Sara Borodin, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for East Asia and the Pacific sai...

Keep on reading: US launches $30 M program to boost PH tertiary education

      MANILA, Philippines --- President "Bongbong" R. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attributed 1 percent of the country's employment rise to a transport network vehicle service (TNVS) firm in the country, the Palace said on Wednesday. In a courtesy call in Malacaan on Tuesday, Marcos met with executives from Grab Philippine, led by Grab Holdings Inc. co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Tan. READ: Marcos wants to relax regulations on TNVS "Your impact on unemployment numbers [comprises] about 1.1 percent of the increase in employment in the past year and half. That was Grab, so that's the 300,000 that we're talking about has a significant effect," Ma...

Keep on reading: Marcos cites TNVS firm’s role in employment growth