Japan seizes Chinese fishing vessel, arrests captain

Japan seizes Chinese fishing vessel, arrests captain

Inquirer stock photo TOKYO, Japan — Japanese authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its skipper, authorities said Friday, in a move likely to further heighten tensions with Beijing. In November, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi enraged China by suggesting that Japan would intervene militarily if Beijing sought to take Taiwan by force. READ: U.S. won’t abandon the Philippines amid China’s assertiveness at sea, envoy says “The vessel’s captain was ordered to stop for an inspection by a fisheries inspector, but the vessel failed to comply and fled,” Japan’s fisheries agency said. “Consequently, the vessel’s captain was arrested on the […]... Keep on reading: Japan seizes Chinese fishing vessel, arrests captain

MMDA suspends number coding for Chinese New Year

MMDA suspends number coding for Chinese New Year

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Friday that the expanded number coding scheme would be suspended on Tuesday. The suspension comes as the country observes a special non-working holiday in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Under existing policy, the coding scheme is automatically lifted during official national and special holidays. The agency warned of potential congestion in major thoroughfares and traditional celebration hubs, specifically in Manila’s Binondo district. Motorists and commuters are advised to plan their routes accordingly, strictly adhere to traffic regulations, and exercise patience as heavier-than-usual traffic is anticipated near the festivities.

PH, AUSTRIA FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

LOOK: Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro meets with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna.

The two ministers discussed advancing bilateral trade and investment, increasing high-level exchanges, and strengthening

PH, AUSTRIA FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING LOOK: Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro meets with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna. The two ministers discussed advancing bilateral trade and investment, increasing high-level exchanges, and strengthening

PH, AUSTRIA FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING LOOK: Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro meets with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna. The two ministers discussed advancing bilateral trade and investment, increasing high-level exchanges, and strengthening

Valentine's Day tips for anyone seeking the perfect match on four wheels

Valentine's Day tips for anyone seeking the perfect match on four wheels

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about roses and candlelight — it’s about chemistry. The kind you feel instantly, irrationally, and sometimes against your better judgment. People have chemistry with cars too. Some lure you in with their rogue spirit and self-assurance, others charm you with confidence and poise, and a few will leave you wondering why […]... Keep on reading: Valentine's Day tips for anyone seeking the perfect match on four wheels

Sharon Cuneta teases Marcos over 'wrong' choice of vice president

Sharon Cuneta teases Marcos over 'wrong' choice of vice president

MANILA, Philippines — Singer-actress Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan teased President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over his "wrong" vice presidential choice in the 2022 elections. Speaking onstage before the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at an event in Manila on Thursday evening, Cuneta said she "only has one vice president," who was also her date for the night—her husband, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. "Mali your choice, no? Sorry, okay, okay, let’s move on," Cuneta said. Her remark came amid political tensions between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, his former UniTeam running mate during the 2022 elections. Cuneta later expressed support for the President, saying she would continue to pray for him and for the country. "I will pray that before we all judge you, that you’re allowed to do your job for all of us," Cuneta said. "We pray for your good health, peace of mind from all the fake news, all the disinformation. May God be with you every single day, Mr. President," she added.

Sharon Cuneta teases Marcos over 'wrong' choice of vice president

Sharon Cuneta teases Marcos over 'wrong' choice of vice president

MANILA, Philippines — Singer-actress Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan teased President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over his "wrong" vice presidential choice in the 2022 elections. Speaking onstage before the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at an event in Manila on Thursday evening, Cuneta said she "only has one vice president," who was also her date for the night—her husband, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. "Mali your choice, no? Sorry, okay, okay, let’s move on," Cuneta said. Her remark came amid political tensions between Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, his former UniTeam running mate during the 2022 elections. Cuneta later expressed support for the President, saying she would continue to pray for him and for the country. "I will pray that before we all judge you, that you’re allowed to do your job for all of us," Cuneta said. "We pray for your good health, peace of mind from all the fake news, all the disinformation. May God be with you every single day, Mr. President," she added.

Gasoline prices primed to jump by up to P1.60/liter at the pump

Gasoline prices primed to jump by up to P1.60/liter at the pump

MANILA, Philippines — Fuel price hikes are expected to persist next week amid geopolitical tensions and robust demand. Diesel is poised for an eighth week of an uptrend.  In an advisory Friday, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said the local prices of diesel products may increase again by 50 centavos to 70 centavos per liter.  READ: Diesel prices rise further by P1 per liter, gasoline by 60 centavos Gasoline prices are seen to jump higher by P1.40 to P1.60 a liter. If implemented on Feb. 17, it would mark the sixth consecutive week of price hikes for gasoline.  “Oil prices […]... Keep on reading: Gasoline prices primed to jump by up to P1.60/liter at the pump

Minnesota immigration crackdown over, says US border czar

Minnesota immigration crackdown over, says US border czar

MINNEAPOLIS — The Trump administration is ending a massive immigration crackdown that swept across the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and other Minnesota communities, border czar Tom Homan said Thursday, concluding an operation that led to thousands of arrests, angry mass protests and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens. The crackdown, which the Department of Homeland Security called its ” largest immigration enforcement operation ever,” became the most prominent flashpoint in the debate over President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. The surge of thousands of federal officers changed life across the Twin Cities. Convoys of unmarked SUVs became commonplace in some […]... Keep on reading: Minnesota immigration crackdown over, says US border czar

Dengue cases in Negros Occidental drop 80% in early 2026

Dengue cases in Negros Occidental drop 80% in early 2026

BACOLOD CITY — The province of Negros Occidental recorded an 80.28 percent decrease in dengue cases during the first five weeks of 2026, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported. The PHO surveillance data, covering Jan. 4 to Feb. 7, logged 141 cases—significantly lower than the 715 cases reported during the same period in 2025. The drop of 574 cases was also marked by zero fatalities, the PHO noted. READ: DOH logs over 7,400 dengue cases in January, down 71% from last year San Carlos City and Bago City registered the highest number of cases this year, with 18 each. Children […]... Keep on reading: Dengue cases in Negros Occidental drop 80% in early 2026