CATEGORIES

Tolentino erupts for 27, Choco Mucho triumphs

On her return from a long absence, Choco Mucho star Kat Tolentino made sure everybody noticed. She delivered a devastating 27-point masterpiece in a pulsating 27-29, 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12 victory by the Flying Titans over the upset-conscious Galeries Tower Highrisers yesterday in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Alcaraz pummels Rublev; Ruud loses

Carlos Alcaraz opened his account at the ATP Finals on Wednesday with an entertaining 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win over Andrey Rublev, while Casper Ruud missed an early chance to reach the semifinals after losing in straight sets to Alexander Zverev.

Eyes on Bandala, Gonzaga

Pete Bandala and Ayl Gonzaga are set to showcase their skills and talent as they go for a double-title run in the Dipolog City National Juniors Tennis Championships, which kicks off today at the RGS and Mibang courts in Zamboanga del Norte.

Harlem in NBA?

In 2021, the Harlem Globetrotters sent an open letter to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, suggesting to join the league as a franchise.

Del Rosario climbs to joint 9th

Pauline del Rosario heated up with a 69 yesterday, countering Mikha Fortuna's cooled-off 73 as the Epson Tour veteran set her sights on capturing a second LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) championship at the Party Golfers Ladies Open in Hsinchu County in Taiwan.

CONE WANTS KOUAME TO BE GILAS REGULAR

While Justin Brownlee is the main naturalized player, coach Tim Cone would prefer to have backup Ange Kouame in every Gilas Pilipinas training camp and hopefully, naturalization prospect Bennie Boatwright soon.

Brahmans extend run

University of Batangas pulled off a five-set thriller over defending men's champion Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PGFlex Season 7 Volleyball at the UB gym in Batangas City.

Israel strikes Hezbollah areas in Beirut for third day

Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut for a third consecutive day on Thursday, hitting locations in the capital's southern suburbs early in the morning after a night of heavy bombardments.

Thailand's baby hippo releases song in 4 languages

In case you can't get enough of the little pygmy hippo Moo Deng from Thailand, there's now an official song featuring the internet's favorite baby animal - released in four languages for her global fans.

King Charles turns 76 after year of little celebration

L Britain's head of state King Charles III (in photo) turns 76 today, still in the grip of cancer treatment, but with his passion for work undimmed by what his son and heir Prince William called a \"brutal\" year.

Trump, Biden discuss Ukraine, Middle East

In 'cordial' White House meeting

World's largest coral found near Solomon Islands

Scientists say they have found the world's largest coral near the Pacific's Solomon Islands, announcing yesterday a major discovery \"pulsing with life and color.\"

'Do They Know It's Christmas' gets 40th anniv remix

An \"ultimate mix\" of \"Do They Know It's Christmas\" is set for release later this month to celebrate 40 years since the festive charity hit's recording.

Russia says it seized another village in east Ukraine

Russia said yesterday it captured another village in east Ukraine, closing in on the town of Kurakhove after months of steady advances.

Gambler hits $85-M jackpot betting on Trump

A man made $85 million in a series of wagers on Polymarket, a crypto-based prediction market that was a popular platform for betting on the US election won by Donald Trump, a blockchain analysis firm told AFP on Wednesday.

Republicans complete power takeover with House majority

The Republicans were declared the majority party in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday, completing a clean sweep of Congress and the White House in last week's elections and handing incoming president Donald Trump vast legislative power.

More mayors favor BARMM poll delay

More local executives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have joined the groups seeking to defer next year's BARMM parliamentary elections to 2026.

Haze seen in Cebu not caused by Kanlaon - Phivolcs

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) clarified yesterday that the light haze being experienced in Cebu and other areas of the country did not originate from Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island.

Dog meat trader meted 3 years in prison

A Bulacan court recently sentenced a dog meat trader to up to three years of imprisonment for killing dogs and selling their meat.

Preparations for 2025 polls on track – Comelec -

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) assured the public yesterday that preparations for the May 2025 midterm polls are on track.

Quiboloy transferred to children's hospital

Alleged child sexual abuser Apollo Quiboloy was transferred to a children's hospital in Quezon City for medical tests, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed yesterday.

Metro LGUs join Q4 quake drill

National and local government offices as well as private companies joined the fourth quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drills yesterday.

BIR seizes cigarettes with P8.5-B tax liability

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has confiscated 11.5 million packs of illicit cigarettes with an estimated tax deficiency of P8.54 billion.

'No PNP general, politician helped Guo escape'

No politician or police general helped dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo escape in July to Malaysia.

War on drugs

ROSES & THORNS

I can neither confirm nor deny...

Early this week, I heard of a message shared in an expat Facebook group, that an \"embassy\" had messaged their citizens residing in the Philippines, informing them of the availability of a dengue vaccine by next month. As a first step, I asked my source to take a screen grab of the message and to confirm if the source is authentic and reliable.

Come and get me

Rodrigo Duterte entered the lion's den last Wednesday, ready for a mauling. From his initial reluctance to face the quad committee, he surely expected hostility at the House of Representatives.

Don't let them get away

The National Bureau of Investigation has summoned former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma for the revival of a probe into the murder of former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga in July 2020 in Mandaluyong.

Angara reiterates need to streamline SHS curriculum

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has reiterated the need to streamline the senior high school (SHS) curriculum in order for students to have more time for on-the-job training and other work immersion activities.

Church welcomes dialogue with 2025 bets - Ozamiz archbishop

The Catholic Church will be ready to engage in dialogue with potential candidates in the 2025 midterm elections, according to Archbishop Martin Jumoad of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental.