CATEGORIES

Seoul: NoKor suffers 1,100 casualties in Russia-Ukraine war

More than 1,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in Russia's war with Ukraine, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on Monday.

S. Korean president snubs summons for second time

South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol refused a summons for questioning for the second time, an investigation team said yesterday, after he snubbed a previous one last week.

Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack

The German government pledged Sunday to fully investigate whether there were security lapses before the Christmas market car-ramming attack that killed five people and injured over 200.

Musk, president? Trump says 'not happening'

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Could Elon Musk, who holds major sway in the incoming Trump administration, one day become president? On Sunday, Donald Trump answered with a resounding no, pointing to US rules about being born in the country.

Lone bettor wins P15.8 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot

A bettor in Bacoor, Cavite won the P15,840,000 prize for the Super Lotto 6/49 drawn last Sunday.

Moderate quake jolts Surigao del Norte

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake rocked Surigao del Norte yesterday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported.

4 suspects nabbed in gang rape, slay of girl

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested on Sunday four men suspected to be involved in the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl during a fiesta in Oslob town in Cebu on Dec. 9.

Kanlaon Volcano emits dark ash

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island emitted dark ash accompanied by a weak low-frequency volcanic earthquake, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Section of Andaya Highway remains closed

The remaining section of Andaya Highway in Lupi town in Camarines Sur may be opened to traffic this weekend, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Bicol said yesterday.

Money, money, money

VIRTUAL REALITY

Rise of nations or machines? Preparing for Al

PEDDLER OF HOPE

For the sake of 600,000 children, science must be bold

Bold ideas in science research used to thrill us; now they seem pretty threatening.

'Most corrupt national budget'

EYES WIDE OPEN

Reactive government

After the government announced that portions of the Andaya Highway through the Bicol Region had been reopened to vehicular traffic, a common reaction was why it had not happened sooner.

Ventures

Foreign investment flows fuel economic expansion in Southeast Asia.

BJMP officer's gun goes off; 2 hurt

Two female employees of the Quezon City government were wounded when the handgun of a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officer went off yesterday.

NBI realigns Christmas party budget to aid typhoon victims

In a gesture of compassion and solidarity this Christmas, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday extended support to families affected by recent typhoons through a special relief initiative.

Cruise ship with Chinese tourists docks in Manila

A cruise ship carrying Chinese tourists docked at the port of Manila, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported yesterday.

Manibela offers free rides on Christmas, New Year

As a holiday treat, a transport group is offering free rides to commuters on Christmas Day and New Year.

6 caught with high-powered guns in Caloocan

An alleged member of a criminal ring and five others have been arrested in Caloocan City for carrying various high-powered firearms, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

'Palit ulo' victims get P1M

The local government of Valenzuela announced yesterday the resolution of the \"palit ulo\" scam, with each victim receiving P1 million in financial assistance from a private hospital in the city.

PNP: Over 37,000 cops deployed for Christmas

The Philippine National Police has mobilized over 37,000 personnel nationwide as part of heightened security during the Christmas season, a PNP official said yesterday.

DepEd, DSWD renew partnership on gov't tutoring program

The Department of Education (DepEd) has renewed its partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to implement the Marcos administration's flagship tutoring program for school-age children.

'Public interest, not high ratings, is bedrock of public service'

Reacting to the recent Pulse Asia survey results, Malacañang said public interest was the \"sole driver\" behind every executive decision, not the pursuit of high ratings in the next opinion polls.

TD Romina leaves PAR; heads to Vietnam

Tropical Depression Romina has moved away from the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as it approaches Vietnam, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Santa Claus_PH sends Christmas cheer from Mayon Volcano

Santa Claus once again spread Christmas cheer in parts of the Philippines by replying to letters sent by both the young and the old.

Dec. 26 not a holiday - Palace

The Presidential Communications Office yesterday reminded the public that Dec. 26 is not a holiday.

PhilHealth to reduce premiums, expand coverage

Although deprived of subsidy under the 2025 approved budget program, the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has assured lawmakers that it would still be able to reduce premium contribution and expand its coverage next year for overall better health care benefits for members.

Palace: No talk of reenacted budget

Reenacting this year's budget is out of the question for President Marcos and his officials, Malacañang said yesterday, as the administration continues to scrutinize the P6.352-trillion spending bill for 2025 that it hopes will become a law by yearend.

Gas, diesel prices up this Christmas week

Motorists should brace for a fuel price increase of as much as P1.45 per liter today, just before Christmas.