CATEGORIES

India readies for 400 Million Pilgrims at Mammoth Festival

Beside India's holy rivers, a makeshift city is being built for a Hindu religious festival expected to be so vast it will be seen from space, the largest gathering in history.

Zelensky Condemns 'Inhumane' Russian Christmas Attack on Energy Grid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Wednesday an \"inhumane\" attack from Russia, which launched over 170 missiles and drones, knocking out power in several regions on Christmas Day and killing an energy worker.

Trump Wishes 'Left Lunatics' Merry Christmas

President Joe Biden and his incoming successor Donald Trump issued starkly contrasting Christmas messages on Wednesday, with the latter doubling down on recent comments about seizing the Panama Canal, buying Greenland and annexing Canada.

Azerbaijan Mourns 38 Killed in Plane Crash in Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan began a national day of mourning yesterday after a passenger jet from the flag carrier crashed in western Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, killing 38 of the 67 people onboard.

Trump names ambassador to Panama

After saying country is ripping off US ships

Beyonce's performance highlights Netflix's NFL debut on Christmas Day

Beyonce provided more excitement than either game during Netflix's NFL debut on Christmas Day.

Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano

One of the world's most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Wednesday.

Hamas, Israel Blame Each Other for Ceasefire Delay

Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel yesterday traded blame over failure to conclude a ceasefire agreement despite progress reported by both sides in past days.

Palestinian TV says Israeli strike kills 5 journalists in Gaza

A Palestinian TV channel affiliated with a militant group said five of its journalists were killed yesterday in an Israeli strike on their vehicle in Gaza, with Israel's military saying it had targeted a \"terrorist cell.\"

DOH Reports Over 4,500 Pertussis Cases Nationwide

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 4,518 cases of pertussis nationwide as of Dec. 14.

Thousands Spend Yule in Evacuation Centers

Up to 4,454 families or 14,186 people spent their Christmas and will most likely spend the New Year in evacuation centers on Negros Island as Kanlaon Volcano continues to show signs of unrest.

BI: Over 186,000 Travelers Used PHL Airports on Christmas

A total of 186,193 travelers flocked to airports for their travels on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported.

Phivolcs warns of tsunami amid earthquakes in Ilocos

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned of tsunami amid a series of earthquakes in Santa Catalina town in Ilocos Sur, as it said a magnitude 8.4 temblor might spawn waves as high as 14.7 meters that may hit Vigan City.

PNP Disowns Fake Memo on SRI Cancellation

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has denied the existence of a memorandum canceling the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for 2024, calling the circulating document \"fake news.\"

LTO Officer Summoned Over Truck's Fake Registration

A district officer of the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-National Capital Region is in hot water after it was found that registration papers of a truck involved in a fatal accident were fraudulent.

'Mali' returns to Manila Zoo

The remains of Mali the elephant have been brought back to Manila Zoo after undergoing taxidermy.

Intruder breaks into comedian's house

A man was arrested after he illegally entered two residences, including a house owned by a comedian and television host, in Quezon City on Christmas Eve, police reported yesterday.

NCRPO: Zero crime during Simbang Gabi

With police personnel deployed in churches, transport terminals and other areas of convergence, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported zero crime incidents throughout the duration of the nine-day traditional Simbang Gabi or dawn masses.

PCSO Remits P708M to PhilHealth, CHED, DDB

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has turned over an additional P708 million to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

3 Fires Hit Metro on Christmas Day

It was a bleak Christmas for families in Tondo, Manila whose homes were razed by a fire on Wednesday night.

Comelec resets printing of ballots

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rescheduled the start of the printing of the official ballots for next year’s midterm polls to Jan. 6, 2025.

Just and lasting peace

ROSES & THORNS

The movie in my mind

In a rare gesture from the highest office of the land, this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) got a big endorsement.

New vocabulary of 'brat' Innocents

“For your generation, what does ‘tito’ or ‘tita’ mean?” asked Ms. Rellzah, 22, my Gen Z partner in Sapol-dwIZ. Of course us seniors use those to address the brother or sister of our parent.

Why 'A Christmas Carol' endures

Since its publication in December 1843, \"A Christmas Carol\" by Charles Dickens has been a cherished presence during the holiday season.

Time to call 'Housekeeping'

Given how he and his administration scored in the latest survey, plus a couple of love letters from concerned groups regarding impeachments and budget cuts on the military, now would be the right time for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to do the necessary \"housekeeping\" among his non-performing appointees or NPAs in government.

Creative budgeting

People who feel overworked and underpaid, including teachers and health workers, should look at the fund allotments and expenditures of lawmakers for 2023—and weep.

Gains of anti-child labor law lauded

Sen. Loren Legarda lauded the gains of the 2003 Anti-Child Labor Law in reducing the number of Filipino children working in unsafe conditions, but acknowledged that poverty remains an issue.

12 Projects Eligible for CREATE MORE Incentives - BOI

Twelve projects with a capital investment of over P15 billion each are qualified to transfer their registration to CREATE MORE for availment of enhanced tax incentives, according to the Board of Investments (BOI).

Seafarers Move Global Trade - And Christmas Gifts

On a balmy December evening, four Indian crew members, eager to go explore this Mediterranean city where their container ship docked for a few hours, turned for help to Stella Maris.