(First of two parts) MANILA, Philippines—As Donald Trump prepares for his return to the US presidency, experts are taking a close look at the ripple effects his second term could have on the Philippine health care system which has benefited significantly from US assistance. Following last week’s US presidential elections, many cautioned that Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris could send global shockwaves, sparking concerns among international allies about a resurgence of his nationalist “America First” policies. One of the most talked about and weighed-in possible impacts of Trump’s second term by experts, political figures, and lawmakers alike was on immigration. Trump has made it […]...

Keep on reading: Trump 2.0: PH stays optimistic amid worries on aid, health care

SM Investments Corp., led by the billionaire Sy family, booked a 9-percent gain in earnings in the January to September period to P60.9 billion as falling interest rates buoyed its banking unit. In a stock exchange filing on Wednesday, SMIC said revenues reached P462.5 billion, up by 5 percent. READ: BIZ BUZZ: SM is conglomerate of the year “We continued to see good growth across our businesses in the third quarter,” SMIC president and CEO Frederic DyBuncio said in a statement. “With inflation easing, we remain positive. An improving macroeconomic environment should help both our businesses and consumers moving forward,” […]...

Keep on reading: SM Investments nets P60.9B

LUCENA CITY — Classes were suspended on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 13, in Calaca City, Batangas province, due to the harmful presence of volcanic smog or “vog” from Taal Volcano. The Calaca public information office announced the suspension around 11:30 a.m. in a post on its Facebook page. “In accordance with the directive of the DepEd Calaca City Sub-Office and Calaca City DRRMO, the suspension of classes this afternoon is recommended for all public and private schools at all levels in Calaca City due to volcanic smog or “vog” from Taal Volcano,” the post said in Filipino. Local authorities advised the […]...

Keep on reading: Calaca City suspends classes due to 'vog' from Taal Volcano

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — A 37-year-old man was apprehended in an entrapment operation, after a 14-year-old girl lodged a complaint against him for sextortion on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at around 9:50 a.m. in a lodge in Purok Jaguar, Brgy. Panadtaran, San Fernando town in southern Cebu. The suspect is a construction worker from Brgy. South Poblacion in San Fernando town. Meanwhile, the victim was a 14-year-old grade 9 student from Naga City. READ MORE: Sextortion: The sinister side of online romance Taiwanese jailed for attacking a transwoman; claims he was blackmailed Married man from Talisay City accuses single mom […]...

Keep on reading: 'Sextortion' in Naga: Man nabbed for trying to blackmail girl, 14

TACLOBAN CITY — A soldier was killed while three others were wounded during an encounter on Tuesday, Nov. 12, between government troops and suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Gamay, Northern Samar. The soldiers, from the 52nd Infantry Battalion based in Jipapad, Eastern Samar, were conducting military operations in the area when they encountered nine NPA rebels in Barangay Malidong. A firefight lasted about 10 minutes, resulting in the death of Corporal Benjie Tamor, 28. Three of Tamor’s colleagues were also wounded in the skirmish, though their identities were withheld by the 8th Infantry Division based in […]...

Keep on reading: Soldier slain, 3 others hurt in NPA-AFP clash in Northern Samar

Beauty queen-dentist Shaila Rebortera tied the knot with her non-showbiz fiancé, Luigi, in an intimate garden ceremony witnessed by their family and friends. Rebortera gave a glimpse of their special day through her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Nov. 12, sharing photos and videos taken by their guests. The beauty queen donned an off-shoulder balloon dress for the wedding that was held on Nov. 11 at an undisclosed location. Among the photos she shared was of her and Luigi slicing their wedding cake that has the vow “‘Til death do us part.” Luigi also showed a stitched photo in which he […]...

Keep on reading: Shaila Rebortera now married

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s inflation slowed to 2.7% in October, the lowest level in three years in a win for the libertarian government of President Javier Milei who came to power almost a year ago promising to pull Argentina out of a dire economic crisis. Argentina’s statistics agency on Tuesday reported October’s number. In September, inflation was 3.5%. READ: Recession-hit Argentina gripped by ‘Ponzidemia’ On an annual basis, inflation in October was 193% compared to 209% reported in September. Milei has trumpeted falling prices in recent months as a victory in his fight against Argentina’s worst economic crisis in […]...

Keep on reading: Argentina's monthly inflation drops to 2.7%, lowest level in 3 years

MANILA, Philippines — The excess campaign funds of then-president Rodrigo Duterte were used for the reward system of police officers during his administration’s brutal war on drugs.  Duterte himself admitted this to Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez during the House of Representatives quad committee during its 11th probe on his controversial anti-drug campaign.  “I still remember that you mentioned na yung pera galing sa donation ng inyong campaign funds will be utilized for the reward system, that’s private money,” Fernandez said.  (I still remember you mentioned that the money from the donation for your campaign funds would be utilized […]...

Keep on reading: Excess campaign funds used for drug war reward system, Duterte admits

Malik Beasley made a go-ahead technical free throw with 1.1 seconds left in overtime and the host Detroit Pistons escaped with a wild 123-121 victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA Cup opener for both teams on Tuesday night. Tyler Herro, who scored the last nine points of regulation, all on 3-pointers, to force overtime, gave the Heat a two-point lead on a bank shot with 1.8 seconds left in overtime. An alley-oop dunk by Jalen Duren off an inbounds pass Cade Cunningham tied the score. READ: NBA Cup set to begin with eight group-play games The Heat called […]...

Keep on reading: NBA Cup: Pistons beat Heat in OT, aided by technical FT

Credit growth trend in the Philippines has changed for the better, becoming the country with the most optimistic position among four of its peers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). For the next quarter or two, credit trend has been “improving” compared with the “declining” trend seen previously, according to the Bank of America November outlook released on Tuesday. The report took into consideration five credit growth indicators: system liquidity, business and retail expectations, rates and prices, as well as a range of external factors. READ: PH GDP growth slowed sharply to 5.2% in Q3 “The Philippines is […]...

Keep on reading: Asean outlier: PH credit growth improving

Franz Wagner pumped in 32 points on Tuesday as the Orlando Magic cruised past the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 114-89, in NBA Cup action. Moritz Wagner scored 18 points off the bench and Jalen Suggs tallied all 17 of his points in the first half for Orlando, which has its first three-game winning streak of the season. Franz Wagner made 14 of 25 shots from the field as the Magic shot 46.2 percent overall. He also led Orlando with eight rebounds and five assists. READ: NBA Cup set to begin with eight group-play games LaMelo Ball’s 35 points and Grant Williams’ […]...

Keep on reading: NBA Cup: Franz Wagner scoring surge as Magic rout Hornets

OG Anunoby scored 24 points and Josh Hart recorded a triple-double as the New York Knicks spoiled Joel Embiid’s season debut with a 111-99 road win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. In both teams’ first NBA Cup game this season — not to mention a rematch of last season’s first-round playoff series that New York won in six games — all five Knicks starters scored in double figures, as did Miles McBride with 15 points off the bench. Hart finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Jalen […]...

Keep on reading: NBA Cup: Joel Embiid scores 13 in return as 76ers fall to Knicks

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will closely monitor the tax compliance of online marketplaces and online sellers during the holiday season, Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. has said. In a statement Wednesday, Lumagui warned that online businesses violating tax laws would be blocked. Section 115 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as […]...

Keep on reading: BIR to monitor online sellers' tax compliance during holiday season

NEW YORK — It looks like the 2025 Grammy Awards may be a different kind of award show. Beyoncé leads the nods with 11, bringing her career total to a record-breaking 99 nominations. There’s an incredible diversity of genres represented across the major categories, and women continue to succeed. So… who didn’t make the cut? What were the best surprises of all? Let’s take a look. Country’s cool again… and it looks a little different. Country music has bled into other prominent genres and the Recording Academy has taken note. Country hybridists — like Beyoncé, Post Malone and first-time nominee […]...

Keep on reading: The Beatles, 'BRAT' summer, and other 2025 Grammy nomination snubs, surprises

Police and electricity authorities have raided buildings in Chachoengsao and Surat Thani provinces, arrested suspects and seized cryptocurrency mining machines that stole tens of millions of baht worth of electricity.

Israeli authorities have advised their nationals in Thailand to remain vigilant following reports that they might be targeted during the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan this coming Friday, the Times of Israel reports.

Thai diplomats have been urged to take a proactive approach to attracting foreign investors following Donald Trump's US presidential election victory, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Tuesday.

The 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia regarding territory claimed by both sides in the Gulf of Thailand provides a framework for negotiations on two main subjects: maritime demarcation and economic benefits from the development of energy resources, said Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.

An orphanage foundation in Chiang Mai will have its licence revoked by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry (MSDHS) following a complaint alleging that its employees mistreated children between the ages of three and six, according to Minister Varawut Silpa-archa.

The government has brushed aside reports of former finance minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong making the cut as new chairman of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) board, saying nothing has been made official yet.

The attorney general has submitted documents to the Constitutional Court regarding the case in which former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is accused of asserting influence over the Pheu Thai Party.

Satit Limpongpan, chairman of the selection committee tasked with choosing the new board chairman of the Bank of Thailand, has confirmed the position will not have any influence on the central bank's monetary policy.

The widespread use of Thai nominees by foreign businesses in Thailand is a growing concern among hoteliers, who fear that low prices and quality could destroy the tourism reputation of the country, according to the Thai Hotels Association's (THA) monthly sentiment index.

The situation of local fruit vendors has gone from bad to worse after the Thai Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN) released its finding two weeks ago, revealing chemical contamination in popular Shine Muscat grapes.

9 reasons to have at least 3 walnuts everyday  The Times of India

1. Vicky Kaushal to play Lord Parshuram in Dinesh Vijans mega spectacle; filming begins in November 2025  Bollywood Hungama
2. Vicky Kaushal looks fierce and rudra as Parshurama in Mahavatar, see pics  Moneycontrol
3. Vicky Kaushal looks unrecognisable as Parashurama in Mahavatar first look. Check first poster, release date  Hindustan Times
4. Vicky Kaushal Plays Chiranjeevi Parashurama In Mahavatar, Ferocious First Look Revealed  News18
5. Vicky Kaushal to play Lord Parshuram in Dinesh Vijan's film: Report | Vicky will next be seen in 'Chhaava' | Inshorts  Inshorts

1. India's CPI Inflation In October 2024 Jumps To 14-Month High Of 6.2%; IIP Grows 3.1% In September  News18
2. Retail inflation surges to a 14-month high of 6.2% in October  The Times of India
3. Retail inflation jumps to 14-month high of 6.21 per cent, breaches RBI tolerance level  Telegraph India
4. Rising food prices are likely to push back beginning of rate cutting cycle  The Indian Express
5. Rate cut unlikely even in February, inflation to dip January onwards: SBI research  The Economic Times

1. ‘Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain’: The Effect Of PM Modi's Slogan On Maharashtra’s Muslim Seats  News18
2. ‘Congress’s shahi parivar thinks it is born to rule India': PM Modi in Maharashtra  Hindustan Times
3. "Most Unstable Vehicle": PM Modi's Jibe At Maha Vikas Aghadi In Maharashtra  NDTV
4. Rahul Gandhi's 'Golden Goose' Is Revant Reddy | Claims of Congress Funding Accusation | India Today  India Today
5. Pune to progress faster in next five years, says PM Modi  The Times of India

1. Donald Trump picks Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Government Efficiency Department  Moneycontrol
2. Trump’s 'Manhattan Project' of government reform: Musk and Ramaswamy to lead efficiency crusade  The Times of India
3. Donald Trump Picks Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy For Cabinet: Internet Has This To Say  News18
4. A dope for DOGE (and Dogecoin): Trump taps Musk in efficiency team, crypto fans rejoice  The Economic Times
5. Video | Elon Musk In Trump's New Cabinet, UK Church Abuse Scandal, Saudi Megacity in Trouble  NDTV

Thailand and Vietnam will be among the "biggest beneficiaries" of Donald Trump's return to the White House, according to one of the largest fund managers in the region.

Italy's flourishing "cannabis light" industry is at risk, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pushes a bill through parliament to deflower a crop that is legal across much of Europe. Her conservative coalition wants to ban the sale of hemp flower products, but those in the trade say it's economic suicide. - REUTERS

Russia's lower house of parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to ban what authorities cast as pernicious propaganda for a child-free way of life, hoping to boost a faltering birth rate. - REUTERS

DELHI — A surge in Bitcoin has paused as traders assess the remaining market impact of United States President-elect Donald Trump's rhetorical support for crypto.

Donald Trump is likely to take many executive actions on his first day as president to ramp up immigration enforcement and roll back signature Biden legal entry programs, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. - REUTERS

A Polish priest has created a small chapel in the city of Poznan, which besides an altar, lectern, chairs and crucifix, offers an AI-powered program allowing visitors to ask questions about Catholicism and faith. - REUTERS

CHIANG MAI - Police found an unregistered barking deer, a protected species, at the house of the fengshui consultant arrested for allegedly defrauding people of over 100 million baht.

Visitors to London's famous Kew Gardens this Christmas will get to walk a festive night-time trail that uses lights to bring the garden to life. - REUTERS

DENPASAR — Several international airlines cancelled flights to and from Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Wednesday, after further eruptions of a volcano that has spewed ash clouds as high as 10 kilometres (32,808 feet) and forced thousands to evacuate.

Thailand is targeting economic growth of 3.5% in 2025 after 2.7% growth seen this year, and the government will soon consider more stimulus measures and the rollout of phase two of its US$14 billion handout scheme, the finance minister said on Wednesday.

[Shabelle] Mogadishu -- In a strategic move to bolster Somalia's defense apparatus, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made key changes in the military hierarchy, appointing General Sahal Abdullahi Omar as the new Commander of Land Forces and elevating Lt. Colonel Hassan Salah Abdi to the position of Commander of Special Forces.

[VOA] Minneapolis, Mn -- Somali Americans in Minnesota last month took part in a town hall involving Democratic and Republican party representatives encouraging them to participate in the 2024 election, arguing the stakes are high for them and their grandchildren.

[Shabelle] Mogadishu -- In a significant political development, two ministers from Somalia's federal government resigned on Sunday, November 3, 2024, citing what they described as the government's plans to exacerbate tensions with regional administrations, particularly Jubbaland and Puntland.

[Radio Dalsan] In a move that has captured international attention, Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has announced plans to relocate the Ethiopian Embassy currently housed within the Somali presidential compound.

[Radio Dalsan] Mogadishu -- The Federal Government of Somalia has dispatched four planes of humanitarian aid to Baidoa, the capital of the Southwest State, in response to escalating concerns over a severe drought expected to hit the region.

[Shabelle] Germany and Somalia are to cooperate on stepping up the deportation of migrants from the East African country.

[Radio Dalsan] A Turkish-made drone armed with missiles reportedly crashed on Tuesday in the Al-Shabaab-controlled village of Farsooley, located in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region, local sources have confirmed.

[Shabelle] Mogadishu -- In a move signaling deepening political discord, Somalia's Deputy Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, MP Saddam Mohamud Abdi, resigned on Tuesday, accusing the federal government of constitutional violations and politicizing development projects in his home region of Puntland.

[Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somaliland has announced progress in preparing for the upcoming presidential and party elections scheduled to take place on 13 November this year.

[Radio Dalsan] The European Union (EU) handed over a fleet of military vehicles and equipment to the Somali government on Tuesday, at the General Dhagabadan Training Camp in Mogadishu.

[Radio Dalsan] In a move to bolster Somalia's economic recovery and stability, the United States has forgiven $1.14 billion in debt owed by Somalia. The debt cancellation, announced by US Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley in Mogadishu, is part of a larger $1.2 billion assistance package for Somalia this fiscal year.