Countdown to CNY: New Year prospects for people born in the Year of the Horse
"The service enables applicants to complete the entire visa submission process without leaving the comfort of their home or their location." Most notably, the " Visa at Your Doorstep " service registered a 62% increase in demand. According to Atul Lall, regional head of VFS Global North Asia, the landscape of visa applications in the Philippines is shifting rapidly toward personalized solutions. Visa at Your Doorstep allows applicants to submit their visa application, including biometrics, from their home or any location. "Visa applicants have been more receptive to services such as Premium Lounge and Prime Time, which offer flexibility and personalization to submit their visas with ease," Lall said.
Photo by ZAIN JAAFAR / AFP Commuters walk past members of Israeli security forces during a military raid in the neighbourhood of Kafr Aqab near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on January 26, 2026.
Military verifying Ukraine report of Filipino killed fighting for RussiaUkrainian priests stand as mourners light flares during the funeral ceremony of Artur Vilchynskyi, a Ukrainian soldier of the "Barracuda" air reconnaissance unit who was recently killed in action in the Chernihiv region, at the National Military Memorial Cemetery near Kyiv on November 28, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines is trying to confirm reports that a Filipino was killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine. The report says Patrick was serving in Russia's 283rd Regiment when he was killed during an assault near Novoselivka village. Ukraine's Defense Intelligence says data from Patrick's devices showed he got one week of training before being sent to fight. Ukrainian officials have said Russia is recruiting thousands of foreign nationals to fight in Ukraine, often through deception.
Aleson Shipping Lines' fleet grounded after Basilan RoRo sinkingMANILA, Philippines — The operations of Aleson Shipping Lines has been suspended following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which left at least 18 people dead, including a 6-month-old baby. The Aleson's MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was en route to Jolo, Sulu when it sank in the waters off Basilan. Pending the investigation, Aleson Shipping Lines is not allowed to operate passenger vessels. "We are grounding the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines," Lopez said. Aleson Shipping Lines has been involved in at least 32 maritime incidents since 2019, Lopez added.
Meta, TikTok and YouTube face landmark trial over youth addiction claimsFILE - Attendees visit the Meta booth at the Game Developers Conference 2023 in San Francisco on March 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Oil sheen found near MV Trisha Kerstin 3Oil sheen seen in the waters near where MV Trisha Kerstin was sunk during an aerial surveillance done by the Philippine Coast Guard on Jan. 27, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — An oil sheen has been spotted in the waters near where the MV Trisha Kerstin sank. In a message to reporters on Tuesday, January 27, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson Noemi Cyabyab said that the PCG observed an oil sheen during its aerial surveillance. Earlier, the Department of Transportation grounded the shipping lines of the MV Trisha Kerstin’s operator, Aleson Shipping Lines, while the PCG and the Maritime Industry Authority are investigating the incident. On January 26, Aleson’s MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was en route to Jolo, Sulu, when it sank in the waters off Basilan.
At Yiwu International Trade City, China’s largest wholesale market, customers crowd into a small shop searching for an unlikely bestseller ahead of the Lunar New Year. They are looking for a red plush horse with a downturned mouth, a gold bell around its neck, and eyes that appear to shy away from a viewer’s gaze. The toy has gone viral on Chinese social media ahead of the Spring Festival holiday, which this year marks the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. Called the “crying horse” by online users, the toy was designed as a happy-faced Lunar New Year decoration, but a manufacturing mistake turned its smile into a frown. “A worker sewed the mouth on upside down by accident,” said Zhang Huoqing, owner of the Yiwu-based shop Happy Sister.
FDA: No one jailed yet over unregistered health productsSen. Raffy Tulfo slams the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during Tuesday’s public hearing, January 27, 2026, of the Committee on Health and Demography. MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Tuesday slammed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over their failure to imprison bad actors who sell fake or unregistered medical products. During the hearing of the Committee on Health and Demography, Sen. Erwin Tulfo questioned FDA officials if they have been able to file cases and imprison the sellers of fake or unregistered products. FDA Director General Paolo Teston said that the FDA has been able to file around 3,000 administrative cases. Meanwhile, Sen. Raffy Tulfo slammed the FDA for allowing the proliferation of fake and unregistered goods online and in physical stores.
ICONS of education and its ‘internationalization’The winners of the Internationalization Leadership Award with CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis (third from right) and Commissioners. Just days after the CHED ICONS Awards 2025, the higher education community mourned the passing of Atty. She believed that Philippine higher education institutions could compete globally, and that internationalization should be inclusive, reaching state universities and colleges, even in the most far-flung areas. Particularly telling was the emphasis on the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which measure universities’ contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals. She also announced that in 2026, the Philippines will assume the ASEAN Chairship for Higher Education, with Artificial Intelligence as the regional theme.
