Accept overlapping claims in West Philippine Sea – ChinaReacting to Sen. Francis Pangilinans latest statement demanding that China respect the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Chinese embassy claimed China is not infringing on Philippine territory. MANILA, Philippines — Despite the 2016 Arbitral Award invalidating China’s vast maritime claims in the South China Sea, the Chinese embassy in Manila again urged the Philippines to accept the supposed reality that Manila and Beijing have overlapping maritime claims and should resolve the issue. Reacting to Sen. Francis Pangilinans latest statement demanding that China respect the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Chinese embassy claimed China is not infringing on Philippine territory. China also has the right to claim its EEZ based on Nansha Qundao and Zhongsha Qundao,” the Chinese embassy asserted. “Our two countries have overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Eala seeded fourth in WTA ASB ClassicAlexandra Eala of Philippines celebrates her win against Madison Keys during Day 6 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. MANILA, Philippines -- Alex Eala is seeded fourth in the WTA ASB Classic starting Monday at the ASB tennis Center in Auckland, New Zealand. The tournament serves as one of Eala's warm-up tournaments for the highly anticipated Australian Open in Melbourne next week. 15 and 2025 ASB Classic champion Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11). Eala won the Australian Open girls' doubles crown in 2020, teaming up with Indonesian pal Priska Madelyn Nugroho.

Fragile confidence, hard choices: What 2026 demands from usIt is always good to have big aspirations for the new year. This reduction may impact infrastructure projects, as the DPWH will need to reassess and potentially delay some initiatives due to limited funding. With substandard and “ghost” infrastructure projects exposed over the past few months, the focus now must be on delivering projects that truly benefit Filipinos. **A direct result of the revelation of massive corruption is the increased public awareness of the need to monitor how public funds are being spent. This empowers citizens to monitor government projects, ensures public funds are used properly, and gives investors confidence that large projects will be executed fairly and efficiently.

More details about Park Na Rae's alleged workplace harassment against her ex-managers have been revealed. Previously, local media reported that Park allegedly threw a glass of alcohol on a former manager's face in August 2023, resulting in bruises and a deep injury that required stitches. They clarified that there was only one instance where Park threw a glass and noted that the managers assisted in cleaning up the mess. In December 2025, Na-rae posted a statement claiming that she has now resolved the issue with her former managers who sued her for workplace harassment, aggravated assault, proxy prescriptions, and unpaid production expenses. One of her more popular roles is in the romantic comedy series What's Wrong with Secretary Kim.

But the ballet sneaker changes everything—it combines the feminine silhouette of a dancer's flat with the cushioned, high-performance sole of a trainer. While classic ballet flats are a staple for the "coquette" aesthetic, most of them are designed for looks rather than long walks. Drawing inspiration from classic ballet flats, this version offers a more feminine look with a sophisticated slip-on design and elastic bands for a snug fit. Charles & Keith Tiggy Metallic Mesh Two-Tone Ballet SneakersCharles & Keith Tiggy Mesh Two-Tone Ballet SneakersGo for "simple with a twist" in the Charles & Keith Tiggy Mesh Two-Tone Ballet Sneakers (P4,299). GVN Ballet SneakersGVN Ballet SneakersTake your style cues from this soft, flexible hybrid.

Eala warms up for Australian OpenMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is taking her act to Oceania. It will be a short stop for Eala in NZ, spending more time with her family to celebrate the New Year while flexing her muscles for the Australian Open main draw which starts on Jan. 18. In the Australian Open, Eala doesn’t need to go through the qualifiers. A winner of the Australian Open junior doubles in 2020, Eala leveled up in the women’s pro. The Australian Open main draw remains as the only major Eala has not played in after doing it at Wimbledon, French Open and US Open last year following her WTA rise.

How much will gov't workers get in 3rd tranche of salary increase? 64, the third tranche raises the basic salary of civilian personnel with Salary Grade 1 to P14,634, reflecting a P573 increase from the previous year. Salary Grade 31 officials, which include department heads earning at least P293,191, will receive a 2.65% increase in 2026, raising their pay to P300,961. For example, an employee in a second-class city could receive 95% of the updated salary schedule. Under the 1987 Constitution, the president, vice president and members of Congress also do not receive salary increases while in office.

Lawmakers regularly get ‘break bonus’ – TiangcoMANILA, Philippines — “Christmas bonus?”It’s nothing new, said Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, as he disclosed yesterday that members of the House of Representatives receive millions as “allowance” every time Congress goes on break. “Ever since I became a congressman (in 2010), there is already this break bonus,” Tiangco said in Filipino in an interview with “Storycon” on One News. This is on top of the monthly allocation for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) received by each congressman. Tiangco said he has not yet received his allowance for the Christmas break, but confirmed receiving P1.5 million for the Undas or All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day break. Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste earlier questioned the release of the P2-million “Christmas bonus” for lawmakers.

Swiss resort fire likely started by sparkler candles, many of the injured fighting for their livesA person pays tribute next to the candles placed for the victims outside the "Le Constellation" bar, after a fire and explosion during a New Year's Eve party where several people died and others were injured, according to Swiss police, in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, January 2, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

'Country of the Year': Political turnaround earns this war-scarred nation a nodSyrian scouts play music in the street as part of Christmas celebrations in the old city of Damascus on December 25, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — British current affairs journal The Economist named Syria as its country of the year for 2025, saying it was the nation that improved the most over the past year. In its annual assessment, the magazine said it does not select the happiest, richest, or most powerful country as "country of the year," since these predictably skew toward certain regions, such as the Nordic countries or superpowers. Instead, it chooses the country it judges to have made the greatest improvement during the year. Moldova , where voters thumbed down a pro-Russia party.

NAIAIn 2025, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) handled 52.02 million passengers, a new high and breaking the previous record of 50.1 million chalked up in 2024, also scored under the new airport management, the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) of industrial giant San Miguel Corporation headed by CEO Ramon S. Ang. Except: security guards at NAIA 1 departure check if you have tickets and read your passport – as if they were border patrol agents. On my return trips through NAIA, clearing through immigration and customs was a breeze. Flood mitigation continues, with over 310,000 metric tons of silt and waste removed from river systems surrounding NAIA. Recently, NAIA earned its first-ever airport customer experience accreditation from Airports Council International, a milestone in NAIA’s history and a sign that the work is taking root.

Arteta hoping to break Arsenal's New Year's curse at top of Premier LeagueMikel Arteta knows how important it is for Arsenal to keep their discipline.

Leo Ku announces birth of second son with 57-year-old wife on New Year’s Day

Ukraine denies targeting civilians, after Moscow says hotel hitChief of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. © Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters

While the late Italian sartorial kings Armani and Versace built up their fashion palaces in Milan, the Valentino fashion house is based at Rome’s Piazza Mignanelli, which is the “PM” in PM 23. Orizzonti Rosso (Red Horizon) was a happy and exuberant celebration of art, fashion, and life. Valentino told his parents, “I would love to open my own fashion house. Orizzonti Rosso paid homage to red, a color Valentino associates with beauty, passion and life. Valentino retired in 2009, after the 45th anniversary celebration of the fashion house.