Taiwan is expected to announce on Tuesday an extension in mandatory military service from four months to one year, citing the threat from an increasingly hostile China, local media reported. Self-ruled, democratic Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which considers the island a part of its territory, to be taken one day, by force if necessary. The prospect of a Chinese invasion has increasingly worried Western nations and many of China's neighbours. Mandatory service used to be deeply unpopular in Taiwan -- once a brutal military dictatorship that has since morphed into a progressive democracy. Its previous government had reduced compulsory military service from one year to four months with the aim of creating a mainly volunteer force.

Christmas Day floods in the Philippines forced the evacuation of nearly 46,000 people from their homes, civil defence officials said Monday. Two people were killed and nine others were missing after heavy seasonal rain inundated parts of the southern region of Mindanao, the officials added. Photos released by the coastguard showed its orange-clad rescuers cradling toddlers plucked from homes in waist-deep floodwaters. The central and southern Philippines have been hit with bad weather as the disaster-prone nation of 110 million people began a long Christmas holiday. The Philippines is ranked among the most vulnerable nations to the impacts of climate change.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged officials on Monday to take steps to protect lives in his first public remarks on Covid-19 since Beijing dramatically loosened hardline containment measures this month. "At present, Covid-19 prevention and control in China are facing a new situation and new tasks," Xi said in a directive, according to state broadcaster CCTV. "We should launch the patriotic health campaign in a more targeted way... fortify a community line of defence for epidemic prevention and control, and effectively protect people's lives, safety and health," Xi said. A poll of over 150,000 residents of the southwestern province of Sichuan organised by disease control officials showed that 63 percent had tested positive for Covid, and estimated that infections peaked Friday. Only six Covid deaths have been officially reported since Beijing unwound most of its restrictions earlier this month.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for an end to the “senseless” war in Ukraine as he also lamented the “famine of peace” in other regions, during his traditional Christmas message from St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. He has repeatedly called for peace since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, condemning the war but seeking to maintain a delicate dialogue with Moscow. For the first time, he also called for “reconciliation” in Iran, rocked by women-led protests for the past three months. “We know that every war causes hunger and exploits food as a weapon, hindering its distribution to people already suffering,” he said. “On this day, let us learn from the Prince of Peace (Jesus Christ) and, starting with those who hold political responsibilities, commit ourselves to making food solely an instrument of peace.”RELATED STORIESRead Next

Carlos Yulo (MB File Photo)By NIKOLE JAVIERCarlos Yulo is looking to gain more confidence in his bid for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Basta pag andoon na ako iisipin ko lang kung ano ‘yong mga ginawa kong preparasyon. Araw-araw na practice kasi ‘yon ‘yong magiging hagdan para makatungtong ako sa ganoong stage,” Yulo added. TIna-try ko naman ‘yong best ko, ginagawa ko ‘yong best ko talaga. Kasi ‘yong experience na nakuha ko, ‘yon ‘yong pinakamalaking premyo na nakuha ko noong World Championships,” he concluded.

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Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics goes in for a dunk past D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at TD Garden on December 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (AFP)The Celtics (23-10) moved above Milwaukee (22-10) into first place after the Bucks fell to a 118-110 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Jayson Tatum scored 30 points for the Celtics, the 17th time he and Brown have both scored 30 or more in the same game. The Philadelphia 76ers completed a seven game homestand sweep beating the Los Angeles Clippers 119-114. It is the first time since the 1977/78 season that the 76ers swept a seven game homestand and it has seen them improve to a 19-12 record and rise to fifth in the East.

Former WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero (Team Casimero)By NIKOLE JAVIERJohn Riel Casimero has been awarded a knockout win for his lone bout this year. However, Casimero, who has not engaged inside the ring for 16 months prior to the bout, would be awarded a yearend victory. “The Games and Amusement Board (GAB) welcomes the decision of the Korea Boxing Member’s Commission (KBM) to change the result of the December 3, 2022 fight between John Riel Casimero and Ryo Akaho from “NO CONTEST” to “CASIMERO WIN BY KO.”The KBM has convened two deliberative committees and discussed the issue twice. After its review of the fight and the evidence presented to it, the KBM has decided to declare a Casimero WIN by KO, thereby reaffirming KBM’s commitment to sportsmanship and fair play. GAB commends KBM Chairman John Hwang and his team for their decisive action and stellar leadership,” the letter read.

The 47th Consular Ball marks the end of the ball season. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Consular Corps of the Philippines finally reopened their doors for the most awaited return of the annual Consular Ball, the highlight of the consular and diplomatic calendar in the Philippines. Cocoy Cordoba, Carlos Montemayor, Bo Muralla and Dr. Joni Dizon Joey and Karen de Venecia Dr. George Sarakinis, Aliki Pappas, Nini Licaros, and Singaporean Ambassador Gerard Ho Consul General Fernando Pena, Dax Carlos, with incoming Dean Consul General Javier Martin Garcia, and outgoing Consul General Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr. Society Becky Garcia, Evelyn Frazer, Joanne Matschuck, and Cocoy Cordoba Iceland Vice Consul Eric Uy, Elizabeth Sy, Grace and Felix Ang Vince Carlos and Consul Joseph Assad Nikki Tang Guatemala Consul Mellie Ablaza, Consul Betty Ang, and US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson Jordan Honorary Consul Michael Ang and wife JhazminThe 47th Consular Ball, which seeks to promote acquaintanceship, fellowship and camaraderie, was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Conrad Hotel Manila in Pasay City. Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times’ daily newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyBravo Consular Corps of the Philippines!

Overall, HP Philippines employees feel a sense of pride when they look at what they accomplish, are proud to tell others where they work and would even endorse the company as a great place to work. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Overall, HP Philippines employees feel a sense of pride when they look at what they accomplish, are proud to tell others where they work and would even endorse the company as a great place to work. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOFOR the second year in a row, HP Philippines has been certified as a Great Place to Work (GPTW). The recognition affirms HP's commitment to championing a positive workplace culture by embracing diversity, equity and inclusion as business imperatives that fuel innovation. According to the study, 94 percent of surveyed employees say that HP Philippines is a great place to work.

HONG KONG: Asian stocks fell again on Friday after forecast-beating United States data fueled expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would lift interest rates well into next year. A glum warning from top chipmaker Micron and worries about China's surging coronavirus cases added to the less-than-Christmassy mood on trading floors. Investors have been on a rollercoaster ride this month with slowing inflation and an easing of monetary policy hikes offset by central bank warnings that borrowing costs would probably have to go higher than expected. "The Grinch selloff is firmly in place after Micron delivered a gloomy outlook and as better-than-expected US economic data supported the Fed's case for more ongoing rate increases," Oanda's Edward Moya said. Tokyo shed 1 percent as data showing Japanese inflation hitting a 41-year high reinforced expectations that the East Asian country's central bank would raise interest rates next year.

Hong Kong introduced an online platform for overseas talents to apply to come to the city on Friday, as officials said the platform will commence services starting next Wednesday (Dec 28) with the vetting process completed in four weeks the soonest. He continued that the talents programs will allow applicants to come to Hong Kong alongside their spouse and underage kids. Sun went on to say that Hongkongers are the root of this city and overseas talents serve as a supplement to tackle the city's brain drain. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki said Hong Kong is proceeding steadily on the path to normalcy and now is the best timing for the city to make the first move to compete for overseas talents. Eric Chan believed at least 35,000 global talents will come to Hong Kong yearly in the next three years and stay for at least 12 months.

The hefty budget plan, pending parliamentary approval, is the first installment of a five-year, 43-trillion-yen ($325-billion) military spending plan under the new defense buildup plan also announced last week. The new spending target follows the North Atlantic Treaty Organization standard and will eventually push Japan's annual budget to about 10 trillion yen ($73 billion), the world's third biggest after the US and China. Annual spending for 2023 on long-range ammunition alone will be tripled from this year to 828 billion yen ($6.26 billion). To address the concern, Tokyo will spend about 100 billion yen ($7.6 million) next year also to beef up cybersecurity to protect Japanese defense technology and industry. Opponents say strike capability goes beyond self-defense under Japan's pacifist post-WW2 constitution, which limits use of force strictly to defending itself.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has detected four cases of the Omicron subvariant BF.7, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday. The Omicron subvariant BF.7 is a BA.5 sublineage. “As of current date, only four BF.7 cases have been detected in the country,” it added. The DOH, however, did not mention when and where the BF.7 cases were specifically discovered in the country – except for one case which was detected in Metro Manila. As of December 22, the Philippines has 16,900 active COVID-19 cases.

Kathmandu, Nepal — French serial killer Charles Sobhraj, responsible for multiple murders of young foreigners in the 1970s across Asia, was freed from a Nepali jail on Friday, an AFP reporter said. A French foreign affairs ministry spokesman told AFP on Thursday that its embassy in Nepal was monitoring the situation. “He looked harmless… It was sheer luck that I recognized him,” Nathan told AFP on Thursday. “I really didn’t do it, and I think I will be out,” he told AFP in 2007 during an interview at Kathmandu’s Central Jail. But on Thursday, he told AFP that he did not object to the release, as both he and the criminal he once pursued were now too old.