MOST Filipinos support the policies and programs of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address the territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, a survey conducted by OCTA Research said. Results of the September 30 to October 4 survey released on December 28 showed that 58 percent of the respondents now agree with the Marcos administration's policies and programs to handle conflicts related to the West Philippine Sea.

The intrigues of Western countries whose dominance is ebbing away are largely responsible for pitching the world into turmoil, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview published on Thursday. There is a growing understanding of this.”Moscow has come to blame the West for much of the turmoil and conflict in widely separated regions. In his comments to Tass, Lavrov called for de-escalation of the Middle East conflict, denouncing as “unacceptable” both acts of terror and “collective punishment”. “I must note an absence of any will for peace on the part of the regime of (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky,” Lavrov told Tass. There is no consideration of holding peace talks … Draw your own conclusions.”Your subscription could not be saved.

LRT-2 to offer free rides on Rizal DayIn a Facebook post, the Light Rail Transit Authority said free rides will be offered from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to commemorate the heroism of Rizal, whose martyrdom sparked the 1896 revolution against Spanish rule. MANILA , Philippines — The LRT-2 will provide commuters with free rides during rush hours in the morning and late afternoon on Saturday (December 30) to commemorate this year's Rizal Day. The Light Rail Transit Authority said that free rides will be offered from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to commemorate the 127th anniversary of Jose Rizal's martyrdom. The railways management said that the first trip for trains in Recto and Antipolo stations will start at 5 a.m. The last trip, meanwhile, will leave at 9 p.m. for Antipolo station and 9:30 p.m. for Recto station.

China's industrial profits soared last month, helped by favorable year-ago comparisons and a raft of stimulus measures aimed at reinvigorating an economy that has struggled with deflationary concerns. Profits jumped 29.5 percent, sharply accelerating from October, according to official data published yesterday. Companies also recorded large investment returns in November, further boosting their bottom line, the National Bureau of Statistics said. Despite initial expectations that lifting the curbs would see the economy roar back to life, profits for China's big industrial companies from January-November were still down 4.4 percent, although that's eased from a 7.8 percent decline through the first 10 months. The profit data adds to mixed signals on the economy.

PTTC, ITC launch training for export-oriented MSMEsMANILA, Philippines — The training arm of the Department of Trade and Industry has partnered with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to launch an innovative training program aimed at helping Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in international trade understand and apply the export rules and procedures. The ITC, along with the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTCC) , said the program, which is accessible through the PTTC-Arise Plus Training Platform, offers Filipino MSMEs practical resources for navigating the complex regulations and processes to sell their products on foreign markets. The programs will be conducted by PTTC’s trainers, who have received training from ITC, following ITC’s Digital Workshop methodology. “This approach harnesses innovative teaching techniques, digital tools, and detailed trainer instructions to ensure participatory, consistently high-quality, and easily replicable training experiences,” the ITC said. Through a partnership with ITC, the PTTC will further strengthen its capacity to sustain both online and in-person training, integrating them into their core training offerings for Filipino MSMEs.

NEW YORK CITY: Preliminary shopping data indicated that US holiday sales increased 3.1 percent compared with the year-ago period, a solid but unspectacular increase reflecting mixed sentiment on the economy. The figures, supplied by Mastercard SpendingPulse and released on Tuesday, pointed to apparel and restaurants among stronger areas of spending in the period between November 1 and December 24, while electronics and jewelry experienced declines.

MANILA,Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s trips have resulted in the generation of more than 200,000 job opportunities. ADVERTISEMENT“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has brought home not only billions of pesos worth of investment pledges in the Philippines, but has also brought over 200,000 job opportunities for the Filipino people from his official foreign trips from the last quarter of 2022 until 2023,” it said. Following reports of the President’s travel fund rising by 58 percent in the 2024 National Budget, Palace cited data from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). 2023China, January 3 to 5: 32,722 jobsJapan, February 8 to 12: 24,000 jobsUnited States, April 30 to May 4: 6,386 jobsMalaysia, July 25 to 27: 8,365 jobsSingapore, September 14 to 17: 450 jobsUnited States, November 14 to 17: 2,550 jobsYour subscription could not be saved. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPJapan, December 15 to 18: 15,750 jobs

SEOUL: North Korea has opened a year-end ruling party meeting attended by leader Kim Jong Un, state media said Wednesday, with key policy decisions for 2024 expected to be unveiled. Abandoning a once-traditional New Year's Day speech, Kim has in recent years used the Workers' Party of Korea's plenary meeting as a platform to outline policies in areas such as security, diplomacy and the economy.

Moscow, Russia: The Kremlin on Tuesday acknowledged a Ukrainian attack had damaged a warship in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosia in what Ukraine and its Western allies called a major setback for the Russian navy. Ukraine said its air force destroyed the Novocherkassk landing ship, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joking on social media that the vessel had now joined "the Russian underwater Black Sea fleet".

DA: Rice supply enough until March harvest seasonIn this photo taken July 19, 2023 a worker prepares varieties of rice being developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)to be planted at one of its fields in Los Banos town, Laguna province. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture said that the country’s rice supply will remain sufficient until the next harvest season in March, adding that it is expecting almost half a million metric tons of imports by early January. Navarro said that nearly 500,000 metric tons of rice imported by the private sector will arrive by December and early February. Imported rice from Taiwan and India are also expected to arrive within the last week of December and early January. “The 75,000 metric tons due in the coming weeks is part of the 295,000 metric tons of rice India has allocated to the Philippines,” Navarro said.

The cases at Beaulieu Peninsula in Tuen Mun, left, and Redhill Peninsula in Tai Tam show that irregularities are more likely to occur in remote areas, says Vincent Ho, inset. That made for a situation more challenging than the recent scandal at Redhill Peninsula in Tai Tam, said Vincent Ho Kui-yip, a former president of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. "The departments currently only require owners to demolish unlawful structures, but its deterrent effect is insufficient," he said. Ho also said substantial rock formations on the Beaulieu Peninsula's slopes provide a more stable foundation, reducing the risk of landslides compared to Redhill Peninsula. In addition, the two departments completed inspections of all Redhill Peninsula's seafront houses last month.

MANILA, Philippines: Phoenix Super LPG is closing 2023 as the surprise team for the PBA Season 48. The Fuel Masters had a busy offseason after selecting four rookies led by first round pick Ken Tuffin, followed by second-round choices Raffy Verano and Ricci Rivero, and Matt Daves in the third round. Heading to the Christmas Day game, the Fuel Masters had a six-game winning streak and are looking to add the Beermen as their next victims. Jarin shared the Fuel Masters may be surprising so many teams in the elims, but he humbly admitted they take each game with a "learner's hat." Phoenix returns to action on January 10 when the team tangles with third-running Meralco (6-2), before closing the eliminations against TNT four days after.

Adelyn LauA decontamination building at the airport will be in operation next year for people exposed to radiation, the Fire Services Department said. The world's first such facility within the restricted area of an airport, can accommodate up to 280 people per hour. After decontamination, individuals will put on protective clothing and undergo checks for contaminants. At that time, decontamination equipment was used [at the airport's restricted area] to prevent chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear accidents." Lam also said locating the decontamination and rescue facility near the North Fire Station of the airport makes it more convenient for manpower support and management.

LIST: Yuletide season 'staycation' optionsMANILA, Philippines — Come holiday season, people look forward to get some "R and R" (rest and relaxation). Philstar.com lists down some "staycation" options for those looking for new ways to enjoy the Yuletide season. Farm getawayThe holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be one of the busiest times of the year. It is an essential Filipino Christmas décor and a real reminder of the true meaning of season. For P9,900 net per night, enjoy a relaxing overnight stay in our Fort Suite, inclusive of breakfast for two persons.

MUMBAI, India: India's Navy said it is deploying three warships and reconnaissance aircraft to the Arabian Sea to "maintain a deterrent presence" after a string of recent shipping attacks. Three guided-missile destroyers, as well as P8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, were being deployed following "the recent spate of attacks in the Arabian Sea," it said in a statement on Monday night.