Which nation is 2025's 'Country of the Year'?
'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.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 03:35 UTC
NAIA
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.
Source:Philippine Star
January 03, 2026 02:06 UTC
Ukraine denies targeting civilians, after Moscow says hotel hit
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
Source:The Standard
January 03, 2026 00:24 UTC
Valentino’s red letter to beauty, fashion, and life
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.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 23:14 UTC
2 Korean fugitives escape BI facility
2 Korean fugitives escape BI facilityViado said the BI has sought the help of other law enforcement agencies in tracking and arresting the two. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration launched a nationwide manhunt for two South Korean fugitives following their escape from the BI warden facility in Muntinlupa at noon on New Year’s Day. In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Lee Jingyu, 32, and Yang Heejun, 44, are both facing deportation cases and subjects of Interpol red notices. Viado said the BI has sought the help of other law enforcement agencies in tracking and arresting the two. The BI said Mongolian Battulga Ganbold was denied entry after records showed a standing warrant of arrest in South Korea for a drug-related offense.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 22:01 UTC
Ping hopes Marcos Jr. won’t waver vs corruption
Ping hopes Marcos Jr. won’t waver vs corruptionSenate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, leads the launch of the probe into extortion and other abuses at the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Amid perceptions that the anti-corruption crackdown is losing steam, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday urged President Marcos not to waver in the fight against graft. Lacson expressed hope that Marcos would not lose his momentum after his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) emark against the “shameless” perpetrators of flood control corruption. Lacson has claimed former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan and a former executive secretary had P30.5 billion and P8.3 billion in respective “allocables” in the 2025 national budget. Lacson said he is looking forward to continuing his Blue Ribbon probe this year with his fellow anti-corruption officials in government, fueled by public furor over rampant public works corruption.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 21:00 UTC
EDITORIAL - Harboring fugitives
EDITORIAL - Harboring fugitivesThere must be something in the country’s air that foreign fugitives and the criminally minded find so inviting. BI agents have also been rounding up and deporting Chinese nationals wanted in their country for various offenses. Local law enforcers seem to have a harder time catching Filipino fugitives. Fugitives can’t evade the law on their own. Along with an intensified manhunt, authorities must not hesitate to apply the law against those who harbor fugitives.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 20:31 UTC
Weaving a legacy of Filipino ingenuity and empowerment
Weaving a legacy of Filipino ingenuity and empowermentAre you looking for top-quality silk products that rival the finest in the world? This affirms the economic vitality of silk weaving as a women-led rural industry. Leadership in sericulture research and developmentI have urged SUCs to benchmark against DMMMSU before launching their own sericulture programs. Indeed, the Sericulture Research and Development Institute of DMMMSU is weaving a legacy of Filipino ingenuity and empowerment that continues to shine – one silkworm, one cocoon, one thread at a time. A visit to the top public university in Northern Luzon – DMMMSU – is now a must to witness the weaving of a legacy of Filipino ingenuity.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 20:31 UTC
Suspect killed in shootout
Suspect killed in shootoutThe suspect, identified as Hammad Ansa, was cornered by pursuing police officers in Barangay Kilada. Cotabato grenade attackCOTABATO CITY , Philippines — One of two motorcycle-riding men who hurled a grenade at a group of revelers in Matalam, Cotabato on New Year’s Eve was killed in an alleged shootout with police on Thursday. The suspect, identified as Hammad Ansa, was cornered by pursuing police officers in Barangay Kilada. He urged residents to cooperate with the police in identifying and locating the remaining suspect. “We will not stop until the suspect is arrested and justice is delivered for the victims,” Nartatez said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 18:21 UTC
Woman killed, companion wounded in gun attack
Woman killed, companion wounded in gun attackCAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A 42-year-old woman was killed while her companion was wounded in an attack by a lone assailant in Tiaong, Quezon on Thursday. The victim, identified only as Julie, died at the scene of the shooting, which occurred in Barangay Ayusan at around 4 p.m.Julie’s companion, Cess, 36, was rushed to a hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds in the legs. Reports said Julie had just arrived in front of the house of Cess in Sitio Usiw when the assailant approached the women and shot them multiple times. Probers have yet to determine the motive for the attack.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 16:52 UTC
Voter registration resumes
Voter registration resumesMANILA, Philippines — The nationwide voter registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections resumed yesterday, the Commission on Elections announced. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said registration would continue until May 18 at all of the poll body’s offices. Garcia said all 15-year-old Filipinos could register for the youth polls. Voters wanting a reactivation or transfer of their registration can also participate. The barangay and youth polls are scheduled for Nov. 2.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 16:52 UTC
ICTSI takes control of South African port
ICTSI takes control of South African portIn a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), ICTSI said it has opened 2026 on a high note, formally adding the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 to its portfolio. MANILA, Philippines — International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has taken over management of a South African terminal responsible for 46 percent of cargo traffic in the country. The turnover comes a month after ICTSI signed the 25-year agreement to take over DCT Pier 2. Currently, DCT Pier 2 handles more than 70 percent of cargo traffic in the Port of Durban, the largest port in South Africa. ICTSI is co-managing DCT Pier 2 with Transnet, which owns South African assets involved in the logistics industry, from ports and pipelines, to properties and railways.
Source:Philippine Star
January 02, 2026 16:48 UTC