Google warns staff with US visas against international travel due to embassy delays
Google warns staff with US visas against international travel due to embassy delaysA Google logo is seen at a company research facility in Mountain View, California, U.S., May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Source:The Standard
December 20, 2025 14:32 UTC
Filipino laboratory scientist recognized for work in blood banking
Filipino laboratory scientist recognized for work in blood bankingROMBLON, Philippines — A Filipino expert in laboratory medicine has continued to draw recognition locally and abroad for work in Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, a field vital to patient safety and modern healthcare systems. Mark Angel Dela Cruz Magracia holds professional credentials, including MPHc, RMT and MLS (ASCPi) SBBiCM, reflecting advanced academic training and international certification in laboratory medicine and blood banking. The ASCP is among the largest global organizations in laboratory medicine, convening specialists in pathology, transfusion medicine, diagnostics and clinical laboratory science. Magracia currently serves as System Blood Bank and Transfusion Services Technical Specialist and Team Lead of the Legacy Health Central Blood Bank in the Pacific Northwest, United States. Across healthcare institutions in the Philippines, the United States and the global laboratory medicine community, Magracia’s work continues to demonstrate a long-term commitment to transfusion safety, professional education and evidence-based laboratory practice.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 14:01 UTC
Trump doesn't rule out war with Venezuela
The seal of the US Department of State is seen on the lectern during an end-of-year press conference in the State Department Press Briefing Room in Washington, DC on December 19, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)
Source:The Standard
December 20, 2025 13:22 UTC
Sultan Kudarat residents surrender 36 firearms, grenades to Army
Sultan Kudarat residents surrender 36 firearms, grenades to ArmyThe firearms and explosives surrendered by residents of Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, are now in the joint custody of the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion and 603rd Infantry Brigade. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Villagers in upland agricultural enclaves in Bagumbayan town in Sultan Kudarat surrendered 38 firearms and 10 fragmentation grenades to an Army unit on Friday, December 19, in support of a regional military disarmament campaign. Cagara said the firearms and explosives were turned over by owners to the 7th IB through the joint intercession of its commanding officer, Lt. Col. Lt. Col. Tristan Rey Vallescas, Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, municipal and barangay officials in Bagumbayan. “We appreciate the gesture of the owners of the firearms and grenades.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 12:44 UTC
Search warrant served on hotel where Cabral allegedly checked in before death
Search warrant served on hotel where Cabral allegedly checked in before deathBAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A search warrant was issued mid-afternoon Saturday, December 20, after authorities were initially denied access to CCTV footage and other documents related to former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Ma. They had allegedly checked in midday Thursday, December 18, several hours before Cabral was found dead along a 20-30 meter ravine along Kennon in Tuba, Benguet. It also emphasized that the law prohibits the disclosure of personal information without proper legal authority. Though Ion Hotel also stated that it is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities and will provide any information that may be lawfully required through proper legal channels. At around 4 p.m., a search warrant by Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Michael Francisco was obtained, allowing police investigators and National Bureau of Investigation-Cordillera agents to sift through the hotel records and other documents that may lead probers to some answers in the controversial death of Cabral.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 11:04 UTC
Giant lanterns light up Christmas in Catholic Philippines
SAN FERNANDO, Philippines — In the Christmas-mad Philippines, thousands cheer as hand-crafted lanterns towering six meters (20 feet) high light up the night sky in San Fernando, northwest of the country's capital. The dazzling display of lights, accompanied by religious and festive imagery and soundtracked by Filipino rap and Christmas carols, is part of the annual Giant Lantern Festival. The giant lanterns, submitted for competition at the festival, use 12,000 50-watt bulbs synchronised by 15 kilometers (9.2 miles) of electric cables and symbolise the Star of Bethlehem. Firefighters carrying extinguishers could be seen patrolling the area, as sparks flew from the rotors of at least three lanterns, AFP journalists at the event saw. "Almost all the lantern-makers here are related to each other or are friends with the others," said Florante Parilla, 55, who has been designing the giant lanterns for 30 years.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 10:41 UTC
Police: Autopsy confirms Cabral’s identity
Police: Autopsy confirms Cabral’s identityOfficial portrait of Catalina Cabral when she was undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Cordillera police confirmed the identity of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Ma. Catalina Cabral following the results of an autopsy conducted Saturday. The confirmation through autopsy provided greater clarity to the case, allowing authorities to move forward with a more thorough investigation. Sources said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has lifted its relief order against Benguet police director Col. Lambert Suerte after he successfully negotiated with Cabral’s family to allow the autopsy, which they had earlier refused.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 10:15 UTC
Family seeks compassion, privacy after Cabral’s death
Family seeks compassion, privacy after Cabral’s deathMANILA, Philippines — The family of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral appealed for compassion and restraint following her sudden death, urging the public to respect their need for privacy as they grieve. It also dismissed claims that Cabral and her family faked her death as “reckless and baseless.”In the same statement, the family reiterated Cabral’s “consistent and unequivocal” denial of any involvement in alleged anomalous flood control projects. The family also slammed allegations made by former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, describing his testimony as uncorroborated and self-serving. She denied facilitating kickback schemes but was included among officials recommended for possible administrative charges over a P95-million flood control project in Bocaue, Bulacan. Cabral’s death has raised concerns among officials, with Rep. Perci Cendaña asking whether she would become the “fall guy” in the broader flood control scandal.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 08:29 UTC
Online illegal recruitment modus rises in DMW’s 4th full year
Online illegal recruitment modus rises in DMW’s 4th full yearMAKATI CITY, Philippines — The Illegal recruitment of prospective and current overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) rose using Facebook and TikTok pages, dwarfing the Department of Migrant Workers’ efforts to curb all sorts of IR activities. Illegal recruitment activities, especially when affecting at least three workers, are outlawed by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (or Republic Act 8042, amended into RA 10022). DMW, created through Republic Act 11649, runs current-day anti-illegal recruitment activities that were the task of the now-defunct Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) from 1982 to 2021. Illegal recruitment activities, Bracero added, affect “not just the vulnerable sector (such as less-skilled workers) but also skilled workers and professionals.”Director Atty. Geraldine Marquez of DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) said that the Philippines’ anti-illegal recruitment and trafficking efforts are well in-place and respond to the realities of cyber-induced recruitment.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 07:57 UTC
Bondi shooter visited gun shop during Philippines stay: police
"What we've seen is one of them visiting a gun shop," Davao regional police spokeswoman Catherine Dela Rey said on Saturday, adding later that it was 50-year-old Sajid Akram who had been seen. One of the two alleged Bondi Beach shooters visited a gun store during their stay in the Philippines, police said on Saturday as they attempted to retrace the pair's movements. Police inquiries had also revealed that neither of the men had visited any of the city's seven gun ranges, he said. President Ferdinand Marcos has criticised media reports that he said misleadingly portrayed the Philippines "as a training hotspot for terrorism". The Philippine military has said Mindanao's remaining jihadists now number little more than 50, from a high of 1,257 in 2016.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 07:34 UTC
Epstein files opened: Famous faces, many blacked-out pages
Among the trove are numerous photographs depicting former Democratic president Bill Clinton and other luminaries, including Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson, in Epstein's social circle. Even so, the files shed some light on the disgraced financier's intimate ties to the rich, famous, and powerful—Trump among them. Photographs, including of former US president Bill Clinton, Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson and Ghislaine Maxwell. Undated picture of former US president Bill Clinton with US singers Michael Jackson and Diana Ross at an undisclosed location. An undated picture of former US president Bill Clinton in a jacuzzi at an undisclosed location.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 07:34 UTC
Visiting Japan in 2026? Here are the best dates to see cherry blossoms at their peak
Beyond its cuisine and historic temples, many tourists visit Japan to witness the beauty of its sakura blossoms. \Each spring, travelers gather at famous viewing spots such as Ueno Park, Maruyama Park, Hirosaki Castle, and the Meguro River, where the cherry trees bloom at their peak. According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s first forecast for spring 2026, cherry blossoms are expected to appear from as early as March 19 in Nagoya until May 1 in Sapporo. If you're planning to see the cherry blossoms in 2026, here's a forecast of their expected peak bloom so you can time your visit. You can still enjoy cherry blossom beauty in other places, such as Atok in Benguet, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 07:32 UTC
Rome to charge visitors for access to Trevi Fountain
Tourists will have to pay a two-euro entrance fee to get close to Rome's famous Trevi Fountain, which draws vast crowds daily, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said on Friday. The monument, located in a public square, will still be able to be viewed from a distance for free, but closer access will be only for ticket holders, Gualtieri told a press conference. "From Feb. 1 we are introducing a paid ticket for six sites" in the Italian capital, including the Trevi Fountain, he said. The backdrop to the most famous scene in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita, when actress Anita Ekberg takes a dip, the 18th-century fountain is top of the list for many visitors exploring the Eternal City. As a result of the fountain's fame, the crowds in the square surrounding the Baroque masterpiece are often so deep that it is hard to get a proper look.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 07:32 UTC
Gilas golds cap Team Philippines strong finish
Gilas golds cap Team Philippines strong finishAfter Gilas women, Gilas men also subdued host Thailand, 70-64, to complete a twin championship in the 33rd SEA Games basketball competitions. CHONBURI — Before totally checking out, the Gilas Pilipinas men made sure Team Philippines is coming home with the gold medal that their kabayans wanted so badly to keep. Team Philippines, however, got stuck at sixth behind Singapore’s 52-62-86 collection. Hours before the Gilas men gunned for the cherished 5-on-5 gold, the Filipina cagebelles took care of business by beating the Thais for the women’s plum, 73-70. Meanwhile, the Alas men earned a podium finish in indoor volleyball after rallying past Vietnam, 23-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 16-14, for the bronze.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2025 06:36 UTC
DNA testing on body, retrieval of Cabral’s gadgets ordered
DNA testing on body, retrieval of Cabral’s gadgets orderedPhoto provided by the Benguet police shows officers inspecting the spot where former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral (top inset) fell to her death in Sitio Marammal, Barangay Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet. Cabral was among the government officials being investigated by the ombudsman in connection with the flood control project anomalies. A career DPWH official, she resigned from her post last September after being implicated in the alleged budget insertions for ghost flood control projects in exchange for kickbacks. “Because she was the one who supposedly inserted (flood control projects) in the NEP (National Expenditure Program),” he said. Remulla explained the positive identification by Cabral’s family is not enough, given that there have been other wanted fugitives who faked their own deaths to elude arrest.
Source:Philippine Star
December 19, 2025 20:58 UTC