Mark Belmonte leaves UP for NCAA school
Mark Belmonte leaves UP for NCAA schoolMANILA, Philippines -- University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon forward Mark Belmonte is taking his talents to the NCAA after exiting Diliman. Belmonte will be taking the leap to the NCAA, and he will be eligible to play in his final collegiate season in NCAA Season 103. "Mark will always have his place as a champion in Diliman. In his three years for the Fighting Maroons, he started 12 games. Next season, the Fighting Maroons will be led by new recruits Veejay Pre, Rainer Maga and James Payosing, and will continue to be anchored by Rey Remogat, Jacob Bayla and Gani Stevens.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 06:40 UTC
Frayna, Fronda play to 26-move draw
Frayna, Fronda play to 26-move drawMANILA, Philippines -- Janelle Mae Frayna and Jan Jodilyn Fronda, two of the country’s top players, came into their fourth round duel expecting fireworks. Nothing popped though as Frayna and Fronda settled for a quick, timid 26-move draw of a Petroff showdown that didn’t alter the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship landscape that much after four rounds in Malolos, Bulacan. That kept Frayna unflappable at No. 2 with three points alongside fellow national team staple Bernadette Galas, who also drew her duel with Cherry Ann Mejia in 31 moves of an English showdown. All 16 participants are hoping to snare one of the three berths to the World Chess Olympiad this September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 06:40 UTC
Cunningham powers Pistons past Nuggets rally; Knicks cruise
Cunningham powers Pistons past Nuggets rally; Knicks cruiseLOS ANGELES, United States — Cade Cunningham scored 29 points as the Detroit Pistons held off a late rally from the Denver Nuggets to seal a 124-121 victory in their heavyweight potential NBA Finals preview on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time). But Denver star Nikola Jokic rallied with 10 points in the third quarter and Jamal Murray poured in 14 points in the fourth to reduce the Pistons' lead to single digits in the final minutes. Jamal Murray led Denver's scoring with 32 points while Jokic finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and four assists. All five Detroit starters finished in double figures, with Cunningham supported by 20 points from Duncan Robinson — including six 3-pointers — and Jalen Duren 19 points. Jaylen Brown's 33 points led the Celtics scoring, with Payton Pritchard adding 26 off the bench.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 06:34 UTC
Britain's ex-prince Andrew leaves Windsor home: BBC
Photo by JORDAN PETTITT / VARIOUS SOURCES / AFP This combination of files photographs created on February 1, 2026 shows Britain's Prince Andrew (L), Duke of York arriving to attend a Requiem Mass, a Catholic funeral service, for the late Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral in London on September 16, 2025 ; and an undated handout photograph obtained on July 11, 2019 courtesy of the New York State Sex Offender Registry showing Jeffrey Epstein (R).
Source:The Standard
February 04, 2026 06:29 UTC
NASA targets a March launch of the moon rocket after test run reveals fuel leaks
A full moon is seen shining over NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) and Orion spacecraft, atop the mobile launcher in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Sam Lott/NASA via AP)
Source:The Standard
February 04, 2026 06:23 UTC
Goodbye travel tax? Sandro Marcos files bill to cut travel costs
MANILA, Philippines — Presidential son and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos has filed a bill seeking to abolish the travel tax, arguing that it no longer serves its purpose and instead burdens Filipino families and slows tourism growth. "When travel becomes more expensive, fewer people move, fewer people spend and fewer opportunities circulate through the economy. Lowering the cost of travel allows Filipino families to allocate their money where it matters most," he added. He also explained that the travel tax disregards the 2022 ASEAN Tourism Agreement, under which member states committed to phasing out travel levies and taxes to promote inter-ASEAN travel. The Philippines is the only Southeast Asian country that imposes a travel tax on its citizens, separate from airport and service fees.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 04:53 UTC
‘Philippines at risk of returning to dirty money list’
‘Philippines at risk of returning to dirty money list’DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Philippines faces a real risk of being placed back on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list, although authorities are taking steps to prevent a reversal of the country’s recent gains in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) reforms. During a media information session held here, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. acknowledged that vulnerabilities remain, particularly given the country’s historical exposure to money laundering risks, even after its removal from the FATF gray list in 2025. He was also asked whether the ongoing probe into the flood control corruption scandal could affect the country’s risk profile. These are the areas that the FATF continues to monitor closely even after a country exits the gray list. Avoiding a return to the gray list, Rivera said, would require stronger prosecution of major money laundering and corruption-linked cases, tighter monitoring of politically exposed persons and better coordination among government agencies.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 04:01 UTC
Disney names theme parks chief Josh D'Amaro as next CEO
Disney names theme parks chief Josh D'Amaro as next CEOFile photo shows Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Josh D'Amaro arriving at the Sun Valley lodge for the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 8, 2025. WASHINGTON, United States — The Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday that Josh D'Amaro, head of its theme parks division, will replace Bob Iger as chief executive when the entertainment titan steps down in March. He will succeed Iger, who has led Disney for nearly two decades across two separate stints. "Josh D'Amaro possesses that rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep passion for the Disney brand," said board chairman James Gorman. It also opened its first theme park in China — the Shanghai Disney Resort — and launched the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 03:36 UTC
Clippers trade Harden to Cavaliers for Garland, pick -- report
Clippers trade Harden to Cavaliers for Garland, pick -- reportLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket on Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a 120-118 Clippers win at Crypto.com Arena on April 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. MANILA, Philippines -- The NBA trade deadline frenzy has begun. James Harden has been traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second round pick, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. Harden will now be teaming up with another explosive scorer in Donovan Mitchell, who is leading the Cavaliers, currently holding a 30-21 win-loss record. The NBA trade deadline is on Friday (Manila time).
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 02:34 UTC
Over 10,000 sign up for Doraemon Run
Over 10,000 sign up for Doraemon RunMANILA, Philippines — More than 10,000 runners are in for a treat in the first ever Doraemon Run 2026 on February 15 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex. “Doraemon is more than a character — he’s a friend many of us grew up with,” said Andrew Neri, RUNRIO general manager. “This run brings that meaningful experience that promotes movement, joy and togetherness.”All registered runners will receive exclusive Doraemon race kits, including the official event shirt and race socks available only at the run. Fans can also purchase limited-edition Doraemon umbrellas and caps, turning it into a must-attend collectible experience. The Doraemon Run 2026 also has Katinko, Salonpas, Nutrifizz, Fitbar, Quaker, Birch Tree Adult Boost, Lemon Square, Leslie, Hey Salad, Giggles, Dermplus, Regroe, Sneakerlab, Rev* and Park Access as sponsors.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 02:34 UTC
Pangilinan, Marcoleta debate heats up over 2016 arbitral award
WATCH: Pangilinan, Marcoleta debate heats up over 2016 arbitral awardMANILA, Philippines — A Senate debate heated up on Monday, February 3, as Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta clashed over the legal basis of the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea. During plenary deliberations, Marcoleta questioned the validity of the 2016 arbitral ruling, arguing that it lacks clear coordinates or defined boundaries, which he said makes it insufficiently definitive. Pangilinan pushed back, stressing that the decision of the United Nations arbitral tribunal clearly favored the Philippines. He said the ruling affirmed the country’s sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone and categorically rejected China’s historic claims in the area. The Philippines won its arbitration case against China in 2016 under UNCLOS.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 02:32 UTC
LIV Golf events to receive world ranking points, says official
LIV Golf events to receive world ranking points, says officialLOS ANGELES, United States — Players in LIV Golf tournaments will be eligible to receive world ranking points for the first time from this year, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) announced on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time). The failure of the Saudi Arabia-financed LIV Golf to secure world ranking points for its events has been a stumbling block since the upstart circuit launched in 2022. OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman said determining a system for awarding ranking points at LIV events had taken several months. "We believe we have found a solution that achieves these twin aims and enables the best-performing players at LIV Golf events to receive OWGR points." "Under these rules, a player finishing 11th in a LIV Golf event is treated the same as a player finishing 57th," LIV Golf said in a statement.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 01:34 UTC
4 out of every 10 cancer cases are preventable: WHO
4 out of every 10 cancer cases are preventable: WHOPARIS, France — Nearly four out of every 10 cancer cases could be prevented if people avoided a range of risk factors including smoking, drinking, air pollution, and certain infections, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. New research published on the eve of World Cancer Day estimated that 38 percent of all new cancer cases globally in 2022 — 7.1 million — were linked to preventable causes. Related: AI helps doctors spot breast cancer in scans: world-first trialAlmost half of all the preventable cases were lung, stomach, or cervical cancer. Men were far more likely to get preventable cancer, with 45 percent of new cases compared to 30 percent for women. And nearly a quarter of all preventable cancer cases among men were from smoking, compared to 11 percent for women.
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 00:38 UTC
Green lane investments hit P6.14 trillion in January
Green lane investments hit P6.14 trillion in JanuaryData from the BOI showed that a total 233 projects have been certified to go through green lane processing since the initiative was launched in 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Board of Investments (BOI) has granted green lane status to P6.14 trillion worth of investments as of the end of January for faster processing of permits. Of the total investments endorsed for green lanes, renewable energy accounted for the biggest share, with 180 projects amounting to P5.25 trillion. Also certified for the green lane initiative are five projects involving public-private partnership, infrastructure and water with investments amounting to P416.08 billion. Other projects granted green lane status are in manufacturing (P67.04 billion), food security (P18.7 billion) and the pharmaceutical sector (P45 million).
Source:Philippine Star
February 04, 2026 00:33 UTC