Nuclear elements detected in West Philippine Sea
Nuclear elements detected in West Philippine SeaUP MSI said the concentrations found in the WPS were higher than in any other part of the country, despite the Philippines having no active nuclear power plant or nuclear weapons program. MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI) has detected elevated levels of iodine-129 – an isotope commonly used as an indicator of nuclear activity – in seawater samples from the West Philippine Sea (WPS). UP MSI said the concentrations found in the WPS were higher than in any other part of the country, despite the Philippines having no active nuclear power plant or nuclear weapons program. Researchers found iodine-129 levels in the WPS to be about 1.5 to 1.7 times higher than those recorded in other sampling sites. The study was conducted by experts from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, UP MSI’s Geological Oceanography Laboratory and the University of Tokyo.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2026 16:14 UTC
Cebu trash landslide: Search continues for 1 missing as death toll climbs to 35
Cebu trash landslide: Search continues for 1 missing as death toll climbs to 35Local authorities continue their search, rescue and retrieval operations at the Binaliw landfill on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 after the deadly landslide buried several sanitation workers and killed 35. MANILA, Philippines — Nine days after a fatal landslide struck Cebu City’s Binaliw landfill, local authorities have counted 35 deaths and 18 injuries as of Saturday, January 17. The deadly landslide led to a cease-and-desist order against Razon-owned Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc., the operator of the 20-hectare trash site. The trash site operator, however, suggested that the landslide may have also been caused by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in September 2025, which potentially weakened the ground supporting the towering piles of trash. Cebu City declared January 16 as the day of mourning for the victims of the landfill landslide.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2026 14:06 UTC
Teves' acquittal does not cover 2023 Pamplona massacre, says Degamo family
Teves' acquittal does not cover 2023 Pamplona massacre, says Degamo familyMANILA, Philippines — Although expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. was acquitted in the 2019 murder case of a Negros Oriental provincial board member, he still faces several other cases, including the killing of former governor Roel Degamo in 2023. Rep. Janice Degamo (Negros Oriental, 3rd District), the late governor's widow, sought to clarify that Teves' acquittal did not pertain to the so-called "Pamplona massacre" involving her husband and nine others killed. "The multiple murder cases arising from the Pamplona massacre remain pending and actively prosecuted in another court in Manila. Janice urged the public to stay vigilant and not be misled into thinking that Teves' acquittal in one murder case applies to the Pamplona massacre. "Our family remains committed to pursuing justice for Governor Degamo and all the other victims," she added.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2026 14:04 UTC
Signal No. 2 up over 4 areas as 'Ada' continues to lash Bicol
2 up over 4 areas as 'Ada' continues to lash BicolSatellite rendering shows Tropical Storm Ada taken as of 4:40 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Ada continues to bring stormy conditions over most of Bicol Region as it moves north-northwestward over the coastal waters of Catanduanes, state weather bureau PAGASA said. 3 is possible if the storm further intensifies into a severe tropical storm. Track, intensityAda is expected to continue moving northwest on Saturday before slowly turning north to northeast on Sunday, January 18. Despite remaining a tropical storm, further intensification is not ruled out before weakening into a tropical depression by Tuesday, January 20.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2026 13:39 UTC
Death toll in Iran protests over 3,000, rights group says
Death toll in Iran protests over 3,000, rights group saysMembers of the Iranian police stand guard at a protest in front of the British embassy following anti-government protests in Tehran, Iran, January 14, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Source:The Standard
January 17, 2026 13:08 UTC
Musk seeks up to $134 billion from OpenAI, Microsoft in 'wrongful gains'
Will OpenAI be the next tech giant or next Netscape?
Source:The Standard
January 17, 2026 13:08 UTC
Americans increasingly reject immigration police methods
A protester holds an sign as she marches through frigid conditions, with temperatures near 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 12 Celsius), in a neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 20, 2025, where many Somali, Latino and Hispanic immigrants live and work, during the "MN Love Our Immigrant Neighbors - ICE Out of MN!" rally calling for the removal of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement from Minnesota. (Photo by Kerem YUCEL / AFP)
Source:The Standard
January 17, 2026 13:08 UTC
2 killed in Sorsogon landslide amid 'Ada' rains
2 killed in Sorsogon landslide amid 'Ada' rainsLocal authorities in Matnog, Sorsogon recover the remains of two victims buried by a landslide that struck minutes past midnight on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Two people were killed after a landslide buried them in Matnog, Sorsogon, on Saturday, January 17, authorities reported. The landslide struck as heavy rains and strong winds from Tropical Storm "Ada" battered Sorsogon, causing a large boulder to fall from the mountain, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Matnog. Due to the tropical storm, state weather bureau PAGASA placed several areas in Sorsogon under Wind Signal No. Multiple areas in Luzon remain under the highest wind warning, Signal No.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2026 09:20 UTC
NUP eyes Barzaga's expulsion from Congress
NUP eyes Barzaga's expulsion from CongressMANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said the National Unity Party is looking to have Rep. Kiko Barzaga expelled through a new ethics complaint instead of seeking an extension to his 60-day suspension. He further explained that privilege speeches are not used to attack fellow lawmakers or inflict harm on them, saying Barzaga’s actions only reflect his lack of understanding of the House rules. Believing the suspension insufficient, NUP members are already taking legal steps against Barzaga over his allegations. And then there’s Barzaga spreading this lie that we were bribed for the Speaker election, which has already been won.) Congress resumes session on January 26, when the ethics committee could begin deliberations on Barzaga’s fitness to return following the end of his suspension on January 30.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2026 08:29 UTC
Asia's first Portal set to launch in BGC on Jan. 21
Filipinos can now catch a real-time glimpse of the other side of the world through Asia’s first Portal in Bonifacio Global City. The tech art installation will be up along Fifth Avenue in BGC on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. When it opens, the Manila Portal will feature a 24/7 livestream connecting it to Portals in Vilnius, Lithuania; Lublin, Poland; Dublin, Ireland; Philadelphia, United States; and Ipswich, United Kingdom. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Portals (@portalsorg)The Manila Portal will be Asia's first and sixth worldwide. We cannot wait to welcome Filipinos into this shared global experience," Benediktas Gylys, founder of Portals Organization, said in the statement.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2026 08:19 UTC
Here's where you can enjoy a Buy 2, Get 1 promo on all Nike items this weekend
Check this out, Nike fans! This weekend, you can buy any two Nike items—from footwear to apparel, and more—and enjoy one for free. Nike Factory Store dropped the promo in a Facebook post on Saturday, Jan. 17. "Complete the weekend celebration with the perfect 'fit," the caption read.
Source:Philippine Star
January 17, 2026 07:18 UTC
Machado says Venezuela beginning 'transition' to democracy
Photo by PEDRO MATTEY / AFP. People hold a Venezuelan flag during a demonstration in support of deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on January 16, 2026.
Source:The Standard
January 17, 2026 04:22 UTC