Australia s reputation among Pacific neighbours weakening
From carrying the Coalition's AUKUS pact to supporting Israel's self-defence initiative, Labor's reputation is souring among voters. Bilal Cleland reports.ASIA IS SENSITIVE to memories of the White Australia Policy, the f.....»»
Cebu Pacific wins accolades as among best low-cost, Safe Airlines
Cebu Pacific wins accolades as among best low-cost, Safe Airlines.....»»
From the Newsrooms: March 3 to 9, 2024
THIS WEEK the news followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as he traveled to Australia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia summit from March 4 to 6. The Australian government hosted this year's special summit in the city of Melbourne, to underscore among other issues roiling the region, maritime and security concerns in the South China Sea, an area which has been re-named by the P.....»»
From the Newsrooms: March 3 to 9, 2024
THIS WEEK the news followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as he traveled to Australia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia summit from March 4 to 6. The Australian government hosted this year's special summit in the city of Melbourne, to underscore among other issues roiling the region, maritime and security concerns in the South China Sea, an area which has been re-named by the P.....»»
Diffusing tension
In his 2024 State of the Union Address, President Joseph Biden doubled down on his rhetoric against China as he boasted revitalized partnerships in the Pacific. He rattled off India, Australia, Japan, South Korea and the Pacific Islands. He said the United States is standing up against China’s economic practices while standing up for peace across the Taiwan Strait......»»
PH Remains One of the Fastest Growing Economies in East Asia and Pacific, World Bank Says
The World Bank retains its positive outlook on the Philippine economy despite foreseen challenges. According to their April 2024 East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, the World Bank projects a 5.8 percent economic growth for the Philippines this year — the East Asia and Pacific region’s second fastest-growing economy. Moreover, the said update also adjusted […].....»»
Team Secret ready for VCT Pacific Kickoff
Fresh from winning the Asia Pacific Predator League last January 14, the lone Filipino team in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific, Team Secret, is ready to go head to head with the region’s top squads in the league’s second year......»»
Fitch sees Philippine economy growing by 6.4% in 2024
“We expect output growth to accelerate to 6.4 percent in 2024, reflecting base effects from a weaker 2023 and our assessment that policy rates have peaked. Consumer confidence has been weakening, but business confidence has recovered strongly.”.....»»
PAGASA raises La Niña alert
Saying El Niño has shown signs of weakening, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised a La Niña watch yesterday......»»
Debt balloons to P14.8 trillion
The issuance of domestic securities and the weakening of the peso pushed the country’s outstanding debt to a fresh high of P14.79 trillion in January, latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed......»»
El Niño to persist until May, Cebu must brace for dry spell
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The public will have to endure the effects of El Niño until May. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration stationed (Pagasa) in Mactan said in their El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Advisory No. 9, that “mature El Niño is expected to continue and show signs of weakening.” “Majority of.....»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»
Boracay, Palawan named among ‘Best Islands in Asia-Pacific’
Two island destinations in the Philippines were included in the 10 “Best Islands in Asia-Pacific” by a foreign travel magazine......»»
NEWSBRIEFS | 2 February 2024
Balay Mindanaw members mark 26th anniversary of ill-fated Cebu Pacific Flight 387 CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 02 February) — A handful of friends and relatives trekked to the Flight 387 Shrine here last year to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Cebu Pacific plane crash on the slopes of Mt. Sumagaya. Among them were […].....»»
Cebu Pacific named among safest budget carriers globally
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has landed as one of the safest low-cost airlines in the world, beating nearly 400 global operators in terms of compliance with international standards, according to AirlineRatings.com......»»
Ateneo standout Joson heads to Australia s NBL1
Another Filipina is set to play Down Under as Ateneo alumni Jhazmin Joson announced her signing with the Goldfields Giants in semi-professional league NBL1 in Australia......»»
Animam signs with Australia s Ringwood Hawks
Five-time UAAP champion Jack Animam is set to bring her professional career to Australia, joining the Ringwood Hawks in semi-professional league NBL1......»»
Australia, Britain Criticize China for Actions in Hong Kong
SYDNEY - Australia and Britain on Friday criticized China for its actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea and its support of Russia, after a meeting in which London and Canberra deepened their security ties.The two countries called out 'recent unsafe and destabilizing behavior by China's vessels against Philippine vessels and crew near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea,' in a statement that contain.....»»
‘A lot of screaming, dancing, and partying’ in Magic Men Australia’s Philippines shows
The hunks of Magic Men Australia are all set to put the Filipino audience under their spell. They are poised to perform at the Newport Performing Arts Theater come March 16 and 17......»»
WATCH: Magic Men Australia eat Filipino street food Kwek-kwek, squid balls with a twist
Magic Men Australia mutually agreed that Filipino food is good, with some of them even gamely eating not just one skewer of innards when they were challenged to eat Filipino street food. .....»»
Back from Australia, Marcos visits mom in hospital
Arriving from a four-day official visit to Australia late Wednesday, President Marcos went straight to his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, who is confined in a hospital due to “slight pneumonia.”.....»»