Climate activists and campaigners demonstrate outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ahead of the reading of an advisory opinion that is likely to determine the course of future climate action across the world, The Hague, Netherlands, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Marta Fiorin

Iran upbeat after US talks but Vance says 'red lines' not metIran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (3rd L) and Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (2nd R) attend a bilateral meeting between Switzerland and Iran during a second round of US-Iranian talks with Washington pushing Tehran to make a deal to limit its nuclear programme, in Geneva on February 17, 2026. (Photo by CYRIL ZINGARO / POOL / AFP)

6 Senate bills pending to scrap travel taxPassengers arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on January 29, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Six separate measures are now pending in the Senate to dismantle the decades-old travel tax, with Sen. Francis Pangilinan filing the latest bid to remove what he describes as an “economic burden” that stifles the mobility of ordinary Filipinos. “By lowering the cost of international travel, we expect to stimulate passenger volume, increase spending on transport, accommodation, food and services and generate positive spillovers across the economy,” Pangilinan stated in the bill’s explanatory note. “Increased travel activity also strengthens people-to-people exchanges and supports the Philippines’ positioning as a competitive and accessible destination,” he added. The travel tax was first imposed in 1977 by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. through Presidential Decree 1183.

Konvoy ready to redefine amateur combat sports in Southeast AsiaBy focusing on ground-level fighters, gym communities, and culturally authentic storytelling, Konvoy offers something the region has never truly had: representation. But across Southeast Asia, in countless local gyms, thousands of passionate amateur fighters train every day with no stage, no spotlight, and no platform to tell their story. Launching from the Philippines and expanding across Southeast Asia, Konvoy is building the largest amateur combat sports ecosystem in Asia, giving fighters from every gym the chance to become protagonists of their own story. Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing combat sports markets in the world. A portion of its success is reinvested directly into local communities through youth education, anti-violence initiatives, job creation, and the preservation of traditional martial arts.

A man holds Nazi-related material after crates containing them were discovered again in the Justice Palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in this handout picture released on May 11, 2025. Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Republica Argentina/Handout via REUTERS

LTFRB issues show cause orders to 116 operators with violationsResidents of Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet shield themselves from the sudden downpour on June 2, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued 116 public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals with show cause orders, citing numerous violations in their facilities. At least 40 of the PUV terminals inspected were in Metro Manila. The LTFRB also found several PUV terminals with insufficient security measures and accommodations for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The agency said that it will continue monitoring and inspecting PUV terminals across the country.

Photo by IDREES MOHAMMED / AFP. This photo illustration shows a person holding a smartphone bearing the logo of X, formerly known as Twitter, in front of the Indian national flag in Bengaluru on January 15, 2026.

China's humanoid robots take centre stage for Lunar New Year showtimeA Unitree Robotics humanoid robot takes part in the freestyle competition at the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

Fresh water supply restored to upper floors of four blocks in Oi Man Estate after salty water pipe burst

'Not just props that eat': Extras seek recognition at their own 'Oscars'An Oscar statue stands as Hollywood Boulevard continues to be transformed into the red carpet arrival area for the 97th Academy Awards, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 28, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Missing ex-village chief’s widow found BuriedANGELES, Pampanga, Philippines — The remains of the widow of a former barangay captain were found buried in a compound owned by the family in this city on Monday, police reported yesterday. Police dug up the body of Teresa Mamac in a property located in Barangay Balibago. She was last seen alive on Feb. 12 in Angeles City, and had been reported missing since Feb. 13. Col. Eugene Marcelo, Pampanga police director had told The STAR that the Toyota Innova owned by Mamac was found abandoned near the Magalang Plaza on Feb. 14. Rep. Carmelo Lazatin Jr. of Pampanga’s first district has offered a reward of P200,000 for information that can lead to the killer of Mamac.

Quentin Milora-Brown, another center in the Gilas pool, will also skip the FIBA window but it’s not clear why he’s opting out. QMB is averaging 3.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 15.8 minutes in nine games so far, going scoreless twice. There are no B-League games scheduled during the window as that’s mandated by FIBA so if QMB plays for Gilas against Australia and New Zealand, he won’t miss any games with the Jets. QMB played two games for Gilas in the previous window late last year, averaging 7.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 20 minutes in two home-and-away wins over Guam. QMB, 25, and Sotto, 23, are the cornerstones of Gilas’ future so it’s critical that they show commitment to the country.

4 injured in Rizal road mishapThe victims, identified only as Maria, 35; Mercedita, 30; Romel, 23, and Shakira, 19, were rushed to the Cainta Municipal Hospital for treatment of injuries. CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Four people were injured in an accident between a tricycle and a motorcycle in Cainta, Rizal on Sunday. The victims, identified only as Maria, 35; Mercedita, 30; Romel, 23, and Shakira, 19, were rushed to the Cainta Municipal Hospital for treatment of injuries. Reports said the victims were traveling along San Francisco Bridge in Barangay San Juan when their tricycle hit the motorcycle. Probers have yet to determine if the motorcycle driver was drunk.

Racing to build Arabian Sea port: How JDV started overseas contractingFilipinos admire Jose de Venecia as five-time Speaker. Saudi Arabian authorities had set a test: first of the two competitors to start work will bag all future projects. Employing 51,000 at its peak, its name became synonymous with large-scale employment of Filipinos for high-paying overseas jobs. JDV was well-respected overseas. Prepare the papers ASAP for my deed of donation.”On Feb. 10, JDV passed away at 89.

De Lima files resolutions probing ‘weaponization’ of anti-terror lawsMANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has filed two resolutions seeking a congressional inquiry into the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 following the denial of bail to community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and lay worker Marielle Domequil. De Lima authored House Resolutions 786 and 787, urging the House committees on justice and human rights to conduct a joint investigation into Republic Act 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), and Republic Act 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA). “These laws should not be used as a license to put pressure on people, to red-tag or jail people with trumped up charges, much less to kill innocent people,” De Lima said. “Our objective is clear: to ensure that our laws protect our people instead of suppressing dissent. “Despite the noble intent of the law, reports of international human rights bodies cautioned that the ATA contains overly broad provisions and vague definitions that may be susceptible to abuse,” the resolution reads.