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  CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has approved an alternative Filipino version of the ‘Hail Mary’ prayer. The new version of the ‘Ave Maria’ was endorsed during the CBCP’s recent plenary assembly as an alternative to the traditional Tagalog-based ‘Aba Ginoong Maria.’ CBCP Secretary General Msgr. Bernardo Pantin clarified that the newly approved prayer does not replace the existing version but serves as a “more biblically and theologically faithful” rendition. “[It’s] more contextualized, simple, and adaptable to the changing times, as well as enhances our understanding and appreciation of the significance and richness […]…

Keep on reading: ‘Hail Mary’ prayer: CBCP introduces ‘alternative’ Filipino version

With February’s red-letter day less than 48 hours away, lucky Cebuanos still have enough time to secure the goods that are sure to melt the heart of their object of affection. They only need to make a beeline for The Mall | NUSTAR, where they can check out the selection of luxury stores that redefine elegance and sophistication. Flowers and chocolates will always be appreciated, but if they really want to make an impression, they could splurge on a branded belt, bangle, bag, or billfold available at The Mall | NUSTAR. Shoppers are spoiled for choice with store after luxury […]…

Keep on reading: Luxe gifts for your Valentine, minus the luxe price tag

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers signed veteran free-agent center Alex Len on Tuesday to bolster their frontcourt depth after their failed attempt to acquire Charlotte center Mark Williams. To make room on the roster for the 31-year-old Ukrainian in his 12th NBA season, Los Angeles waived injured center Christian Wood. Len was traded from Sacramento to Washington last week as part of the multi-team deal sending Marcus Smart to the Wizards. Washington subsequently waived Len, who played for the Wizards during the 2020-21 season before joining the Kings as a free agent. READ: NBA: Luka Doncic quickly connects […]…

Keep on reading: NBA: Lakers sign center Alex Len, waive injured Christian Wood

TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in Eastern Visayas has disbursed a record P5.6 billion in claims in 2024, reflecting a 51-percent increase from P3.7 billion in 2023. According to Asisclo Militante Jr., head of PhilHealth’s field operations division, the rise is attributed to the agency’s expanded coverage, particularly benefiting low-income families, and improved awareness of healthcare benefits among members. “We had more claims last year as we expanded our coverage, especially for poor families. We are focused on maintaining critical services to ensure that those who need them most continue to receive proper medical care despite […]…

Keep on reading: Philhealth in Eastern Visayas paid P5.6B in claims in 2024

New York, United States — The Trump administration’s tariff threats and animosity towards electronic vehicles are producing a “lot of cost and a lot of chaos” for Ford, the automaker’s chief executive said Tuesday. While Trump has spoken about the priority of strengthening manufacturing in the United States, the administration thus far has been the source of tremendous “policy uncertainty” with constantly evolving tariff plans and a lack of clarity whether tax credits favoring EVs will be rolled back, he said. Appearing at a financial conference, Jim Farley described Trump’s initial plan to enact 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and […]…

Keep on reading: Ford CEO says Trump policy uncertainty creating chaos

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ renewable energy market may have seen its best year yet in 2024, as the government recorded a historic power generation capacity expansion with more clean power injected into the national grid. The Department of Energy (DOE) said Tuesday that the local industry saw “record-breaking capacity additions” last year, reaching 794.34 megawatts (MW) of new clean energy capacity. This even surpassed the three-year aggregate capacity of 759.82 MW that went online in 2021, 2022, and 2023. READ: 149 power projects tagged as priority projects Thanks to the increasing share of renewables in the power generation mix, […]…

Keep on reading: RE sees ‘record-breaking’ capacity add

Brasília, Brazil — Brazil has no intention of entering a trade war with the United States, a government minister said Tuesday after US President Donald Trump imposed a 25-percent levy on steel. Brazil is the second-largest exporter of steel to the United States after Canada, providing 4.08 million tonnes of the metal in 2024. Asked about potential retaliation to the tariffs, institutional relations minister Alexandre Padilha told journalists “the government has not discussed this at all,” but was opposed to a commercial standoff. “Brazil does not encourage and will not enter into any trade war,” said Padilha. READ: Canada, Mexico, […]…

Keep on reading: Brazil says ‘will not enter trade war’ with US

JERUSALEM — Israel threatened Tuesday to resume “intense fighting” in Gaza if hostages were not released this weekend, while Hamas insisted it remained committed to the ceasefire deal and accused Israel of violations. Under the terms of the truce, which has largely halted more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza, captives were to be released in batches in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli custody. So far, Israel and Hamas have completed five hostage-prisoner swaps. But the deal has come under increasing strain in recent days, prompting diplomatic efforts to salvage it and Hamas to say it was “committed to […]…

Keep on reading: Israel says to resume Gaza fighting if hostages not freed Saturday

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration was able to borrow more than initially planned during Tuesday’s sale of Treasury bonds (T-bonds) as local rates tracked a decline in US Treasury yields. Auction results showed that the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) had raised its target amount of P30 billion via reissued T-bonds, which have a remaining life of seven years and seven months. The offering attracted P67.6 billion in total tenders, exceeding the original size of the issuance by 2.3 times. That prompted the BTr to open its tap facility window to accept an additional P5 billion in excess demand. […]…

Keep on reading: Gov’t raises P30B from T-bond offer amid lower yield

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A week after signing the petition to impeach the Vice-President, Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th District Rep. Duke Frasco has broken his silence. Frasco defended his decision to join the 240 lawmakers who voted to oust Vice President Sara Duterte last Feb. 5. Otherwise, projects and programs intended for Cebu’s 5th district are at risk, the congressman said in a speech during a caravan of services in his hometown in Liloan on Tuesday, Feb. 11. “(Ni sign ko sa impeachment) tungod ninyo. Tungod sa atong mga programa, proyekto, kalambuan. Di nako marisgo atong mga programa, mga […]…

Keep on reading: Impeachment vs. Sara: Cebu’s Duke Frasco tells all