The woman, identified only by her surname Gong, sought medical attention in December for arm numbness. Initially visiting a local clinic, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and referred to Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital.

Doctors at the hospital ordered an ultrasound after learning that Gong had not experienced a menstrual cycle for several months. The test revealed she was over eight months pregnant, a revelation that shocked her as she had been deemed infertile due to a uterine disorder.

Gong and her husband had previously considered in vitro fertilization (IVF) but were advised against it due to her weight. Hours after the ultrasound, she underwent a caesarean section and welcomed a healthy baby.

“There were only four hours from finding out I was pregnant to the birth of my baby,” Gong said.

Dr. Yang Liwei, an obstetrician at the hospital, explained that some women might not notice pregnancy symptoms or fetal movements, especially if they are overweight. She emphasized the risks of unrecognized pregnancies, noting the lack of prenatal care could jeopardize the health of both mother and child.

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Rebecca Westergaard Rigney was found lifeless in her home along Mink Street on December 25, with injuries to her legs. Police confirmed that the attack involved pigs that had wandered from a neighboring property.

The incident came to light after family members requested a welfare check when Rigney failed to attend a Christmas gathering. Upon arrival, officers spotted a large pig inside her home and discovered two others at a nearby property.

A medical report indicated that Rigney succumbed to blood loss caused by extensive injuries inflicted by livestock. Pataskala Police Chief Bruce Brooks described the incident as unprecedented, calling it a “horrible, horrible situation.”

The pigs involved are currently in quarantine, and while the investigation continues, no criminal charges have been filed against their owner.

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The traveler, who arrived from Sierra Leone via an Ethiopian Air flight, was flagged for inspection by the Bureau of Immigration due to suspicious travel patterns. During a routine baggage scan, a Customs X-ray inspector detected unusual contents, prompting a thorough search.

According to a Phil Star Global report, customs officials uncovered cocaine concealed within the linings of four handbags and one suitcase. The confiscated drugs have an estimated street value of more than P24 million, according to a press release from the Bureau of Immigration.

The operation was carried out by a joint task force composed of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, Airport Police Department, PNP Drug Enforcement Group, and the National Bureau of Investigation.

The woman is now facing charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

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Despite repeated warnings urging the public to exercise caution and follow traffic laws during adverse weather conditions, the driver engaged in hazardous activities such as drifting and stunt driving, posing significant threats to public safety.

According to Major General Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, Acting Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs at Dubai Police, patrol teams observed and promptly intervened in the situation. The vehicle was confiscated, and the driver was fined in accordance with Federal Traffic and Road Laws.

Under Decree No. 30 of 2023, the driver must pay AED 50,000 to recover the impounded vehicle and clear any outstanding fines.

Al Mazrouei reiterated the authorities’ zero-tolerance policy towards reckless driving, emphasizing the potential legal and financial consequences for violators. He stressed that such behaviors endanger lives and disrupt road safety, with offenders facing severe penalties, including prosecution.

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Ms. Corr, who is a half-sister of current Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is accused of assaulting a passenger outside a plane toilet after the couple reportedly consumed alcohol they brought onboard the December 28 Jetstar flight. Upon landing in Sydney, the two were arrested and charged with failing to comply with cabin crew safety directions and consuming unauthorized alcohol. Ms. Corr faces an additional charge of common assault.

To secure their passports, both agreed to deposit $20,000 each with the court, forfeitable if conditions are breached. Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Antrum also rejected a request to entirely dispense with Mr. Corr’s bail conditions but allowed the removal of a residential requirement.

Ms. Corr’s lawyer stated that her client required her passport for work on a photography project in Indonesia, where she plans to remain until March. An online biography describes Ms. Corr as a professional photographer based in Queensland.

Jetstar declined to comment on whether the Corrs have been blacklisted but emphasized their zero-tolerance policy on disruptive behavior.

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Frasco cited geopolitical factors and the suspension of electronic visas for Chinese travelers as major reasons behind the drop. The Department of Tourism (DOT) initially anticipated over 2 million Chinese tourists but recorded only 300,000 by the end of the year.

“The barriers to entry into the Philippines, including and chiefly the suspension of the electronic visa, gravely affected the Chinese market for the Philippines,” Frasco said in a Phil Star Global report. The issuance of e-visas was indefinitely halted in December 2023, and the Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to resume the service.

Frasco emphasized that the decline was not related to the closure of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), which were banned in 2024 due to links to criminal activities, including human trafficking and document fraud.

Despite these challenges, the DOT generated P760 billion in revenue from international tourists, a 9% increase compared to 2023. Frasco attributed this growth to efforts in tapping other markets, with South Korea remaining the top source of foreign visitors.

The DOT achieved this revenue increase despite operating with a significantly reduced marketing budget—down from P1.2 billion in 2023 to P200 million in 2024. The department also faced backlash over its “Love the Philippines” campaign in 2023, which was criticized for using foreign stock footage in its promotional materials.

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The P10 coin, composed of an aluminum bronze inner core and a copper-nickel outer core, was being transformed into rings sold for P1,500 each, BSP was quoted as saying by ABS-CBN News.

“We conducted several test buy operations and confirmed that these individuals were offering the rings, especially to foreigners,” said Mark Fajardo, senior investigation officer of the BSP-Payments and Currency Investigation Group.

The group reportedly completes a ring in just 40 minutes and can produce 20 to 30 rings daily, earning up to ₱50,000 per day. The suspects are not local residents, according to the BSP.

The suspects face charges under Presidential Decree 247, which prohibits the destruction of legal tender coins. “In the Philippines, this is prohibited since the coins are property of the Republic of the Philippines. We should protect them because producing coins is costly,” Fajardo added.

The suspects are now in the custody of the San Juan Municipal Police Station in Siquijor.

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The Quezon City Police District (QCPD), along with one of the arrested suspects, located the burial site after an extensive investigation.

The victim was last seen leaving his home on January 5 to visit his fish farm in Laguna. His family grew concerned when he failed to return and could not be reached on his mobile phone. The following day, the victim’s son received notifications of unauthorized withdrawals amounting to PHP 100,000 from two banks. CCTV footage confirmed the withdrawals were made by individuals other than the victim, prompting the family to report the incident to the police.

Two suspects were arrested on January 8 during a follow-up operation, and the victim’s SUV was recovered. One of the suspects, identified as alias “Noli,” confessed that they posed as potential buyers of a 12-hectare property owned by the victim.

According to Noli, the crime was masterminded by a certain “James Dwight,” who instructed them to abduct the businessman and demand the title of the property. When the victim failed to provide the document, he was killed.

Police apprehended James Dwight during a hot pursuit operation as he attempted to pay the remaining PHP 100,000 balance to the two suspects. Investigators revealed that Dwight used multiple aliases, including “Victor Duenas” and “Lope Jimenez.”

Authorities are now investigating if Dwight is connected to the high-profile case of Ruby Rose Barrameda, whose body was discovered in a cement-sealed drum in Navotas in 2007.

The three suspects face charges of kidnapping, robbery, carnapping, and murder, while police continue their investigation to confirm Dwight’s identity and any connections to previous crimes.

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PAL achieved an on-time arrival performance rate of 76.06%, based on its global network that spans over 112,000 flights in 2024. This recognition underscores the airline’s dedication to delivering efficient travel experiences to its passengers, solidifying its reputation as a trusted carrier in the region.

Cirium’s OTP review is renowned for its robust methodology in measuring airline performance. The rankings are based on flights that arrive at their destinations within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. Data is sourced from flight schedules, real-time operational updates, and other industry metrics. The comprehensive analysis ensures consistency and accuracy, making the rankings a reliable reflection of operational excellence.

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Sotto’s legal team, led by lawyer Enrique dela Cruz, lodged 19 counts of cyberlibel before the Muntinlupa City Prosecutor’s Office. The charges correspond to multiple posts and shares of the teaser on Yap’s personal and production company’s social media accounts, which together have millions of followers. The teaser reportedly fueled public outrage and offensive comments against Sotto and his family.

According to an Inquirer.net report, Sotto is demanding P20 million in moral damages and P15 million in exemplary damages, citing the harm caused to his reputation and personal life. He described the accusations as baseless, adding that the original rape case against him was dismissed over 40 years ago.

In a parallel legal action, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court granted Sotto’s petition for a writ of habeas data earlier this week. The court ordered Yap to cease disseminating any promotional material that depicts Sotto as a rapist and to provide details on any collected data related to the allegations.

Yap, who remains vocal on social media, claimed that everyone has the right to file complaints but maintained his stance on pursuing the movie. The film, reportedly a biographical account of Paloma’s life, has sparked significant public and legal controversy.

A court hearing is set for January 15, 2025, to deliberate on the merits of the case and potentially solidify the court’s initial takedown order against the promotional materials.

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