A major winter storm affecting roughly half of the United States forced airlines to cancel or delay more than 16,000 flights, disrupting travel at major hubs including Chicago, New York, and Dallas. Airports activated winter weather response plans, and the FAA implemented ground delays and other measures as snow, ice, and strong winds created hazardous flying conditions and extended impacts across the national airspace system.
President Donald Trump announced that a US naval “armada” is heading toward the Gulf as Washington closely monitors Iran, while both sides publicly signal interest in talks and recent expectations of immediate American military action appear to recede. The United States, which supported and joined Israel’s 12-day June campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, continues to keep military options open and adjusts its force posture in coordination with regional allies. Defense and diplomatic officials say the deployment aims to deter Iran, protect maritime routes and allow space for diplomacy as global leaders and lawmakers track the security and economic impact of rising tensions in the Gulf.
TV host Robi Domingo and his wife Maiqui Pineda celebrated their second wedding anniversary with a “babymoon” in Boracay before welcoming their first child. Domingo shared photos and videos of the beach trip on Instagram on Jan. 22, 2026, showing the couple enjoying the sun and sea. Fellow celebrities, including Janine Gutierrez and Melai Cantiveros, left congratulatory messages and compliments in the comments. The couple did not disclose their baby’s due date but referred to the vacation as their time together “before we become 3.”
Filipino tennis player Alex Eala received a wild card into the main draw of the WTA 500 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, scheduled from February 1 to 7, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Tournament organizers announced on social media that Eala became the first confirmed wild card, upgrading her status from the qualifying rounds and removing a scheduling conflict with the Philippine Women’s Open. The main draw entry allows the 19-year-old to compete directly in the WTA 500 field as part of the early-season hard-court swing.
Actress and TV personality Solenn Heussaff said on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” that she and husband Nico Bolzico do not allow their daughters to use gadgets and plan to give them their first phones only at 18 or 19. She explained that her concerns about society’s dependence on technology shape their strict no-gadget rule at home, adding that their children do not have iPads and do not use Instagram. The couple instead encourages offline activities and consistent screen limits.
Novak Djokovic on Thursday called record-breaking crowds at the 2024 Australian Open “a very good problem” as Melbourne Park recorded more than 100,000 spectators on opening day. Tournament organizers reported heavy daily attendance, long queues, and heat-affected waits, particularly around matches that drew strong interest such as those involving Filipina player Alex Eala.
Authorities in Karachi, Pakistan, reported on Friday that the death toll from the January 17 fire at the three-storey Gul Plaza shopping mall rose to at least 67 people, as forensic teams completed post-mortem examinations and continued DNA testing to identify victims.
A young “Harry Potter” fan met series author J.K. Rowling at Puerto Princesa Airport in Palawan, Philippines, during the writer’s private visit to the province. Witnesses said the child recognized Rowling in the passenger area and briefly approached her, drawing attention from nearby travelers. Airport staff maintained standard security procedures while the interaction took place in a public section of the terminal. Authorities and local sources confirmed Rowling’s presence in Puerto Princesa but did not disclose further details about her itinerary or the identity of the fan.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to complete all pending projects nationwide by 2026. Dizon said the DPWH is finalizing an inventory of unfinished infrastructure works and will use it to prioritize and allocate resources under a reduced 2026 budget of P529.6 billion, down from the P881 billion originally requested. He said the department will coordinate with regional offices, local governments, and other agencies to address bottlenecks and implement the completion directive.
Television host Willie Revillame said during a media conference for his new game show “Wilyonaryo” in Quezon City that he gave money to some supporters while campaigning for public office to help cover injuries they suffered at past tapings and public appearances of his shows. He explained that videos showing him scolding his production staff reflected his strictness on safety after incidents in which audience members were injured and, in some cases, died. Revillame said he used personal funds in some instances, coordinated with families of the injured, and ordered tighter safety protocols and crowd control measures for his current and future productions.