PH Has Received Only 21% of Int'l Haiyan Relief Pledges

Two months after Supertyphoon Haiyan, the Philippines has received only 21 percent of the $540 million in relief cash that the international community pledged, reports Rappler.com. The Philippines' Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAITH) says  only $12.337 million have arrived.

PH Warns OFWs of Malaysia's Crackdown on Undocumented

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur urged Filipinos in Malaysia to have their travel and employment papers in order amid a crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals starting January 21, reports Manila Standard Today.

HK Arrests Alleged Torturer of Domestic Worker

Hong Kong authorities arrested a woman employer for the alleged torture of an Indonesian maid, reports Inquirer.net. Domestic workers took to the streets of Hong Kong last week to demand justice for the victim and better protection for the city's hundreds of thousands of foreign maids.

Police Break Up Internet Pedophile Ring Based in PH

British, Australian and US police broke up a Philippines-based international pedophile ring that has been streaming live scenes of child abuse over the Internet, reports Inquirer.net.

Remittances Reached Record High Last November

Remittances reached a monthly record of $2.286 billion in November, supported by the sustained deployment of Filipino workers abroad,  reports Rappler.com. In a statement on Wednesday, January 15, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the amount was equivalent to a 9.5% growth from the $2.087 billion remittances recorded in November 2012.

Pinay 'X Factor' Winner Can't Sing As a Pro in Israel

Filipina caregiver Rose Fostanes' victory in Israel's first "X Factor" competition is unlikely to improve her earning prospects in the Jewish state, reports ABS-CBN News/AFP. An Israeli official told Agence France-Presse that Fostanes is only permitted to work as a carer. She can sing, but not as a professional.

Pinoys on Short List for Immigration to Mars

After conquering foreign shores as workers, several Filipinos are now seeking to establish a presence even on Mars, reports GMA News. Filipino applicants are among those shortlisted for Mars One, a not-for-profit foundation that will establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. The thought of being the first persons to break the soil of the Red Planet lured over 200,000 applicants to the first round of selection phases. As of December 30, 2013, only 1,058 people, including several Filipinos, remained.

UK Pinoys Rally to Thank Brits for Typhoon Relief Aid

LONDON—At Trafalgar Square on Sunday, Filipinos held a rally to thank the British government and public for helping the Philippines in the aftermath of Supertyphoon Yolanda, reports ABS-CBN News. The government, charities and the general public sent £81 million for typhoon relief.