Admiring Singapore's vibrant art scene

Singapore's arts scene is a dynamic and diverse tapestry of established and emerging artists and arts groups, each showcasing their unique works. Over the years, Singapore's artistic community has grown significantly, including artists, freelance practitioners, arts educators, arts managers, and technical and production crew. This vibrant mix, supported by public and private backing and partnerships, forms the foundation of a flourishing arts...

Cramped sched marks Gilas training camp

(UPDATE) GILAS Pilipinas is not leaving anything to chance as the national squad kicked off its preparations for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament last Friday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna. The training camp, under head coach Tim Cone, involves two court practices and sandwiched by a gym workout through Sunday before Gilas returns to Manila to play the Taiwan Mustangs in an open-to-public tune-up game at the PhilSports...

Father is arrested after 'attempting to drown his two children'

A man in New York has been arrested over claims he attempted to drown his children at a beach in Connecticut .

'You have to vote' Trump tells US evangelical Christians

Former US president Donald Trump urged evangelical Christians Saturday to vote en masse for him in November, vowing to "aggressively" protect their religious freedom if he is elected. Trump promised to protect their interests Saturday, as he vowed to "aggressively defend religious freedom."

Language and labor migration

THE primary motivation for people to migrate is to have a better life, and this is usually expressed in better income. Approximately 170 million, or two-thirds, of international migrants are labor migrants, most of whom are in highly developed economies. According to the International Labor Organization, 4.9 percent of the global labor force are migrants. They contribute about 10 percent of global economic production and increase global...

A Romanian village is set to become Nato's biggest airbase in Europe

The airbase, named after a 19th Century Romanian politician, is set to be Nato's biggest in Europe.

Spanish search teams gather for sixth day of hunt for teenager Jay Slater

Firefighters appeared to conduct the majority of the searches on the sixth day of the hunt for British teenager Jay Slater as they wore helmets to tackle dangerous hillside terrain in Tenerife. Rescue teams, alongside sniffer dogs, set off on a steep gravel track at Rural de Teno Park on the south of the island on Saturday morning.

Ed Davey throws some shapes on the election trail for the Lib Dems

The British politician donned a blue shirt and cream blazer as he showed off his dance moves in a swing dance class during a campaign visit in Guildford earlier today.

Army recovers NPA arms cache in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army reported yesterday the recovery of two firearms, a grenade, and bullets from an arms cache believed to belong to the New People’s Army (NPA) in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Lt. Col. Jeffrex Molina, 2nd Infantry Division public affairs office chief, said the items were found after several concerned citizens tipped them of the cache hidden at Barangay Paradise 3. Among the recovered items were an M16...

General Election 2024: June 22 round-up

A daily round-up with the UK set to go to the polls for a July 4 election. June 22 saw the leaders of the Conservative Party, Labour and the Liberal Democrats condemn Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for suggesting Nato was to blame for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney spoke to the PA news agency about the Tory betting scandal, and said the next UK government should overturn Rishi Sunak's veto of Holyrood's Gender Recognition Reform Bill.

Divorce a reflection of ‘human weakness’ – Catholic group

MANILA, Philippines — A Catholic lay organization appealed to the government to reject proposals for a divorce law, which it claimed was “a reflection of human weakness.” Couples for Christ (CFC), the country’s biggest Catholic renewal community, issued a manifesto against the divorce bill. “We strongly urge our country’s leaders NOT to weaken the marriage bond but instead to work more aggressively to strengthen the family,” CFC’s manifesto...

SNAP, NPC, Psalm ensure safe operations of Ambuklao, Binga dams

AS part of the collective effort to foster safety and meaningful collaboration, SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet), the National Power Corp. (NPC), and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (Psalm) held the annual public information drives (PIDs) on the Ambuklao and Binga Dams and Reservoir Operations from June 4 to 6, 2024. Local communities of barangay (villages) Ambuklao, Dalupirip and Tinongdan which host Ambuklao and...

Sink or swim

ON June 17, 2024, while the nation observed Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) embarked on yet another rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. It was only the next day that news about "Philippine and Chinese vessels colliding in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)" broke out. We all thought it was just one of those illegal and hostile acts by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and...

BI nabs 2 Chinese wanted for fraud, kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese fugitives wanted for fraud and kidnapping were arrested in separate operations in southern Metro Manila on June 19, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported yesterday. Zhu Tingyun, 43, had been working as a senior manager of an illegal online gambling company operating in the Philippines when he was arrested in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque. Zhu is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the public security bureau...

P6.1 million drugs in abandoned parcels seized

MANILA, Philippines — Various illegal drugs worth P6.1 million were intercepted in Pasay City yesterday. The illegal drugs, hidden in abandoned parcels, were recovered during an interdiction operation at the Central Mail Exchange Center along Domestic Road at around 1 a.m., Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta said. Among the seized items were 3.7 kilos of marijuana, 850 grams of suspected dry opium...

Chambers shares expertise with Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Six-time PBA champion import Sean Chambers is thrilled to give back to Philippine basketball by helping Gilas Pilipinas gear up for the coming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT). “It’s always been a dream of mine to represent the Philippines on an international stage,” Chambers, Alaska’s celebrated reinforcement in the 1990s, told The STAR yesterday from the Gilas camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna....

Lone bettor wins P150M lotto jackpot

(UPDATES) A LONE bettor from Lucena City, Quezon, won the P150 million jackpot during the e-lotto draw on Friday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said. The winning combination for the Ultra Lotto 6/58 jackpot P150,307,791.20 was 08-24-15-44-04-58. PCSO General Manager Mel Robles said the Lucena City bettor was the second to win the platform's jackpot prize. The first win took place on January 17, with the bettor, with winning...

'Depth of despair' in UK shown as Brits answer one key question about their childhoods

A survey of thousands of members of The Bread and Butter Thing charity lays bare the scale of the challenge facing the next government in tackling the despair gripping some areas

Teves released from Timor house arrest – lawyer

MANILA, Philippines — Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. has been ordered released from house arrest in Timor-Leste, according to his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio. “We confirm the published reports appearing on Timor-Leste media – which have reached our country – to the effect that Rep. Arnolfo Teves has been ordered released from house arrest by the tribunal conducting extradition proceedings relative to the request made by the...

Protests over suspended term for assault by soldier

Cathal Crotty was given a fully suspended sentence after beating a woman in a random street attack.

Egypt cracks down on tourism companies after haj deaths

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt withdrew the operating licenses of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor, accusing them of being responsible for the deaths of Egyptian pilgrims in Mecca, a crisis unit tasked with addressing the situation said on Saturday. Medical and security sources say at least 530 Egyptians died during this year's haj pilgrimage to Mecca, while the statement

San Juan closely behind MPBL leaders

MANILA, Philippines — San Juan wasted a big lead and settled for a 91-85 victory over lowly Bacolod City of Smiles last Friday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Olivarez College Gym in Parañaque. Way ahead, 87-61, the San Juan Knights relaxed on defense, allowing the Bacoleños to bunch 13 points, before cruising to their 11th win in 12 starts and staying close behind Quezon Province (12-0), Nueva Ecija...

Trump's explosive emails trigger concerns of violence

PCSO Lotto Draw Results, June 22, 2024 | Grand Lotto 6/55, Lotto 6/42, 6D, 3D, and 2D

Here are the winning lotto combinations of the lotto draw results for the 9 p.m. draw on Saturday, June 22.

Labour don't believe the polls - and they don't want you to either

Labour is quietly preparing for government - even if many of them still don't believe they can win.

Spanish nuns excommunicated after sect claim, property row

The Vatican has excommunicated 10 nuns from northern Spain after a months-long standoff over a property dispute and amid claims they belonged to a sect, it emerged Saturday. Saturday the Church in Spain responded: "On June 22, the Archbishop of Burgos, legal representative of the monastery of Belorado ... transmitted the decree declaring excommunication ... of the 10 sisters who caused a schism."

Move Luzon: Moving children’s right to education, safe spaces

MANILA, Philippines — FundLife, a leading non-government organization established and located in Tacloban and dedicated to promoting purposeful play and equitable education for marginalized and vulnerable children, proudly announces the launch of “Move Luzon.” In partnership with the Bike Scouts project, Move Luzon is an ambitious, community-led running and physical movement initiative aimed at advocating for every child’s right to education and...

Marcos sees 20k jobs from 'mega' hotel operations

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said he was confident about the creation of around "20,000 direct and indirect jobs" throughout the operation of Megaworld's Grand Westside Hotel in the coming years. In his speech during its ceremonial opening in Parañaque City, Marcos said the Grand Westside Hotel was expected to strengthen the entry of more tourists in the country and generate more jobs, business, and...

Sixty thousand people march in London, calling action for climate crisis

Sixty thousand people marched in London, calling action for climate crisis from the Government - and Taylor Swift. On Saturday, more than 350 charities, businesses, and direct action groups participated in the Restore Nature Now march, along with Dame Emma Thompson and naturalists Chris Packham and Steve Backshall.

China protests Philippines continental shelf claim

MANILA, Philippines — China has protested the Philippines’ claim before the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UN CLCS) for an extended continental shelf west of Palawan in the West Philippine Sea. In a June 18 communication addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the UN said the Chinese government “seriously requests the Commission not to...

Screening of BARMM LGU execs begins

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Bangsa-moro region have started screening aspirants for mayor, vice mayor and municipal councilors for the eight newly created towns covering 63 predominantly Moro barangays in Cotabato province. The eight municipalities – Pahamudin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabacan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan and Ligawasan – were established via a plebiscite administered in April by the Commission on Elections. Mohammad...

Thousands march through London to demand the restoration of nature

More than 350 charities, businesses and direct action groups were taking part in the Restore Nature Now march on Saturday, along with Dame Emma, businessman Dale Vince and naturalists Chris Packham and Steve Backshall.

Govt releases P9B in El Niño assistance

THE government has disbursed over P9 billion worth of aid to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Agriculture said on Saturday. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a forum in Quezon City that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself visited El Niño-affected areas in Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Davao, Bicol, Cagayan...

Headteacher's remarkable mission to protect kids online 'and stop another Brianna tragedy'

Shocked by the tragic murder Brianna Ghey, Emma Mills, 43, has mounted a quest to educate parents on how to keep kids away from social media and monitor their behaviour online

S.Africa to dish up more zebra to boost jobs and conservation

Carcasses of impala, kudu and wildebeest hang from a slaughterhouse rail, ready to be turned into steaks, sausages and burger patties of the kind South Africa wants to see more of on the dinner table. South Africa has long adopted a market-oriented approach to conservation, based on the belief that farmers have a better incentive to look after wildlife if they can profit from it.

Grandfather, 82, commits suicide after falling in love with mystery woman on dating site

Mr Dennis Jones fell victim to a scam known as "pig butchering" and thought he was sending money to a woman he fell in love with - but ended up committing suicide when it all turned out to be a lie

Top energy firms back LNG development

MANILA, Philippines — Some of the country’s biggest energy companies expressed their support to the government’s plan to develop the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry to ensure energy security. Key stakeholders from the public and private sector gathered together in an energy forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute, in partnership with CitizenWatch Philippines. In his speech, Stratbase Institute president Dindo Manhit emphasized the...

Iran overturns death sentence of rapper famous for lyrics about the death of protester Mahsa Amini

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran's Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of a government critic and a popular hip-hop artist, Toomaj Salehi — who came to fame over his lyrics about the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022 — his lawyer Amir Raisian said Saturday. In a post on social media platform X, Raisian said that the court assessed the case and found Salehi’s past six years in prison as “excessive” since the punishment...

Ballet company to open new base in Bradford

Project Resurgence wants to offer dance classes and training to children from deprived areas.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito finally begins delayed UK state visit

LONDON (Reuters) -Emperor Naruhito and his wife began a week long trip to Britain on Saturday, during which they will visit Oxford University where they both studied and attend a banquet with King Charles, but no formal meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scheduled. Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, had been due to make the visit in 2020 when Queen Elizabeth was still alive but it was

Gilas women set foot in China

MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas U18 squad yesterday arrived in Shenzhen, China with hopes of fulfilling its mission to gain a Division A promotion in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B tournament. Led by program director Pat Aquino and head coach Julie Amos, the young Filipina ballers vowed their readiness to stand their ground against the continent’s next best teams in the tourney firing off tomorrow until June 30 at the Futian...

Makati gives P250,000 aid to Davao Oriental town

MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Makati on Friday donated P250,000 in cash to the municipal government of Lupon in Davao Oriental, which was affected by heavy rains and floods earlier this year. Makati Mayor Abby Binay personally handed over the check to Lupon municipal treasurer Mary Jane Mantos and budget officer Elizabeth Solidaga at the city hall. On Wednesday, the city government donated P500,000 in cash to the municipal...

Government to challenge native title claim over famous Aussie island

The Woppaburra people - who are the traditional owners of the Great Keppel Island - have submitted a fresh claim to the region off the Capricorn Coast in Central Queensland.

An explanation for apparent insanity

ONE of the topics that were raised in The Manila Times' Midyear Economic Forum on Thursday was the need for the Philippines to develop its capital markets, which is an aspect of a modern economy that, in this country, could only be charitably described as "embryonic." However, watching capital markets in other parts of the world can quickly discourage anyone who has ideas of expanding them here because, to a significant extent, those could only...

MoD failed soldier killed in training, family say

Sgt John McKelvie was killed when an armoured vehicle rolled down a hill at Catterick Garrison.

Motorcycle rider killed in collision with SUV in Liloan, Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines – A motorcycle rider was killed Friday night after he reportedly collided with a sports utility vehicle (SUV) along the national highway in Brgy. Yati, Liloan. The accident happened at around 10 p.m., according to authorities. The fatality was identified as Gerald Escultor Pagodon, 48. Police Major Eric Gingoyon, chief of the Liloan Police Station, said that the motorcycle rider died due to serious head injuries. Pagodon...

'Stronger words' needed to define PH-China sea clash – expert

THE government could have used "stronger words" in describing the encounter between the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Philippine Navy during its resupply mission to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal last June 17, a maritime expert said on Saturday. This comes after the government on Friday said that the incident, which resulted in injuries to several soldiers, including one who lost a finger, was just a "misunderstanding" or an...

State handouts offer less dignity than working, Starmer says of benefits outlook

State handouts offer less dignity than working, Starmer says of benefits outlook - The Labour leader appeared to harden his stance on welfare as he sought to woo traditionally Tory voters.

DMW: OFW in Hajj pilgrimage dies

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday night confirmed the death of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. According to the DMW, the OFW died due to a heat stroke on June 16 at a hospital in the Saudi Arabian city of Makkah. At the time of her death, she was working as a health care professional in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. She was later laid to rest in Muslim rites in Makkah. "We have...

‘Unqualified’ Gelli shuns politics: There are other ways to help

While hosting a public service program has helped open Gelli de Belen’s eyes to the many challenges local communities around the country face, never did the idea of entering politics cross her mind. In fact, the mere thought of it doesn’t feel right to her. “I have no right to even consider that. I’m not qualified to do that and I can’t pretend that I will ever be. It wouldn’t be fair to our countrymen,” Gelli told reporters at a media...