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Local drug makers want to raise share in government procurement

MANILA, Philippines — Local pharmaceutical manufacturers want to increase their share in medicines procured by the government to 50 percent in the next six to 10 years. Speaking at a briefing on the government’s initiatives on medical drug and device manufacturers, Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) president Higinio Porte Jr. said the group wants to increase its share in government procurement to 50 percent in the next...

PNP begins distribution of performance-based bonus for 2022

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that it will begin the distribution of its performance-based bonus for fiscal year 2022 on Saturday. According to the PNP, the bonus will be given to around 214,320 police personnel. READ: PNP warns public: Con artists pose as cops to solicit money The PNP said that the bonus that the personnel will receive is equal to 52 percent of their monthly salary as of December 31, 2022....

P5.13 million shabu seized in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Shabu with an estimated street value of P5.13 million was seized during a sting that also resulted in the arrest of two suspects in Bacolod Ciy, Negros Occidental on Wednesday. George Jayme, 49, and Dharryl Escanuela, 49, were collared after they reportedly sold shabu to an undercover agent in Barangay Singcang Airport, according to Maj. Eugene Tolentino, chief of the Bacolod police Station 8. The suspects, who...

PNP: No info on possible SONA threats

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday that they had not detected any security threats for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. President Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his 3rd SONA on July 22. According to PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, the PNP is still making refinements on traffic management plans to minimize inconvenience to the public. "As for the SONA, we haven't received any threats,...

'We are a movement': Corbyn delivers speech at pro-Palestine march

'We are a movement': Jeremy Corbyn delivers speech at large pro-Palestine march. Tens of thousands of protesters called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the first time under the new Labour Government in central London.

Several injured after fireworks land in crowd at Utah stadium

At least six people were injured after some misdirected fireworks landed in the crowd during a Fourth of July celebration at the LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, according to local reports.

Dire warning an unstoppable contagion is about to take off

Health authorities have warned an unstoppable contagion could spread in one Aussie state in a matter of days, and revealed how residents can remain safe.

A California city is giving new parents $500 a month. It's one of a growing number of basic income pilots focused on families.

Starting this summer, Pomona, California will give 250 families with children with children under the age of 4 years $500 a month for 18 months.

'We'll put pressure on councils over SEND'

The politicians say they will look to improve special educational needs provision in the county.

Satisfying video shows burglar receive instant karma

A man attempting to rob from a Florida storage unit immediately got his comeuppance, falling through the ceiling of the room he was burglarizing.

Marcos revokes policy granting CES rank to NDCP grads

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has revoked the policy granting career executive service (CES) rank to graduates of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), months after it was suspended to determine if its goals are in line with existing rules. The policy conferring CES eligibility and rank to graduates of the NDCP’s Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program was scrapped through Executive Order (EO) 63,...

Lawmakers push for sports economy in PH

TWO self-confessed "sports advocate" lawmakers have urged the government to focus on making the Philippines a "powerhouse" for sports by placing it under the economic sector. In their statements, Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred de los Santos and Manila Rep. Joel Chua floated the idea after Gilas Pilipinas aims to shoot for an Olympic berth as it fights Brazil in the knockout semifinals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. De los...

French PM Attal votes in parliamentary run-off election

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal cast his vote on Sunday, July 7, in the second round of the country's parliamentary elections. At 35, Gabriel Attal became France's youngest post-war prime minister when Macron appointed him in January.

BBC Breakfast presenters return after show was axed in schedule shake-up

BBC Breakfast didn't air as usual on Thursday 4 July, 2024 due to the General Election taking place which saw Labour take a majory

Artist hopes hospital post box draws 'a smile'

Lesley Sleight's design Sea to Summit – Colours of Mann features on the box at Noble's Hospital.

Australia has a vape law, PH has a joke

ON Monday, July 1, a tough new law went into effect in Australia to restrict vapes — vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and devices — to the purpose for which they were originally marketed, as a smoking cessation treatment. The new measures will effectively prevent access to vaping products by minors or anyone using vapes recreationally, and while the law does not criminalize possession or use of vapes by individuals of age, it imposes...

Close aide of Syria president dies after car crash: office

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's media adviser Luna al-Shibl died on Friday three days after being injured in a car crash, Assad's office announced. "The presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic mourns the death of the adviser Luna al-Shibl, who passed away today after a serious car accident", it said in a statement.

Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra's big win at Bratislava Festival

The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO), under the baton of conductor Jeffrey Solares, has clinched a Gold Prize and the prestigious Grand Prix for orchestra at the 13th Bratislava International Youth Music Festival. This victory comes as MSJO scored an impressive 99 points, marking their first participation in the festival held from July 2 to 4. The festival, which brought together over 500 youth participants from 13 countries, featured 17...

Sir Keir Starmer appoints new prisons and science minister

Sir Keir Starmer has ushered in his new cabinet ministers making some surprising moves including his appointment of James Timpson OBE (pictured) and Sir Patrick Vallance.

4-year-old boy found dead in river laid to rest in Talisay

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The boy who met his untimely demise after falling into a river in Brgy. Inayawan, Cebu City on Sunday, June 30, has been laid to rest less than a week after his passing. He was only four years old. The boy’s funeral was held at the Cansojong Public Cemetery in Talisay City, Cebu on Friday, July 5. READ MORE: Cebu Daily Newscast: Cebu City accident: Boy’s ‘basketball date’ with pa ends in tragedy Cebu City accident: Boy’s...

‘Guo as state witness? Only if she tags someone higher’

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac might be considered a state witness if she would spill the beans on those higher than her in the heirarchy of the illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in her hometown. Winston John Casio, spokesman for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), made the statement yesterday as he stressed that any state witness should be the least guilty in the...

Exclusive-Philippines turned down US help amid South China Sea tensions - military chief

By Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines has turned down offers from the United States to assist operations in the South China Sea, after a flare-up with China over missions to resupply Filipino troops on a contested shoal, its military chief said. Tensions in the disputed waterway have boiled over into violence in the past year, with a Filipino sailor losing a finger in the latest June

Vatican foreign minister warns vs. allowing 'conflicts' escalate to war

The visiting Vatican foreign minister in the Philippines on Friday warned against allowing "ongoing conflicts" to escalate and open the floodgates of a full-scale global war. Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, delivered the message during his address at the DFA's Foreign Service Institute (FSI) as part of his five-day official visit to Manila. Gallagher shared the positions of Pope Francis and the...

Ukraine confirms ‘retreat’ from district in strategic town

KYIV — Ukraine said Thursday its forces had withdrawn from a district in the key eastern town of Chasiv Yar, where Russian forces have recently claimed several advances. The fall of the small hilltop town is a worrying prospect for Ukraine because it would likely accelerate Russian advances towards large civilian hubs in the wider eastern Donetsk region. “It became impractical to hold the Kanal district, which the enemy had entered, because it...

Fake news spreaders may have unusual thoughts–researchers

On social networks, misinformation is everywhere. And while some might think to check the information they share, a minority of internet users opt to share erroneous content, sometimes deliberately. A UK research team set out to find out what differentiates these people, and what motivates them. People with higher scores on a measure of positive schizotypy are more likely to share false information about politics on social networks, claims a...

PH biosphere reserve in new Unesco list

THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) named 11 countries with biosphere reserves, including one in the Philippines, in a new list it released on Friday, the agency said in a statement on its website. Located in the Apayao province, the yApayaos Biosphere Reserve consists of two distinct regions — Lower and Upper Apayao. "This biosphere reserve in the Province of Apayao is divided into two distinct regions:...

Man arrested after allegedly pushing woman onto train tracks

A man has been charged with a string of offences hours after he allegedly pushed an elderly woman onto the tracks at one of Melbourne's busiest train stations, which caused major delays.

Hong Kong's Yim Tin Tsai Island: 3 historical treasures of the living museum

Hong Kong is popular for its vibrant city life, boasting an iconic skyline, bustling streets, and well-loved attractions including Disneyland and Victoria Peak. But Hong Kong is also home to serene and relaxed spots that offer noteworthy experiences away from the typical tourist paths. Outside the city are reserved islands and small villages that showcase the country’s rich cultural tapestry and natural surroundings. In this three-part series,...

Starmer to make first visit to Scotland as prime minister

He says he wants to establish a "different and better" way of working across the United Kingdom.

Cebu City Council: 2 councilors reject posts; majority seats filled

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Two minority councilors declined their newly nominated committee posts, while majority members filled their respective seats during the reorganizational session of the Cebu City Council. City Councilors Mary Ann Delos Santos and Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa rejected their committee nominations on July 3. The session saw members to various committees, with some positions remaining unchanged and new chairpersons appointed...

Police launch search for new chief constable

The new leader will command a salary of about £171,000, after Paul Anderson retired from the role.

Mark Duggan's rapper son jailed over gun crime

The father of drill artist Kemani Duggan, known as Bandokay, was shot dead by police in 2011.

Hunt for 'armed' teens after police officer hurt

Officers were surrounded by a "large crowd who were hostile" towards them, says the Met Police.

Cone rues Sotto's absence: 'Losing Kai was big for us'

MANILA, Philippines — With the Philippines' dream of punching a ticket to Paris Olympics coming to an end, Tim Cone rued the fact that Gilas Pilipinas didn't have young big man Kai Sotto to patrol the shaded lane. "We don't want to make excuses but losing Kai was big for us because it took away our depth at frontline and forced June Mar Fajardo to have to overplay the minutes, and that kind of mushroomed right there. But bottom line is we...

She accused Assange of sexual assault, but is glad he’s now free

Anna Ardin accused Julian Assange of sexual assault - but is pleased he has been freed from jail.

Who could replace Rishi Sunak as party leader?

The Conservatives will need to choose a new leader when the former PM stands down.

NAC chief to rebels: Apply for amnesty

MANILA, Philippines — Saying that the government amnesty program is a “benevolent act,” National Amnesty Commission (NAC) chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento urged all qualified former rebels to avail themselves of the program. “I would like to call on all members of the groups that have been proclaimed by the President who are qualified to apply for amnesty, to avail of this benevolent act of the President because it may not come again. So,...

Triumphant new MP Nigel Farage sips a pint and taunts warring Tories

He finally won election to the House of Commons at the eighth attempt after years of trying at Thursday's election, as he became the Reform MP for Clacton.

Funeral held for Plymouth D-Day veteran

Colin Young, a D-Day veteran who died aged 98, is laid to rest.

Former Army general charged with sexual assault

Ex-Major General James Roddis, former commanding officer of The Highlanders, will appear before a military court later this month.

Pope Francis appoints 2 Cebu priests for Vatican diplomatic posts

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Pope Francis has appointed two Cebuano priests to key positions within the diplomatic service of the Holy See, the Catholic Church here said. The Archdiocese of Cebu announced on Wednesday, July 3, that Msgr. Jan Thomas Limchua and Fr. Hezron Jhud Cartagena has been assigned to represent the Vatican in diplomatic missions. Limchua will serve as the Counselor of the Apostolic Nunciature to the Kingdom of the Netherlands....

Royal Navy crew return home after six months fighting Houthi rebels

HMS Diamond docked at Portsmouth on Saturday after helping to protect shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden and shooting down the most enemy missiles in one day on record.

Combat footage showed a gripping battle between Ukrainian M2 Bradley and two Russian vehicles

Slovak PM in first public appearance since shooting

Robert Fico gave a speech in Bratislava seven weeks after being wounded in an assassination attempt.

Nueva Vizcaya to provide P50k to couples married for 50 years

The local government of Nueva Vizcaya will be providing P50,000 as incentive for couples married for 50 years or more. According to their Ordinance 2024-248 or the “Nueva Vizcaya Enduring Devotion Award Ordinance,” couples who have reached their 50th wedding anniversary will be receiving P50,000 cash, in addition to a plaque of recognition and letter of felicitation from the Governor. Nueva Vizcaya Board Member Patricio Dumlao posted a copy of...

Octogenarian, son-in-law killed in Maguindanao gun attack

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Gunmen shot dead an 80-year-old woman and her son-in-law in a daytime attack on Thursday in Barangay Poblacion, Ampatuan town in Maguindanao del Sur. Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region police director, cited an Ampatuan police report yesterday that identified the victims as farmer Kael Nandang and his mother-in-law, Kalmo Butatek, 80. Tanggawohn said Nandang and Butatek were in their front yard...

Marcos admin wants rice self-sufficiency by end of term -Speaker Romualdez

Several months after the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it was aiming to achieve 90% rice self-sufficiency, House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez noted on Sunday that the Marcos administration was targeting to reach rice self-sufficiency by the end of its term in 2028. In a statement, Romualdez — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s cousin — said the DA and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) were working to...

The wartime bomber crash that narrowly missed a village

Witnesses believed the actions of the seven crew members may have saved the lives of those on the ground.

Teenage martial artist to represent England

A 15 year-old martial artist will represent England at an international competition later this year.

Men charged after woman's body was found in bungalow

A woman's body was found in a property on Radiant Road, Thurncourt, on Thursday morning, according to Leicestershire Police.