Gilas books OQT semis spot despite close loss to Georgia

It took just eight months for Gilas Pilipinas to add another compelling chapter to this basketball-crazed country’s rich history. In less than 24 hours, the team made sure to keep adding to the story. The Philippines unearthed a semifinal spot in defeat after a 96-94 loss to Georgia late Thursday evening extended its run in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia. After winning the Asian Games gold for the first time in six...

PH-Japan troop access pact for signing July 8

The Philippines and Japan are expected to sign on Monday, July 8, a historic pact that would allow the two allies and former wartime enemies to deploy troops on each other’s soil. After seven months of negotiations, top diplomatic and defense officials from the two countries will meet in Manila on July 8 for the 2+2 meeting, a venue to discuss bilateral defense and security issues affecting the region, and the signing of the Reciprocal Access...

China on Sen. Marcos’ missile attack claim: We do not pose threat

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday insisted that her country does not pose a threat to any nation following Sen. Imee Marcos’ claim that China is planning to use hypersonic missiles against the Philippines. “I’m not sure what the Philippine side’s source was, but I can tell you that China is committed to peaceful development and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and China does...

Tug-of-war team loses training ground

Worcester Themmadi are left "basically homeless" after equipment is removed from a community centre.

UK Labour Party sweeps to power in historic election win. But impatient voters mean big challenges

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. Labour leader Keir Starmer will officially become prime minister later in the day, leading his party back to government less than five years after it suffered its worst defeat in almost a century. In the...

Marcos to issue EO on enforcing nomad visas without tax incentives

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is set to issue an executive order that will enforce nomad visas immediately without tax incentives. During the meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism (PSAC-Tourism), the group recommended the issuance of an EO that will implement nomad visas immediately without tax incentives, which can be added once a related bill is passed. Marcos supported the interim solution and has tasked...

Artist who killed her parents told locals they 'moved to the seaside'

Virginia McCullough, 36, wept in court today as she confessed to poisoning her father John, 70, and brutally stabbing her mother Lois, 71, to death in June 2019.

Why the SNP was left shocked by Labour's surge

There was surprise at the party's victories in seats beyond its traditional heartlands in the central belt.

UK PM Sunak concedes election defeat, says Labour has won

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat in the national election on Friday, saying the opposition Labour Party had won. "The Labour Party has won this general election and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory," Sunak said after winning his parliamentary seat in northern England. "Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly

Court clears IFI bishop, NDFP exec of grenade possession rap

OZAMIZ CITY — After more than seven years, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) here has acquitted the prelate of Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) of illegal possession of explosives charge. In a 33-page ruling promulgated on July 2, RTC Branch 15 Presiding Judge Grace Yulo said the prosecution failed to prove the guilt beyond reasonable doubt of IFI Bishop Carlo Morales...

Almost 600 inmates released in June — BuCor

A total of 562 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in June, the agency announced Friday. According to BuCor, this brings the total number of released PDLs to 14,657 from June 2022 to June 2024. Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said that of the 562 PDLs, 321 served their maximum sentence, 121 were acquitted, 98 were paroled, 21 were granted probation, while one was granted...

Spain PM's wife to testify in graft probe

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife testifies before a judge Friday as part of a preliminary corruption probe into her business ties in a case that has infuriated the Socialist leader. Earlier this week, the investigating judge said Gomez was being investigated for "all actions, conduct and behaviours... since her husband became prime minister".

Ukraine navy chief says Russia is losing Crimean hub in Black Sea

By Tom Balmforth ODESA, Ukraine (Reuters) - The Russian navy's Black Sea Fleet has been forced to rebase nearly all its combat-ready warships from occupied Crimea to other locations, and its main naval hub is becoming ineffectual because of attacks by Kyiv, Ukraine's navy chief said. Vice-Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa said Ukrainian missile and naval drone strikes had caused heavy damage to the

Taiwan says China seizure of trawler may be act of psychological warfare

Taiwan says China’s seizure of a Taiwanese trawler that was operating close to the Chinese coast might be an act of psychological warfare by Beijing. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-china-seizure-trawler-psychological-warfare/

SNP set for election humiliation leaving nationalists with SIX seats

John Swinney's scandal-ravaged nationalists could left with just six MPs, down from the high of 48 the party achieved in 2019.

UK general election live results 2024: By the numbers

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s party is expected to lose the July 4 election after 14 years of Conservative rule.

'We did it!' Jubilant Keir says 'change begins now' at victory party

Keir Starmer boasted 'we did it' today after Rishi Sunak conceded he has lost the election - and said 'sorry' to vanquished Tories. Sir Keir trumpeted his victory at a rally in central London after the party formally crested the 325 seats needed.

PNP to open gun permit renewal offices in Visayas, Mindanao

Offices for the renewal of permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) will be opened in the Visayas and Mindanao this July and August, respectively, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday. “We will be opening yung PTC, doon sa sinasabi ko, not only in Metro Manila, sabi ko bakit wala bang threat doon sa [Mindanao] and Visayas?” PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said in an ambush interview during a shootfest in Camp...

Man charged with sexual offences against two children

He is accused of sexual assault on two children under six.

SNP faces 'slaughter' says former leader Salmond

The SNP is on course to be 'slaughtered' in the General Election with its biggest loss of MPs in history. John Swinney's party looked set to lose 38 seats compared to the 2019 election.

Former UK PM Liz Truss loses her seat at election

LONDON (Reuters) - Former British prime minister Liz Truss, who became the country's shortest-serving leader ever when she sparked a bond market meltdown and a collapse in sterling, lost her parliamentary seat in the election on Friday. Truss secured 11,217 votes in her South West Norfolk constituency in eastern England, behind 11,847 votes for Labour candidate Terry Jermy. Taking over from the

Drive to recruit firefighters living near station

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is attempting to recruit new on-call firefighters who live near a station.

Gas leak at Malaysia’s main international airport sickens 39

Authorities say leak traced to abandoned skid tank at aircraft engineering facility.

Starmer to be UK's new prime minister as Labour win massive majority

By Andrew MacAskill, Elizabeth Piper and Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) -Keir Starmer vowed to bring change to Britain as its next prime minister after his Labour Party surged to a landslide victory in a parliamentary election on Friday, ending 14 years of often tumultuous Conservative government. The centre-left Labour won a massive majority in the 650-seat parliament with Rishi Sunak's

Kinshasa, a megacity of traffic jams, potholes, transit chaos

Cable car, urban rail link or ring road -- Kinshasa has big plans for alleviating its traffic chaos but for now, travelling into the megacity remains a daily headache for millions of people. The cable car could provide a "small solution" to the city's traffic woes, Ndaka added -- but there is still one problem with the idea.

Gaza concerns fuel independent's win in Blackburn

Adnan Hussain pledged to make sure constituents' concerns about Gaza were "heard loud and clear".

UK left-wing maverick Galloway loses his parliamentary seat

LONDON (Reuters) - Veteran left-wing political maverick George Galloway lost his parliamentary seat in Britain's election on Friday, defeated by the Labour candidate in the northern English town of Rochdale. Galloway had served for just four months after winning a by-election triggered by the death of the town's previous lawmaker. Back in March, Galloway's pro-Palestinian campaign helped him win

Philippines Two Wins Away from Historic Olympics Qualification

The Philippines’ Men’s National Basketball Team, Gilas Pilipinas, is just two wins away from a historic 2024 Paris Olympics berth after bouncing back from a 20-point deficit in their game against Georgia. Despite a close 94-96 loss, Gilas Pilipinas secured a Final Four spot at the International Basketball Federation Olympic Qualifying Tournament (FIBA OQT) in […] The post Philippines Two Wins Away from Historic Olympics Qualification appeared...

Rishi Sunak, the stopgap prime minister who failed to turn around Tory fortunes

Rishi Sunak, the stopgap prime minister who failed to turn around Tory fortunes - During his 20 months in No 10, the premier grappled with a toxic inheritance.

Things renamed because of wars and other political reasons

Disagreements and differences lead to change, and this also applies to names. From wars to protests, many events have lead to the change of names of foods, territories, and even royal families. For example, did you know that during World War I hamburgers became known as "liberty sandwiches" in America? Or that London's National Portrait Gallery changed the name of a series of paintings in protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine? These are just a couple of examples. Click through the following gallery to learn about more things renamed because of wars and other political reasons.

Who was Lord Mountbatten and why was he assassinated?

Lord Mountbatten was a close relative of the British royal family, an officer in the British Royal Navy, and later in life the British Viceroy of India and its first Governor-General. He was the father of Patricia Knatchbull and Lady Pamela Hicks, as well as a mentor to Prince Phillip and then-Prince Charles. On August 27, 1979, Lord Mountbatten was killed by an IRA (Irish Republican Army) bomb, which accelerated growing tensions between England and Northern Ireland. If you're curious about the life of this British noble and are keen to discover why he was targeted by the IRA, click through the gallery to find out.

‘We are not criminals’: Philippines considers making divorce legal

The staunchly Catholic Southeast Asian nation is the only place other than the Vatican where divorce is banned.

Speaker Romualdez seeks probe on POGO-linked crime

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday called for a congressional probe on crimes linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Romualdez, in a statement, said a House probe shows the government's commitment to curbing illegal activities and ensuring that existing regulations are effectively enforced. “We cannot allow these rogue POGO operators to persist. It is imperative that we identify and unmask the masterminds and protectors behind...

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 861

As the war enters its 861st day, these are the main developments.

Kuliang Proposal released during summary meeting of China-U.S. Youth Festival

FUZHOU, China, July 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from chinadaily.com.cn: The summary meeting of the "Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival" was held last week in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian province. During the meeting, the "Kuliang Proposal" was officially released. In recent days, over 500 youths from various sectors in China and the United States gathered in Fuzhou to exchange ideas, visit exhibitions, performances...

Gov’t rolls out ‘P29 per kilo’ rice program for low-income folk

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is rolling out on Friday a program that offers rice at only P29 per kilo in select Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila and neighboring Bulacan province. But the rice will be sold not to the general public but to “vulnerable” segments of the population: senior citizens, single parents, persons with disabilities, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the government’s conditional cash...

The five biggest election moments in Wales

The key election moments in Wales as Labour dominate and the Conservatives face a wipeout.

India's Modi heads to Moscow for first visit since Ukraine invasion

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday makes his first visit to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, walking a fine line between maintaining a longstanding Moscow alliance while courting closer Western security ties. From Moscow, Modi will travel to Vienna for the first visit to the Austrian capital by an Indian leader since Indira Gandhi in 1983. asv-pjm/gle/rsc/ser

America explodes into riot of color as July 4 fireworks light up skies

In celebration of 248 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, millions celebrated with parades, cookouts and the anticipated splashes of color in the evening sky.

Philippines eyes key defense pact with Japan

MANILA, Philippines — The military chief of the Philippines expressed hope on Thursday that a key defense agreement with Japan, which would permit the deployment of troops on each other’s soil, will be signed during security discussions next week. Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa are set to meet their Philippine counterparts in Manila on Monday. The Philippines and Japan — longtime allies of the United...

Taiwan reports more Chinese military activity, calls for de-escalation

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan on Friday reported renewed Chinese military activity nearby with another "combat patrol" as the government called on Beijing not to escalate tensions after the seizure of a Taiwanese fishing boat. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up its pressure over the past four years, both militarily and politically. On Tuesday,

Cebu Daily Newscast: China hypersonic missile attack: 25 areas in PH possible targets

Listen to Cebu Daily Newscast and get the latest stories in and around Cebu. Here’s what you need to know on Thursday, July 4, 2024. China hypersonic missile attack: 25 areas in PH possible targets 25 areas in the country could be possible targets of hypersonic missile attack from China according to Senator Imee Marcos as she warned about this due to the increase in Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites and the brewing tensions in...

PCG helps Chinese crew with cut thumb in Antique

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it has conducted a medical evacuation for a Chinese crew who cut his left thumb in the waters of Antique. In a statement, the PCG said the 35-year-old second engineer of Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier MV BBG Qinzhou was accidentally cut by a fan blade which resulted in severe pain. From Nansha, China, MV BBG Qinzhou was heading to Tanjung Bara, Indonesia when the incident happened 20.69 nautical...

Key moments from 14 years of Conservative rule in UK

By Muvija M LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's Labour Party won a parliamentary election on Friday, bringing to an end 14 years of Conservative Party-led government that saw the country weather one of the more turbulent periods in its post-World War Two political history. Here are some of the defining moments of the Conservatives' four terms in power - under five prime ministers - since 2010: 2010

Michelle Troconis, convicted for helping her boyfriend murder his wife, claims to be a ‘scapegoat’

Find out who Vladimir Putin really is

As the world reacts in horror and disbelief to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the man who ordered the military attack, President Vladimir Putin, is being widely condemned for what's been described as a dangerous and unprovoked act of aggression. But who is this man from Leningrad who grew up to become one of the most powerful men in recent history? Click through and find out more about Vladimir Putin's life and career.

Rishi Sunak seen for first time since explosive exit poll

Nigel Farage finally won election to the Commons at the eighth attempt today, as he became the Reform MP for Clacton amid a Tory election bloodbath. The party leader surged to victory in Essex with a majority of almost 8,000.

Manila’s Legarda Flyover to be partially closed from July 6 to Nov. 6

MANILA, Philippines — The Legarda Flyover in Manila will be partially closed from July 6 to Nov. 6 for repairs, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Capital Region announced on Thursday. In a Facebook post, the DPWH said it would replace 19 units of damaged expansion joints in the flyover. READ: Woman caught illegally using Edsa busway tried to bribe traffic enforcer “The expansion joints of the westbound lane heading to...

Iranians vote in run-off presidential election amid widespread apathy

By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranians will vote in a run-off presidential election on Friday amid voter apathy and heightened regional tensions. The run-off follows a June 28 ballot with historic low turnout, when over 60% of Iranian voters abstained from the snap election for a successor to Ebrahim Raisi, following his death in a helicopter crash. The low participation is seen by critics

Body of autistic girl, 7, is found in Tennessee lake

The body of a missing autistic girl has been found in a Tennessee lake just minutes after a statewide search was launched.