Beijing and Moscow are working to influence Latin America general warns

Hungary’s nationalist leader warns of EU's demise and backs Trump in anti-Western speech

BAILE TUSNAD, Romania (AP) — Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Saturday that the European Union was sliding toward oblivion in a rambling anti-Western speech in which he warned of a new, Asia-oriented “world order” while throwing his support for Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential bid. “Europe has given up defending its own interests,” Orbán said in Baile Tusnad, a majority-ethnic Hungarian town in central Romania. “All...

Kim calls for 'people's paradise' on Korean War anniversary

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the building of a "people's paradise", as Pyongyang marked the anniversary of the end of the Korean War on Saturday. Kim said on Friday that it was the "sacred mission and duty of our generation" to "reliably defend our ideology and social system" and "build a people's paradise", according to Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency.

Think La Niña, Marcos tells Filipinos

LUCENA CITY—Despite the troubles brought about by the supertyphoon and enhanced southwest monsoon, President Marcos urged Filipinos and government officials to intensify their preparations for the La Niña phenomenon. “We have to prepare for the next flood. This is the first typhoon within the La Niña phenomenon. There’s a long way to go. So, we have to prepare. Let’s think about preparing,” Mr. Marcos told national and Quezon government...

Members of family gospel group The Nelons killed in plane crash

Members of family gospel group The Nelons killed in plane crash - Seven people died in the crash.

Cyclist airlifted to hospital after serious crash

A woman is in hospital in a critical but stable condition, says police.

Poverty rate in Eastern Visayas slightly drops – PSA data

TACLOBAN CITY — Poverty incidence in Eastern Visayas – one of the poorest in the country – has declined in the first quarter of this year. Based on the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the poverty rate in the region from January to March 2024 reached 26.19 percent – which means 26 out of 100 families were classified as poor. The figure, however, was an improvement from the 28.9 percent in January to March 2023. According to...

Sacking of Met commander over drugs test overturned

Julian Bennett was dismissed from the force for refusing to provide a urine sample for a drugs test.

15 public schools in Quezon City move class opening to Aug 1 and 5

MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen elementary and secondary schools in Quezon City have rescheduled their opening of classes for the School Year (SY) 2024-2025 to August. In a Facebook post on Saturday, July 27, the local government said most public schools in the city will push through with their SY 2024-2025 class opening on Monday, July 29, except for the following: To open on August 1 Sto. Cristo Elementary School Balumbato Elementary School...

Man arrested after eight geese found dead

Kent Police said eight birds were found dead, causing "considerable concern" in the community.

Arrests made in drive-by shooting investigation

Hertfordshire Police says it is treating previous incidents of targeted violence as connected.

China's foreign minister warns Philippines over US missile deployment

BEIJING — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has warned the Philippines over the U.S. intermediate-range missile deployment, saying such a move could fuel regional tensions and spark an arms race. The United States deployed its Typhon missile system to the Philippines as part of joint military drills earlier this year. It was not fired during the exercises, a Philippine military official later said, without giving details on how long it would stay...

Typhoon Gaemi forces evacuation, factory suspension in northeast China

BEIJING (Reuters) - More than 27,000 people in northeast China were evacuated and hundreds of factories were ordered to suspend production as Typhoon Gaemi brought heavy rains, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday. Gaemi lashed towns on China's coastal Fujian province on Friday with heavy rains and strong winds as the most powerful storm to hit the country this year began its

Nigeria courts convict 125 Boko Haram Islamist insurgents in mass trial

By Camillus Eboh ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian courts convicted 125 Boko Haram Islamist militants and financiers of a series of terrorism-related offences in a mass trial this week, the attorney-general's office said. A Boko Haram insurgency has killed thousands of people and displaced millions since it began in 2009, creating a humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria and putting pressure on

Russia's Lavrov says US-South Korea nuclear guideline adds concern, media reports

SEOUL (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday a recently announced guideline on the operation of U.S. nuclear assets on the Korean peninsula is certain to add security concern in the region, South Korean and Russian news agencies reported. Speaking at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos, Lavrov said he had not been briefed on the details of

Under Israeli law, UNRWA is about to become a terrorist organisation

The UN must urgently take decisive action against the latest Israeli affront on the entire international community.

2 Chinese nationals nabbed inside home of alleged former gov't official

Two Chinese nationals believed to be linked to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) were arrested in Tuba, Benguet after failing to show legal documents for their stay in the country. The Chinese nationals were nabbed during a raid by the Bureau of Immigration and the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), according to Tuesday Niu's report on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday. Authorities are also confirming reports of...

Marcos: ‘Do everything’ to open classes July 29

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged schools to reopen as scheduled next week “as much as possible,” even if teachers have to meet their students outside classrooms as a consequence of the recent typhoon, which damaged some school buildings and turned others into emergency shelters. He ordered the Department of Education (DepEd) to “do everything” to start classes on Monday, July 29, for school year 2024-2025. READ: Marcos: Start of...

At least 30 killed in Israeli strike on school, Gaza health officials say

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -At least 30 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on a school in Deir al Balah in central Gaza, Palestinian health officials said, and the Israeli military said it had struck a Hamas command centre. The Gaza health ministry and the Hamas-run government media office gave the toll for those killed in the strike on the school in

Rockwell Land and IPI holds groundbreaking ceremony for the Lincoln at IPI Center in Cebu City

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Rockwell Land Corporation, in partnership with International Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPI), held earlier today the ceremonial groundbreaking and lowering of the time capsule at Lincoln at IPI Center, Rockwell’s residential tower in its newest mixed-use development in Cebu, at the heart of the Queen City of the South. This event marks the beginning of the bored piling for the foundation of the tower. “We’re excited to start...

"Conquer Ukraine would cost Russia 1.8 million dead or wounded soldiers''

Russia partially controls the regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya. Taking full control of those Ukrainian regions could cost Russia 1.8 million soldiers. That is the conclusion reached by the British army chief, General Sir Roly Walker. There are no official figures, but Western intelligence sources say as many as 1,000 Russian soldiers a day are injured or killed. Russian President Putin stated as recently as June that some...

DPWH: Replicating BGC cistern in densely populated areas challenging

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Saturday it was open to the idea of replicating the underground water impounding structure in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) to address perennial flooding in Metro Manila, but finding a suitable location proved to be difficult. “Yes, the DPWH actually contemplated [repeating] the best practice of BCDA in BGC,” DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon...

Marcos orders DA to aid typhoon-affected Central Luzon farmers, fisherfolk

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to immediately assist Central Luzon farmers and fishermen affected by Super Typhoon Carina and the Southwest Monsoon. “So ang instruction ko sa DA will be to try to... para habulin ‘yung season, planting season dahil para hindi naman mawalan ng hanapbuhay ‘yung ating mga farmer,” Marcos said in a situation briefing on the effects of Super Typhoon Carina and...

COA flags Cebu City over P114.5M unliquidated funds to NGOs

CEBU CITY, Philippines— Over P114.5 million in fund transfers done by Cebu City to various non-government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) since 2009 remain unliquidated, according to the latest audit report by the Commission on Audit (COA). The unliquidated funds have translated into financial mismanagement and lack of accountability within the city administration, the audit agency said. The COA report, audit observation...

Marcos orders creation of Bataan oil spill task force

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Saturday ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force that would address the oil spill from the sunken MT Terra Nova off Limay, Bataan. In a situation briefing on the effects of Super Typhoon Carina and the Enhanced Southwest Monsoon in Malolos, Bulacan, Marcos said the task force would be composed of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources...

Ethiopia PM visits village hit by deadly landslide

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday visited a remote and mountainous village hit by the country's deadliest landslide which killed over 250 people. Officials are still trying to pinpoint how many people were killed when heavy rain on Sunday triggered a landslide that engulfed the tiny locality of Kencho Shacha Gozdi, about 480 kilometres (300 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa.

Officers remain at scene of security alert near Dungiven

Police say the area is likely to be closed for some time and cordons are in place.

MMDA suggests waste incineration to ease Metro Manila's flooding woes

Amid the massive trash that was blamed for the massive flood brought by Typhoon Carina-enhanced Habagat, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) floated the idea of incinerating solid waste in the National Capital Region (NCR). At the Saturday News Forum, MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said incineration of solid waste is allowed in advanced neighboring countries such as Singapore, Korea, and Japan. “I think it’s high time to...

MRT-3 on heightened alert from July 27-Aug. 3 for 'Balik Eskwela'

The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) will be placed on heightened alert from July 27 to August 3 to ensure the safety of students as they head back to school. According to an advisory on Saturday, security and station personnel are on standby to assist students and other incoming passengers throughout the period. The MRT shall maintain its regular operating hours from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on trains departing from North Avenue, and 5:05 a.m....

Sabotage at the Olympics: Russian revenge?

Friday morning five electricity installations of high-speed lines around Paris were set on fire in France. Military experts do not rule out that Russia was behind this sabotage. The sabotage, just before the start of the Paris Olympics, could be the work of groups affiliated with or inspired by Moscow, according to a Belgian military expert. "After all, Russia has been excluded from the Olympics, and may be taking revenge for that." Russia also...

Israeli military expands evacuation order for Gaza’s battered Khan Younis

Israel issues new orders as it widens ground invasion in southern Gaza that has displaced thousands of Palestinians.

Shop scaffolding finally down almost six years on

There have been five prime ministers since the scaffolding went up - but it's come down at last.

DSWD provides P132M in aid to families hit by Carina, Habagat

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided more than P132 million worth of humanitarian aid to families affected by tropical cyclone Carina and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) earlier this week. In a press release on Saturday, the DSWD said a total of P132,943,000 worth of family food packs, family kits, hygiene kits, laminated sacks, and kitchen kits were distributed to affected families in the National Capital Region...

Major Blow to Russia: Ukraine successfully disables vital equipment

Blinken criticises China's 'escalating actions' at sea ahead of Wang meeting

By Simon Lewis VIENTIANE (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, shortly before meeting his Chinese counterpart on Saturday, urged Southeast Asian countries to help address challenges including Beijing's "escalating and unlawful actions" in the South China Sea. Blinken also called the civil war in Myanmar "heartbreaking" and stressed to foreign ministers of the Association of

How El Chapo's son helped U.S. arrest fabled narco chief "El Mayo"

By Drazen Jorgic (Reuters) - As a propeller plane on Thursday whirred towards the U.S.-Mexico border to cross illegally, U.S. agents raced to meet it at a small municipal airport near El Paso, Texas, and arrest two men who were part of Mexican drug trafficking royalty. The son of jailed former Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman planned to give himself up upon landing. The other

NBI warns public vs. online lending scams

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) cautioned the public against online lending scams on Friday following the arrest of a Chinese woman involved in an online collection scam that extorts money from borrowers through deceptive and coercive methods. “We have been receiving messages about cash loans. Let’s be careful. We should consider these a menace to society,” NBI National Capital Region Regional Director Rommel...

Ambuklao, Binga dam gates still open July 27

Some gates of the Ambuklao and Binga dams in Luzon remained open on Saturday morning, July 27, data from PAGASA showed. Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, Benguet had one gate open at 0.50 meters as of 8 a.m. This was a decrease from the six floodgates open on Friday morning. Binga Dam in Itogon, Benguet meanwhile had two gates open on Saturday morning at 1 meter. Six floodgates were open on Friday morning. Ambuklao Dam's water level reading was at 751.03...

This is Taiwan's secret weapon in case of an invasion from China

AFP members donate 'one meal' subsistence allowance for Carina, Habagat victims

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are each making a "one meal" subsistence allowance donation to victims of Super Typhoon Carina and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. In a statement Saturday, AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the donation was equivalent to one meal from their subsistence allowance, amounting to P50 per member. Brawner added that the AFP continues to deploy search, rescue, and retrieval teams in Metro...

Israel tells Gazans to temporarily vacate southern Khan Younis areas

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Israeli military told Palestinians to temporarily evacuate southern neighborhoods of Gaza's Khan Younis region so it could "forcefully operate" there, telling them to relocate to a humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, a statement from the military said on Saturday. The fighting, more than nine months since the start of Israel's invasion of Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack,

POGO ban shouldn’t be 'selective' —Bong Go

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Saturday appealed to the Marcos administration "not to be selective" in its move to ban Philippines offshore gaming operators (POGO) in the Philippines. The senator issued the statement after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairperson Alejandro Tengco appealed to Malacañang that 12 of the 43 POGO companies in the Philippines be spared from the ban as these are customer service agents for...

Cebu City Police’s new director is a lawyer, Bantayan native

CEBU CITY, Philippines – A new city director has been appointed to lead the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). During the turnover ceremony on Friday, July 26, Police Colonel Antonietto Y. Cañete officially took over the post as the CCPO director. The ceremony, held at the Campo Sergio Osmeña, was attended by Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) regional director Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin and Cebu Police Provincial Office...

Bangladesh says student leaders held for their own safety

Bangladesh said three student leaders had been taken into custody for their own safety after the government blamed their protests against civil service job quotas for days of deadly nationwide unrest. - 'Carried out raids' - The unrest began when police and pro-government student groups attacked street rallies organised by Students Against Discrimination that had remained largely peaceful before last week.

Airport kick video family calls for end to protests

The family of a man who was kicked and stamped on by a police officer have appealed for calm.

Bohol improves, expands internet services in bid to boost tourism

TAGBILARAN CITY – Bohol, which was named as “global geopark” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has improved its connectivity service in a bid to boost tourism and welcome more investors. Eastern Communications, the country’s pioneering telecommunications company and information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider for 145 years, has launched a program to support the internet...

Putin plays with fire in Finland

Finland suspects a Russian ship of violating its territorial waters, following several incidents between the two countries, which share a huge border after Helsinki joined NATO. Finland's defence ministry has said it suspects a ship of sailing off the coast of the Gulf of Finland in the eastern Baltic Sea. Relations between Finland and Russia, which share a 1,340-kilometre-long border, have deteriorated since Finland joined NATO in 2023. On 10...

ASEAN top diplomats discuss South China Sea disputes, Myanmar fighting

US Secretary of State Blinken, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang are seeking to expand their countries’ influence in region.

Mexico’s president downplays drug cartel violence

MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador thanked Guatemala on Friday for helping the nearly 600 Mexicans who have crossed into Guatemala to escape drug cartel violence, but also minimized the violence that drove them there. In his first comments since the refugees fled earlier this week, the president went on to add that Mexico is a large country, and like many other parts of the world, “there are conflicts.” “Our (political)...

Blinken conveys concern to Wang over 'provocative actions' on Taiwan, US official says

By Simon Lewis VIENTIANE (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken talked extensively with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi about Taiwan on Saturday and raised concerns about Beijing's recent "provocative actions", a senior U.S. State Department official said. Those actions included a simulated blockade during the inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, the official said, adding that