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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...

Explainer-France's political alliances and their election pledges

By Tassilo Hummel PARIS (Reuters) - France's political parties have scrambled to form political alliances after President Emmanuel Macron's surprise move to call a parliamentary election, reshaping the political landscape into three large blocs. From the far-right National Rally to the leftwing New Popular Front and Macron's centrist alliance called 'Together', here is an overview of the

Labour sweeps to victory in Scotland in a 'catastrophic' night for SNP

The SNP suffered the biggest loss of MPs in its history yesterday after the party surrendered 39 seats.

Man admits murdering mum-of-three

Micheal McDaid pleads guilty to killing Rachel McDaid who was found dead in a house in Eastwood.

Fierce fighting breaks out as militias launch new attacks against regime in Myanmar's civil war

BANGKOK (AP) — New fighting has broken out in northeastern Myanmar, bringing an end to a Chinese-brokered cease-fire and putting pressure on the military regime as it faces attacks from resistance forces on multiple fronts in the country's civil war. The Ta'ang National Liberation Army, one of three powerful militias that launched a surprise joint offensive last October, renewed its attacks on regime positions last week in northeastern Shan...

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.

Congratulations for Keir Starmer start pouring in from world leaders

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau labelled it a 'historic UK election victory' and told Keir Starmer 'let's get to it, my friend'. Congratulations also came from Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris.

Go vote, parties tell French voters ahead of cliffhanger runoff

By Dominique Vidalon PARIS (Reuters) -Parties across the political spectrum urged French voters to vote massively on Sunday to tilt the outcome either way as opinion polls forecast the far-right would be the largest party but fall short of an absolute majority. Marine Le Pen's eurosceptic, anti-immigration National Rally (RN) topped the parliamentary election's first round with a third of the

Pro-Palestine candidates, including Corbyn, secure wins in UK election

Former Labour Party leader and pro-Palestine activist Jeremy Corbyn was re-elected in Islington North as an independent.

PNP to deploy around 22K personnel for SONA 2024 security

Around 22,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. scheduled on July 22, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday. “Ang nakikita po natin last time po mga 22,000 na-deploy, ganun pa rin po. Unless we see may mga threats po, there will be more,” PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said in an ambush interview during a shootfest in Camp Karingal in...

9 foreigners found dead in different parts of Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — The bodies of nine foreigners were recently discovered in different parts of Pampanga, the provincial police said on Friday. “Yung siyam na natagpuan po dito, ang anim po dito ay Chinese, one Vietnamese, one Malaysian, and one Japanese,” Pampanga Police Office Director Col. Jay Dimaandal said over radio dwPM. (Six of the victims were Chinese, one Vietnamese, one Malaysian and one Japanese.) Three of the dead Chinese...

Marcos to Angara: We have to take care of teachers

''We have to take care of teachers.'' This was among the directives of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. to incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara, noting that teachers are behind the success in the Department of Education. In an ambush interview in Sulu on Friday, Marcos said he already talked to Angara and he emphasized to the outgoing senator that the government should financially support teachers who have families to feed. ''The...

Lacson says Binay-Cayetano feud over new Senate home ‘painful to watch’

MANILA, Philippines— Former Senator Panfilo Lacson said he is saddened by the quarrel of two incumbent senators over the new Senate building in Taguig City. It was “painful to watch,” according to Lacson, referring to the bitter exchange between Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Nancy Binay. Cayetano and Binay traded barbs last Wednesday as the Senate committee on accounts began its review of the cost of the building. Both Lacson and Binay...

Bamban POGO 'incorporators' urged to file complaint over alleged stolen identities

The Department of Justice on Friday called on the individuals named as incorporators of the POGO hub being linked to suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, whose identities may have been stolen, to file complaints with the DOJ. “Nananawagan kami sa kanila na tumulong sa kaso (we're calling on them to help the case),” Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Chairperson Nicky Ty said in an ambush interview. “Kung pwede, maghain ng sariling...

Russia claimed its forces built tunnels to attack Ukrainians from behind

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...

Rishi Sunak's resignation statement in full as he apologises to UK and leaves Downing Street

Rishi Sunak has given his resignation speech outside No.10 Downing Street as he apologised to Tories who lost their seats and welcomed new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer

It's (finally) Nigel Farage MP: Eighth time lucky for Reform leader

Mr Farage, 60, was joined by former Tory chairman '30p Lee' Anderson, party chairman Richard Tice and former Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe in being elected.

Jubilant Starmer grips wife's hand as he celebrates landslide

Keir Starmer looks jubilant as he celebrates his election victory with his wife, gripping her hand just hours after the exit poll revealed a massive majority of the Labour Party.

‘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.

PCG challenges China's 'monster ship' anchored off Escoda Shoal

The Philippine Coast Guard says it challenged China's "monster ship" at Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Ex-KGB operative reports possible betrayal among Putin's inner circle

Gaza ceasefire hopes rise as Israel says it will resume stalled negotiations

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Mohammad Salem and Maayan Lubell CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza were gathering momentum on Friday after Hamas made a revised proposal on the terms of a deal and Israel said it would resume stalled negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday he would send a

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

Hungary's Orban visits Putin on trip slammed by EU

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Moscow Friday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on a trip the EU said threatened to undermine the bloc's stance on the Ukraine war. "Prime Minister Orban has not received any mandate from the EU Council to visit Moscow."

Solons air mixed views on Pogo regulation, ban

MANILA, Philippines — Several members of the House of Representatives aired contrasting opinions on Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s recent statements about Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), with one supporting his suggestions of regulating the industry rather than totally banning it. In a statement on Thursday night, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda said he agrees with Romualdez that a total ban on Pogos would be...

Separate panel probe into cost of new Senate building sought

MANILA, Philippines — A separate probe into the cost of the Senate’s new building in Taguig City, this time by the chamber’s panel on public information and mass media, is being sought by Sen. Robinhood Padilla. Panel head Padilla, in his Senate Resolution No. 1063, said there is a need to maintain the public’s trust in the Senate as an institution amid issues hounding the costs of the new Senate building. “Informing the public of the processes...

Police intercept people planning terrorist attack on Olympics

Several people have been arrested in recent days for possibly planning to carry out attacks on the Olympics in France. This was reported by French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin in an interview with BFMTV. Darmanin stressed that the threat of terrorism is very high. "In recent days, we have not made it public because we are in the middle of an election campaign, but we have questioned people who may have had terrorist attacks in mind and were...

Tragic update after little girl died in crocodile attack

The girl was last seen swimming with family members at Mango Creek near the remote Aboriginal community of Palumpa south-west of Darwin.

UK's Labour sweeps to power as leader Starmer vows to bring change

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 comprehensive win in a parliamentary election on Friday, ending 14 years of often tumultuous Conservative government. The centre-left Labour was set to win a massive majority in the 650-seat parliament with Rishi

Today's headlines: Gilas Pilipinas, Binay & Cayetano, health workers' pandemic allowance | The wRap | July 4, 2024

Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world: - Gilas Pilipinas drops close loss to Georgia but still marches on to FIBA OQT semis - DBM to release P27-B overdue health allowance for pandemic workers on July 5 - Taiwan says China seizure of trawler may be act of psychological warfare - Biden rejects growing pressure to abandon his campaign, vows to stay ‘to the end’ - Binay mulls ethics complaint after Cayetano calls her crazy, ‘Marites’ https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/july-4-2024/

UK PM Sunak to resign as prime minister and Conservative leader

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Rishi Sunak said he would meet King Charles to formally resign as prime minister on Friday and would also stand down as leader of the defeated Conservative Party after Keir Starmer's Labour Party won a landslide election victory. "I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change, and yours is the only

Three Black Sea countries launch new minesweeping force

Foreign business chambers back appointment of new education chief

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) on Thursday said it welcomes the appointment of senator Sonny Angara as the secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), marking a fresh wave of support from the business sector for the selection of the veteran lawmaker. The JFC, a coalition of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, Korean business chambers, as well as the Philippine Association of...

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...

History's most infamous hostage crises

There are few events more terrifying to imagine living through than a hostage situation. Being kidnapped and removed from your life, to act as a bargaining chip in the demands of terrorists, is a horrific prospect. Unfortunately, there have been many instances of hostage crises over the past few decades, with many fatalities in some cases. Others had dramatic endings, with heroic displays of bravery and skill by secret police. Intrigued? Click on to discover some of the most harrowing hostage crises in history.

Marcos: Gov't pushing for development of Jolo airport

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Friday assured Sulu residents that the government has been pushing for the immediate implementation of the P100-million Jolo Airport Development Project. During the distribution of presidential aid to farmers and fisherfolks in the province, Marcos said all aspects of the development project are being mapped out so that the construction can start sooner. “Kasabay ng pagbibigay namin ng ayuda ay ang...

Groups ask SC to stop Marcos rice tariff order

Leonard Abella, 53, has been farming rice for decades, but his toiling has yet to pay off as he remains buried in debt. He barely earns any profit from tilling the land; whatever he earns is spent immediately to pay off his loans and buy necessities for his small-scale farm in Rosales, Pangasinan, such as water, seeds, and pesticides. “The income is small, not even enough for food… We are farmers [and yet] we have almost nothing to eat,” he said...

Horror on Italian cable car: mother (41) falls to death in front of children

41-year-old Margherita from Trentino was killed Thursday in northern Piedmont when she plunged from a cable elevator as much as 100 meters down. Her husband and two small children saw the accident happen. The woman was loading the family's luggage into a cable car going to Drocala when it suddenly shot into motion, dragging the woman with it. The woman remained attached to the elevator for about 50 meters until she suddenly fell down onto the...

How BTS' Jin completed his military service

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

Fighting for her land: My great-aunt Kamira, the Algerian revolutionary

Kamira, a key member of the resistance fighting to end French occupation, carried intelligence to mountainous hideouts.

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.

Romualdez lauds Gilas Pilipinas after win vs Latvia

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez heaped praises for Gilas Pilipinas after pulling an upset against world no. 6 Latvia in the 2024 FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT). Romualdez in a statement on Thursday said that Gilas’ victory in the OQT is proof of the Filipino’s unwavering spirit and dedication to their craft. “It is with great pride and heartfelt congratulations that I commend...

Crying children betray kidnapping at airport

An Iranian living in the Netherlands tried to kidnap his three children. He picked them up at their school on Tuesday and drove straight to the Cologne airport with his 13-year-old son and two little daughters. He had bought tickets in advance for a one-way flight to Tehran, with stopover in Istanbul. However, thanks to alert police officers and security guards, this parental abduction could be prevented. The children kept crying as they lined...

UK’s Labour on course for landslide election win – exit polls

LONDON, United Kingdom — Britain’s main opposition Labour party looks set for a landslide election win, exit polls indicated on Thursday, with Keir Starmer replacing Rishi Sunak as prime minister, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. As polling stations closed at 10:00 p.m., the survey for UK broadcasters suggested centre-left Labour would win 410 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, with the right-wing Tories managing only 131. In another...

Peterborough turns red in election night shock

The city seats were among the last to be called in the county because of a recount.

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

Couple who suffered house fire watched CCTV back and can't believe how it started

Don't leave boxes on the hob if you have a pet large enough to turn it on.

France's North African doctors consider emigration with rise of far right

By Layli Foroudi PARIS (Reuters) - In the southern French town where Tunisian doctor Tasnime Labiedh works, the far-right National Rally (RN) came top with 41% in the first round of France's election. Now, she's thinking of moving to Switzerland. "Already we are not spoilt here, but if we have (Jordan) Bardella as prime minister, it will be grim. They play on the fear of the other," said Labiedh