KAKAMMPI News

Quezon City, Philippines — [Date] — Former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Rosalyn Dalina has transformed her life from working abroad to nurturing an organic garden in Payatas, Quezon City, where she offers free vegetables to the community. In a recent episode of "Good News," Dalina shared her journey from working for a decade in the Middle East to becoming a full-time gardener and community supporter. Her garden, known as OFW Natural Organic Garden Inc., provides an array of fresh, organic vegetables including Chinese kangkong, eggplant, okra, and mustard. Key Points: From OFW to Plantita: Dalina, who had a successful career abroad, decided to return to the Philippines to spend more time with her children. During the pandemic, she took up gardening, which soon evolved into a community initiative. Organic Gardening: Dalina’s garden thrives on organic practices. The lot where she grows her vegetables is on loan, with expenses covered for water consumption. Her garden’s pro...

Manila, Philippines — [Date] — Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are among the many passengers currently stranded at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as a result of numerous flight cancellations. The disruption has caused significant inconvenience, leaving travelers, including OFWs, struggling to make alternative arrangements. Key Points: Flight Cancellations: The recent surge in flight cancellations has impacted a wide range of passengers, including OFWs who were scheduled to either return to their host countries or travel back to the Philippines. The cancellations have been attributed to [specific reason, if available, e.g., technical issues, adverse weather conditions, or other factors]. Impact on OFWs: OFWs are facing considerable difficulties as they navigate the chaos caused by the cancellations. This situation is particularly challenging for those who need to return to their jobs urgently or address pressing personal matters. Assistance and Support: NAIA authorities ...

The issue of lost or delayed balikbayan boxes has been a significant concern for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. These boxes, filled with goods and gifts sent by OFWs to their loved ones in the Philippines, often face problems such as mishandling, theft, or long delays. To address these problems, several measures and steps are being taken: Enhanced Monitoring and Tracking: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are working together to implement better tracking systems. This includes the use of advanced technology to monitor the movement of balikbayan boxes from the point of origin to their final destination. Stricter Regulations: The government is enforcing stricter regulations on freight forwarders and cargo handlers to ensure they comply with standards for handling and delivering balikbayan boxes. Non-compliant companies face penalties or suspension of their operations. Consumer Protection: OFWs and their families are encoura...

During the recent disaster, Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) made a visit to the airport to personally oversee the arrival and departure of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This visit aimed to ensure that the OFWs were safe and that all necessary measures were in place to assist them during this challenging time. Key highlights of Secretary Cacdac's airport visit during the disaster include: Assistance and Support: Secretary Cacdac coordinated with airport officials and other relevant agencies to provide immediate assistance to OFWs affected by the disaster. This included providing food, shelter, and medical care if needed. Safety Checks: He conducted safety checks to ensure that the facilities and processes at the airport were adequate to handle the influx of OFWs returning or departing during the disaster. Interaction with OFWs: Secretary Cacdac took the time to speak with OFWs, offering support and ensuring they were aware of the availabl...

On July 23, 2024, Kuwait reopened its doors to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) after several months of deployment suspension. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) of the Philippines announced that new agreements and regulations will be implemented to ensure the safety and rights of Filipino workers. Some of the new agreements include: Stricter Regulations: Recruitment agencies are required to adhere to stricter standards to ensure that OFWs are deployed to responsible employers. Worker Rights Protection: The new agreement includes stricter protections for workers' rights, ensuring proper wages and good working conditions. Safety Monitoring: Regular inspections and monitoring will be conducted to ensure that OFWs are safe and in good working conditions. Communication and Support: Mechanisms will be established for easier communication between OFWs, their families, and government agencies to promptly address any issues or needs. The reopening of Kuwait for OFWs is expected ...

GAZA: Senior figures in the Zionist entity’s government have said it is closing in on its war aims of defeating Hamas militarily and the return of captives seized on Oct 7. But Hamas’ survival as a guerrilla force and its sway in Gaza may overshadow any deal. Guerrilla tactics adopted by Hamas cells in recent weeks are aimed at ensuring the group survives, ties down Zionist forces and inflicts losses, according to a Palestinian source with knowledge of Hamas military tactics. Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the US Congress on Wednesday during a trip to Washington, pledged the captives would be released soon and laid out a post-war vision of a “demilitarized and deradicalized Gaza” led by Palestinians who do not seek to destroy the Zionist entity. In his speech, Netanyahu also downplayed Palestinian civilian casualties during the more than nine months of war between Zionist forces and Hamas. Hamas dismissed Netanyahu’s comments as “pure lies” and accused the Zion...

MOSCOW/AMMAN: Russian President Vladimir Putin met Bashar Al-Assad in the Kremlin as Moscow nudges the Syrian leader towards a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Damascus seeks the Kremlin’s help in restraining the Zionist entity. Russia backed Assad in Syria’s civil war, launching a military campaign that helped turn the tide of the 12-year conflict in his favor even though the West had called for the Syrian leader to go. At a meeting in the Kremlin, Assad said that he wanted to discuss global and regional events with Putin, including scenarios for the future. “I am very interested in your opinion on how the situation in the region as a whole is developing,” Putin told Assad. “Unfortunately, there is a tendency towards escalation, we can see that. This also applies directly to Syria.” The Kremlin said the meeting took place on Wednesday. Russia has been trying to facilitate a meeting between Assad and Turkey’s Erdogan. Turkey severed ties with Syria in 2011 after the ...

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden told Americans Wednesday he quit the 2024 election to unite the country, saying in a historic Oval Office speech that it was time to pass the torch to “younger voices”. “I revere this office. But I love my country more,” the 81-year-old said in an elegiac prime-time address to the nation urging his divided country to embrace democracy and shun hatred. “The defense of democracy, which is at stake, is more important than any title,” Biden said. “I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation.” In his first televised address since his stunning decision, Biden also hailed his Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, who is set to be the new Democratic presidential nominee. “She’s experienced. She’s tough. She’s capable,” Biden said in just the fourth address of his presidency from behind the Resolute Desk — and likely his last. Biden bowed out of the race later than any other president in...

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) can now enjoy a new and expansive lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), designed to provide them with a comfortable and relaxing environment while awaiting their flights. Situated conveniently near Gate 7 in NAIA Terminal 3, the newly inaugurated lounge opened its doors to the public on Friday, July 19, marking a significant enhancement in airport amenities. The initiative was led by San Miguel Corporation and NAIA Infrastructure Corporation, spearheaded by President and CEO Ramon Ang, in collaboration with key officials including Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Eric Ines, and representatives from two Partylist groups. According to a report by The Philippine STAR, the lounge aims to elevate the airport experience for OFWs, offering a spacious and well-appointed area where they can unwind and prepare for their jour...

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) launched its Seafarers' Hub in Manila on Thursday, aiming to provide comprehensive support to Filipino seafarers. This one-stop center serves as an essential resource for sea-based overseas Filipino workers, offering information on their rights, privileges, and entitlements, alongside services provided by OWWA and other government agencies. According to OWWA, the hub includes walk-in legal assistance in collaboration with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, addressing legal concerns of seafarers directly. It also serves as a venue for training workshops, enhancing skills and career development opportunities. "The hub addresses the critical need for comprehensive and dedicated support for OFW seafarers, ensuring their welfare and safety," stated an OWWA representative. This initiative aligns with international commitments to protect labor rights and promote decent work conditions for seafarers. In addition to assista...

Four overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been confirmed safe by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) following the Friday collision of two oil tankers that resulted in a fire near Singapore. According to a ''24 Oras Weekend'' report on Saturday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that the four Filipino seafarers on board one of the tankers were safe. The investigation showed that the tankers collided and caught fire on Friday morning. The Singapore-flagged tanker Hafnia Nile and the Sao Tome and Principe-flagged tanker Ceres I were about 55 km (34 miles) northeast of the Singaporean island of Pedra Branca on the eastern approach to the Singapore Straits, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said. Following the incident, two crew members were airlifted to a hospital, and others were rescued from liferafts. All 62 crew members from both tankers were accounted for. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Having experienced how hard it was to lose a job while abroad, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) here has set up an online space where she shares vacancy announcements for free to help those going through the same predicament. “I’ve lost count na po sa bilang ng mga natulungan ko na. Hindi ko na po talaga mabilang. Very thankful po ako kay Lord sa wisdom na ibinigay niya sa 'kin to lead our fellow kababayans to have hope, 'yung maituloy nila ang mga pangarap nila, kasi alam ko 'yung dala-dala nilang pangako sa family nila at 'yun ay to be able to give them a better future,” said 36-year-old Strawberry Ann B. Villegas. (I’ve already lost count on the number of people that I have helped. I am very thankful to the Lord for the wisdom He has given me to lead our fellow Filipinos to have hope that they may move forward with their dreams, because I understand they have to fulfill the promises they made to their families, and that is to be able...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who has had the misfortune of landing odd jobs and not getting paid right, is now a crusading social media influencer giving followers guidelines on job hunting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Forty-three-year-old Abdulhamid Bandon of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat said he is doing his crusade so that other Filipinos would not suffer the way he did when he arrived 17 years ago. “I use my platform to educate and provide information to those who have no idea or access, so that I may be able to help them in my own little way,” said Bandon, a sociology undergrad from Mindanao State University (MSU), in a mix of English and the vernacular. Twenty-six years old at the time, Bandon’s first job was as a shawarma maker in Ajman, a city neighboring Dubai to the north. “My salary was AED500 a month, working 12 hours a day, with no day off. I was doing that for a year and half. My meal was literally just a burger or sandwich – one ...

NEW YORK — Filipino-American supporters of US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressed gratitude for the substantial assistance provided by the administration to the Filipino community. In a statement sent to GMA Integrated News, from Filipino Americans for Biden Harris said the Filipino community has "greatly benefited" from the Biden administration. "His administration has recognized and celebrated our contributions, ensuring our voices are heard and our community is represented," the group said. "Filipino Americans have greatly benefited from his policies, which have protected healthcare for those with pre-existing conditions, lowered costs for millions of patients, and resulted in greater gains in health insurance coverage for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities than any other racial or ethnic group." Following Biden's announcement that he will no longer seek reelection in November, the group...

There are 67 countries and territories a Philippine passport holder can access without prior visa requirement, according to the latest passport index by Henley & Partners, a residence and investment firm. This makes the Philippines rank 73 in the July 2024 Henley Passport Index, with Singapore at the top spot with visa-free access to 195 destinations, followed by France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain with 192, and Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea and Sweden with 191. Here are the 67 visa-free destinations for a Philippine passport holder: Barbados Bolivia Brazil Brunei Burundi (visa on arrival) Cambodia Cape Verde Islands (visa on arrival) Colombia Comoro Islands (visa on arrival) Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Djibouti (visa on arrival) Dominica Ethiopia (visa on arrival) Fiji Guinea-Bissau (visa on arrival) Haiti Hong Kong (SAR China) Indonesia Iran (visa on arrival) Israel Kazakhstan Kenya (electronic travel authority) Kiribati ...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — They say people in the film industry sometimes get ideas about the scripts they write and scenes they direct from past episodes of their lives. Take it from Francis Gacer, who, from living in a "home along the riles" (rail tracks) that didn’t have its own toilet, became a student activist leading a campus boycott, before finally joining the diaspora because his father, a drummer at a show band, was murdered and no one was there to support his siblings. Setting was Angeles City’s nightlife in Pampanga, in what could easily be a variation from the late Lino Brocka’s 1975 Famas award-winning “Manila, sa Kuko ng Liwanag.” “Every film that I have written and directed has always a pinch of the life that I had. Names, places, production designs, dialogues and titles are all but a diluted reflection of my past life,” Gacer, 47, told GMA News Online. “Filmmaking for me is an art, and art is the immigration of nature and life,” he added. While worki...

BEIJING/CAIRO, July 23 (Reuters) - Palestinian rivals including Hamas and Fatah agreed to form a unity government at talks hosted by China, Beijing said on Tuesday, a deal meant to deliver a post-war Gaza administration but quickly rejected by Israel as it seeks to crush Hamas. Analysts said the agreement would prove hard to implement, with complications including the deep enmity between Palestinian factions and Western opposition to Hamas having any role in governance. No timetable was declared for implementation. The Beijing Declaration was signed at the closing ceremony of a reconciliation dialogue among 14 Palestinian factions held in China's capital from July 21-23, according to the readout. The meeting marked the latest attempt to heal the Palestinian national schism that has defied all attempts at mediation since 2007, when the Islamist group Hamas seized the Gaza Strip in a brief civil war with Fatah. The meeting was held amid attempts by mediators to reach a ceasefire deal...

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed Washington's unwavering support for Ukraine in a call with Ukraine's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, the Pentagon said late on Tuesday It was the first call between the defense heads since U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement that he was ending his reelection bid and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination to take on Republican former President Donald Trump. "During the call, the secretary reaffirmed the unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression," the Pentagon's press secretary, Major General Pat Ryder, told journalists at a briefing, according to a transcript on the U.S. Department of Defense website. Umerov said he and Austin also discussed the recent developments on the frontline and Ukraine's urgent battlefield needs. "I once again highlighted the importance and urgency of lifting the bans on long-range fires," Umerov...

TOKYO, July 24 (Reuters) - Japan's factory activity contracted slightly in July as output and new orders fell and firms remained under pressure from higher prices, a business survey showed on Wednesday. But the expansion in the service sector helped overall activity in Japan's private sector return to growth in July, the survey found. The au Jibun Bank flash Japan manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) slipped to 49.2 in July from 50.0 in June. The index fell below the 50.0 threshold separating growth from contraction on a monthly basis for the first time in three months. "Service providers led the expansion and saw activity growth hit a three-month high, while manufacturers saw a renewed reduction in output that was nonetheless only marginal," said Usamah Bhatti, economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiled the survey. The key subindex of output contracted slightly in July, reversing from its expansion in June and new orders also fell...

HONG KONG, July 24 (Reuters) - Chinese computer-driven "quant" hedge funds suffered heavy losses in the first half of the year, underperforming traditional stocks strategies at home and other popular global fund strategies, data shows. That dismal performance is leading to a reshuffle in the $200 billion industry, prompting some to even exit their businesses, market participants say. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Fast-growing quantitative funds are in the regulatory crosshairs as Beijing attempts to restore retail investor confidence. Global investors are watching to see if these funds can recoup losses following February's market turmoil, known as China's "quant quake", and stricter oversight over trading practices, including curbs on short-selling and high-frequency trading. BY THE NUMBERS Quant hedge funds trading China's onshore A-shares suffered an 8.6% loss in the first half of the year on average, which contrasts with their 3.2% gain for the full 2023 ye...

BEIJING/CAIRO, July 23 (Reuters) - Palestinian rivals including Hamas and Fatah agreed to form a unity government at talks hosted by China, Beijing said on Tuesday, a deal meant to deliver a post-war Gaza administration but quickly rejected by Israel as it seeks to crush Hamas. Analysts said the agreement would prove hard to implement, with complications including the deep enmity between Palestinian factions and Western opposition to Hamas having any role in governance. No timetable was declared for implementation. The Beijing Declaration was signed at the closing ceremony of a reconciliation dialogue among 14 Palestinian factions held in China's capital from July 21-23, according to the readout. The meeting marked the latest attempt to heal the Palestinian national schism that has defied all attempts at mediation since 2007, when the Islamist group Hamas seized the Gaza Strip in a brief civil war with Fatah. The meeting was held amid attempts by mediators to reach a ceasefire d...

NUSEIRAT: Four-year-old Mahmoud Abdel Athim Al-Saafin wakes up screaming from pain caused by burns suffered in a Zionist strike on a school where his family had been sheltering in the Gaza Strip, his father Abdel Athim Al-Saafin said. His two-year-old sister, Maysar, was killed in the July 14 strike in Nuseirat refugee camp, Saafin said. Her body was so badly burned it resembled “a lump of coal”, he said. Both sides of Mahmoud’s face were burnt, the skin raw and pink from his scalp down to his neck. Both of legs and one of his arms were entirely bandaged, as he lay in a bed in a crowded hospital ward, where Reuters saw him fitfully sleeping. The boy later sat up in bed against a pink pillow, visibly in pain as his father fanned air across his wounds with a piece of a cardboard box. Saafin said the pain-killers being given to Mahmoud lasted a few hours before wearing off. “Then we beg to get an injection, a sedative or painkiller or sleeping (medication) so the child can sleep,” he s...

GENEVA: A top WHO official said Tuesday he was “extremely worried” over possible outbreaks in war-torn Gaza after poliovirus was detected in the sewage, warning that communicable diseases could cause more deaths than injuries. United Nations agencies said last week that the Global Polio Laboratory Network found vaccine-derived type-2 poliovirus in six environmental samples collected from the sewage in the Gaza Strip on June 23. Ayadil Saparbekov, the World Health Organization’s head of health emergencies in the occupied Palestinian territories, stressed that “we have not yet collected human samples” so it remains unclear if anyone has actually been infected with the virus. But he acknowledged to reporters in Geneva via video-link from Jerusalem, “I am very much worried”. While epidemiological studies and risk assessments are continuing, Saparbekov said he was deeply concerned at the prospect of any diseases spreading in Gaza, which is facing a towering humanitarian crisis after more ...

MUSCAT: The Undersecretary of Kuwait’s Ministry of Higher Education, Lamia Al-Melhem, discussed with the Omani Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Dr Rahma Al-Mahruqiya, ways to enhance joint cooperation and exchange experiences in the field of higher education and scientific research. Al-Melhem said in a press statement on Monday that this visit came under direct directives from the Minister of Education and the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr Adel Al-Adwani, on the importance of enhancing joint cooperation between the two countries in the field of higher education and scientific research and the exchange of experiences and knowledge to support and develop academic institutions and build strategic partnerships that benefit students and researchers. The visit comes within the framework of cooperation with the ministries and institutions of higher education in the GCC countries and within the efforts of the Ministry of Education...

WASHINGTON: Kamala Harris hit the US campaign trail Tuesday after effectively clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, heading to the battleground state of Wisconsin to renew her attacks on Republican candidate Donald Trump. The vice president took just 36 hours to secure enough delegates to be nominated, moving with lightning speed after President Joe Biden’s exit from the race triggered one of the largest election upheavals in modern US history. Hollywood star George Clooney — one of the first high-profile Democratic activists to urge Biden to drop his reelection bid — on Tuesday joined a series of heavyweights in backing 59-year-old Harris to face Trump in November. On her trip to Milwaukee, Harris is expected to launch another attack on convicted felon Trump as she leans into her past role as a California prosecutor and state attorney general. “She is prepared to prosecute the case against Donald Trump,” said Wisconsin campaign spokeswoman Brianna Johnson. The theme is s...

HUALIEN, Taiwan — Taiwan cancelled some drills in its annual war games as Typhoon Gaemi (locally known in the Philippines as Carina) barrelled towards the island on Tuesday, expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds when it makes landfall later this week. The Han Kuang exercises, which started Monday, are held every year across Taiwan to train its armed forces as China ramps up military pressure on the democratic island, which Beijing claims as part of its own territory. But as Gaemi -- currently categorised as a medium-strength typhoon -- edged closer to Taiwan Tuesday, the island's northern regions started seeing heavy rains, with the Central Weather Administration predicting landfall by late Wednesday. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at an airbase in eastern Hualien, defence ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang said the military will make "flexible adjustments based on the weather conditions in our exercise missions". "At present, the impact of the typhoon is...

MANILA, Philippines — Eight people were reported dead and 179,744 families were affected by heavy rains in Mindanao due to inclement weather caused by Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi), tropical depression Butchoy and the southwest monsoon. In its latest report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) counted seven people in Mindanao confirmed dead. Four of the deaths were in Zamboanga while one each was confirmed in Northern Mindanao, Davao and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). One death has also yet to be confirmed in BARMM. On the other hand, there are a total of two individuals injured in Region 10 and one missing. The weather disturbances affected 866,483 individuals in MIMAROPA, Region 6, Region 7, Region 9, Region 10, Region 11, Region 12, CARAGA and the BARMM. According to the NDRRMC, 33,645 individuals are in evacuation centers, while 114,481 families and 572,412 individuals are outside evacuation centers. A to...

Metro Manila: 1. San Juan City. 238-43-33 2. Paranaque City. 829-09-22 3. Muntinlupa City. 925-43-51 4. Valenzuela City. 292-14-05/0915-2598376 5. Makati City. 870-11-91/870-14-60 6. Caloocan (south). 288-77-17 7. Caloocan (north). 277-28-85 8. Mandaluyong City. 532-21-89/532-24-02 9. Marikina City. 646-24-36/646-24-26 10. Pasig City. 632-00-99 11. Pateros 642-51-59 12. Manila. 927-13-35/978-53-12 13. Taguig City. 0917-550-3727 14. Pasay City Rescue hotline: 833-8512 / 551-7777 RED CROSS: 1. Caloocan. 366-03-80 2. Paranaque. 836-47-90 3. Mandaluyong. 571-98-94/986-99-52 4. Manila. 527-21-61/527-35-95 5. Makati. 403-62-67/403-58-26 6. Quezon City. 0917-854-2956 7. Valenzuela 432-02-73 NATIONAL HOTLINE - 911 Quezon City. - 122 UNTV. ...

BEIJING, China — China said Friday it was conducting joint military drills with Russia along its southern coast, after a US-led Western defense alliance met in Washington and Japan warned of a growing threat from Beijing's strong ties with Moscow. Beijing rejected the warnings as "irresponsible and provocative," hours after China's defense ministry said the two militaries had begun the exercises -- called Joint Sea-2024 -- in "early July," lasting until the middle of this month. The drills in the waters and airspace around Zhanjiang, a city in southern Guangdong province, are "to demonstrate the resolve and capabilities of the two sides in jointly addressing maritime security threats and preserving global and regional peace and stability", the ministry said. It added that the exercises "will further deepen China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era". They were taking place in accordance with Beiji...

NEW YORK, United States — Earth's population will peak in the mid-2080s at around 10.3 billion people, then drop slightly to a level much lower than anticipated a decade ago, the United Nations said. The current population of 8.2 billion people will rise to that maximum over the next 60 years, then dip to 10.2 billion by the end of the century, says a report released Thursday entitled "World Population Prospects 2024." It said the size of the world's population in 2100 will be six percent lower, or 700 million people fewer, than what was anticipated in June 2013. "The demographic landscape has evolved greatly in recent years,” said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. He said the unexpected population peak stems from several factors that include lower levels of fertility in some of the world's largest countries, especially China. He said this lower maximum will also come earlier than previously calculated and this is a h...

WASHINGTON, United States — President Joe Biden sought to calm a divided nation after his rival Donald Trump survived an assassination bid, saying in a rare Oval Office address Sunday it was time to lower the temperature of America's hostile politics. "You know, the political record in this country has gotten very heated. It's time to cool it down," Biden said in the televised speech, just the third he has given from behind the historic Resolute Desk during his presidency. As the country reeled from images of a bloodied Trump waving his fist after a gunman opened fire at a rally in Pennsylvania, Biden added that US politics "must never be a literal battlefield, a, God forbid, a killing field." The 81-year-old Democrat said that both sides had a responsibility to ease the situation ahead of a deeply polarized election that would now be a "time of testing" for the United States. The short but forceful speech went without any major hitches -- bar ...

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Education spokesperson Michael Poa and four other high-ranking DepEd officials have stepped down ahead of the department's change of leadership on Thursday. Poa, who is also Vice President Sara Duterte's chief-of-staff, confirmed his and other officials' resignation to reporters on Tuesday shortly after Sen. Sonny Angara shared the news in an ambush interview. Besides Poa, the four other officials who resigned are the following: Nolasco A. Mempin, DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Sunshine A. Fajarda, DepEd Assistant Secretary at the Office of the Secretary Reynold S. Munsayac, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Procurement Noel T. Baluyan, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Administration Poa said his resignation is meant to give Angara the leeway to appoint new DepEd officials. "I think it is only appropriate to give the incoming Secretary of Education, Secretary Angara, a free hand to choose the people that will form part of hi...

The STAR / Miguel de Guzman, File MANILA, Philippines — The abuse of terrorism laws to persecute human rights activists continued unabated in the Philippines despite the Marcos administration's creation of a well-publicized human rights "super body" in May, according to an international human rights watchdog on Monday. CIVICUS Monitor, a global research institution that rates and tracks civic space in 197 countries, also kept its "repressed" rating for the Philippines, the second-worst rating a country can have. From May to June, the country saw "trumped up" charges filed against Cebu-based development workers, the illegal raid of a peasant leader's home and the freezing of bank accounts of human rights groups red-tagged by the military, the CIVICUS report noted. These incidents flagged by the human rights watchdog are in step with security forces' vilification and red-tagging of human rights groups that United Nations special rapporteur Ire...

AFP / Handout BETHEL PARK, United States — A 20-year-old Pennsylvania man, Thomas Matthew Crooks, has been identified as the suspected shooter who tried to assassinate former president Donald Trump at a campaign rally this weekend. Secret Service snipers killed Crooks on Saturday after he fired multiple shots at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, from a nearby rooftop. As authorities seek to understand his motivations, here is what we know of the alleged gunman: 'Quiet' Crooks' former schoolmates described him as a "quiet" student who often came across as "lonely," ABC News reported. He seemed "socially reserved," but a former schoolmate did not recall hearing him discuss politics or Trump. Trump, 78, was hit in the ear at the rally. A bystander was killed and two spectators critically injured. Jason Kohler, who said he attended school with Crooks, recalled that the alleged shooter had often been bullied. "He was quiet but he was j...

WASHINGTON, United States — US President Joe Biden led the condemnation after his election rival Donald Trump was wounded in a shooting incident at a rally in Pennsylvania Saturday that also reportedly killed at least one bystander. Political leaders on both sides of the aisle slammed the violence minutes after the Republican candidate was rushed off stage by the Secret Service, blood running down his face. "I'm grateful to hear that he's safe and doing well. I'm praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information," Biden said in a statement shortly after the incident. "Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There's no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it." His former boss, Barack Obama, echoed his words in a statement on X, saying there was "absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy." ...

WASHINGTON, United States — Facing growing criticism over a massive security failure, the US Secret Service on Monday vowed to cooperate with an independent review after a shooter was allowed to open fire on Donald Trump. The 78-year-old former president was injured but survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a brazen attack that shocked a nation already deeply polarized ahead of the November election. "The Secret Service is working with all involved federal, state and local agencies to understand what happened, how it happened, and how we can prevent an incident like this from ever taking place again," the agency's director Kimberly Cheatle said in a statement. "We understand the importance of the independent review announced by President (Joe) Biden yesterday and will participate fully," Cheatle added. Trump was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when multiple bangs rang out. He clutched his ear, with b...