The Philippines’ total outstanding external debt as of end-March 2024 amounted to $128.692 billion, 8.3 percent higher compared to same period last year of $118.812 billion on the back of higher borrowings by the government and private sector, majority of which are bank loans for liquidity purposes. Based on Bangko …
Read More »PNP goes tougher on cigarette smugglers
Smuggled cigarettes (BOC file photo) MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed to eradicate cigarette smuggling following reports that the government lost a staggering PHP25.5 billion in 2023 due to the illicit trade. PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the battle against counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes is not just a …
Read More »Habagat to bring rain showers over Western Visayas, parts of Southern Luzon — PAGASA
File photo of rain (Philstar.com / Stock) MANILA, Philippines — Southwest Monsoon or habagat will bring scattered rain showers over portions of Southern Luzon and Western Visayas on Sunday, state weather bureau PAGASA said. In the agency’s latest weather bulletin, it said that partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated …
Read More »Fire hits religious store in Manila
Firefighters respond to a first alarm fire that hit a commercial area at Tayuman Street corner Oroquieta Road in Sta. Cruz, Manila on June 15, 2024. (Raha Volunteer / Fire and Rescue Alert Responders) MANILA, Philippines — A fire engulfed a religious article store in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Saturday …
Read More »21 of 22 Pinoy seafarers in Houthi-hit ship rescued
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday said that 21 of the 22 Filipino seafarers aboard a ship that was attacked by Houthi rebels had been rescued. During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the rescue operation on the MV Tutor was …
Read More »City of Calgary declares local state of emergency over catastrophic water main break
City says state of emergency allows for more co-ordination of action, and is an indicator of the seriousness of the situation. Declaration made at 8 a.m. Saturday underscores seriousness of situation. City provides new update on water main break Calgary officials provide an update on the major water main break …
Read More »As Zelenskyy rallies more soldiers, some Ukrainians now think talks, not troops, will end the war
The Russian-Ukrainian war has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. As it grinds on, and as Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities with missiles, bombs and drones, there is a growing weariness among many Ukrainians, who are exhausted by fear and grief and struggle to see an end to …
Read More »Indian relatives grieve as bodies of 45 Kuwait fire victims return
Policemen stand guard as mourning relatives await coffins of the deceased arriving on an Indian Air Force plane from Kuwait at the Cochin International Airport in Kochi on June 14, 2024. (AFP / Arun Chandrabose) KOCHI, India — Grieving families kept a solemn vigil in the terminal of an Indian …
Read More »Protecting trainers Canada’s priority as France pushes new mission in Ukraine, top soldier says
Protecting military trainers in the event they’re deployed back into Ukraine is the top consideration for Canadian defence planners as France steps up pressure on allies to join its training initiative, Canada’s top military commander says. Paris has been inviting allies to take part in a new training mission inside …
Read More »PH stock market now bearish
The local stock market has turned bearish after last week’s plunge but investors are not seen to jump in to pick up bargains this week as they are expected to remain on the sidelines amid an absence of positive catalysts. “The local market declined last week by 2.07 percent. With …
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