Budget deficit widens but stays below target
THE national government's (NG) budget deficit rose in June, with spending continuing to outpace revenues, but remained slightly below the programmed ceiling.
· Niña Myka Pauline Arceo
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Newest first · UTC+11:00China in water cannon attack at Bajo de Masinloc
THE Philippines accused the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Friday of blasting a Filipino government vessel with a water cannon near Bajo de Masinloc, the third confrontation between the two sides this week.
· Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, Izel Abanilla, Franco Jose C. Baroña
20K police deployed for security at SONA
MORE than 20,000 police officers have been deployed across Metro Manila as the government stepped up security ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27.
· Franco Jose C. Baroña
Salman Rushdie testifies at his convicted attacker's terrorism trial
In this courtroom sketch, a witness describes video of an alleged attack on Salman Rushdie by Hadi Matar, in federal court in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Matar, foreground, is seated with his lawyer’s co-council. (Alexandra Newbould via AP)
· John Wawrow
Montana senator's guilty verdict thrown out
The guilty verdict in the official misconduct case against former Senate President Jason Ellsworth has been thrown out following revelations that jurors were exposed to sealed exhibits concerning communications with a potential key witness.
· Jovonne Wagner Montana Free Press
BSP score on polymer banknotes: Nil
HERE is the latest defense by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for its misbegotten policy to switch to polymer banknotes.
· Ma. Isabel Ongpin
US House of Representatives votes to halt Iran war, in another symbolic rebuke of Trump
The Republican-led US House of Representatives backed legislation on Thursday directing President Donald Trump to halt the US war on Iran, the latest symbolic rebuke of the Republican president from Congress.
· Middleeasteye
Pax Silica and the Philippines: Risks behind the promise
DESPITE the government’s celebration of the Philippines’ entry into Pax Silica, the United States-led initiative to secure semiconductor supply chains and build artificial intelligence (AI) hubs, the promise of jobs, modernization and poverty alleviation remains far less certain than officials suggest. The reality i…
· Rommel C Banlaoi
‘The country is tired of politics’, says MAP
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· The Manila Times
Ousted Ukrainian defense minister Fedorov says he won't accept a different government role
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looks on before his meeting with Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, July 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
· Hanna Arhirova
Regions Calling: Russia’s Independent Candidates Face Their Toughest Election Yet
Hello and welcome to Regions Calling, your guide to developments from beyond the Russian capital by The Moscow Times.
· Leyla Latypova
Rights groups sue France over inaction on financial ties to illegal Israeli settlements
Five human rights groups are suing the French government in the country’s highest administrative court for not acting to prevent domestic companies from participating in financial activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
· Middleeasteye
‘I got carried away’: Elon Musk expresses regret about Doge and wading into Trump’s orbit
Billionaire in interview with the Economist admits he was too consumed by politics and shares predictions about AI
· Richardluscombe
Mossad foils Iranian plot to infiltrate terror cell into Israel, target senior officials
The Mossad foiled an attempt by the Iranian Intelligence Ministry to infiltrate an operational terror cell into Israel, the Prime Minister's Office announced on Thursday.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
African Trade: Bringing AfCFTA Closer to Local Businesses {Business Africa}
Nearly a decade after the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), many of the small businesses it was designed to empower say its benefits remain out of reach. While the agreement promises a unified market across Africa, entrepreneurs continue to face barriers such as poor infrastructure, complex…
· AfricaNews
Rights groups sue France over inaction on financial ties to illegal Israeli settlements
Five human rights groups are suing the French government in the country’s highest administrative court for not acting to prevent domestic companies from participating in financial activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
· Middleeasteye
Environment ministry chaos tears France’s centrists apart
PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron avoided a messy divorce this week when he convinced Monique Barbut, his restive minister for ecological transition, not to follow through on her public declaration to resign over the passage of a controversial farming bill.
· Victor Goury-Laffont
Seth Meyers on Trump’s approval ratings: ‘Worse than Bush during the Iraq war’
Late-night host discussed Trump’s claims of a rigged 2020 election, push for voting changes and new Canadian tariffs
· Guardian staff
Spain's ex-PM claims €1.3M jewellery stash was gift from foreign state
Former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, under investigation for corruption, said Thursday that luxury jewellery found by investigators during a search of his office was a gift from a foreign country.
· The Local
Trump’s manufacturing push meets reality as costs rise and investment stalls
Tariffs alone have yet to overcome China’s manufacturing advantages as policy uncertainty and structural hurdles weigh on US industry
· Mark Magnier
Trump’s manufacturing push meets reality as costs rise and investment stalls
Tariffs alone have yet to overcome China’s manufacturing advantages as policy uncertainty and structural hurdles weigh on US industry
· Mark Magnier
Software Vendor Fires Back At NJ Governor Over Noncitizen Voting Scandal
New Jersey's noncitizen voter registration scandal has taken an uncomfortable turn for Gov. Mikie Sherrill, and the vendor she blamed for it is no longer taking the fall quietly.
· Tyler Durden
Italia en crisis: federación sondea a Pep Guardiola y Carlo Ancelotti como técnico
El director técnico del Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, aplaude a los aficionados tras su último partido con el club luego de un encuentro de fútbol de la Premier League entre el Manchester City y el Aston Villa en Mánchester, Inglaterra, el 24 de mayo de 2026. (Foto AP/Alastair Grant, Archivo)
· Daniella Matar
You won’t see the back of me before year-end, says ECB’s Lagarde
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde pledged to stay in her role until at least the end of the year, quashing ongoing rumors that she will step down in the near term to take part in France’s 2027 presidential election.
· Giorgio Leali
UK cancels military training exercise in Kenya after licence dispute
Britain has cancelled one of its annual military trainings in Kenya after failing to obtain a licence from the government, its defence ministry said on Thursday.
· AfricaNews
FM Cho urges faster progress in talks with Rubio on nuclear pact revision, submarine project: official
MANILA, July 23 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has called for faster progress in discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on security issues, including Seoul's efforts to develop nuclear-powered submarines and secure rights for uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing, a senior Seoul officia…
· Oh Seok-min
Israeli security minister joins Jewish extremists as they storm al-Aqsa mosque compound
Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was among thousands who gathered at Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site
· Emma Graham Harrison
Jim Jordan Refers Jack Smith To DOJ For Possible Prosecution
Authored by Bryan S. Jung via PJ Media,
· Tyler Durden
Pubs cheer business rates relief while other firms 'left out in the cold'
Keith Bott, right, welcomed the government's business rates relief
· Bbcnews
Iraqi PM Zaidi's meeting in Iran tests delicate balance between Washington and Tehran - analysis
Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Iran on Thursday to meet with Iranian officials. This is significant because it comes two weeks after the Iraqi leader met with US President Donald Trump. Zaidi is the new, young leader of Iraq, and Washington has hopes that he can finally rein in the Iranian-backed mili…
· SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrives in Iran to meet with President Masoud Pezeshkian
Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Iran on Thursday to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and is expected to focus on regional security issues, trade, and energy supplies, according to Iraqi media.
· SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Guardiola and Ancelotti approached to take over crisis-hit Italy
Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola applauds the fans after his last game with the club after a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
· Daniella Matar
Trump Throws Abraham Accords Monkey Wrench Into Saudi Nuclear Deal At 11th Hour
President Trump has suddenly pulled back the reins on the Saudi nuclear deal, which is likely being felt as a major shock in Riyadh, given that the deal was already signed Wednesday by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.
· Tyler Durden
Families in Guyana demand answers after government-run ferry sinks and 100 drown
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· Associated Press
Rayner rules out repaying severance cash after making cabinet return
Angela Rayner has told the BBC she will not repay a £16,876 ministerial severance payment after making her return to the cabinet.
· Bbcnews
US government reverses longstanding endangered species regulation, opens habitats to development
The United States Interior and Commerce Departments approved changes to endangered species definitions on July 10, opening sensitive habitats to business development, CNN reported earlier this month.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Comelec warns vs unauthorized transactions on voter certificates
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday warned the public against unauthorized assistance for voter certification, emphasizing that registered voters can obtain the document for free.
· Dianne Sampang
Suspected militants kill district judge and guard in southwestern Pakistan
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Suspected militants ambushed a vehicle carrying a district judge in restive southwestern Pakistan on Thursday, killing him and his security guard before fleeing the scene, police and government officials said.
Lacson: OVP request for special food arrangements may violate procurement law
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Thursday opposed Vice President Sara Duterte's request for special food arrangements during her impeachment trial in the Senate, as it may violate the government procurement law.
· Catherine S. Valente
Iran avoiding strikes on Israel over fear of Hezbollah's collapse, former intelligence officer says
Iran is refraining from striking Israel partially due to fears of Hezbollah's collapse in Lebanon if fighting resumes with Israel, according to retired military Lt.-Col. (res.) Or Horowitz, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) and former head of the military intelligence Hezbollah desk.
· 103FM
Israel says Saudi Arabia joining Abraham Accords would be 'historic'
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Saudi Arabia's joining of Abraham Accords as a "historic leap forward."
· Middleeasteye
Premier League champion Arsenal signs forward Tzolis from Club Brugge
LONDON (AP) — Premier League champion Arsenal signed Greece forward Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge on a long-term contract on Thursday.
Germany rebukes Trump over South Africa’s G20 ban
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he would exclude South Africa from the next G20 summit in Miami, saying it would be "in no one’s interest."
· Hans von der Burchard
Federal Youth Authority announces programme to help young Emiratis develop skills for future | The National
The UAE's Federal Youth Authority has announced the launch of a national programme aimed at giving Emirati high school graduates the skills needed to support the country's development.
· Alexander Christou
US sanctions on 39 Hong Kong, mainland Chinese officials will remain in place: Rubio
President Donald Trump allowed emergency declaration to expire because ‘circumstances had changed’, US secretary of state says
· Connor Mycroft
US sanctions on 39 Hong Kong, mainland Chinese officials will remain in place: Rubio
President Donald Trump allowed emergency declaration to expire because ‘circumstances had changed’, US secretary of state says
· Connor Mycroft
UK secretly considered suspending Israel trade deal during Gaza famine
The British government quietly considered suspending Israel’s preferential trade privileges before ultimately deciding against the move, according to a report by Sky News.
· Middleeasteye
S. Korea calls for N. Korea’s return to dialogue at ARF security forum
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Thursday called on North Korea to respond to Seoul's offers for dialogue and join efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula at a regional security forum in Manila, the foreign ministry said.
· Yonhap
Comelec warns Dasmariñas special poll bets vs premature campaigning
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday warned candidates of the special elections in Dasmariñas, Cavite not to engage in any campaign activities before the start of campaign period as it can be grounds for disqualification.
· Dianne Sampang