Former PH prime minister Virata dies at 95
FORMER Philippine prime minister Cesar Virata has died, the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) announced on Friday.
· Aric John Sy Cua, Nazylen Joy Mabanglo
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Newest first · UTC+11:00PhilHealth: 25% of payouts go to dialysis
ABOUT 25 percent of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) payouts go to dialysis, its acting president and CEO, Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, said during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the state-run health insurer and health maintenance organizations on Thursday, Oct. 1.
· Dan Madrazo
Marcos to receive Poland’s Nawrocki
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to welcome President Karol Nawrocki of Poland in a scheduled state visit from Oct. 5 to 8 — the first-ever state visit from a Polish leader to the Philippines.
· Allen Limos
Diesel prices down, gasoline up next week
DIESEL prices are expected to go down, while gasoline will rise next week, as global prices continue to be affected by a lack of supply mainly because of the conflict in the Middle East, local oil industry sources said on Friday.
· Ed Paolo Salting
Nursing as an economic engine
THERE is a growing recognition in the Philippines that rapid developments in technology, particularly areas affected by artificial intelligence (AI), are putting greater pressure on the country’s labor market. Already, the skills gap has become critical; according to an analysis by the World Economic Forum last year…
· The Editorial Board
San Miguel sells Meralco stake to MPIC for P12.4B
SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) is selling a stake in Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) shares to Metro Pacific Investments Corp. at a significant premium compared to when it acquired an interest in the power firm last year.
· The Manila Times
PLDT fully acquires Radius from Meralco
PLDT Inc. has fully acquired Radius Telecoms Inc. (Radius) from Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for P2.94 billion.
· Ed Paolo Salting
RCEP opens bigger shelf for Filipino products across Asia
PHILIPPINE businesses need to make better use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to get more Filipino products onto shelves across Asia, SM Investments Corp. economist Robert Dan Roces said at the inaugural RCEP Business and Investment Summit held in Manila recently.
· The Manila Times
Semirara to lay off 996 workers as mine floods
SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) on Friday said that it would be laying off 996 employees due to flooding at its Acacia mine.
· The Manila Times
Ebola treatment center burned as death toll in Congo surpasses 4,000
BUNIA, Congo — Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed more than 4,000 people, authorities said, as they struggle to contain what has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history.
· Associated Press
Woman at centre of Cornell rape inquiry was 'failed' by officials, says New York governor
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has criticised attempts to investigate Jane Doe's case so far
· Bbcnews
Robinsons Land bringing Fili luxury hotel brand to Metro Manila
ROBINSONS Land Corp. is bringing its homegrown Fili luxury hotel brand to Metro Manila with the planned opening in Bridgetowne next year.
· Nazylen Joy Mabanglo
Filipino hospitality takes the lead as Savoy Hotel Manila wins Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel
FILIPINO hospitality has earned renewed regional recognition as Savoy Hotel Manila was named Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel 2026 and Philippines’ Leading Airport Hotel 2026 at the World Travel Awards, marking its sixth consecutive win in the Philippine category and its second Asia level recognition.
· The Manila Times
Taiwan receives first F-16V fighter planes made by US
TAITUNG, Taiwan — Taiwan received its first F-16V fighter jets made by the United States on Friday as the democratic island upgrades its military capabilities to deter a potential Chinese attack.
· Agence France-Presse
Three in four households go hungry in parts of Yemen amid fighting: UN
Three out of four families in parts of Yemen are going hungry after a surge in fighting displaced tens of thousands of people and disrupted food supplies, the United Nations food agency says.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Trump to name intelligence chief Clayton as AI tsar: Reports
United States President Donald Trump is expected to select spy chief Jay Clayton to oversee development of the nation’s artificial intelligence industry, according to multiple news reports.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Houthis accused of drone attack on Medina
RIYADH — Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis struck an electricity distribution station in the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi-led coalition said on Thursday, sparking strong condemnation from the Muslim world.
· Agence France-Presse
Global M&A deal rush fades in third quarter
LONDON/NEW YORK — Global merger and acquisition (M&A) activities in the third quarter (Q3) totaled $993 billion, down 41 percent compared to the prior quarter, marking the first quarter to fall below $1 trillion since the second quarter of 2025, according to LSEG data.
· Reuters
PBA takes another break in November
THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will take another break from its Season 50 Governors’ Cup after the quarterfinals as the pro league gives way for the fifth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers this November when Gilas Pilipinas takes on Syria and Iran on the road.
· Richard Dy
Seoul warns of ‘further measures’ against Kyiv
SEOUL — South Korea’s leader on Friday warned of unspecified “further measures” if Ukraine did not apologize for revealing that Kyiv had sent North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to the South.
· Agence France-Presse
South Korea’s President Lee threatens action against Ukraine over transfer of North Korean soldiers
SEOUL, Oct 2 (Reuters) – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday threatened unspecified measures against Ukraine unless Kyiv acknowledged a confidentiality agreement that Seoul says covered the transfer of two captured North Korean soldiers and issued an apology.
· Reuters
Female convict ‘critical’ after failed execution
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A condemned female murderer who survived two lethal injections during a botched execution by the American state of Tennessee was in critical condition and receiving “life-saving care,” her lawyer said on Thursday.
· Agence France-Presse
Gibo’s geopolitics marches into the classroom
WHEN geopolitics invades the classroom, education stops being a bridge between peoples and risks becoming another battlefield of suspicion and bigotry. When teachers, scholars and students are viewed primarily through a national security lens rather than on the basis of evidence, knowledge itself can become collater…
· Anna Malindog-Uy
WTA reduces 2027 schedule for world’s top 50
PARIS, France — The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced Thursday (Friday in Manila) that it has reduced the number of tournaments that top-ranked players are required to play in 2027.
· Agence France-Presse
‘Social media harms democracy by spreading rumors’
A growing number of people think social media manipulates and divides people and harms democracy, the Pew Research Center said on Thursday, echoing rising concern and tighter scrutiny across the world.
· Reuters
Hanwha boosts bid for PH submarine deal
SOUTH Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has upgraded its proposal to build submarines for the Philippine Navy.
· Franco Jose C. Baroña
A Democratic upset is brewing in Alaska’s governor’s race as Trump’s popularity craters
Support for 37-year-old Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins could upend the governor’s race in the heavily Republican state
· Brendan Jones
Whopping 844-pound alligator named Snaggletooth finally caught after hunter’s 4-year quest
He tipped the ‘scales’!
· Natalie O'Neill
Alison Hammond has heart check-up in hospital after leaving TV's This Morning
Alison Hammond went to hospital for a heart check-up after leaving ITV's This Morning midway through Friday's show, but has assured followers she is "fine".
· Bbcnews
Lapid says young Israelis told him 'even babies' in Gaza should be killed
There are "no innocent people" in Gaza and Israel should "also kill two-week-old babies" in the Palestinian enclave, Israel's former prime minister Yair Lapid has recounted young Israelis telling him.
· Middleeasteye
Trump accuses fellow Republican of denying Americans extra hour of daylight: ‘Have to get moving’
WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that a lone Senate Republican is blocking Americans from gaining an extra hour of daylight on winter evenings — as he ratcheted up pressure on senators to pass his plan for permanent daylight saving time.
· Steven Nelson
Pomegranate thief caught red-handed helping himself to neighbor’s pricey patch
A red-faced pom-snatcher in Fresno County has been caught looking aloof on camera with his hands full of the tart fruit, police announced Thursday.
· Ross O'Keefe
Green Party members to vote on declaring Zionism a form of racism at conference
The Green Party’s annual conference has begun in the seaside town of Brighton, just two days after the ruling Labour Party’s conference ended.
· Middleeasteye
Suicide by plane or terrorism? Speculation over motive in flight 1073 attack
Experts sceptical flydubai co-pilot’s only motivation was to end his own life and say key question is means of radicalisationAt about 9.30 on Wednesday morning local time, Tali Manes was taking her six-year-old daughter, Nina, to the toilet on the regular flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv when she heard a serie…
· Jasonburke
BRICS nation probes alleged US interference in elections
Brazil probes alleged US election interference after reports that Washington planned $1 million for a campaign against its Supreme Court Read Full Article at RT.com
· RT
BRICS nation probes alleged US interference in elections
Brazil is probing alleged US interference in its presidential election after reports that Washington planned $1 million for a campaign against its Supreme Court
· RT
Death, displacement and disease: A young Gaza doctor on life under Israeli bombardment
A young Palestinian doctor who survived Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has described what it was like confronting the burden of patient care almost immediately after graduating.
· Middleeasteye
G7 to release 100 million barrels of oil to combat soaring fuel prices
The Group of Seven industrial nations have agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil, starting with “substantial” amounts of diesel after the fuel recently hit record high prices in the United States, where President Donald Trump said the diesel release would happen “immediately”.
· Collin Binkley
Tourist killed by lightning amid Greece storms
ATHENS, Greece — A 58-year-old German tourist died after being struck by lightning on the Greek island of Rhodes, reports said Friday as the Aegean Sea was pummelled by a storm front for a second day.
· Agence France-Presse
Three reasons Middle East oil is nearly back to pre-Iran war levels
The volume of oil flowing from the Middle East region has almost returned to pre-war levels, data shows, despite the continued restrictions Iran is placing on vessels attempting to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.
· Bbcnews
Flydubai chief praises crew and passengers after mid-air emergency on Tel Aviv-bound flight | The National
Flydubai chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith has praised the crew and pilots on flight FZ1073 for securing and landing the aircraft safely, and thanked passengers who helped them during the mid-air emergency.
· Ajanta Paul
Explicit photos take center stage as trial of ‘Scrubs’ producer Eric Weinberg begins
Sexually explicit photos from shoots where six women allege they were sexually assaulted were displayed in open court during explosive opening arguments in the long-awaited trial of “Scrubs” producer Eric Weinberg.
· Jeremy Louwerse
Intensified Russian strikes are tearing Kyiv apart, warns mayor
All metro and automobile traffic is now suspended across Kyiv's Pivdennyi bridge
· Bbcnews
Gypsy Rose Blanchard shares never-before-seen pics of ‘greatest love story’ Ken Urker and daughter after his death
Gypsy Rose Blanchard shared never-before-seen pictures of fiancé Ken Urker and their daughter following his tragic death.
· Jolie Zenna
UN issues call to action on world's vital dryland forests
The United Nations is issuing an urgent call to action on the world’s dryland forests - areas that sustain the food security and cultural identity of more than two billion people.
· AfricaNews
Israeli officials to question co-pilot of flydubai flight, source says
Israeli officials are expected to question the co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash a commercial passenger flight from Dubai bound for Tel Aviv, according to a source briefed on the investigation.
· REUTERS
Kansas Senate Dem nominee Adam Hamilton accused of shielding ‘child predator’ who worked for his church in mid-2000s
The US Senate race in Kansas is taking a nasty turn after incumbent Republican Roger Marshall’s campaign released a new ad accusing Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton of failing to report a pedophile who once worked at Hamilton’s church to law enforcement.
· Josh Christenson
Shocking video shows upstate NY cops fatally shooting suicidal rape suspect, 17, who ran at them with knife
Harrowing newly released bodycam footage shows a suicidal teenage rape suspect running at upstate New York cops with a knife – then being fatally shot in a volley of bullets.
· Chris Bradford
US judge rules law criminalizing noncitizen voting is unconstitutional in blow to Trump
A US judge dismissed a federal case on Thursday that accused a Jamaican national of illegally voting, finding the law criminalizing noncitizen voting was unconstitutional and delivering a blow to the Trump administration’s campaign against alleged election fraud.
· Reuters
US Coast Guard says it intercepted ship carrying fuel to Cuba
US says ship thought to be using common ‘dark fleet’ tactics was boarded and taken to Mexico as embargo continues
· Reuters in Washington