NEW YORK --- Over the years, the Broadway show about singer-songwriter Carole King has starred powerful singers in the title role. But until now it hasn't had one thing --- a singer-songwriter. Vanessa Carlton has bravely stepped into the role of the legendary King without much musical theater experience but lots from being a young woman songwriter trying to discover her own voice. Carlton, who has had ups and downs since her breakout 2002 single, «A Thousand Miles,» read the script for «Beautiful: The Carole King Musical» and cried. Then she thought of her own life. "I thought, 'OK there's something here that I think I can bring myself. I can bring some of my own essence to...Keep on reading: Vanessa Carlton channels Carole King on Broadway

Brazilian football star Neymar said he was «relieved» on Friday after a judge in Sao Paulo dismissed the rape case against the Paris Saint Germain forward citing insufficient evidence. «I'll be sincere and I'm not going to say I'm happy, but yes, relieved,» said Neymar in an Instagram post. The decision -- the final episode in the rape case hanging over the superstar since June -- comes on the recommendation of prosecutors just over a month after police dropped the case citing lack of evidence. Neymar vehemently denied allegations he raped a Brazilian woman in a Paris hotel in May. Judge Ana Paula Vieira de Moraes "accepted prosecutors recommendations and demanded the cas...Keep on reading: Neymar ‘relieved’ after rape case dismissed

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--The Communications and Multimedia Ministry is working with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to establish a new Digital Content Ecosystem (DICE) policy that is aimed at strengthening the local digital content industry. Targeted to be rolled out by the end of the year, the policy will ultimately position Malaysia as the leader in digital content creation and production in the region. Minister Gobind Singh Deo said Malaysia is poised to further grow and solidify its position as the games development hub of the region. "Malaysia is attractive to digital content and creative tech studios due to its youthful demographic, access to talent with...Keep on reading: Malaysia drawing up new digital content policy

Saudi Arabia will host the world heavyweight title rematch between Britain's Anthony Joshua and champion Andy Ruiz Jr of the United States in December, a decision certain to spark controversy due to the Gulf kingdom's human rights record. The high-profile December 7 duel, dubbed «Clash on the Dunes,» will see Joshua trying to win back the IBF, WBA and WBO titles he sensationally lost to Ruiz in New York in June. The bout will take place in Diriyah, which incorporates the UNESCO World Heritage site of Al-Turaif, on the outskirts of Riyadh -- a dramatic contrast to the iconic Madison Square Garden which hosted the first fight between the two men which ended in a seventh-round sto...Keep on reading: Saudi Arabia to stage Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz world heavyweight fight

  ILIGAN CITY---The Muslim community in the Lanao provinces is preparing for a grand observance of one of Islam's biggest feasts, Eid'l Adha.   Muslims will gather for prayer in mosques on Sunday (Aug 11).   The provincial government of Lanao del Norte gave assurances on security in the province which has played host to thousands of evacuees from Marawi City, which had become a war zone for five months between government forces and Islamic State followers who tried to set up an IS caliphate.   Agakhan Sharief, a Marawi religious leader, said several Turkish religious leaders are joining Maranaos for Sunday's observance of the feast of sacrific...Keep on reading: Eid’l Adha: 224 calves to be butchered in Lanao Norte

        MANILA, Philippines --- Senator Ronald «Bato» dela Rosa wants leftists groups tagged as behind the disappearance of some student-activists to appear in the Senate and explain themselves in the next hearing.   «Sana for the second time around ng hearing, makakarating rin yung tauhan ng maka-kaliwa, ano?» Dela Rosa said in an interview over radio station DWIZ on Saturday.   «Para marinig ng taumbayan yung kanilang side, napakabigat na issue na ito dahil kung ayaw nila lumantad, ayaw nila sumagot ng harap-harapan sa parents, lumalabas talaga na naglolokahan tayo nito,» he added.   Dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate C...Keep on reading: Bato to groups tagged in disappearance of minors: Appear in Senate probe  

      MANILA, Philippines -- Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) apprehended a 19-year-old teenage boy and confiscated from him over P3.4 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) following a buy-bust operation in Quezon City on Saturday afternoon. PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region (NCR) Director III Joel Plaza identified the suspect as Omar Ampaso Sultan, of Abris Street in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City. Operatives of the anti-narcotics agency conducted the buy-bust operation along Sto. Nino Street, Brgy. Holy Spirit at around 1 p.m. Aside from the shabu, a cellphone was also seized from the teenager. The suspect wa...Keep on reading: PDEA nabs teen, 19, for P3.4-M worth of shabu in QC drug bust 

The United States, preparing their bid for a third straight Basketball World Cup title, wrapped up a week of training camp with an intra-squad exhibition in Las Vegas on Friday. The Blue squad made up of players expected to feature in the United States' World Cup team in Shanghai handily beat their training rival White Squad 97-78, with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum leading all scorers with 17 points. With Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry and Boston's Marcus Smart missing the exhibition with injuries, head coach Gregg Popovich could be glad no one was hurt. It was in a similar USA Basketball exhibition in Vegas that Paul George suffered a devastating broken right leg i...Keep on reading: Jayson Tatum shines as USA steps up Fiba World Cup prep

      MANILA, Philippines --- Insatiable greed starts with simple and petty graft. This was the answer of Senator Panfilo «Ping» Lacson on Saturday to President Rodrigo Duterte's claim that it was okay for police officers to accept «gifts» out of gratitude. «Mr President, insatiable greed starts with simple, petty graft,» Lacson tweeted his reminder to Duterte. While at the 118th Police Service anniversary inCamp Crame, Duterte said that policemen can accept gifts from families who are grateful for their work, as it cannot be considered a violation of the law. "It is not bribery because it is allowed by the law. What I mean is if there is generosit...Keep on reading: Lacson to Duterte: Insatiable greed starts with simple, petty graft

Bela Padilla aired her disappointment online when she heard a Grab driver disclose her home address via radio. The actress said on Twitter on Friday, Aug. 9, «Rode grab today and the driver announced on the Grab radio where I live.» She tagged Grab Philippines' official Twitter handle and said, «This can't possibly be right.» The ride-hailing company promptly responded to her tweet to apologize for the incident. «This incident shouldn't have happened since we value every passenger's safety and privacy.» It said it would launch an investigation on the matter. https://twitter.com/grabph/status/1159743283112734720 According to Grab's guidelines, drivers should respect pas...Keep on reading: Bela Padilla calls out Grab driver for sharing her address

  MANILA, Philippines -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has created a unit that will monitor the illegal shipment of hazardous wastes into the country.   In a statement Friday, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero signed Customs Memorandum Order No. 38-2019 which creates the Environmental Protection and Compliance Division (ECPD).   The ECPD, which is under the BOC's Enforcement and Security Service, is tasked to handle «the processing of shipments of hazardous substances, waste products, nuclear wastes, recyclable products or substances under the regulatory control of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).»   The unit is a...Keep on reading: BOC creates unit to monitor illegal entry of hazardous wastes

  PETALING JAYA, Malaysia--The Attorney General's Chambers in Malaysia has filed criminal charges against 17 current and former directors of three Goldman Sachs subsidiaries. Attorney-General Tommy Thomas said the new charges were filed on Friday (Aug. 9) under Section 367(1) and 179 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 Thomas said the fresh charges were in relation to charges filed last December against the three Goldman Sachs subsidiaries and their key employees -- Tim Leissner and Roger Ng, as well as 1MDB ex-general counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho. The three subsidiaries are Goldman Sachs International, Goldman Sachs (Asia) ...Keep on reading: Malaysia files criminal raps vs 17 more Goldman Sachs execs

TIJUANA, Mexico --- Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana returned Friday to the Mexican beach where her father entered the U.S. illegally before she was born, this time to put final touches on a mural of adults who came to the U.S. illegally as young children and were deported. Visitors who hold up their phones to the painted faces are taken to a website that voices first-person narratives. There is a deported U.S. veteran. There are two deported mothers with children who were born in the U.S. There is a man who would have been eligible for an Obama-era program to shield people who came to the U.S. when they were very young from deportation, but was deported less than a year before the Defe...Keep on reading: Interactive border wall mural tells stories of deported

«Hello, Love Goodbye,» a Love story or socio-political commentary on the Filipino diaspora? A private U.S. screening on Monday, Aug. 5, delivered the story, set in Hong Kong, centering on the life of newly arrived OFW, Joy Fabregas who has a nursing degree in the Philippines but has taken a job as a domestic helper in Hong Kong to help support her family. The film opens with a shot of the departures and arrivals at HK International Airport. In the background is a female voice presumably that of Joy Fabregas, the lead character, expressing the thoughts of the new arrival, describing places like Hong Kong, as just stopovers: «You arrive, stay a while, then leave.» The sentence encap...Keep on reading: Movie Review: ‘Hello, Love Goodbye’ rises from the ordinary

MANILA, Philippines--TNT turned to its long-distance shooting and its primary cast anew to weather San Miguel Beer in a smashmouth Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Friday night. But Mark Dickel, KaTropa's other shot-caller, felt that patience and composure also had a hand in the victory. «It was good. [Our] energy was good,» he told reporters shortly after the 115-105 decision that put his charges on the driver seat of the race-to-four duel at Smart Araneta Coliseum. «It was [about] just not getting too hung up on what's going on with the flow of the game,» he added. Dickel, the top seed's active consultant, felt like nobody typified such resolve more than t...Keep on reading: Mark Dickel lauds Terrence Jones for keeping a level head in Game 3

VICTORIA, B.C. -- The Victoria Police Department is looking for information on a stabbing in downtown Victoria in which the suspect is described as a Filipino man. On July 28, police were called to the Royal Jubilee Hospital just before 3 a.m. for reports of a man being stabbed. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The man said he and a friend had been skateboarding down Fort Street when they became separated. In the area around Fort and Moss streets, an unknown Filipino man approached the victim and stabbed him, reported the Victoria News. The victim said he was able to push the attacker to the ground and fled to a friend's residence in the 1400-block of Fort Street, ...Keep on reading: Unidentified ‘Filipino man’ sought as suspect in Victoria, B.C. stabbing

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Allan Par, a homeless Filipino who recently gained local fame for building an elaborate shack beside a creek, flew back to Manila after an anonymous donor paid for plane fare.   Par, 41, who came to Winnipeg fromManilawith the help of sponsors nine years ago, ended penniless and homeless after bouncing from job to job and his relationship with his sponsors turned bad.   He ended up building himselfan «elaborate shack from scavenged pallet wood and other discarded materials off Empress Street, in a busy industrial and commercial area,» according to CBC News. After CBCfirst reported on his story, Dante Aviso, a realtor and active membe...Keep on reading: Homeless Filipino in Winnipeg who built an elaborate shack flies back to Manila via donated fare

MANILA, Philippines---Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals saw San Miguel Beer in total control early when it led by 17 in the second quarter against TNT. The story, however, was what came after as the KaTropa went on a monumental rally to turn things around on their way to a 115-105 win and a 2-1 series edge. Down 36-19, TNT racked up 24 unanswered points---the second-most in PBA Finals history---that left San Miguel Beer in a daze. «I think it was a culmination of things. Our defense found a rhythm and we found a comfort level out there with how they trying to play, and then offensively we started to make shots,» said TNT active consultant Mark Dickel. "Anytime we can comb...Keep on reading: Down big in Game 3, TNT goes on historical 24-0 run to stun San Miguel

TUGUEGARAO CITY---Two bodyguards of Rizal Vice Mayor Joel Ruma and three children were ambushed on Thursday (Aug. &), killing the wife of one of the security aides in a case that is baffling police.   Capt. Gil Pagulayan, police chief of Piat town, Cagayan province, said heavily armed men repeatedly shot the pickup being driven by Rex Anthony Mallorca, a bodyguard of the vice mayor, as it traversed a road at the village of Dugayong.   Also on board the pickup were Mallorca's wife, Eunice, and children Jaybie, 8, Jillian, 7, and Elyza 3. Also in the pickup was Simeon Baloran, another security aide of Ruma's.   Eunice suffered gunshot wounds and was dec...Keep on reading: Ambush on vice mayor’s bodyguards that killed 1 baffles police

MANILA, Philippines--TNT bucked a wobbly start and weathered foul trouble to hammer out a 115-105 decision over San Miguel Beer and to regain control of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. Import Terrence Jones put together scintillating do-it-all performance, scoring 16 of his total 37 points to ignite a blistering run in the second period that helped KaTropa come back from 17 down. «He had a Flagrant 1 early into the game, so we told him to stay focused, stay patient and not lose his head,» coach Bong Ravena recalled telling Jones. «It was just not getting too hung up on what's going on with the flow of the game, or whatever,»...Keep on reading: PBA Finals: Terrence Jones powers TNT past San Miguel for 2-1 lead

With its continuous pursuit to revive key events in Philippine History, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar commemorates History Month through launching its newest interactive theatrical show titled, «HistoryLand.» Las Casas breathes life to five of history's key moments through unique staging and reenactments strategically stationed in five key areas of the sprawling 400-hectare heritage hotel and destination. A labor of love of both Manila and Bataan actors, HistoryLand aims to transport these milestones and celebrate the successes of our forefathers. Furthermore, the restored Spanish-Filipino casas serve as a scenic backdrop to a line-up of stellar performances. HISTORYLAND ...Keep on reading: Las Casas celebrates History Month with newest attraction, ‘HistoryLand’

CEBU, Philippines---Mauricio Mendez is no stranger to the Philippines and he not only sees the country as a place to compete in but also as a second home. The reigning champion of Ironman 70.3 Cebu meet held a fan meet-and-greet Friday at Shangri-La Mactan here and he was surprised he drew a crowd made up of spectators and fellow triathletes. «I'm amazed, I don't really know why [the perception is like this] but this is just amazing,» said the 23-year-old Mendez. «They really make me feel like I'm home.» «Having that experience in literally another part of the world is just amazing so I'm super happy and grateful.» Mendez ruled Cebu in 2018 clocking in at 3:21:29, more th...Keep on reading: Ironman 70.3 king Mauricio Mendez feeling the love from Filipinos

In 2009, Filipinos experienced a new kind of thrill as Resorts World Manila (RWM) introduced the new concept of integrated resorts in the country. This August, RWM marks its first decade milestone in the industry with a grand celebration across all its world-class segments. To mark the occasion, RWM offers the best deals in hotel and dining with its 10th anniversary promos. Guests will surely enjoy the Grand Food Trip promo for only Php10,000 that whips up delectable buffets from RWM's signature restaurants and partner hotels including The Terrace at Maxims Hotel, Silogue and Victoria Harbour Caf at the RWM Garden Wing Gaming Area, Silk Road at the Grand Wing, Kusina by Hilton Man...Keep on reading: Resorts World Manila marks first decade with everything grand

    MANILA, Philippines --- Gabby Concepcion will replace Derek Ramsay as the lead actor for Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry horror film «(K)ampon,» Kris Aquino revealed Thursday.   https://www.instagram.com/p/B05nU8LhuSy/   Aquino pointed out in an Instagram post that Ramsay is a contract artist of GMA Network which had a long partnership with Quantum Films, the production outfit behind the upcoming film.   Noting how founder of Quantum Films Atty. Joji Alonso treats Ramsay «like a son,» Aquino bared there have been arguments between her and the former.   "This led to arguments between Atty Joji & myself because I f...Keep on reading: Kris Aquino says Gabby Concepcion will replace Derek Ramsay in MMFF entry

      MANILA, Philippines --- Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday said he will recommend the filing of protest concerning the reported presence of two Chinese survey ships in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). «I will ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to make a protest again, or an explanation what they are doing there,» he said in an interview with ABS CBN News Channel. «Everytime there is a research [vessel] of other countries passing by -- the US, Japanese, French -- when they are doing survey here they allow our marine scientists to board to find out what they are doing there,» he said. Two Chinese survey ships have been ...Keep on reading: Lorenzana seeks protest over presence of 2 Chinese survey ships in PH EEZ

A parent's breastfeeding journey is unique and beautiful, but not always easy. Understanding the multiple demands placed on modern parents, Philips AVENT is committed to developing a range of solutions to support the baby's feeding process, helping parents to feel confident that they are doing the best for their baby, whatever their feeding decision is. During Breastfeeding Awareness Week, Philips AVENT seeks to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and creating environments that are comfortable for a nursing mother. This means providing support for breastfeeding moms -- in public, at home, at work or out-and-about, along with guidance and specifically designed products ...Keep on reading: Philips AVENT celebrates Breastfeeding Awareness Month

      MANILA, Philippines -- Manila Water Company Inc. (MWCI) President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ferdinand dela Cruz is scheduled to step down on August 31, after the water concessionaire's Board of Directors has accepted his resignation. According to the company's disclosure on Friday and posted at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) website, Dela Cruz will be replaced by former Energy Secretary Jose Almendras, who was elected by the Board in a previous meeting. "Please be informed that Mr. Ferdinand M. dela Cruz tendered his resignation today as Director, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Company as we...Keep on reading: Manila Water president resigns; effectivity set Aug. 31

  MANILA, Philippines --- The water level in the Angat Dam continued to rise on Friday, and has now reached 170-meter mark, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.   In its 6 a.m. bulletin, the water level went up to 170.88 meters, which is 0.70 higher compared to 170.18 meters on Thursday morning.   The Angat Dam in Bulacan serves as the main source of water for Metro Manila Residents.   The water level in the La Mesa Dam also went up to 76.05 meters, a 0.29-meter difference from 75.86 meters on Thursday.   Other dams such as the Ambuklao, Binga, San Roque and Pantabangan have seen...Keep on reading: Angat Dam water level continues to rise, now at 170-meter mark —Pagasa

    SRINAGAR, India --- Tens of thousands of government forces in riot gear patrol Indian-controlled Kashmir. Streets lined with shuttered shops are deserted, steel barricades and razor wire cutting off neighborhoods. An eerie silence is broken by an occasional security vehicle whizzing past or the cawing of crows.   An unprecedented security lockdown amid a near-total communications blackout entered a fourth day Thursday, forcing some news organizations to hand-carry dispatches out of the region.   The lives of millions in India's only Muslim-majority region have been upended since the latest --- and most serious --- crackdown while New Delhi mo...Keep on reading: No phone calls, no groceries: Kashmir on edge under lockdown

Despite its lofty title, National Heroes' Day does not only commemorate prominent figures in local history, but also honors unknown Filipinos, both past and present, who have contributed much to the cause of freedom, justice, and nationhood. Celebrated as early as 1931, this one-day commemoration remembers all Philippine national heroes, particularly those who don't have their own special holidays or observances. In line with their nationwide campaign «Super Ka Dito!», leading financial service store network USSC puts a spotlight on everyday Filipino heroes through their month-long 'USSC SuperHeroes' Day' campaign in key cities across the country. "We want to celebrate National Her...Keep on reading: USSC celebrates everyday Pinoy heroes with ‘Super Ka Dito’

      NEW DELHI --- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Hindu India has leaped forward with his government's decision to subsume Muslim-majority Kashmir into the federal government by eliminating its special status and allowing anyone to buy property and move into the state, raising fears among residents that they will lose their distinct identity.   He did so by pushing his agenda through a Parliament that has no united opposition, presenting him with no obstacles and suggesting that his entire Hindu nationalist agenda will enjoy a smooth passage.   This situation favoring Modi is likely to intensify next year when one third of th...Keep on reading: Modi’s vision of a Hindu India advanced by Kashmir changes

    MIAMI -- Nidia Silva had never realized her dream of swimming with dolphins until a Miami NGO gave her a pair of virtual reality glasses as part of an experimental treatment for depression and isolation in senior citizens. «You're in a world you don't know, but it's very beautiful and very important for me to see,» 78-year-old Silva said after taking off the virtual reality (VR) goggles. She was sitting in Domino Park in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood. It's a popular spot for Cuban residents -- especially older ones -- to meet daily and play dominoes. «I'm very excited,» said Silva, who felt like she had been swimming in the water around Cuba, from wh...Keep on reading: US seniors fulfill dreams, fight depression with virtual reality

  LUCENA CITY, Philippines -- An alleged drug pusher was killed during a buy-bust operation here Thursday night, police said.   Police said Fernando Fabie, 35, was shot dead when he reportedly resisted arrest after selling «shabu» (crystal meth) to an undercover police officer in Barangay (village) Cotta around 9:20 p.m., Lucena police chief Lt. Colonel Reydante Ariza said in a report.   According to the report, the undercover police officer was about to arrest Fabie when he allegedly grabbed a caliber .38 revolver from his back and shot the policeman.   Fabie however missed hitting the police officer and was shot by another police officer. Fabie ...Keep on reading: 1 killed in Lucena drug bust

  MANILA, Philippines---President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he would push for the «exploitation of natural resources» in the West Philippine Sea through the joint oil exploration deal with China when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month. Duterte said he doesn't see anything wrong with China's proposal to split oil resources in the West Philippine Sea in Manila's favor. «They have proposed a 60-40 (deal), okay na 'yun para sa akin,» Duterte said. «But that could be a later topic if we have time.» The Philippines and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for oil and gas exploration during Xi's state visit to the country last year. REA...Keep on reading: Joint oil exploration deal with China: Duterte OK with 60-40 split in PH’s favor

MANILA, Philippines-- PLDT flexed its muscles going into the next round when it beat Generika-Ayala, 25-23, 14-25, 25-15, 25-18, Thursday night in the Philippine Superliga All Filipino Conference at FilOil Flying V Center. Czarina Carandang and Shola Alvarez led the Power Hitters, who hiked their record to 5-8 and dragged down the Lifesavers to 8-5. Carandang scored 13 points, while Alvarez added eight for PLDT, which is hoping to get into the knockout quarterfinals on a winning note....Keep on reading: PSL: PLDT boosts playoff bid, holds off Generika-Ayala