MANILA, Philippines --- President Rodrigo Duterte's move to lift the suspension on the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's (PCSO) Lotto operations shows his resolve to address the alleged corruption in the agency, Senator Lito Lapid said Wednesday.   Those depending on the Lotto operations for their livelihood and for financial assistance can now also rejoice with the lifting of the suspension, added Lapid, who chairs the Senate committee on games and amusement.   «Ang muling pagbubukas ng operasyon ng lotto sa buong bansa ay patunay na umuusad ang ginagawang imbestigasyon ng Pangulo tungkol sa anomalya sa PCSO,» Lapid said in a statement.   "Maga...Keep on reading: Lapid: Duterte lifting Lotto ban proves progress in probe on corruption

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed on a three-year, $100 million NBA contract extension with guard CJ McCollum, reports said Tuesday. ESPN, citing McCollum's agent, reported the deal, and the player himself responded Tuesday to congratulatory tweets from teammate Jusuf Nurkic and other NBA players. McCollum, who would have become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020-21 season, instead looks set to stay in Portland for five seasons. McCollum played a key role in the Blazers' Western Conference semi-final victory over the Denver Nuggets, scoring 37 points in game seven to help Portland reach the conference finals. The Trail Blazers were swept by the Golden State Wa...Keep on reading: Portland Trail Blazers, CJ McCollum agree on 3-year extension

Manila, Philippines --- Batanes bishop Danilo Ulep on Wednesday warned the public against individuals using his name to seek donations on social media for the victims of the double tremors that rocked the province last weekend. «Gusto ko lang po malaman na nag-iisang bank account lang po ang ino-authorized ko doon sa gustong tumulong sa aming mga kababayan na nasalanta ng lindol. 'Yun po ay sa account namin sa Landbank and there's no other,» Ulep told Radio Veritas. Ulep said those who wish to donate may do so through the Prelature's Landbank account under the name Prelature of Batanes and account number 1081-0502-08. The bishop also asked those who wish to donate to send a copy of th...Keep on reading: Public warned vs scammers asking donations for quake-stricken Batanes

  MANILA, Philippines -- Government and stakeholders should help identify new skills and new jobs as the country transitions into automation and artificial intelligence, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday.   «We have to prepare ourselves na i-transition ang current skills kasi the new operations that will be created would require a set of another kind of skills na kailangan,» Dominique Rubia-Tutay director of DOLE's Bureau of Employment told reporters after a forum on the 4th Industrial Revolution in Malate, Manila.   "Ang caution dito when we transition from one skill to another it will take about four years dapat ng...Keep on reading: Stakeholders, gov’t must be ready for automation, AI in workplace -DOLE exec

LAUSANNE, Switzerland--- Caster Semenya won't defend her title in the 800 meters at the world championships this fall after a Swiss court overturned a temporary ruling that allowed her to compete in international events without taking testosterone-suppressing drugs. Semenya is locked in a court battle with the IAAF, track and field's governing body, over rules that require her to take the drugs to counter her naturally high testosterone levels. On Tuesday, a judge from the Swiss Federal Supreme Court reversed a June ruling that had temporarily thrown out the IAAF regulations upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport while her appeal is pending. Semenya, a 28-year-old from So...Keep on reading: Caster Semenya won’t defend 800 world title after court setback

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Grace Poe said she still is not ready to support the proposed reimposition of the death penalty being pushed and pursued by Senate allies of President Duterte.   «Sabi ko nga, popular ngayon ang death penalty sapagkat maraming kaalyado ang ating Pangulo. Ako naman 'pag sa tingin ko makakatulong, sumasama naman din ako sa kanilang mga adhikain (The death penalty bill is popular because the President has many allies in Congress. I will join their advocacies if I believe they will be helpful),» she said over DZMM on Wednesday.   "Kaya lang, ang problema ko sa death penalty ang ating hudikatura, 'yung judicial system natin overburdened, ibi...Keep on reading: Poe still says no to ‘popular’ death penalty bill

  MANILA, Philippines --- The dry run of the provincial bus ban along Edsa will still push through but violators will not be made to pay for penalties, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Wednesday.   MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the agency is eyeing to implement the dry run next week, August 6 or 7, but penalties will not be imposed on violators of the ban.   READ: MMDA eyes dry run of provincial bus ban on August 6 or 7 --- exec     «Baka ang mangyari, we will do the dry run without enforcement,» Garcia told reporters in an interview, also answering affirmatively when asked if there will no longer be penalt...Keep on reading: Edsa provincial bus ban dry run to push through without fines — MMDA

BEIJING --- Chinese travelers visiting Iran for travel or business purpose do not need visa anymore, confirmed the Chinese embassy in Iran on Tuesday. Chinese citizens holding passports of the People's Republic of China, or of the Hong Kong or Macao special administrative regions of the PRC can enjoy visa-free travel to Iran. They can stay in the country for up to 21 days. The policy came into effect on July 16. However, Iranian passport holders are still required to apply for a visa when travelling to China. The Chinese consulates general and the Chinese embassy in Iran reminded Chinese citizens of rules and safety measures: 1) Always respect the local customs and hab...Keep on reading: Iran introduces visa-free policy for Chinese citizens

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0TrbRmgiKt/ LOS ANGELES--In a stunning photo, a wildlife photographer has captured a sea lion falling into the mouth of a humpback whale in what he calls a «once-in-a-lifetime» moment. Chase Dekker, who is also a marine biologist, took the spectacular shot during a whale-watching boat trip off the coast of Monterey Bay, in California, last week. «I get to see a lot of crazy stuff but never this,» said the 27-year-old who has been taking pictures of wildlife for nearly a decade. He said he was on a whale-watching boat trip on July 22 when he noticed a group of humpback whales on a feeding frenzy. As the animals were munching on anchovies, an unl...Keep on reading: Rare photo captures sea lion falling into mouth of whale

HARBIN - An artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring platform, aiming to protect wildlife, has been jointly established, local authorities said Tuesday. The AI big data real-time monitoring platform, co-developed by the Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) and HIT Big Data Group, is expected to support research on ecological systems, animal populations and individual animals through advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning and neuro-linguistic processing. Internet of Things, big data and intelligent machine vision will also enable the platform to establish individual recogn...Keep on reading: China establishes AI monitoring platform to protect wildlife

  SINGAPORE -- Two Singapore soldiers were charged in military court Wednesday over the death of a popular actor during reservist training in a case that has sparked calls for changes to the country's system of conscription. Aloysius Pang, who starred in Singapore-produced Chinese language TV shows and movies, was completing compulsory reservist training in New Zealand in January when he suffered serious injuries while repairing artillery. The 28-year-old, who first rose to fame in the predominantly ethnic Chinese city-state as a child actor, died later in hospital. Pang's death -- and those of three other servicemen in the space of 17 months-- prompted widespread cr...Keep on reading: 2 Singapore soldiers charged over actor’s death in training

SEOUL ---Regional associations of Korean pharmacists are boycotting imported over-the-counter drugs from Japan, recommending Korean alternative products to patients. Some of the popular Japanese OTC drugs in Korea include: Takeda Pharmaceutical's fatigue-combating vitamin Actinium; teardrop solution Rohto; stomatitis treatment Albothyl; cold remedy Whituben; Kobayashi Medicine's eye-cleansing agent Eyebon; Nichiban's bandage Careleaves; and Kowa's digestion medicine Cabagin. According to industry sources, the movement against Japanese medicines started in North Jeolla Province in mid-July, spreading to South Gyeongsang Province and Busan. The local pharmacies announced resoluti...Keep on reading: Korean pharmacists boycott Japanese over-the-counter drugs

MANILA, Philippines --- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against an illegal perfume investment scheme propagated by Scentko World Corp. and its parent firm, Brendahl Cruz Holdings Inc. These entities have been promising a 400-percent return on their «buy and earn» program. In an advisory posted on July 31, SEC's Enforcement and Investor Protection Department noted that Scentko and Brendhal Cruz Holdings had not secured a secondary license to solicit investments from the public. "In view thereof, the public is hereby advised to exercise caution in dealing with any individuals or group of persons soliciting investments or recruiting investors for and ...Keep on reading: SEC warns against perfume investment scam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHNzOHi8sJs SEOUL ---The music video of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's 2018 song «Ddu-du Ddu-du» has hit the milestone of 900 million YouTube views, becoming the first music video by a K-pop group to do so, its management agency said Wednesday. The addictive, stylish music video hit the 900 million record late Tuesday, slightly more than one year after its release in June last year, according to YG Entertainment. It makes BLACKPINK the only K-pop act that has achieved the feat so far and «Ddu-du Ddu-du» the most viewed music video by a K-pop group on YouTube, YG said. The four-piece girl group is one of the most prominent record breakers on t...Keep on reading: BLACKPINK’s ‘Ddu-du Ddu-du’ gets 1st K-pop group record of 900M YouTube views

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Grace Poe said she is not ready to support the proposed reimposition of the death penalty being pushed and pursued by Senate allies of President Duterte.   «Sabi ko nga, popular ngayon ang death penalty sapagkat maraming kaalyado ang ating Pangulo. Ako naman 'pag sa tingin ko makakatulong, sumasama naman din ako sa kanilang mga adhikain (The death penalty bill is popular because the President has many allies in Congress. I will join their advocacies if I believe they will be helpful),» she said over DZMM on Wednesday.   "Kaya lang, ang problema ko sa death penalty ang ating hudikatura, 'yung judicial system natin overburdened, ibig sabi...Keep on reading: Poe says no to death penalty bill

TOKYO - Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday as investors looked cautiously ahead to a key policy update from the U.S. Federal Reserve later in the day.     Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 1.0% to 21,490.57 in early trading.   Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.3% to 6,823.70. South Korea's Kospi dropped 1.1% to 2,015.92. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 1.4% to 27,763.20, while the Shanghai Composite edged down 0.8% to 2,929.09.     On Wall Street, a mixed batch of corporate earnings helped drag indexes slightly lower Tuesday, pulling the market farther from its recent record highs for the second straight day.   The S&am...Keep on reading: Asian shares fall as markets look to US Fed rate decision

MANILA, Philippines --- Fears that some of the thousands of Chinese nationals who have been staying in the Philippines to work could be part of China's People's Liberation Army are just products of «wild imagination,» National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Wednesday. The number of Chinese nationals arriving in the Philippines has nearly tripled since 2016 with the majority of them working for the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo). These workers would fill hotel rooms and office towers, swamp condominiums and boost retail sales. But despite the economic benefits, there has been a mounting fear that Chinese workers are taking jobs, evading taxes and committing...Keep on reading: Chinese workers in PH part of Beijing’s army? ‘Wild imagination’ – Esperon

  MANILA, Philippines --- President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a former military official as member of theMetropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) board of trustees.   Duterte appointed Emmanuel Salamat, former chief of the military's Northern Luzon Command, on July 29. Salamat retired on July 15.   In a speech on June 17, the President said he would wanted Salamat to be the next MWSS administrator.   READ: Duterte to appoint Nolcom's Salamat as next MWSS chief   Former police general, Reynaldo Velasco, who is currently the MWSS administrator was also reappointed on July 29 as member of the MWSS board of trustees.  ...Keep on reading: Duterte appoints ex-Nolcom chief to MWSS board of trustees

A 79-year-old woman in Ohio, USA, has been receiving citations since 2017 for illegally caring for stray cats. Her latest citation led to a sentence of 10 days in jail. Nancy Segula received her sentence after appearing in front of Magistrate Jeffrey Short last week. She is expected to report on Aug. 11, WJW reported on Monday, July 29. Segula believes the punishment is «too much...when there are so many people out there that do bad things.» Her son Dave Pawlowski is alarmed about the sentence too. «I'm sure people hear about the things that happen downtown in that jail. And they are going to let my 79-year-old mother go there?» he told WJW. Garfield Heights, a city in Ohio, has ...Keep on reading: Woman, 79, sentenced to jail for feeding stray cats

  MANILA, Philippines --- Traffic flow along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) has become slightly better on the third day of the 60-day drive to clear public roads of obstructions, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Wednesday.   MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said heavy traffic along the outer roads connected to Edsa, are caused by illegal sidewalk vendors and other obstructions that cause vehicles to slow down.   READ: DILG kicks off 60-day countdown for Metro Manila cleanup   «Medyo naman po,» he said if he thinks the clearing operations have helped improve the traffic situation in Edsa. "Kaya naman talaga nagtatraffi...Keep on reading: Edsa traffic flow ‘slightly better’ amid road clearing drive — MMDA

Rock band Itchyworms has released its 2013 song «Ayokong Tumanda» with Chinese lyrics on Tuesday, July 30. The song title's Mandarin translation is «W Zhn Bxing Bin Lo.» The band posted the 2013 music video on YouTube and dubbed it over with Mandarin lyrics, along with subtitles in Chinese characters and pinyin. The translation is credited to one Filbert Uy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Z5TPw_ko0 The band did not give an explanation for the translated re-release, though lead singer Jugs Jugueta and bassist Kelvin Yu did attend Xavier School, which has a Chinese language program. The translated song comes after a noticeable influx of Chinese workers in the country. Movie theater...Keep on reading: WATCH: Itchyworms releases Chinese version of ‘Ayokong Tumanda’

  HONG KONG --- Supporters rallied outside a court in Hong Kong on Wednesday ahead of an appearance by 23 fellow protesters who have been charged with rioting.   Standing in a heavy rain, they chanted «Reclaim Hong Kong, revolution of our times» in what has become a familiar refrain. They are protesting China's influence in the city, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory with its own laws and legal system.   Police said late Tuesday that 44 people had been charged with rioting and one other with possessing offensive weapons. It wasn't immediately clear if the others would appear in court later.   They were detained after clashes with police at a...Keep on reading: More than 20 charged with rioting appear in Hong Kong court

SAO PAULO --- Brazilian police said Tuesday they have decided there are no grounds to bring rape charges against soccer star Neymar. And they're investigating whether his accuser filed a false report. «We checked all the possibilities. I did not see enough elements to indict,» Sao Paulo police investigator Juliana Lopes Bussacos said in a press conference. She also rejected possible assault charges. Bussacos' decision could be revised by prosecutors within 15 days. Brazilian model Najila Trindade accused the 27-year-old forward of raping her in a Paris hotel in May. He denied the accusation and said their relations were consensual. Bussacos interviewed Trindade three ti...Keep on reading: Brazilian police dismiss rape claim against Neymar

  MANILA, Philippines --- President Rodrigo Duterte will not ask Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to take a leave of absence fromoffice despite allegations of corruption.   «No,» Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo briefly answered in a radio dzRH interview when asked if Duterte had ask Duque to take a leave.   Panelo on Tuesday told reporters that the President still trusts Duque despite allegations of conflict of interest against the health chief due to his family's dealings with government. READ: Duterte still trusts Duque despite controversies -- Panelo   An Inquirer report earlier bared that Duque's family bagged government ...Keep on reading: Duterte will not ask Duque to take leave of absence – Palace 

MANILA, Philippines - Eighty six local government units (LGUs) have passed smoke-free ordinances since President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law a bill banning smoking in public places nationwide two years ago, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Wednesday.   «We saw an active adoption by local government units of smoke-free policies on the protection of the public from exposure to tobacco smoke, establishing designated smoking areas (DSAs), and creating Smoke-free Task Force, among others,» DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a statement.   Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 26 on May 2017, banning smoking in public places, whet...Keep on reading: DILG cites LGUs complying with smoking ban law

LOS ANGELES --- The penalty phase of a copyright infringement trial over Katy Perry's hit «Dark Horse» opened Tuesday with attorneys for the creators of a Christian rap song telling jurors that the pop superstar's 2013 song earned $41 million overall. The figure will be a key point of contention in determining how much Perry and her collaborators owe the makers of the 2009 song «Joyful Noise.» Most of the dispute will center on the $31 million Capitol Records received from the song. The label contends that after factoring in costs, its profit was a mere $630,000. Perry's lawyers say her «Dark Horse» earnings amounted to $3.2 million, minus $800,000 in costs. "I don't want to...Keep on reading: Jury told Katy Perry hit ‘Dark Horse’ earned $41M

MANILA, Philippines --- Two weather systems will bring rains in most parts of the country, the state weather bureau said Wednesday. The southwest monsoon, which continues to affect the western section of Luzon, is being enhanced by a tropical depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms. A trough of a low pressure area on the eastern side of the country will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao Region. Metro Manila ...Keep on reading: 2 weather systems to bring rain in the country

RZA (RIHZ'-uh) of the Wu-Tang Clan says he's concerned over what he calls a hostage situation for fellow rapper A$AP Rocky, who's charged with assault in Sweden. RZA told The Associated Press at an event Friday promoting the Hulu drama series «Wu-Tang: An American Saga» that he doesn't condone violence, but celebrities have to protect themselves, and Rocky is not dangerous or a criminal. He says he's «disappointed in Sweden» and «disappointed that a judge cannot discern that this is not a man you hold hostage.» Swedish prosecutors say Rocky and two others attacked a man there. Rocky says he acted in self-defense. He's been in custody since July 3. Related Articles Toro...Keep on reading: A$Ap Rocky Is a Hostage in Sweden According to Rapper Rza

Brazilian police said Tuesday they have decided there are no grounds to bring rape charges against PSG Superstar Neymar. And they're investigating whether his accuser filed a false report. «We checked all the possibilities. I did not see enough elements to indict,» Sao Paulo police investigator Juliana Lopes Bussacos said in a press conference. She also rejected possible assault charges. Bussacos' decision could be revised by prosecutors within 15 days. Brazilian model Najila Trindade accused the 27-year-old forward of raping her in a Paris hotel in May. He denied the accusation and said their relations were consensual. Bussacos interviewed Trindade three times about her cla...Keep on reading: Neymar Jr Rape Charges Dismissed

MANILA, Philippines --- «Why do we always blame the girl?»   This was Kris Aquino's reaction when asked to request for Erich Gonzales' opinion on the controversy hounding her friends Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson, who has reportedly broken up with Bea Alonzo.   https://www.instagram.com/p/B0in8fFBM1b/?igshid=h3fm60ewks6r   «Kris, ask naman Erich about the Julia-Bea feud,» a netizen wrote Tuesday on Aquino's Instagram photo with Gonzales and family.   «Pwedeng wag nega? Ang hindi natin buhay wag na nating guluhin especially Erich na hindi directly involved?» Aquino replied.   "Obviously alam natin mahal ko si Bea but diba unfair ...Keep on reading: Kris Aquino on Julia-Gerald issue: Why do we always blame the girl?

Democrats gathering in Detroit for a pivotal presidential debate will have to decide, once again, how to respond to President Donald Trump while presenting their own vision for the country. Candidates are sure to use the high-profile setting on Tuesday and Wednesday to blast Trump's recent string of racist and incendiary tweets and comments, first about four congresswomen and more recently about Baltimore, a racially diverse U.S. city that, like Detroit, has faced challenges. But they'll also be under pressure to provide specifics about how they would improve the lives of Americans by lowering the cost of health care or protecting jobs at a time when the economy is showing signs of...Keep on reading: Us Debate Gives Democrats The Last Chance to Shine

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea on Wednesday fired several unidentified projectiles off its east coast, South Korea's military said, less than a week after the North launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea.     Observers say the launches were aimed at ramping up pressure on the United States to make concessions as the two countries are struggling to resume diplomacy on the North's nuclear weapons program.   South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the latest launches were done from the North's northeastern area. It said South Korea's military is monitoring for possible additional launches by North Korea.   It w...Keep on reading: North Korea has fired unidentified projectiles, South Korea claims

MANILA, Philippines --- Lotto operators may now remove the «closed» signs posted by the police at their outlets, according to Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Banac issued the statement on Tuesday shortly after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the suspension of the numbers game operated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). According to Banac, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, PNP chief, had ordered all units to visit all Lotto outlets and assist operators in removing the signs if needed. Earlier, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced the lifting of the suspension, saying the President gave the order upon the ad...Keep on reading: Lotto outlets may now remove ‘closed’ signs

MANILA, Philippines --- Three Chinese officials have congratulated new House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and vowed to work with the lawmaker to deepen ties with the Philippines. In a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy Tuesday night, China's Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua underscored his country's readiness to «work jointly» with Cayetano. «Ambassador Zhao extended his appreciation for the significant contribution that Hon. Speaker Cayetano has made to promoting China-Philippines relations, as an old and good friend of Chinese people,» the statement read. "He also underlined that China stands ready to work jointly with Hon. Speaker to further deepen exchanges...Keep on reading: China ready to work with Speaker Cayetano

  «Dreams come true po.» That's what Zephanie Dimaranan told Inquirer Entertainment when we asked her what immediately came to mind the minute she was declared the first winner of ABS-CBN's talent search, «Idol Philippines,» last Sunday.   Zephanie may only be 16, but the young «kontesera» has been through some of the toughest competitions this side of Tinseltown.   When she bested Lucas Garcia and Lance Busa for the coveted crown last Sunday, the pretty teenager from Laguna couldn't help but look back at how hard she fought to keep her dream of singing stardom alive.   But third time's the charm, as they say---after all, it would have been ea...Keep on reading: Zephanie on her toughest competitor for ‘Idol PH’ crown: Myself