Bolivia’s Congress approves $1.9bn IMF loan amid protest threats

PH, UAE eye deeper defense ties

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are looking to deepen defense ties through military training and the possible coproduction of defense equipment, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Friday, following talks a day earlier at the DND headquarters between Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and UAE nonresident defense

EU sets P10.9-M aid for Luzon flood victims

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union will allot P10.9 million in humanitarian aid for the estimated 32,000 people affected by last month’s widespread flooding in Luzon, including Metro Manila, amid the relentless monsoon rains until September. The bloc said Friday the funds worth €150,000 would support relief operations of the Philippine Red Cross in some

Trump says he is banning CNN and Politico from White House

The US president has had a tense and fiery relationship with the US media throughout his political career.

Montana Family Protects Land: Cameras reveal rich wildlife corridor; easement keeps riverfront intact

A Montana family has successfully secured fifty-seven acres of pristine riverfront terrain for permanent conservation. This crucial initiative plays a major role in preserving essential wildlife habitat along the Stillwater River. With camera traps recording a plethora of species, such as bears and wolves, this area now joins a broader network of safeguarded open land, ensuring its untouched beauty remains for future generations.

'Can't afford petrol': Pakistan PTI workers ride donkey carts to assembly in protest

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers protested soaring fuel prices by riding donkey carts. Petrol prices reached 390.79 rupees per litre and diesel 424.92 rupees. The government introduced a relief scheme for two- and three-wheelers and small cars. This scheme faced initial implementation issues with petrol pumps. Austerity measures, including market closures and reduced fuel allocations, were also reinstated.

2,000 acres of South Carolina forest saved from development, added to national forest

Google's Gemini AI hacked three companies in security test

The AI model accessed the internet and guessed credentials to three websites, a Google official told the BBC.

Saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh since Houthis escalated attacks

Residents later received the all-clear after explosions were reported in the capital.

Early voting begins in US midterms that could shift control of Congress

HENRICO, Va. — In-person voting for this year’s midterm elections began Friday, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues. Election administrators say they are prepared and confident the vote will be accurate and secure. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump has continued efforts to denigrate certain voting methods and reshape how elections are run, through court challenges, an expansive federal hunt for noncitizen voters and a pressure campaign to force election officials to share sensitive voter data. Friday marked the start of early voting in Virginia. Voters in a few other states, including Minnesota and South Dakota, can cast absentee ballots in person, typically at a local election office or voting center. More expansive early voting is scheduled to begin in those and other states in the coming weeks. At a voting location in Fairfax, Virginia, 18-year-old college student Sanya Singhal was among the first to vote early in person Friday morning,

California governor signs executive order to develop AI 'kill switch'

LOS ANGELES — California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday directing state officials to explore the feasibility of imposing a mandatory "kill switch" for the most advanced AI models. Newsom, widely seen as a possible Democratic presidential contender in 2028, said he was making the move because U.S. President Donald Trump was doing nothing on the issue. The Republican leader this week dismissed fears over AI as a hoax and is urging U.S. AI companies to keep advancing in order to stay ahead of China in developing the novel technology. California is home to Silicon Valley and the AI firms at the forefront of the sector. "The federal government's abject failure to create any form of meaningful AI oversight or accountability should alarm every American, especially when AI CEOs themselves are begging for regulation," Newsom said in a statement. "We're not waiting to act — we're going to speed up our work on substantial and responsible AI oversight before it's too late." The order comes days after dire warnings from industry insiders about the threat the technology poses

Princess Diana's famous 'revenge dress' goes on show ahead of Sotheby's auction

LONDON — Revenge has rarely been so stylish. A striking black dress worn by the late Princess Diana on the day her estranged husband publicly admitted adultery is going up for auction at Sotheby’s, with a presale estimate of up to $300,000. First, the “revenge dress,” as it has become known, is going on an international tour, testament to the enduring global fascination with Diana almost 30 years after her death. The garment, which went on public display Friday at Sotheby’s in London, was worn by Diana on June 29, 1994, the broadcast date of an interview in which the then-Prince Charles acknowledged infidelity. Diana, who knew the revelation was coming, chose to wear the figure-hugging, off-the-shoulder silk dress by Greek designer Christina Stambolian for a gala at London’s Serpentine Gallery. Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, said Diana chose the “beautiful and powerful outfit” as a way to seize control of her own story. “She always used fashion as a way of expression, but this time (it) was a way to communicate her personal expression of

Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman

WASHINGTON — Influential U.S. billionaire investor Warren Buffett stepped down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate announced Friday. The news brings to an end the revered investor's more than half a century of running the group, which he turned into a financial behemoth. Buffett's resignation is "effective immediately," although he will remain a member of the board of directors as chairman emeritus, Berkshire Hathaway said in a statement. Buffett's son Howard Buffett will take over as chairman, the statement added. The 96-year-old had announced plans last year to retire from leading the business group. Berkshire Hathaway, a former small textile company, has grown over the years into a gigantic conglomerate under Buffett's leadership, and is now worth over $1 trillion on Wall Street -- a first for an American group outside the tech sector. Today, his conglomerate owns dozens of businesses, from Duracell batteries to U.S. insurer Geico, and shares in carefully selected companies, from Coca-Cola to Bank of America. "Father Time always wins. He has, however, been generous with