After rebel offensive, efforts to push them back appear to have stalled

DMW: PH, Luxembourg eye labor pact to open more jobs for Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Luxembourg are exploring a labor cooperation agreement that could open up more overseas employment opportunities for skilled Filipino workers in the European country, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Saturday. The proposed Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on labor cooperation seeks to expand job opportunities for overseas

Trump golf course tree felling sparks probe into alleged government misconduct

Florida homeowner breaks leg outside court; appeals court orders new insurance trial

Women do not rate men with lower-than-average voices as more attractive when they can see them, finds study

According to recent findings from Durham University, deeper voices in men don't necessarily increase their appeal to women. The study highlighted that while a lower vocal pitch may convey strength and dominance, it does not enhance attractiveness ratings. Involving 17 men, the researchers carefully altered their voices to observe reactions. The results indicate that women's perceptions of attraction are more influenced by visual aspects than by vocal qualities.

DMW: Filipino seafarer killed in drone attack on Persian Gulf tanker

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino seafarer died after a suspected drone attack hit the Marshall Islands-flagged oil products tanker MT Velos Sapphire in the Persian Gulf last Thursday, Nov. 5, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The DMW said on Saturday that 21 other Filipino crew members onboard the vessel were unharmed. READ:

What we know so far after Krakow gun attack

Six people were killed in a random shooting in Krakow's main square, and three bodies were later found at the home of the attacker.

Russia targets Ukrainian rescue workers at site of Zaporizhzhia bombing that killed 55

Can’t cook or shower: Indonesians take aim at AI data centers

BATAM, Indonesia — Cooking and bathing became difficult when taps ran dry on Batam, an Indonesian island where residents are protesting as data centers spring up to power the global artificial intelligence boom. The area had suffered a “long drought” caused by low rainfall, the local water utility operator told AFP, as a strong El

Poland in shock after 6 die in Krakow mass shooting

KRAKOW — A Polish gunman likely influenced by far-right ideology killed six people in the main square of the southern city of Krakow before police shot and arrested him, officials said on Saturday, adding that three more bodies were found in his home. The scenes of blood and bodies strewn across the historic heart of one of Poland's main tourist attractions shocked a nation that has long viewed itself as safer than western European neighbours that have witnessed such attacks in the past. The mass shooting of unprecedented scale adds to the sense of unease built by a string of school stabbings in October which authorities said was influenced by violent and extremist content online. "Everything points to the fact that the shooter was influenced by far-right ideology, a matter that will also be subject to investigation," Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski told a news briefing. "Police officers are on-site, as are agents from the Internal Security Agency, both here at the scene and at the individual's family home." Polish authorities have said four women and two men were killed in the atta

Trump says he wants UFC chief Dana White for White House press secretary

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had asked mixed martial arts promoter Dana White to serve as White House press secretary and called on him to bring some fighters along as assistants "even though some are not from our country." White, chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is a "violent Fighter and Warrior," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. Trump also asked for six current or former UFC titleholders to join White, including two athletes from Russia's Dagestan region, Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov; Americans Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier and "Kayla Harris," likely a reference to Kayla Harrison; and Amanda Nunes, a Brazilian native who became a U.S. citizen last year. "We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left," Trump wrote. White and UFC's parent company, TKO Group Holdings, did not immediately return requests for comment. The White House press secretary role has been vacant since Katie Zacharia's tenure ended last month after less than a week. Zacharia replaced Karoline Leavitt, who left the role at the end of A

Strong earthquake shakes central Japan, shattering store windows and injuring at least 22

TOKYO — A strong earthquake shook central Japan early Sunday, shattering store windows, causing people to flee buildings and leaving at least 22 people injured, according to local media. Japan’s Meteorological Agency put the quake’s magnitude at 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey reported it at magnitude 5.5. Smaller aftershocks were reported. A wide area near Aichi Prefecture was affected, including the city of Hamamatsu, the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara and nearby prefectures of Yamanashi, where Mount Fuji is located, as well as Gifu. Japanese TV footage showed shattered store windows and scattered shards of glass on the streets. A bookstore was left with mounds of books that had flown off the shelves. The injuries included people who fell from stairs while they were trying to flee. The quake, which struck at 1:04 a.m., was located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) below the earth's surface in Shizuoka Prefecture. Aichi and Shizuoka are neighboring regions. They are far enough from Tokyo that the quake was not felt there. The most violent shaking was felt in Aichi, accordin

Israel's president taps opposition candidate Eisenkot to form government, in setback for Netanyahu

JERUSALEM — Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Saturday night that he was giving opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot the first opportunity to form a governing coalition following elections on Oct. 27. Eisenkot, a former military chief who ran as the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is now a step closer to ousting Israel’s longest-serving premier. “This is the time to establish a national emergency government. I will do anything possible to prove us worthy,” Eisenkot posted on his X account just after the presidential announcement. He has up to six weeks to form a coalition, a challenging task in a deeply divided country reeling from the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and the three years of wars that have followed in Gaza and beyond. In discussions with the president this week, representatives from most of Israel’s main parties recommended Eisenkot be tasked with assembling a new government. But putting together the parliamentary majority needed remains fraught and any possible coalition would require candidates to make tough compromises that could outrage