Donald Trump was apparently captivated by the “beautiful” roses in the garden of the Communist Party’s leadership compound when he visited Beijing in May. It was a relaxed moment between the US and Chinese leaders – otherwise locked in disputes ranging from trade to technology and Taiwan – that led to a new opportunity for gift diplomacy between the rival powers. Strolling around the former imperial garden at Zhongnanhai with Xi Jinping, Trump was so taken with a China rose variety in bloom that...

Western Visayas is home to a rich variety of wildlife, from reptiles concealed among branches to small forest creatures that thrive close to the ground. Photographs shared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Western Visayas offer a glimpse of this diversity, showing species that inhabit the region’s forests and other natural habitats.

Backlash against Ummi goes beyond regular criticism, lawyer says.

BACOLOD CITY — The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here has issued a public health advisory about the rise in dengue cases. This situation is based on the surge in the number of on the patients treated in the facility in the last two weeks, mostly coming from various parts of the city.

The Office of the Ombudsman will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in November to facilitate data sharing, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Saturday.

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur—Three individuals were arrested after authorities seized more than P112,000 worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 13, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on Friday, Oct. 16. According to police, the operation resulted in the confiscation of 13 heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing approximately 16.49 grams,

Manhattan's Upper West Side has been reveling in the company of its latest celebrities: A family of barn owls nested in a water tower atop a building near Central Park.

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Authorities have issued a public health warning after shellfish samples collected off San Benito town in Surigao del Norte tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison, commonly known as red tide toxins. In an advisory, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Caraga region said laboratory screening using

MANILA, Philippines—A driver faces a 90-day preventive suspension of his license for allegedly blocking a pedestrian lane in Makati City, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). In a statement on Friday, the LTO said it issued a show-cause order against the driver and the vehicle’s registered owner. The move of the office follows a

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Saturday ordered five popular online shopping platforms to submit records of their accredited truck-for-hire service providers. The order comes as the board intensifies its crackdown on illegal delivery operators. Acting LTFRB chair Greg Pua Jr. said he had issued subpoenas directing the service providers

At least 10 tourists have been killed in a fire at a seaside resort in the southeastern Bangladeshi district of Cox’s Bazar, the country’s largest travel destination, officials said on Saturday. Dolon Acharya, an officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence department, said the fire broke out in the morning at Tuptup Resto and Resort at Patuartek beach. The flames gutted the entire facility. The scene is located more than 320km (199 miles) southeast of the capital Dhaka. Acharya said...

Syazwani decides to speak out after speculation intensifies.

MANILA, Philippines—The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will start interviewing candidates for the position of chief justice on Oct. 22 (Thursday). The interviews will begin the two most senior incumbent Supreme Court (SC) justices – Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa. The Supreme Court said the interviews will be open

MANILA, Philippines—The Land Transportation Office (LTO) impounded an imported electric vehicle (EV) in Quezon City on Friday. The apprehension comes after its driver was caught using a fake license. The motorist also failed to present the vehicle’s registration documents. The vehicle was also found to be on the road without a license plate. The unit

LUCENA CITY — Wetlands, coastal habitats and agricultural lands in Quezon province continue to provide vital sanctuaries for migratory birds, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said. In a report released Friday (Oct. 16), DENR-Calabarzon said the 2026 Asian Waterbird Census documented 229 birds belonging to 16 species at two monitoring sites in

Aired (October 17, 2026): Hawak na ng ASTRA M ang NIXI at ayon kay Vanna (Sheryl Cruz), gagawin niya ang lahat upang mas umangat ang NIXI. Wala na ba talaga ang pagmamahal ni Vanna kay Jeni (Zephanie) o hindi lang nagtutugma ang mga actions niya sa nararamdaman ng kanyang puso? #GMANetwork #GMADrama #Kapuso Don't miss the latest episodes of 'Born To Shine' weekdays, 2:30 PM on GMA Afternoon Prime! Featuring Zephanie, Michael Sager, Olive May, Vina Morales, Tina Paner, and Roselle Nava. #BornToShine For more Born To Shine Full Episodes, click the link below: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGRhcC_vtOrak0UlcIF8Zb_oApfVg3TNS

There is “no way out” for corrupt officials no matter how senior they are, China’s top anti-corruption watchdog has warned following the downfall of a former big-city mayor who survived numerous previous scandals. This week, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) announced both the probe into Huang Qifan, the former mayor of Chongqing, and the expulsion of a senior figure in Sichuan province. On Saturday, the commission said these developments showed the party’s “unwavering...

The entries to the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) are finally complete.

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have identified 63 of the 77 people killed in the MV June Aster ferry fire off Palawan in September, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has reported. The BFP also said Friday eight people remain missing as investigators continue to determine possible lapses that allowed the vessel to sail despite engine

Jessica Soho on 'Bubble Gang': "Institution sa pagpapatawa"

For the first time ever, Thailand will be hosting The Miss Globe pageant, something that has piqued the curiosity of Binibining Pilipinas Sasha Lacuna, who is representing the country at this year’s edition of the international competition. Nawat Itsaragrisil’s Miss Grand International Organization will be mounting The Miss Globe 2026 pageant in Phuket, that will

MANILA, Philippines — A centuries-old tree, a critically endangered plant and several rare and endemic species are among the botanical treasures documented in Bicol Natural Park during a biodiversity monitoring activity in the second half of 2026, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol. The findings highlight the diversity of plant

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — A 71-year-old man was arrested after allegedly hacking a 46-year-old man during a drinking session in Barangay Bungon, Batac City in Ilocos Norte, police said Saturday, Oct. 17. Based on the initial police investigation, the suspect and the victim were drinking alcoholic beverages at the suspect’s residence when the incident

On the way na ang Ragasa-Maniego family! ARRIVING IN 2 DAYS! Abangan ang 'Delivery Boi' simula October 19, 3:20 p.m., sa GMA Afternoon Prime. Mapapanood na rin ang advance online premiere ng serye exclusively sa GMA Play, ang official streaming app ng GMA Network.

In Shenzhen, drones are banned, shiny new hotels have opened their doors and taxi drivers are carrying devices that can translate nearly 150 languages. Since President Xi Jinping announced last year that China’s southern tech hub would host Apec meetings in November, the city has done all it can to get ready under the watchful eyes of the local, provincial and national authorities. While every Apec summit draws the world’s attention, this year’s edition is considered to be especially high-stakes...

A fugitive wanted over a 2002 kidnapping and robbery in eastern China lived for nearly 19 years as his dead twin brother, until the brother's former girlfriend told police who had really died in a 2007 car crash.

LUCENA CITY—Taal Volcano in Batangas continues to exhibit seismic activity, recording 22 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, up from 17 the previous day. This report comes from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Saturday, Oct. 17. Phivolcs data showed 139 volcanic earthquakes and 11 tremor episodes recorded from Oct. 9

“Amir,” the film entry of GMA Pictures for the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival just tied up with Columbia Pictures for a possible syndication of the movie. Key executives of GMA Pictures and Brightburn Entertainment, together with the film’s creative team and actors, gathered for the contract signing at the Columbia Pictures Philippines office recently

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm internationally named “Champi” intensified into a typhoon early Saturday morning, Oct. 17. It is forecast to bring rains into the country by Monday, the state weather bureau said. In its 2 a.m. weather advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Champi developed into a typhoon

It advises people not to use unauthorised middlepersons.