US President Trump Announces Ceasefire Between Israel and Iran
Washington, D.C. — In a surprising development, US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a "complete and total" ceasefire, potentially halting a 12-day conflict that has raised fears of broader regional instability. The announcement, made via Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, comes amid heightened tensions following US military strikes and Iranian...
UN Security Council to Convene on US Strikes Against Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Security Council is set to convene Sunday to address the recent U.S. military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, a move that has escalated tensions in the Middle East and prompted a sharp rebuke from Tehran. The emergency meeting, requested by Iran, comes as China, Russia, and Pakistan push for a resolution demanding an...
Philippines Bolsters Contingency Plans for Filipinos as Middle East Conflict Escalates
The Philippine government is intensifying efforts to protect its citizens abroad as tensions escalate in the Middle East, with the conflict between Iran and Israel now complicated by direct U.S. military involvement, officials said Sunday. In a virtual briefing, Philippine diplomats in the region, including Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos and Deputy Chief of Mission Anthony Achilles Mandap of the...
Hong Kong Immigration Department Repatriates 56 Illegal Immigrants in Recent Operations
The Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) repatriated 56 illegal immigrants and overstayers this week, following a series of operations conducted from June 18 to June 20. The group included an equal number of men and women, among whom were discharged prisoners and former foreign domestic helpers. The repatriated individuals had their non-refoulement claims deemed unsubstantiated, leading to their swift return...
DMW Urges Recruitment Agencies to Halt Deployment of OFWs to Conflict Zones
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has issued a critical advisory urging private recruitment agencies (PRAs) to temporarily suspend the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to conflict-affected areas in the Middle East. The call comes amid escalating security concerns and travel restrictions in the region. In Advisory No. 19, Series of 2025, released Thursday, the DMW reiterated...
PH Raises Alert Level in Israel, Iran for Overseas Filipinos Amid Escalating Conflict
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday escalated its alert status to Level 3 for Israel and Iran, urging all overseas Filipinos in the two nations to return home immediately as conflict between the countries intensifies. The DFA's decision comes as the Israel-Iran conflict, now in its seventh day, shows no signs of abating. The violence...
Mainland Man Arrested for Allegedly Kicking Dogs in Sai Ying Pun Park
A 68-year-old man from mainland China, identified only by his surname Zheng, was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of animal cruelty after allegedly kicking two dogs at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park. Police responded to a call around 8 a.m. from a dog owner who reported that a stranger had approached and kicked their pets without any provocation. Officers...
BTS Member Suga Discharged, Completing Band’s Military Service Milestone
SEOUL — Suga, a key member of the global K-pop phenomenon BTS, has been discharged from mandatory military service, marking the final step in the group's collective military commitment, the band's management agency confirmed Wednesday. Big Hit Entertainment announced that Suga completed his alternative military service on Wednesday and will be officially discharged Saturday. The agency opted against hosting a...
Filipinos Flee Conflict: First Evacuees Cross Israel-Jordan Border to Safety
MANILA — The Philippine Embassy in Amman, Jordan, has welcomed the first group of Filipino evacuees fleeing the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict, with an engineer and five others crossing the border from Israel, officials said late Thursday. Edsel Sarquilla, an engineer, was the first to arrive in Jordan on Wednesday, followed by four tourists and another Filipino worker, according to the...
178 Filipino Workers Seek Return Home Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
The Philippine government is accelerating efforts to bring home overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) caught in the worsening Israel-Iran conflict, as the number of those seeking repatriation surges, officials said Thursday. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced that 178 OFWs in Israel have formally requested to return, up sharply from 85 just days after Iran’s recent missile...
