Indian Writer, Lawyer and Activist Wins International Booker Prize for ‘Heart Lamp’
LONDON — Banu Mushtaq, a 77-year-old Indian writer, lawyer, and activist, made history Tuesday by winning the International Booker Prize for her short story collection, Heart Lamp. This remarkable achievement marks Mushtaq as the first author of Kannada-language literature to receive this prestigious award for translated fiction. At a ceremony held at the Tate Modern gallery, Mushtaq expressed her gratitude,...
Philippine Consulate Warns Migrant Workers Against Surrogacy Job Offers, Visa Scams
The Philippine Consulate General issued a stark warning Monday to Filipino migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong, alerting them to dangerous recruitment schemes targeting vulnerable workers both locally and abroad. The advisory revealed a sophisticated syndicate luring terminated domestic workers into risky surrogacy jobs in Georgia, with victims often being transported through intermediary countries like the United Arab Emirates and...
DMW Expands Investigation into Unauthorized Billion-Peso Land Acquisition Controversy
The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is expanding its investigation into a controversial land acquisition deal, signaling potential broader implications in the P1.4-billion transaction that led to the dismissal of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Arnell Ignacio. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac revealed Monday that investigators are probing whether additional officials were involved in the allegedly unauthorized land...
Austria’s JJ Wins Eurovision 2025 with Operatic Anthem
BASEL, Switzerland — Austria claimed victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 on Saturday, with JJ’s (real name Johannes Pietsch) powerful ballad “Wasted Love” captivating audiences in Basel. The win marks Austria’s third Eurovision triumph, following Udo Jürgens in 1965 and Conchita Wurst in 2014. JJ, born in Vienna to an Austrian IT specialist and a Filipino chef, is a...
New OWWA Chief Pledges Focus on OFW Health, Education
MANILA — Patricia Yvonne Caunan, recently installed as administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), announced Saturday a comprehensive plan to prioritize the health and educational support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). In her first public address since assuming office, Caunan committed to expanding scholarship opportunities not just for OFW children, but for the workers themselves. "Education and health...
McDonald’s Celebrates 50 Years in Hong Kong with Star-Studded Concert
McDonald’s is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Hong Kong with a spectacular concert featuring a lineup of beloved local artists, promising an unforgettable night for fans. The event, dubbed the "McDonald's Hong Kong 50th Anniversary I'm Lovin' It Music Concert," will take place on July 5 at AsiaWorld-Expo. The fast-food giant is bringing together stars who have become...
UN Report Reveals Surge in Global Hunger, Warns of Mounting Humanitarian Crisis
The world's hunger crisis has reached a new and alarming threshold, with nearly 300 million people suffering acute food insecurity across 53 countries in 2024, according to a sobering report released Friday by the United Nations and its humanitarian partners. The Global Report on Food Crises reveals a stark reality: 295 million people are battling severe hunger, an increase of...
DMW Undersecretary Patricia Caunan Sworn in as new OWWA Administrator
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Patricia Yvonne Caunan as the new administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), marking a strategic leadership transition in the agency dedicated to protecting Filipino workers abroad. Caunan, a seasoned lawyer and former DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation, was sworn in Friday by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans...
OWWA Administrator Fired Over Unauthorized P1.4 Billion Land Deal
MANILA, Philippines — A top Philippine migrant workers official was ousted Friday after allegedly bypassing board approval for a controversial 1.4-billion-peso land acquisition deal, marking a significant administrative shakeup in the government's overseas workers agency. Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac announced the removal of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio, citing a "loss of trust and...
