Thousands of people — Israelis, Palestinians and foreigners — have been killed since Hamas militants attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip nearly a week ago. Hundreds of Hamas gunmen attacked Israel from Gaza at dawn on Saturday, on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Israel declared war on Hamas on Sunday and has since fired thousands of munitions at Gaza targets, flattening entire neighbourhoods and sending frightened residents fleeing for safety. The Israeli military called on residents of the northern Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, to evacuate their homes and head south “for their safety”. Washington has sent additional military support to Israel, including missiles for its “Iron Dome” interceptor system, and is deploying hostage experts.

THE United Kingdom (UK) is committed to strengthening defense relations with the Philippines, anchored on protecting the Indo-Pacific region that includes the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Baroness Annabel Goldie, UK Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Defense Engagement, gave this assurance when she met with Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, Armed Forces inspector general, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday. AFP Inspector General LtGen William Gonzales meets with Baroness Annabel Goldie during her visit to the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on October 12. (Photo by Sgt Ambay/PAO, AFP) AFP Inspector General LtGen William Gonzales meets with Baroness Annabel Goldie during her visit to the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on October 12. The naval contingent under Samasama that also includes the United States, France, Japan, UK, Australia and Canada held sea formations and shared information on maritime domain and security.

‘Leave Gaza in 24 hours’Smoke plumes billow following Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on Oct. 11, 2023 on the fifth day of fighting between Israel and the Hamas movement. GAZA CITY — Israel yesterday gave Palestinians 24 hours to leave Gaza City ahead of an expected ground offensive in retaliation against Hamas for the deadliest attack in Israeli history. The Israeli army confirmed yesterday it had called on Gaza City residents to move “to the area south of the Wadi Gaza,” which is just below Gaza City in the 40-kilometer-long territory. “In the following days, the IDF will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians,” the army said. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel yesterday on a visit also aimed at showing solidarity, after Blinken’s stop.

Get the fresh looking K-Beauty vibe with WatsonsTo showcase its K-beauty line-up, Watsons brought the trending Photoism Korean photo booth to Watsons The Block SM North Edsa in September. To showcase its K-beauty line-up, Watsons brought the trending Photoism Korean photo booth to Watsons The Block SM North Edsa in September. Shoppers got the chance to strike their best Hallyu-inspired poses for free with any purchase of Watsons K-beauty brands. But the K-beauty vibe doesn’t end there! Watsons now also carries viral beauty products from Beauty of Joseon, Clean It Zero, Luxe Organix, Senka and Snail White!

A 60-year-old man was jailed for eight years on Friday for raping a 23-year-old foreign domestic helper who later got pregnant and underwent an abortion, with the judge blasting him for his crime where he plotted to take away her virginity. Kwok also rejected Lee saying that he committed the offense out of impulse and believes he plotted his crime beforehand. Kwok added he couldn’t understand how Lee’s financial burden would push him over the edge, saying that raping X wouldn’t have helped with his situation. X later got pregnant and underwent an abortion, which resulted in her severe anxiety disorder. The court heard that Lee demanded X to eat the tortoise jelly covered with brown sugar and X felt dizzy later.

The Chinese government has always firmly opposed and cracked down on all forms of gambling. According to Chinese laws, any form of gambling, including online gambling and overseas gambling by Chinese citizens, is illegal. Relevant agencies from both sides expressed satisfaction with the results of law enforcement cooperation. Crimes induced by online gambling harm not only China's interests and China-Philippine relations, but also the interests of the Philippines. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Philippine government and law enforcement agencies in this regard, and jointly handle repatriation among other related issues.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared 20 national holidays for 2024 to allow Filipinos to plan their vacations next year. The President, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, signed on Oct. 11, 2023 Proclamation 368 declaring regular holidays and special non-working days in the country. PHOTO From PCO"The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha shall hereafter be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient," the President said in his proclamation. Under Proclamation 368, the President declared the following regular holidays:Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyJan. 1 New Year's DayMarch 28 Maundy ThursdayMarch 29 Good FridayApril 9 Araw ng KagitinganMay 1 Labor DayJune 12 Independence DayAug. 26 National Heroes Day (Last Monday of August)Nov. 30 Bonifacio DayDec. 25 Christmas DayDec. 30 Rizal DayThe following were declared as special (non-working) days:Aug. 21 Ninoy Aquino DayNov. 1 All Saints' DayDec. 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception of MarDec. 31 Last Day of the YearAdditional special (non-working) days:Feb. 10 Chinese New YearMarch 30 Black SaturdayNov. 2 All Souls' DayDec. 24 Christmas EveWith this, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos is advised, at the appropriate time, to recommend to the Office of the President (OP) the actual dates on which Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha holidays will respectively fall. The proclamation, which was released to the media on Friday, shall take effect immediately and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

About 55 percent commercial vehicle operators said they are willing to switch to hydrogen-fuelled vehicles if the operating costs are not 20 percent higher than the existing ones, a survey has found. The Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre suggested the government offering incentives including subsidies and low rental rates to operators. Hydrogen, which produces water, is regarded as a clean fuel to help contribute to the net zero target. Lawrence Cheung, chief executive of the APAS said hydrogen costs about HK$100 per kilogram in Hong Kong, which is three times that of mainland China, where subsidies are offered. The APAS, as part of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, commissioned the City University of Hong Kong to conduct the survey with 88 industry stakeholders in August and September.

Inside This ArticleHow Do I Connect To Spectrum HotspotConnecting to a Spectrum hotspot is quick and easy. Find a Spectrum Hotspot: Locate a Spectrum hotspot near you by using the Spectrum hotspot finder website or mobile app. Connect to the Hotspot: Once you’ve located a Spectrum hotspot and ensured compatibility, navigate to your device’s settings and select the hotspot from the available Wi-Fi networks. Troubleshooting Common Issues with Spectrum Hotspot ConnectionConnecting to a Spectrum hotspot can sometimes come with its fair share of challenges. Understanding Spectrum Hotspot Security and Privacy MeasuresWhen using a Spectrum Hotspot, it is important to prioritize your security and privacy.

Japan is known for its inventive confectionary, and people love posting photos of the latest creations on social media. We visit a Tokyo store that sells accessories that look just like sweets, together with the actual sweets they are based on. Social media has been a boon for traditional Japanese wagashi sweets too. The 400-year Kagawa tradition of rice sweets called Oiri was in decline. But when a cafe used them as toppings for soft-serve ice cream, it sparked a social media sensation reviving the tradition.

End of rainy, monsoon season declaredMotorists and commuters wade through a gutter-deep flood along Taft and UN Avenue in Manila, following a heavy downpour on September 3, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG­ASA) has declared the termination of the southwest monsoon, marking the transition toward colder temperatures in the country. The end of the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, also marks the end of the rainy season in tropical countries like the Philippines, according to PAGASA. “The season in the Philippines is now in a gradual transition to the northeast monsoon (locally known as amihan) season and may be apparent and declared in the coming weeks,” PAGASA said in an advisory. The state weather bureau said that it observed a significant weakening of the southwest monsoon in the past few days alongside the strengthening of a high-pressure system over East Asia.

‘GOCCs cut down losses, post higher income in 2022’The photo of the Commission on Audit's office in Quezon City taken on Aug. 17, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — Government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) seem to be bouncing back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic after they were able to significantly cut down losses and post higher income in 2022, the Commission on Audit (COA)’s latest report showed. The “comprehensive loss” for 2022 was computed based on the CPSEs’ total losses of P206.26 billion less their total net income of P60.78 billion. Still, the audit report showed the CPSEs’ P1.73-trillion total income in 2022 was higher than the P1.49 trillion posted in 2021 and P1.27 trillion in 2020. The COA said the CPSEs’ total income for 2022 included P1.42 trillion service and business income, P275.30 billion gains, P36.66 billion other non-operating income, and P310.5 million shares, donations and grants.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos on Wednesday night admitted that he made two of the "most difficult phone calls" he has had to make as the country's leader. It was when he phoned the families of two Filipinos who died in the war between Israel and Hamas militants. DIFFICULT CALL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. talks to the families of two Filipinos who were killed in the war between Israel and Hamas militants on Wednesday night, Oct. 11, 2023, in what he described as "two of the most difficult phone calls he has had to make" as the country's leader. PHOTO COURTESY OF BBM'S FACEBOOK PAGE"Last night, I made two of the most difficult phone calls I've had to make as President. The nation is one in grieving with the families of the Filipinos who were killed in the attacks on Israel," Marcos said in a statement posted on his social media on Thursday.

Israel regains control of the Gaza strip from the Hamas militants after an assault in early October. Meanwhile, attacks from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah against Israel have also started. Israel Ambassador to the Philippines, Ilan Fuss, echoed his country's goal of a strong and decisive end to the war. He extends his condolences to two Filipinos who were killed during the attacks. VIDEO AND INTERVIEW BY EZRAH RAYAGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

DOE: Israel conflict won’t affect oil pricesPalestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the Sousi mosque in Gaza City on October 9, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) does not expect the attacks on Israel to have long-term effects on oil and gas prices, unless the conflict escalates. Abad said based on the first two trading days of the week, global oil prices have actually gone down. But the crude oil price is a benchmark for Malampaya price. So if crude oil prices increase, then Malampaya price will follow.