(UPDATE) MELBOURNE: The United States' long reign as Women's World Cup holders was brought to an end in the most dramatic fashion as they were dumped out on penalties by Sweden, who joined the Netherlands in reaching the quarterfinals on Sunday. USA’s Alex Morgan (left) heads the ball next to Sweden’s Amanda Ilestedt during the 2023 Women’s World Cup Round of 16 football match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. AFP PHOTOTheir last-16 defeat after the game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes was the United States' earliest exit in their Women's World Cup history and leaves European champions England now the firm favorites. The USA have long been the dominant force in international women's football: they have won the World Cup four times and were chasing an unprecedented third title in a row. Cue belated pandemonium among the Sweden squad and tears for the Americans who, despite dominating large periods of the game, just never got going at this World Cup.

MANILA, Philippines — Three vloggers who went viral for staging a kidnapping prank were arrested by authorities last August 1, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). In a report on Monday, the PNP said Las Piñas City Police Station arrested vloggers Mark Heroshi San Rafael, Mark Lester San Rafael, and Eleazar Steven Fuentes after their video, which was uploaded last April 7 went viral and drew flak online. After the video went viral, PNP-Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group Staff Sergeant Ronnie Conmigo lodged the complaint against the trio, which led to the issuance of a warrant of arrest by Judge Lynnette May Deloria-Manarang of Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 124. “The PNP remains steadfast in upholding the law and ensuring that individuals are held accountable for their deeds. Pranks that induce panic and disrupt public order cannot be taken lightly,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said in a statement.

Former San Sebastian College-Recoletos varsity chess player Louie Salvador topped the FIDE-rated rapid chess tournament held in celebration of the 46th birthday of National Master Marlon Bernardino on Saturday, August 5, at the Open Kitchen Food Hall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City. Bayanihan Chess Club legal counsel head Atty.Rodolfo Enrique 'Rudy' Rivera and Jessie Villasin; NM Robert Suelo Jr. and Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen; and Jhune Dultra and Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez make the traditional ceremonial moves to usher in the start of the 46th Birthday Celebration of NM Marlon Bernardino FIDE-rated rapid chess tournament at the Open Kitchen Food Hall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City on Saturday, August 5. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOSalvador finished the seven-round tournament with a perfect 7.0 points, tied for first place with National Master Cedric Kahlel Abris. Salvador, who pocketed the P10,000 top prize, scored victories over Elizah Munice Bandejas, Kayla Lorraine Aurelio, Woman FIDE Master Allaney Jia Doroy, Arena FIDE Master Ritchie James Abeleda, Adrian Othniel Yulo, National Master Srihaan Poddar and FIDE Master David Elorta.

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto on Sunday said the proposed national budget of P5.767 trillion for 2024 would translate to an average daily spending of P15.8 billion, of which only P11.7 billion would be supported by revenues with the balance to be covered by borrowings. ADVERTISEMENTHe added that based on the gap between projected spending and revenues, P4 billion will have to be borrowed “every 24 hours.”The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs are projected to respectively collect only P8.3 billion and P2.7 billion daily, or a total of over P11 billion a day. “If it is based on actual disbursements, P3.7 billion of daily expenditures need to be filled up,” he added. But he observed, “It doesn’t give the whole picture because only the interest payment is included in the national budget. “Guided by our Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, the proposed national budget will continue to prioritize expenditures outlined in the administration’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and cater to the objectives of Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman had said.

(UPDATE) WITH less than three weeks left before Gilas Pilipinas' 2023 FIBA World Cup debut game, national coach Chot Reyes faces the challenging task of trimming the current 20-man pool to the final 12 soon. Jordan Clarkson (middle) FIBA PHOTOLooking back at the 2007 FIBA Asia Cup in Tokushima, China, Reyes, at the helm during that time, described the trimming of the team to the final 12 as the toughest. "And still, they (Gilas players) played Senegal with several 7 footers, a tough team, and I really saw the spirit and spunk of the team yesterday," said Reyes. "When you have players like that, it excites you and makes you look forward to what is yet to come." As of posting time, Gilas is playing Senegal in a rematch on Sunday evening, before closing the China tilt against Iran's B Team on Monday night.

Braves eye PBA 3x3 hat trickThe Braves have gone on a tear in the season-opening tournament, ruling Legs 4 and 5 after three straight third-place finishes to set the pace in the overall team standings with one stop left before the Grand Finals. MANILA, Philippines — Cavitex shoots for the first hat trick of wins in the PBA 3x3 Season 3 First Conference hostilities as the battle for Leg 6 honors fires off today at the Ayala Malls Trinoma. The Braves have gone on a tear in the season-opening tournament, ruling Legs 4 and 5 after three straight third-place finishes to set the pace in the overall team standings with one stop left before the Grand Finals. Fresh from their fifth-leg triumph last week, Dominick Fajardo, Jorey Napoles and Bong Galanza return for another run with 3x3 veteran Tonino Gonzaga joining the campaign in place of Ken Ighalo. Pioneer Elastoseal’s Gian Abrigo, Reggie Morido, Wilson Baltazar and Dennice Villamor, meanwhile, continue the franchise’s bid for a breakthrough in Pool B.

4 universities to offer scholarships to Rohingya refugeesA Rohingya refugee boy walks along a street at a refugee camp on the World Refugee Day, in New Delhi on June 20, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Four educational institutions in the Philippines will grant scholarships to Rohingya refugees under a program that provides a safe and regulated avenue of stay in the country through education, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said Sunday. Scholars under the CPath program are recognized as refugees by the Philippine government, and provided legal status and protection services for the duration of their enrollment. In September 2022, the Philippines welcomed the first batch of CPath scholars—six Rohingya refugees—who have since adjusted well in their new communities and schools. The CPath program was institutionalized three years later.

A motorcyclist is lucky to be alive after ramming his motorbike into a car, sending him catapulting into the air before landing on the road in Tai Po on Sunday. The 31-year-old male motorcyclist, surnamed Lam, was riding on Ting Kok Road at around 7.30am when he hit a sedan suddenly turning right from Ting Hing Road without noticing the motorbike was nears. Dashcam has captured the heart-stopping moment when Lam goes headfirst over the handlebars before spinning in a cartwheel over the sedan's top. Fortunately, Lam suffered minor abrasions on his hands and feet and did not need to be sent to the hospital. The 72-year-old sedan driver, surnamed Lai, suffered no injuries.

(UPDATE) IN the few times Kai Sotto was able to watch Gilas Pilipinas scrimmage twice and train, the youthful Filipino giant is very optimistic that the latest batch of players in the national team are up to the task for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. In the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Gilas, playing in Seville, Spain, gave world-class opponents Croatia, Argentina, Greece and Puerto Rico scary moments, before losing in narrow margins. In this latest Gilas iteration, the 21-year-old Sotto believes the team has a taller front court that consists of a more seasoned June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, who are both gunning for a third straight World Cup appearance in their respective basketball careers. Throw in Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson, who will serve as the Philippines' naturalized player, along with additional big man from the pool like Sotto's former Gilas youth teammate big man AJ Edu and versatile forward Jamie Malonzo, the 7-foot-3 Filipino feels they have the size to contend in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. But then again, Sotto emphasized that basketball remains a five-man game and definitely, to earn a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gilas must play as one, solid unit.

File PhotoChina said on Sunday it had taken "necessary controls" against Philippines boats that had "illegally" entered its waters, after Manila accused Beijing's coast guard of firing water cannon at its vessels in the disputed South China sea. "Two repair ships and two coast guard ships from the Philippines illegally broke into the waters... in China's Nansha Islands," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said, adding that Beijing had "implemented necessary controls in accordance with the law and stopped Philippine ships carrying illegal building materials".

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared October as Communications Month to recognize its importance in nation-building, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Sunday. ADVERTISEMENTIn a statement, PCO said that Marcos issued a two-page proclamation, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 2. 308 highlights the essential role of communication in the media industry and public discourse and also declares October 11 as the anniversary of PCO. “The administration aims to provide true, accurate, and relevant information regarding its policies, priority programs, and projects to nurture a well-informed and enlightened citizenry through appropriate media,” said Marcos. Under the proclamation, PCO would lead its anniversary and Communications Month celebration, while other government agencies were assigned to identify initiatives, projects, and activities for the event.

Saturday's incident was the first time since November 2021 that the Chinese Coast Guard had used water cannon against a Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal. (AFP)The Philippines condemned the China Coast Guard Sunday for allegedly firing water cannon at its vessels in the disputed South China Sea, describing the actions as "illegal" and "dangerous". "The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strongly condemns the China Coast Guard's (CCG) dangerous manoeuvres and illegal use of water cannons against the PCG vessels," the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the Chinese coast guard had "blocked and water cannoned" one of its chartered resupply vessels. As they neared the shoal, the two Philippine coast guard boats assigned as escorts for that navy mission were approached by two Chinese coast guard vessels.

Mochi rice cakes are traditionally eaten at celebrations and at New Year, when mochi made with that year's rice are also used as decorations. People start the new year with a stew called zoni, made from local ingredients with mochi as centerpiece. New Year mochi decorations take a unique form in Takayama City, in Gifu, with Hanamochi, a custom that's been going over 450 years. Small pieces of mochi are wrapped on branches to emulate flowers in a tradition begun by local farmers as a prayer for family and good harvests. In a culture centered on rice, mochi remains a symbol of prosperity.

(UPDATE) CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle told young Filipino participants in the World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal to be "social media influencers with a purpose." TMT file Photo"If the one influencing you is Jesus and the Gospel, go right ahead, influence other people through this social media, which is a world in itself," Tagle added. Tagle also addressed a gathering of young Catholic influencers at the Portuguese Catholic University, according to the CBCP. The world already has many false influencers for false purposes," he said as quoted by the Vatican News. World Youth Day, created in 1986 by John Paul 2nd, is the largest Catholic gathering in the world and will feature a wide range of events, including concerts and prayer sessions.

PUBLIC health expert, Dr. Susan Pineda Mercado, has been nominated by the Philippine government for the position of World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO). Dr. Susan Pineda Mercado. Photo from Susan Pineda Mercado Fb page Dr. Susan Pineda Mercado. Her bid is titled "Together with the Philippines for the Western Pacific: Healthy Together Today." The new regional director will take office on Feb. 1, 2024 for a five-year term and will only be eligible for a single reappointment.