KYIV — Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov welcomed a U.S. decision to send cluster bombs to Kyiv, saying it would help to liberate Ukrainian territory but promised the munitions would not be used in Russia. The U.S. announced on Friday it would supply Ukraine with widely banned cluster munitions for its counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces. “We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance,” Sullivan told reporters. ADVERTISEMENTRussia, Ukraine, and the United States have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the production, stockpiling, use, and transfer of the weapons. “We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion,” he told reporters on Saturday.

Two Chinese SU-30 fighter jets take off from an unspecified location to fly a patrol over the South China Sea. Addressing commanders at the Jiangsu province headquarters, Xi "stressed efforts to ... break new ground for theater command development and war preparedness," state media reported. The PLA, the world's largest standing armed force, serves as the military wing of the Chinese Communist Party and is overseen by a committee headed by Xi. Beijing also objects vigorously to US military support for Taiwan, and lashed out on Wednesday at an upcoming $440-million sale of cannon shells and other equipment, accusing Washington of turning Taiwan into a powder keg. Yellen is not expected to meet with Xi during her visit.

KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky returned from a visit to Turkey on Saturday, bringing home five former commanders of Ukraine’s garrison in Mariupol despite a prisoner exchange last year under which the men were meant to remain in Turkey. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Turkey had violated the prisoner exchange terms and had failed to inform Moscow. ADVERTISEMENTThe commanders, lionised as heroes in Ukraine, led last year’s defence of the port, the biggest city Russia captured in its invasion. Moscow freed some of them in September in a prisoner swap brokered by Ankara, under terms that required the commanders to remain in Turkey until the end of the war. “We are returning home from Turkey and bringing our heroes home,” said Zelensky who met Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for talks in Istanbul on Friday.

Over 120 residents evacuated from Oi Kan House at Tsz Oi Court, Tsz Wan Shan on Saturday afternoon after a fire broke out from a flat on the 13/F. An 88-year-old woman and her 31-year-old helper felt unwell after inhaling the smoke and were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Heavy smoke billowed out of the flat and darkened the exterior wall of the upper floors. Many residents evacuated onto the ground floor and waited at a badminton court nearby. Those affected by the smoke and an unusual odor carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows.

UNITED NATIONS: Governments will soon likely be able to apply for deep sea mining contracts in international waters, a plunge into the unknown that is worrying conservationists as calls for a moratorium on such digging grow. "I think it's a very real possibility that we see an application submitted this year," Emma Wilson of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition told AFP. It is responsible for protecting the seabed in the high seas as well as regulating activities related to coveted minerals. The Nauru authorities have given assurances that they will not act immediately, but other companies sponsoring states' underwater mining ventures could take advantage of the opportunity, experts say. NGOs and scientists say that deep sea mining could destroy habitats and species that may still be unknown but are potentially vital to ecosystems.

(UPDATE) WASHINGTON: Las Vegas police said Thursday (Friday in Manila) they had investigated an incident between French NBA top draft pick Victor Wembanyama's security and pop star Britney Spears, who said she had been hit in the face. Media reports said that Spears was pushed away by Wembanyama's security, which the singer's husband Sam Asghari said was "violent" and "out of control." Spears said she had simply wanted to greet the player and questioned Wembanyama's account. The Las Vegas Police Department investigated the incident but did not take any action. "On July 5, 2023, at approximately 11 p.m., LVMPD officers responded to a property in the 3700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard regarding a battery investigation," the police said in a statement.

Puregold's official YouTube channel, a first in Philippine retail, marks an exciting milestone as it racks up 200,000 subscribers, accomplishing the feat by expanding its market reach and providing more engaging content. ‘Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile’ is the latest digital series hit available on the Puregold Channel. In 2021, Puregold introduced its retailtainment digital series featuring heartwarming, feel-good stories that capture the Filipino imagination. The Puregold Channel not only entertains — it creates brand synergy, too. New episodes of "Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile" go up every Saturday, at 7 p.m., on the Puregold Channel on YouTube.

"Circle of Influencers" gears up for its highly anticipated second season with the introduction of a captivating new segment "A Journey with Joana Marie." The show is available on free-to-air TV station Light TV. Hosting this exciting segment is Joana Marie Lazaro, who serves as the CEO and owner of Laurus Philippines, an esteemed events company in the country. Each episode of "A Journey with Joana Marie" will feature industry leaders sharing their passions and insights, all for the benefit of their chosen charities and foundations. The pilot episode of "A Journey with Joana Marie" is set to premiere on July 8, Saturday, at 1:30 p.m. on Light TV network, the sister station of A2Z.

(REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo)The Philippine military on Friday reported an "alarming" increase in the number of Chinese fishing vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, which it said threatens the security of the oil and gas-rich Reed Bank. "China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights," Ariel Coloma, spokesperson for the Western Command, said in a statement. The Philippines won a landmark arbitration case in 2016 that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, where about $3 trillion worth of sea-borne goods pass every year. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Philippine counterpart, Gilbert Teodoro, on Thursday that the U.S. commitment to the defense of its ally was "ironclad," including in the South China Sea, according to a U.S. summary of the call. The Philippines on Wednesday accused the China Coast Guard of harassment, obstruction and "dangerous maneuvers" against its vessels, after another incident near a strategic feature of the South China Sea.

Making Pinoy-style vegetable spring rolls, also known as lumpiang toge, is easy and can be part of your pondo meals when you find yourself with no time to cook or to prepare. Vegetable spring roll or lumpiang toge is delicious as a snack and as a meal. Vegetable spring roll or lumpiang toge is delicious as a snack and as a meal. Below is an easy recipe my mom used that has elevated this lumpiang toge to a memorable heirloom snack that I now make for my family. For the sweet potato, use the yellow/orange variety.

Last month was declared the hottest June on record – perhaps the hottest in several thousand years. The same EU agency tells us the nine hottest Junes on record all happened over the past nine years. Climate change continues to worsen since all the world’s efforts have not slowed the emission of greenhouse gasses. All the climate change conferences held every year have accomplished nothing to reverse this global trend. Ahead of it, we now see dramatic reductions of the ice caps, rapid ocean warming, severe flooding and murderous droughts/wildfires everywhere.

The only ‘Men Who Matter’ that mattersOften imitated but never equaled, PeopleAsia’s “Men Who Matter” awards select men who exemplify what it means to “man up” — as they roll up their sleeves and take part in the action, onscreen or off, day in, day out. Josh Boutwood, corporate chef of the Bistro Group, is in charge of menu development, costing and marketing of 137 restaurants, including such iconic names as TGIFriday’s, Italianni’s, Olive Garden and Denny’s, among others. Greg Camacho, director for deliveries of Grab Philippines, which includes GrabFood, GrabMart and GrabKitchen, makes delivery his business and his mission statement. “Whenever there are consumers and there are restaurants to serve, we want to be there helping them out.” he says. Indeed, we celebrate these extraordinary gentlemen not just because they’re male, but because they embody the best qualities of humanity that matter to all, including women, children and the LGBT community.

RICKY Martin and Jwan Yosef are divorcing after nearly six years of marriage, the couple announced Thursday. ALL SMILES Jwan Yosef, left, and Ricky Martin appear at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California, on March 27, 2022. Martin, singer of such Spanish-language and English-language hits like "Livin' la Vida Loca," "She Bangs," "La copa de la vida" and "Vente pa' ca," has won two Grammys and four Latin Grammys and also acted. Yosef and Martin had two other children together: Lucía, now 4, and Renn, now 3. Last September, Martin sued his nephew over the fallout of sex abuse allegations the nephew recanted.

SINT-TRUIDEN, Belgium — A Belgian hospital has built a pavilion to allow pets to visit patients who are in palliative care or with illnesses that require long-term care in a bid to boost patients’ wellbeing. Most hospitals worldwide do not allow pet visits for reasons of hygiene and contamination risks, and for years long-term patients at the Sint-Trudo hospital who wanted to see their pets had to do that in the hospital courtyard. ADVERTISEMENTBut in conversations between cancer patients and hospital psychologists, the idea grew for a dedicated indoor space – separate from but connected to the hospital – and the result is a pet visit pavilion that opened last month. “For long-term hospital residents, mental wellbeing is very important in their recovery, and reconnecting with pets really helps,” said spokeswoman Miet Driesen at Sint-Trudo in Sint-Truiden, Belgium. Funded by a cancer charity for 140,000 euros ($152,000), the new space allows patients to meet with pets one hour per week.

A self-claimed relationship expert was sentenced to 160 hours of community service on Thursday after being found guilty of violating the Trade Descriptions Ordinance by charging two men a total of HK$540,000 in teaching them dating techniques. He was charged with tricking his clients, Chang Hin-shing and Chan Pak-hang, from January 26 to February 15 last year by asking them to pay more than the course fees. He was later charged with two counts of "engaging in a commercial practice that is a misleading omission." During the hearing at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today, the prosecution also requested a court order for Chau to pay compensation and confiscate the mobile phone and tablet computer seized from him. However, the magistrate, Philip Chan Chee-fai, decided against imposing a compensation order and confiscating the items and suggested the victims file a civil lawsuit if they wished to pursue compensation.