General

Tokyo: A record 80 percent of mothers in Japan had a job in 2024, a welfare ministry survey showed Friday. The proportion of working mothers increased by 3.1 percentage points from the previous year, reaching 80.9 percent, marking the first time the figure has surpassed 80 percent since the survey began in 1986. According to Philippines News Agency, the survey also revealed that 58.9 percent of households reported struggling to make ends meet, a figure that has remained almost unchanged from the previous year’s 59.6 percent. Additionally, the share of households with children decreased by 1.5 points to a historic

Legazpi city: At an early age, Clarence Nayve knew that there was always a possibility that he would go blind. The telltale signs were there. He was told that as an infant, he would instinctively turn away from the light, often burying his face in his mother’s chest whenever she carried him outside. His eyes were constantly watery, too, and he seemed to have a persistent runny nose that never quite went away. According to Philippines News Agency, the doctors at Rizal Medical Center diagnosed him with congenital glaucoma, a rare and serious defect that prevents the eye fluids from

Manila: The government repatriation program for Filipinos wishing to return home from Israel is ongoing, with the latest group of 13 hotel workers and caregivers arriving safely on July 4, 2025, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. This reflects the continued efforts of the whole-of-government team in assisting distressed workers in the Middle East. According to Philippines News Agency, upon arrival, the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) underwent health checks and received immediate financial assistance. This support is provided through various channels, including the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s emergency repatriation fund, social and

Izmir: As wildfires sweep across Europe amid a deadly heat wave, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is urging authorities to shift from reactive response to proactive preparedness. “Heatwaves and wildfires are no longer isolated events; they are becoming the new reality for millions across Europe,” Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen, the IFRC regional director for Europe, said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, in Trkiye’s Aegean city of Izmir, wildfires have killed two people, while more than 100 homes have been damaged. On Greece’s Crete island, over 5,000 people, including tourists, have been evacuated.

Aurora: The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry ‘Sinagtala’ Battalion (91IB) has raised its alert status and reinforced civil-military coordination here and in nearby provinces amid inclement weather. Lt. Col. Aries Quinto, 91IB commanding officer, said Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations teams are on standby, with troops from Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies ready to assist in evacuation, rescue, medical aid and relief distribution efforts. According to Philippines News Agency, the battalion is also closely coordinating with local government units, disaster response councils, communities, and civilian volunteers. “This is not just about being ready for storms, it’s about ensuring no one