General

Rome: United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania visited Pope Francis’ coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, offering a moment of silent prayer before the funeral. According to Philippines News Agency, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, joined by his daughter Laura, along with several other world leaders, also paid their respects ahead of the late pontiff’s final rites. Meanwhile, Trump also met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky before the funeral service, Sky News quoted Vatican sources as saying. The two leaders agreed to meet later on Saturday after the funeral, according to the report.

Bataan: The Philippine Navy (PN) announced a significant achievement as one of its newly acquired missile boats successfully tested the Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) missile system off the coast of Mariveles, Bataan. The test marks a crucial step in the Navy’s ongoing modernization efforts. According to Philippines News Agency, PN spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos confirmed the successful live-fire demonstration of the Spike NLOS missile system aboard the BRP Albert Majini (PG-909). The missiles were launched and successfully struck a target located approximately 24 kilometers away, showcasing the system’s capability and precision. This event is part of the PN’s

Vatican City: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, paid tribute to Pope Francis’ unwavering spirit of sacrifice in his homily at the late pontiff’s funeral in St Peter’s Square on Saturday. “Despite his final fragility and suffering, Pope Francis chose to walk the path of self-giving until the last day of his earthly life,” Cardinal Re said during the homily attended by thousands of mourners, including world leaders. According to Philippines News Agency, Cardinal Re emphasized how Pope Francis followed in the footsteps of his Lord, the Good Shepherd, who loved his sheep to the point

Silay City: Negros Occidental’s provincial government has hailed the return of the ‘Mango Harvesters’ painting of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo to the Hofile±a Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental. The 1936 painting, stolen from the museum on July 3, 2024, was recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) days later and turned over to the National Museum in Manila on July 12. According to Philippines News Agency, on Friday afternoon, the masterpiece was unveiled and displayed anew in a ceremony led by the Hofile±a family and joined by city officials, law enforcers, culture and history advocates, artists, and tourist

Bacolod: Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has welcomed the additional PHP205 million allocation from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay Airport terminal in Negros Occidental. The new funding was approved amid the ongoing implementation of the PHP45 million rehabilitation of the passenger terminal building to address several outdated and deteriorated building materials and components, which is expected to be completed this December. According to Philippines News Agency, Benitez expressed gratitude towards CAAP for approving the request and allocating PHP205 million for the Bacolod-Silay Airport upgrade. The mayor anticipates an upgrade of the airport