"What we've seen is one of them visiting a gun shop," Davao regional police spokeswoman Catherine Dela Rey said on Saturday, adding later that it was 50-year-old Sajid Akram who had been seen. One of the two alleged Bondi Beach shooters visited a gun store during their stay in the Philippines, police said on Saturday as they attempted to retrace the pair's movements. Police inquiries had also revealed that neither of the men had visited any of the city's seven gun ranges, he said. President Ferdinand Marcos has criticised media reports that he said misleadingly portrayed the Philippines "as a training hotspot for terrorism". The Philippine military has said Mindanao's remaining jihadists now number little more than 50, from a high of 1,257 in 2016.

Among the trove are numerous photographs depicting former Democratic president Bill Clinton and other luminaries, including Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson, in Epstein's social circle. Even so, the files shed some light on the disgraced financier's intimate ties to the rich, famous, and powerful—Trump among them. Photographs, including of former US president Bill Clinton, Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson and Ghislaine Maxwell. Undated picture of former US president Bill Clinton with US singers Michael Jackson and Diana Ross at an undisclosed location. An undated picture of former US president Bill Clinton in a jacuzzi at an undisclosed location.

Beyond its cuisine and historic temples, many tourists visit Japan to witness the beauty of its sakura blossoms. \Each spring, travelers gather at famous viewing spots such as Ueno Park, Maruyama Park, Hirosaki Castle, and the Meguro River, where the cherry trees bloom at their peak. According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s first forecast for spring 2026, cherry blossoms are expected to appear from as early as March 19 in Nagoya until May 1 in Sapporo. If you're planning to see the cherry blossoms in 2026, here's a forecast of their expected peak bloom so you can time your visit. You can still enjoy cherry blossom beauty in other places, such as Atok in Benguet, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Tourists will have to pay a two-euro entrance fee to get close to Rome's famous Trevi Fountain, which draws vast crowds daily, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said on Friday. The monument, located in a public square, will still be able to be viewed from a distance for free, but closer access will be only for ticket holders, Gualtieri told a press conference. "From Feb. 1 we are introducing a paid ticket for six sites" in the Italian capital, including the Trevi Fountain, he said. The backdrop to the most famous scene in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita, when actress Anita Ekberg takes a dip, the 18th-century fountain is top of the list for many visitors exploring the Eternal City. As a result of the fountain's fame, the crowds in the square surrounding the Baroque masterpiece are often so deep that it is hard to get a proper look.

Gilas golds cap Team Philippines strong finishAfter Gilas women, Gilas men also subdued host Thailand, 70-64, to complete a twin championship in the 33rd SEA Games basketball competitions. CHONBURI — Before totally checking out, the Gilas Pilipinas men made sure Team Philippines is coming home with the gold medal that their kabayans wanted so badly to keep. Team Philippines, however, got stuck at sixth behind Singapore’s 52-62-86 collection. Hours before the Gilas men gunned for the cherished 5-on-5 gold, the Filipina cagebelles took care of business by beating the Thais for the women’s plum, 73-70. Meanwhile, the Alas men earned a podium finish in indoor volleyball after rallying past Vietnam, 23-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 16-14, for the bronze.

DNA testing on body, retrieval of Cabral’s gadgets orderedPhoto provided by the Benguet police shows officers inspecting the spot where former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral (top inset) fell to her death in Sitio Marammal, Barangay Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet. Cabral was among the government officials being investigated by the ombudsman in connection with the flood control project anomalies. A career DPWH official, she resigned from her post last September after being implicated in the alleged budget insertions for ghost flood control projects in exchange for kickbacks. “Because she was the one who supposedly inserted (flood control projects) in the NEP (National Expenditure Program),” he said. Remulla explained the positive identification by Cabral’s family is not enough, given that there have been other wanted fugitives who faked their own deaths to elude arrest.

Ex-PNP chief Torre named MMDA general managerMANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III has been named general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed yesterday that President Marcos has appointed Torre to the post. “The MMDA expresses its full support to the decision of President Marcos Jr. in his trust for Gen. Torre, whose extensive experience in public service and law enforcement is expected to further strengthen the MMDA’s mandate in traffic management and public safety, among others, across Metro Manila,” said the agency in a statement. MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said Torre’s “welcome addition” to the agency would be a “big help.”The agency also vowed to “remain committed to continuing its mission of ensuring safe, efficient and orderly mobility and development in Metro Manila with the appointment of General Torre.” — Helen Flores

Photo by BING GUAN / AFP A Salem Police Department cruiser is parked outside the storage facility where the suspect behind the mass shooting at Brown University was found dead, in Salem, New Hampshire, on December 19, 2025.

Photo by - / HOUSE OVERSIGHT DEMOCRATS / AFP This undated and unlocated handout image released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on December 18, 2025 shows late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (R) cooking with CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

Mountain lake is home of Bulgaria's 'king of caviars'Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV / AFP An employee shows an opened box of caviar at the Caviar de Neuvic boutique in Paris on December 11, 2025.

For most, what has been approved at the bicameral committee is the same old corruption-prone budget. We were promised a cleaner national budget, but those responsible for drafting it did not put in enough work. The national budget is a huge document and it is not easy to run a fine comb through it. One expensive piece of equipment sent out by the mining company upon the request of local officials was a wheel excavator. Employees of the mining company, meanwhile, were subjected to an endless stream of threats, coercion and intimidation.

ICC medical team finds Duterte fit for proceedingsFormer Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen with his lawyer Salvador Medialdea (L) in the courtroom during his first appearance before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charge of crimes against humanity over his deadly crackdown on narcotics, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The independent panel of medical experts appointed by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to examine former president Rodrigo Duterte has found him fit to participate in pre-trial proceedings, including the postponed confirmation of charges hearings, court filings showed. He also called for the resumption of the proceedings on the confirmation of charges against the former president. Before rendering a decision on the matter, the Pre-Trial Chamber must seek further clarification,” Kaufman said in his 12-page observation. Kaufman requested for an “evidentiary hearing” to allow parties to clarify the conclusions of the experts.

IC orders insurers to report DPWH infra bondsIn a circular, the insurance regulator said that submissions should provide comprehensive information on the infrastructure bonds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) including their current status and project identifiers. In a circular, the insurance regulator said that submissions should provide comprehensive information on the infrastructure bonds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) including their current status and project identifiers. Last October, the DPWH and the IC signed an agreement to fast-track claims of performance and surety bonds in relation to anomalous flood control projects. “The report shall include the details of issued bonds required by or in favor of government agencies, instrumentalities, judicial authorities and government-owned and controlled corporations,” the circular read. The commissioner may also enforce sanctions and regulatory actions under existing laws for any non-compliance, including failure to report issued bonds.

The gift of timeWhat does everyone have in equal portions, whether young or old, rich or poor, male or female? As we approach Christmas which is the time for gift-giving, what is the best gift we can give or receive? Especially for our aging parents or long lost relatives, the gift of time is what everyone wishes to receive. Hide that mobile phone and focus on your gift – you are giving your time to someone special. Good and green has a Christmas episode on the gift of time.

AMLC freezes 1,193 bank accounts of contractors, congressmanOfficials of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Department of Justice present to the media the P71 million surrendered to the government by individuals linked to alleged ghost flood control projects. MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has widened its financial investigation into the controversial flood control projects, securing a new freeze order covering the bank accounts of major contractors and a member of the House of Representatives allegedly linked to the irregularities. The Court of Appeals on Thursday ordered the freezing of 1,193 bank accounts believed to be associated with the contractors and the lawmaker, whom a source told The STAR is Rep. Edwin Gardiola of the Construction Workers Solidarity party-list. The latest freeze order brings the total tally of restricted assets tied to the flood control probe to 6,538 bank accounts, 367 insurance policies, 255 motor vehicles, 178 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts and three securities accounts. Zaldy’s assetsWith former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co in hiding, the government is targeting the seizure of his assets.