Some 40 Hong Kong private cars drove to Guangdong province through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge on Saturday morning as the government’s northbound travel scheme commenced today. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung said a total of 42 Hong Kong vehicles had crossed the border to the mainland as of 10 am this morning. Lam also said over 100 Hong Kong vehicles are expected to travel to Guangdong today under the scheme. Lam stressed that the government would strive to increase the regular quota for vehicles using the bridge with the goal of boosting better use and management of the bridge. Lam noted that the bridge, a crucial policy for Hong Kong integrating into the Greater Bay Area development, connects not only the three regions but also people’s hearts.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has approved a P40 increase in the workers' daily minimum wage. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is disappointed by the 'too little' and 'too late' increase in the minimum pay provided under Wage Order NCR-24, which will take effect on July 16, 2023. VIDEO AND INTERVIEW BY EZRAH RAYA

You are here:HOUSTON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The number of active drilling rigs in the United States fell to 674 this week, down by eight from the previous week and by 76 from this time last year, according to the weekly data released by Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes on Friday. These active drilling rigs included 545 oil rigs operating in U.S. oil fields, down by one from the previous week; 124 gas rigs, down by six from last week; and five miscellaneous rigs, down by one from last week. The rigs included 653 land drilling rigs, two inland water drilling rigs, and 19 offshore drilling rigs. Of them, 50 were directional drilling rigs, 606 were horizontal drilling rigs and 18 were vertical drilling rigs. So far, the Permian Basin in western Texas and eastern New Mexico has been the largest source of shale oil production growth in the United States, having become an engine of supply growth outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in the past years.

(UPDATE) INVESTIGATORS are zeroing in on two to three possible motives behind Thursday's shooting of a tabloid photographer in Barangay Masambong in Quezon City. "There are two to three motives, we do not discount any possibilities... We saw in his Facebook page that he may have enemies," BGen. According to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, Abiad was a witness of the police, as well as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in a drug case. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), meanwhile, condemned the photojournalist's shooting. "There is no justification for the shooting of a media worker, but we note news reports that Abiad had signed as witness in drug busts," the group said.

Over 300 grocery items up to 50% off on 7-Eleven DayMANILA, Philippines — Another year means another bang-for-the-buck bash is going down in 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Although an annual tradition, this year’s 7-Eleven Day promises to be anything but boring because this time, it’s the ultimate pantry party that’s worth writing a shopping list for. Not just in personal or pantry supplies, 7-Eleven Day is also the yes day for affordable and steal deals for foodies. Save the date: 7-Eleven Day is from July 7 to 11, happening all day, all night. Like 7-Eleven Philippines on Facebook, follow @711ph on Instagram, and @711philippines on Twitter for more information.

Beni, DR Congo: A ranger at a DR Congo wildlife reserve was killed and a second wounded when their team came under attack near an illegal mine, the park said on Thursday. The incident happened on Tuesday at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (RFO) in the country's northeast. A ranger at a DR Congo wildlife reserve was killed and a second wounded when their team came under attack near an illegal mine, the park said on Thursday, June 29. Another ranger was wounded and an assailant was captured, it said. The biggest country in sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo has world famous wildlife reserves.

Couple slain in Maguindanao del SurCOTABATO CITY , Philippines — A couple were killed in an ambush in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur early yesterday. Nokoy Abdul, 54, and his wife Siaya, 49, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene, Maj. Haron Macabanding, Shariff Aguak police chief, told reporters. Initial investigation showed the victims were in a tricycle on their way home when they were waylaid in Barangay Labu-Labu. Macabanding said Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Ampatuan ordered barangay officials to help probers identify the culprits. On June 15, two policemen were killed and four others were wounded in an ambush, also in Shariff Aguak.

(UPDATE) THE legal counsel of a company in Las Piñas suspected of being a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct an "unbiased investigation" on an incident on Thursday, June 29, that resulted in the injury of several human trafficking victims from China, who were part of the 2,000 rescued individuals. Operatives from the Philippine National Police check the vicinity of an alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in Las Piñas City on June 27, 2023, following a raid and rescue of 2,000 victims, mostly foreigners, of trafficking. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN Operatives from the Philippine National Police check the vicinity of an alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in Las Piñas City on June 27, 2023, following a raid and rescue of 2,000 victims, mostly foreigners, of trafficking. "Otherwise, our clients shall be well within their rights to file the necessary action against you and the entire task force before the courts of law," Vargas Law said. At least 2,724 individuals — 1,534 Filipinos and 1190 foreigners — were supposedly rescued by a joint task force of the PNP on Tuesday, June 27, at a suspected POGO firm in Las Piñas City.

WATCH: Vatican-approved Michelangelo exhibition opens in the PhilippinesMANILA, Philippines — Step into the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel and experience Michelangelo’s masterpieces up close and personal right here in Manila! A first in Southeast Asia, ATIN Global Inc. and SEE Global Entertainment Inc. are bringing "Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel :The Exhibition" to Filipinos from July 1 to September 30. "Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel :The Exhibition" offers a complete experience wherein stepping inside the exhibition grounds feels like you’re being transported into the hallowed halls of the actual Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. For group bookings, schools, and organizations, contact Sistine Chapel Philippines via landline at (02) 8631-5470, Danika Cruz via mobile at 0945-798-7612, or Andre Trinidad at 0915-306-2273. Whether you have already been to the Sistine Chapel or not, don’t miss the chance to enjoy this iconic artwork up close.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday that a request for his country to temporarily host a U.S. immigrant visa processing center for thousands of Afghan nationals faces security and other concerns but is still being considered by his administration. A Philippine official said an initial 600 Afghan nationals would be allowed in a “pilot phase” if the U.S. proposal gets approved. Some Filipino officials have expressed fears the Afghan nationals could become targets of attacks while in the Philippines. Others raised legal questions about an arrangement where U.S. authorities would have a say in vetting who could enter the Philippines. One prospective problem is what to do with Afghan nationals whose U.S. special visa immigrant application is indefinitely stalled or rejected, Marcos said.

TAAL Volcano in Batangas Province has erupted early Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. It said that the white ash and steam plume has reached 820 feet or 250 meters. A fisherman catch fish at the Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas on March 26, 2021. "This happens when a hot material comes into contact with water, producing steam," Bacolcol told The Manila Times via Viber. It is different from the phreato-magmatic eruptions which are driven by the direct interaction of magma and water.

Taxis collide on Ching Cheung Road as a 10-vehicle pileup causes early morning traffic jams in Cheung Sha Wan. Previous NextStacy ShiA monkey set off a 10-vehicle pileup in Cheung Sha Wan yesterday morning, causing serious traffic jams, after a driver slammed on her brakes in a vain effort to avoid running over the mammal. But the vehicles behind her were unable to brake in time and rammed into the rear of the sedan, pushing it forward, and leading to the 10-vehicle pileup. The monkey was found under the pileup and was later retrieved by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department officers with a black bag. According to dashcam footage, the monkey rushed out onto the road and crashed into the front wheel of the motorcycle.

8 Bilibid inmates plead guilty as accomplices, accessories to killing of middleman in Percy Lapid caseFamily members grieve the loss of journalist Percival Mabasa at their home in Las Pinas, suburban Manila on October 4, 2022. Inmates Mario Alvarez, Christian Ramac, Ricky Salgado, Ronnie Dela Cruz And Joel Reyes pleaded guilty as accomplices — meaning they participated in the commission — to the crime of murder. Meanwhile, inmates Alvin Labra, Aldrin Galicia and Joseph Georfo pleaded guilty as accessories to the crime of murder. Pending arrestMeanwhile, the case against Bantag and Zulueta, alleged masterminds in the case, has been archived by the Muntinlupa court. “Considering that the other accused in this case, accused [Bantag and Zulueta] are not yet arrested, let this case be sent to the archive subject to revival upon the arrest of said accused,” the ruling read.

The greatest goodAt 75 years old, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Benjamin Diokno wishes to see the poverty incidence in our country reduced during his lifetime. “We are planning to revise our revenue collection targets further upward to take into consideration the implementation of tax measures that we are prioritizing in the medium term,” Diokno announced. Also pending approval by the Senate, Diokno added, is the proposed value added tax (VAT) on digital services. “These corrective tax measures aim to achieve the twin goals of curbing excessive consumption of unhealthy foods such as chips and sugary drinks while increasing fiscal resources for public programs,” he stressed. Amid the severe criticisms on pushing such tax measures, Diokno comforts himself hewing close to English philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s “the greatest good for the greatest number” principle.

A total of 181 people were arrested for illegal activities of triad societies, including some that were found to be involved in the monopoly of the lunchbox business at construction sites in Yuen Long and the operation of an unlicensed food factory. Police also found some of the arrestees were related to the monopoly of the lunchbox business at construction sites in Yuen Long. Investigations revealed that the triad would charge lunchbox traders a one-off operating fee of HK$10,000 and then a monthly fee ranging between HK$1,000 and HK$3,000. The triad would also charge traders HK$5 for every lunchbox sold and earn at least HK$500,000 every month. Police in May sent four officers to go undercover as lunchbox traders, and one of them came into contact with suspected triad members.