ITHACA, Greece — Standing on the ferry as it waits to dock on the Greek island of Ithaca, Giorgia Ongarato is only too keen to talk about the 'Odyssey'. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xmTC

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Vice President Sara Duterte's remark suggesting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could be viewed as a 'pro-China' suspect in the absence of an official list naming government personnel is laughable. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xS4y

MALACAÑANG announced that former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. CEO Edwin Mercado is now the new secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), replacing Jose Pujalte Jr., who resigned less than a month after taking the helm. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xS-K

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will come up with a decision in a couple of weeks whether to grant the request of the United States to extradite pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Malacañang said on Monday. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xSXB

ALEX Eala’s campaign at the WTA 1000 National Bank Open ended in a 4-6, 0-6 loss to Belinda Bencic in the fourth round in Toronto on Monday, but she will finally get some time to rest after playing nine matches in 13 days bridging her Washington conquest. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xSr2

NEW DELHI — Indian students marched towards the state assembly in Jharkhand on Monday, escalating protests over alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations, with several students also on hunger strike. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xShn

India students step up examination protests

manilatimes.net

MOST Filipinos are holding off on deciding whether Vice President Sara Duterte should be convicted or acquitted in her impeachment trial, with a majority saying they want to see the evidence first, the latest Tugon ng Masa survey of OCTA Research showed. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xSq8

HOUSE Deputy Speaker and Samar Rep. Gina “Sarah” Garin on Monday said disaster response and the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte can proceed simultaneously, rejecting suggestions that Congress was prioritizing the trial over Filipinos affected by severe weather.

ISRAEL on Sunday rejected a deal announced by US President Donald Trump for Gaza. Details emerged on the potential deal between Iran and Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz as Tehran suggested that vessels linked to “hostile countries” would be barred. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xSsL

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito on Monday welcomed the appointment of former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) chief Edwin Mercado as new secretary of the Department of Health (DOH). READ: https://mrf.lu/2xStM

TWO measures in the House of Representatives that seek to strengthen online safety for children and protect the Sierra Madre Mountain Range have been included in the (Ledac) priority agenda. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xSTg

FOR decades, Ferrari enthusiasts have lamented the disappearance of the gated manual gearbox. Now, the Italian marque has brought it back — or at least something that looks and feels remarkably close. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xhlw

LAND Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) wants to expand lending to farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while offsetting income losses from waived digital transfer fees, its president and CEO Lynette Ortiz. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xhnj

LandBank eyeing loan growth to offset fee loss

manilatimes.net

PROBABLY the worst blow that ABS-CBN experienced since Marcosian rule was the fate decided upon by Congress during the Duterte administration. No 25-year franchise was granted, hence its eventual closure. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xhyg

Agricultural damage and losses from tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) have reached P135.3 million, affecting 6,010 farmers and 4,516 hectares of farmland, the Department of Agriculture said on Monday. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xh-T

MANILA, Philippines — The reported death toll due to the combined onslaught of Tropical Cyclones Maymay, Luis and southwest monsoon or Habagat has now climbed to 15, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xhFm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will come up with a decision in a couple of weeks whether to grant the request of the United States to extradite pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Malacañang said on Monday. READ: tmt.news/2402217

DEFENDING champion TNT eyes payback against NLEX when the two squads collide in round 2 of their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup elimination round match on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xhSV

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero welcomed the appointment of new Health Secretary Edwin Mercado, saying Malacañang's action helped resolve the leadership issues that have recently hounded the DOH and threatened to disrupt the implementation of Universal Health Care. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xhzH

TV5 is strengthening its programming lineup for the second half of 2026 with a mix of entertainment, news, public service, music and talent-driven shows, led by the highly anticipated TV reunion of Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xhRz

THE Marcos administration has secured a $600-million (P36.95 billion) grant from the United States to strengthen the country’s healthcare system. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xhTd

MALACAÑANG backed the statement of House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos regarding the alleged political concessions demanded by the Duterte administration in exchange for an endorsement for his father, then presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. READ: tmt.news/2402216

FOLLOWING heavy flooding in several parts of Cebu in recent weeks, the Office of the Ombudsman will investigate P60 billion worth of flood control projects carried out in the province over the last six years.

SEOUL — South Korean and US troops will begin their annual exercises next week to beef up readiness against North Korean threats, the allies announced Monday, days after North Korea resumed ballistic missile testing activities that are banned by the UN. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xz6p

FILIPINO tennis ace Alexandra 'Alex' Eala yielded to Swiss Belinda Bencic in the fourth round (round of 16), 4-6, 0-6, to exit the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto Monday morning in Manila. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2xzkW

THE Sandiganbayan 3rd Division has issued a subpoena duces tecum ad testificandum to former Public Works secretary Manuel Bonoan to testify against former senator Bong Revilla in the case involving alleged “ghost” flood control projects in Pandi, Bulacan. READ: https://mrf.lu/2xz15

Sen. Loren Legarda on Monday called for stronger protection for workers who continue to sustain the economy during calamities, stressing the need for fair compensation, safe working arrangements, and adequate support for the added risks and expenses they face. READ: tmt.news/2402312

SAN Miguel Corp. President and CEO Ramon S. Ang has bought a 25.7-percent stake in Lopez Inc. from the family branch led by Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2x398

A premium smart mattress brand is bringing artificial intelligence, adaptive support and wellness technology into Filipino bedrooms. READ more: https://mrf.lu/2x3fT

FUEL prices went down Tuesday, Aug. 11, as the global oil market reacted to the recent developments in the Middle East. READ: https://mrf.lu/2x3db