Sen. Bato dela Rosa Speaks on Vote for Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero BATO DELA ROSA – The Senator revealed that the “Duterte bloc” will support Senate President Chiz Escudero to remain in his position in the 20th Congress. Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero previously admitted that he is open to lead the upper chamber again in ... Read more
The post Bato dela Rosa Reveals “Duterte bloc” To Support Chiz Escudero for Senate Presidency in 20th Congress appeared first on PhilNews.
NATO scrambled warplanes overnight as Vladimir Putin unleashed hypersonic missiles and kamikaze drones in the heaviest assaults of the war on Ukraine.
It comes after raging Donald Trump slammed the tyrant for talking “bull****” about the Ukraine war and making “meaningless” promises.
Kyiv revealed there were a total of 741 strikes on Ukrainian territory by the Russian armed forces, a record for the 40-month conflict.
This involved 728 drone strikes, mainly Iranian-designed Shaheds, seven seven Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles, and six Kinzhal – or Dagger – hypersonic missiles.
Key targets of the massive bombardment were Lutsk and Ternopil in the west of Ukraine, which triggered an emergency response from NATO forces in neighbouring Poland.
Both Polish and other Western air force warplanes were scrambled as a defensive measure during the Putin strikes.
“In connection with the attack by the Russian Federation’s air forces carrying out strikes on objects located in the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation has begun operating in Polish airspace,” said a statement from Warsaw’s armed forces command.
“All available forces and resources at the disposal of the Operational Commander of the [Armed Forces] were activated.
“Duty fighter pairs were scrambled, and ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems reached the highest state of readiness…..
“The measures taken are aimed at ensuring security in areas bordering the threatened areas.”
A total of 718 incoming strikes were destroyed – some 303 – or misfired and were lost including due to electronic warfare, some 415, an astonishing success for Ukrainian air defences.
Some 296 drones were shot down as were all seven Kh-101/Iskander-K cruise missiles in a significant blow to Putin’s firepower.
“The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defence Forces of Ukraine,” said an official statement.
The Russian blitzkrieg used a third more drones and missiles than the previous record.
A BARGAIN hunter has revealed that she ordered herself what she believed would be a stunning water feature for her garden, but what arrived was a mega fail.
Leanne Lulu Griffin confirmed that she treated herself to the garden buy which she bought from Temu, in a bid to add style and light to her outside space.
But when Leanne’s order arrived, she was left in fits of hysterics at the epic fail.
Eager to show off her blunder, Leanne took to social media and shared a snap of what she ordered, alongside a picture of what she actually got.
Posting on BARGAIN LOVERS 
Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, The Range & More, a public Facebook group with 861,000 members, Leanne revealed that rather than a statue that trickles down water, she got an ornament that is totally sealed.
Not only this, but she confirmed that it doesn’t look a thing like the listing and to make matters worse, it doesn’t light up either.
Stunned by the failed order, Leanne penned: “Ahhh Temu…I mean I think it’s stunning.
“Didn’t want it to light up and trickle water anyway.
“What I ordered vs what I got.”
Leanne bought herself the Duck Outdoor Round Water Fountain Feature, which is one of Temu’s best-selling items at the moment.
It was once £10.38 but has since been slashed by 41%, costing shoppers just £6.06.
But despite the bargain price, Leanne was disappointed with what arrived, as the Temu mega fan later explained: “[I’ve] been ordering from here weekly for well over a year and this is the first time Temu has done me over.”
Leanne shared her post just 16 hours ago but it has clearly left many in hysterics, as it has quickly racked up 2,100 likes, 431 comments and 51 shares.
Social media users were stunned by the Temu buy and many raced to the comments to share their thoughts.
One person joked: “Think they shrink on the way.”
It’s not the size that’s a major issue.. looks nothing like what I thought I was getting
Leanne Lulu Griffin
Another added: “It’s getting worse.”
A third commented: “It’s always a gamble with Temu, I ordered party bag bits and got little wristbands and they had spelling mistakes on.”
Meanwhile, one Temu shopper claimed: “Omg I actually put this in my basket plus a few other garden bits.. think I’ll pass.”
But at the same time, someone else slammed: “When you don’t read the description.”
TEMU exploded onto the scene in late 2022, with people all over social media raving about the low prices.
The company is a Chinese-owned digital marketplace – essentially an online shopping app where people are connected to the retailer directly while the app takes care of the shipping element.
The frenzy over the app is not completely unfounded either as it offers a wide variety of products, including fashion, make-up, electronics and furniture.
According to a report from the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Temu takes advantage of a trade loophole that allows the company to ship duty-free goods directly to the US.
The loophole is called the de minimis exception and it means they can ship goods valued up to $800 (£643) to the US without it being inspected or taxed by US customs.
Temu connects customers directly to manufacturers and only manages how the items are sent to customers.
It means Chinese vendors can essentially sell their products directly to customers and ship it without building a network of warehouses across the globe.
By doing this, they cut down on huge costs and ensure the product itself isn’t marked up extra.
While many of the products seen on the Temu app are from brands with extensive, original collections, many more are dupes of designer brands.
However, to this, Leanne wrote back and confirmed: “I did read the description!
“It’s not the size that’s a major issue.. looks nothing like what I thought I was getting.”
And it’s not just Leanne who wasn’t impressed with this garden statue, as someone else shared: “I ordered this as well.. I couldn’t stop laughing when I opened it!
“I’ve kept it for the giggles hahaha it is shocking, my duck’s face is painted with boss eyes not to mention the baby’s beaks.”
Claims to be water feature, more like kids’ ornament. Worse Temu purchase yet
Temu shopper
Not only this, but numerous Temu shoppers have raced to the website to also share their disappointment at the garden feature.
One user snapped: “The quality of the item is awful.”
A second chimed in: “Nothing like the picture – rubbish.”
And a third savvy shopper fumed: “Claims to be water feature, more like kids’ ornament. Worse Temu purchase yet.”
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club
A SCHOOLBOY has been arrested after a 15-year-old girl was raped.
Surrey Police said the assault happened near Chertsey Library on June 27.
The mother of the late actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong expressed her approval for Netflix to produce a documentary about her daughter’s case. The cause of Tangmo’s death remains a subject of controversy, and her mother, Panida Siriyudthayothin, continues to pursue justice. The legal action was brought against the friends who were present during the fatal …
The story Tangmo’s mother greenlights Netflix documentary on mysterious death as seen on Thaiger News.
A LEGENDARY heavy metal icon has died aged 68 after a tragic cancer battle.
Kevin Riddles, who was best known as a founding member and bassist of Angel Witch, had reportedly been diagnosed with the illness before his death.
His death was announced on Instagram by the only surviving founding member of the group, Kevin Heybourne.
Heybourne wrote: “It is with immense sadness that I have to report that Kevin Riddles, our original bass player passed away on Friday 4th July 2025.
“Kevin was a great guy and we remained mates until the end, he will be greatly missed.
“Our condolences to his wife Julie. Rest in peace Kev.”
In May, Riddles suffered from a “serious medical emergency” resulting in cancelled shows.
In addition to his work with Angel Witch, Riddles also co-founded ’80s power metal band Tytan.
He also started his own band named Kev Riddles’ Baphomet, in 2021.
Baphomet recaptured the Angel Witch music from his 70s to 80s era with the band.
His bandmates from later group Baphomet also shared a statement, writing: “Kevin ‘Kev’ Riddles passed away peacefully in hospital in the early hours of Friday morning 4th July 2025.
“An absolute legend in the truest sense of the word, a larger than life character, an incredible and dedicated musician and a very fine and wonderful human being.
“Rest easy big fella.”
Riddles was a key part of creating that distinct metal sound, cited as an influence for the likes of Metallica, Venom, and Slayer.
A MUM-OF-TWO was raped and murdered by her “controlling and coercive” ex-fiance at a luxury hotel, a court has been told.
Samantha Mickleburgh, 54, was found dead after she arranged to celebrate her partner’s 60th birthday with him at the swanky Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey, on April 14 last year.
The mum, from Axminster in Devon, stayed in a twin room with her ex-fiance James Cartwright the night before because she “didn’t want him to feel lonely”, a jury heard on Tuesday.
Cartwright, 61, is standing trial at Guildford Crown Court accused of raping and murdering Ms Mickleburgh between April 12 and April 14 last year.
Prosecutor Louise Oakley told jurors that Samantha had ended the relationship a few months earlier in February.
The court heard the relationship between Cartwright and Ms Mickleburgh, which began in the summer of 2022, was “somewhat of a whirlwind” and they got engaged in September 2023.
Following their breakup, Cartwright continued to pursue Ms Mickleburgh, attending her address unexpectedly and uninvited, and “bombarding her” with messages and calls, Ms Oakley said.
“She didn’t wish him any ill, but she no longer wanted to live with him and no longer wanted to be in a relationship with him,” Ms Oakley said.
“But part of her also felt bad for him, believing that he had no one else to spend that day with.
“As a result, she had arranged a celebratory meal and stay at Penny Hill Park and Spa, and in a final act of selflessness, she honoured that commitment despite telling friends and family that the relationship was over.”
Following the incident, Cartwright dialled 999 at around 8.30am and said the victim was unresponsive, jurors were told.
“That was a lie,” Ms Oakley continued.
“He had most likely killed her in the early hours of the April 14 2024 with his own bare hands applying manual pressure around her neck, extinguishing her life.”
A post-mortem examination found Samantha’s body had sustained “a significant head injury” as well as fractured to bones in her neck – consistent with signs of strangulation.
Ms Oakley added: “There were only two people in this room – and she couldn’t have and didn’t strangle herself.”
The former couple headed out for a six course tasting menu at the hotel’s Michelin starred restaurant The Latymer on the evening of April 13, jurors were told.
During the meal, staff observed that Samantha appeared unwell and that she “looked more and more sleepy and at points her eyes were closed and she looked like she was sleeping,” prosecution said.
They paid their bill and left the restaurant at around 10.30pm, while CCTV footage snapped the two walking back to their room a few minutes after.
“This is the last time Samantha Mickleburgh was seen alive,” Ms Oakley told the court.
Cartwright was arrested by police on April 19 last year and interviewed by officers.
The accused told cops that his ex-fiance “perked up” after they left the restaurant.
He then claimed the two had consensual sex before “falling asleep in each other’s arms,” prosecution said.
Ms Oakley said: “She had intended at some point to tell him that this was the last time they would see each other.
“Is this what caused James Cartwright’s explosion of violence?
“He had started to lose control of his relationship with Samantha because of his own controlling and coercive ways.”
The trial continues.
Pattaya prepares for a tourism and economic surge as a wave of new domestic flight routes connects the city like never before. The bold move is part of Thailand’s New Route – New Airline initiative, aimed at turning the kingdom into a regional aviation powerhouse. Leading the charge are Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and …
The story Pattaya takes off: New flights promise tourism boom and big bucks as seen on Thaiger News.