PH congratulates new UK gov’t
President Marcos on Saturday congratulated new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party for their landslide victory in the parliamentary election on July 5. “We wish the new government success and look forward to further strengthening our deep and longstanding ties,” the President posted on X. The President made the remarks after Starmer’s Labour Party won a total of 412 of the House of Commons’ 650 seats. Starmer’s victory ended 14 years of the Conservative Party’s rule. The official X account of the UK Prime Minister said that Starmer had already spoken with various international allies and partners in his first hours of holding office. “The UK stands ready to continue to work with them to deliver security and growth at home and abroad,” it said.
—JULIE M. AURELIO
Red Cross reports 800,000 beneficiaries
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has provided humanitarian assistance to more than 800,00 beneficiaries in the first half of 2024, according to data released by its operations center on Friday. PRC president Richard Gordon, in a statement, said the humanitarian group derives its strength from its two million “dedicated, selfless and compassionate volunteers” all over the country. PRC secretary general Dr. Gwen Pang, for her part, mentioned that “PRC remains committed to its mission to alleviate human suffering and uplift the dignity of the most vulnerable, and will continue to be always first, always ready, and always there especially during disasters and emergencies.” Aside from PRC’s volunteers across its 102 chapters nationwide, it mobilizes emergency response vehicles consisting of 179 ambulances, 48 rescue boats, 35 food trucks, 28 water tankers, 14 fire trucks and 8 payloaders, among others.
—JEROME ANING
PAL’s Boeing 777 bursts tires on takeoff
A Philippine Air Lines (PAL) flight to Los Angeles was forced to abort its takeoff after bursting several of its rear tires at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) late Friday night. According to Naia authorities, flight PR-102 was taking off at around 10:22 p.m. when the incident, known in aviation parlance as a “rejected takeoff” (RTO), occurred. In an RTO, the pilot decides to abort the takeoff after initiating the takeoff roll but before the plane leaves the ground. The aircraft, a Boeing B777-300ER, stopped at the runway with Naia emergency vehicles following to the site. A towbar and a service staircase were attached and after about an hour, the 361 passengers were safely deplaned. PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, in a statement, confirmed that PR 102 “discontinued its take-off due to a technical issue.” “PAL apologizes for the inconvenience caused by the incident,” she said.
—JEROME ANING
