First Pinoy Store and Carinderia in Nottingham, UK

The city of Nottingham now has its own Filipino store and carinderia, reports ABS-CBN News. A&J Philippines Asian Products and A&J Karinderia are owned by Ofelia Hutchinson, who named the ventures after her daughters Alejandra and Juliana. The two businesses sit next to each other in the Victoria Market within shopping mall, the Victoria Centre. The store, which has already been open for eight months, sells a range of popular Asian and Pinoy cooking products, snacks and condiments.

PH Gives Visa-Free Stay to Nat'ls From Malaysia, 150 Others

Malaysians and nationals from 150 other countries may now stay longer in the Philippines visa-free from 21 days to 30 days, announced the Department of Foreign Affairs. This privilege is extended to nationals of 151 countries, so long as they have a passport valid for six months beyond their contemplated stay and a return ticket to the country of origin or onward ticket to the next country of destination. The list of countries eligible for 30 days visa-free entry can be obtained through this link: https://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.

Penile Implants--Secret to Filipino Seamen's Sexcess?

Many Filipino sailors make small incisions in their penises and slide tiny plastic or stone balls--the size of M&M's--underneath the skin in order to enhance sexual pleasure for prostitutes and other women they encounter in port cities, especially in Rio de Janeiro, reports TheAtlantic.com. One of the researchers, University of California, Santa Cruz, labor sociologist Steve McKay, traveled extensively on container ships with Filipino crews in 2005 for his research on the masculine identity in the shipping market.

Taiwan Lifts Sanctions, After PH Apology

After an apology from the Philippine government, Taiwan lifted its sanctions on the Philippines over an encounter that killed a Taiwanese fisherman last May 9, reports GMA News.  Philippine representative to Taiwan Antonio Basilio is expected to return to Taipei on August 12. Taiwan is also sending back its representative to the Philippines soon.

Massive Oil Spill Hits Three Cavite Towns

Some 3,000 coastal families in three Cavite towns have been affected by a massive fuel spill suspected to have come from a commercial tanker servicing Petron Corp., reports Interaksyon.com. The spill reportedly came from the MT Makisig, as probers were still checking Petron's secondary oil depot in Rosario town, the ground zero of the spill. Rosario, Tanza and Noveleta are the affected towns. 

Pinoys Top Int'l Math Contest in Singapore

With a medal haul of 23 golds, 45 silvers and 93 bronzes, a group of young Filipino math aces—mostly elementary and high school students from Metro Manila—topped the just-ended 2013 Singapore International Mathematics Contest, held on August 4, reports Inquirer.net. China placed second in the 10-nation competition, winning a total of 22 gold, 44 silver and 67 bronze medals, while host Singapore got 20 golds, 39 silvers and 67 bronzes.

Same-Sex Couples Can Now File U.S. Taxes as Married

Same-sex couples in the US can now report their income and file tax returns as married couples after the US Supreme Court on June 26, declared as unconstitutional part of the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 (DOMA), that denied federal marital benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married under state law, reports Inquirer.net.

Labor Attache Honored, Unified Filipinos in Malaysia

A Philippine embassy labor attaché in Kuala Lumpur earned the Gawad Mabini Presidential Award for unifying the Filipino community organizations in Malaysia, reports ABS-CBNNews.com. Labor Attache Dr. Alicia D. Santos united 35 Filipino groups under one umbrella organization, the Federation of Filipino Associations in Malaysia (FFAM), and helped get it accredited with the Malaysian Registry of Societies.