A powerful earthquake has devastated the Philippines, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 15 lives and injuring over 200 individuals. The tremor has also led to tsunami warnings being issued across various parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

The seismic event was registered as a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers on Monday morning, as reported by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).

Initially, the GFZ had estimated the earthquake’s magnitude to be 8.2.

The quake impacted the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, prompting authorities to advise residents to move to higher ground in response to multiple tsunami alerts.

Officials have reported damage to 37 buildings, predominantly affecting commercial properties.

Since the initial magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck off the Philippines’ southern coast, 138 aftershocks have been recorded as of 11:00 local time (03:00 GMT), according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

According to local civil defence office director Rodrigo Sosmena, 12 of the fatalities were reported in Soccsksargen – a region spanning four provinces and one city: South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement: ‘Based on the local tsunami scenario database, it is expected to experience wave heights of more than one metre above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straits.

The earthquake sparked a tsunami measuring about one metre along nearby coastlines, officials said. 

A huge earthquake has struck the Philippines with the region now facing a tsunami threat

The quake, which was recorded as an 7.8 magnitude, struck at a depth of 10km on Monday morning

A series of earthquakes, or ‘aftershocks’ as authorities described them, continue to impact the region

‘It is forecast that the first tsunami waves will arrive between 07:37am to 09:37am (PST). These waves may continue for hours.’

Tsunami warnings were issued in several countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and Australia, although some of those warnings have since been lifted.

Tsunami waves ranging from 3cm (0.1ft) to 0.8m (2.7ft) were recorded in Palau, Indonesia and the Philippine region of Davao, according to the US Geological Survey.

People in the coastal areas of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato were strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher ground or move inland.

Authorities urged residents not to delay evacuating, with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr issuing a stark warning.

He said: ‘Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind.’

The police chief of Alabel town in Sarangani, Philippines, said the police building had some cracks immediately after the quake, which occurred during their flag-raising ceremony, while a Jollibee building collapsed. 

‘This is ​the strongest earthquake ⁠we’ve experienced,’ chief Benjie Ancheta told Reuters via phone.

Ancheta said there were no immediate reports of casualties, though some people fainted following the strong tremor. 

A series of earthquakes, or ‘aftershocks’ as authorities described them, continue to impact the region, with magnitudes ranging from 3.7 to 1.3 recorded.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center previously issued an alert for possible hazardous tsunami waves along the coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea. 

New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency has ruled out any chance the earthquake could generate a tsunami affecting New Zealand. 

‘NEMA has assessed the information with the assistance of science advisers,’ the agency said in a statement.

‘Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will affect New Zealand.’

The Philippines and Indonesia are tectonically complex regions of the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, a seismically active belt stretching from South America to the Russian Far East, Reuters reports. 

There’s an age-old saying that laughter is the best medicine, and recent findings suggest it might indeed play a crucial role in children’s growth and development. New research highlights how laughter and play are essential not only for healthy brain development but also for emotional stability and social connections.

Jacqueline Harding, Ph.D., a leading expert on early childhood from Middlesex University in London, emphasizes these benefits in her latest book, “The Brain That Loves to Laugh.” According to Harding, joy is a complex yet vital biological process that aids children in managing stress and nurturing resilient, open-minded individuals, as reported by news agency SWNS.

Harding explains, “When children laugh, it’s a testament to the brain’s remarkable capability: it’s a sign of learning, connecting, and growing.”

She further elaborates that, “Hope and humor are not merely life’s spices but rather essential ingredients in the recipe for healthy development.”

“Hope and humor, it seems, are not just the seasoning of life, but foundational to a recipe for healthy development.”

Laughter activates broad brain networks, including motor regions and the prefrontal cortex, long before children learn to speak. By helping the brain resolve conflicting ideas, it boosts creativity and engages working memory, acting as a “mental workout,” experts say.

At a molecular level, laughter alters the internal chemistry by decreasing stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. It also increases “happiness chemicals” like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.

Additionally, laughter is known to boost oxytocin, which deepens emotional bonds between parents and children.

Prolonged stress does the exact opposite: It impairs learning, suppresses immune function and alters the developing limbic system, which governs emotion and long-term memory, according to SWNS.

“Stated simply, the emotional state of young children directly influences how they navigate their way through the world,” Harding said.

Parents can foster these benefits through moments of spontaneous play and joyful connection, the expert advised.

These interactions do more than spark laughter — they help children develop emotional regulation, strengthen feelings of safety and connection, and support social and cognitive development, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Spontaneous, joyful play is an antidote to stress, as it increases levels of endorphins released by the brain,” Harding said. “Creative, happy play does its most brilliant work at a molecular level, especially at a time when the human brain is at its most receptive.”

This shared joy also establishes “co-regulation,” where a child learns to manage their own stress by drawing on a biological store of positive early experiences.

Harding advocates for integrating humor directly into classrooms to reduce cognitive load and improve how children retain key concepts. 

By uplifting the nervous system, joy creates an optimal environment for information absorption, as the SWNS piece noted.

“Safe relationships and non-stressful play environments promote learning,” she added. 

“The curriculum must never be prioritized over those two fundamental factors.”

NEW YORK (AP) — On Sunday evening, a stabbing incident at New York’s Penn Station resulted in injuries to six individuals. This unsettling event occurred just one day before a large crowd is expected to gather at the adjacent Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Authorities apprehended a suspect following the attack, which took place around 7 p.m. at one of the busiest transportation centers in the country. The expansive rail hub beneath Madison Square Garden serves commuters and travelers alike, connecting Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit, and New York City subway lines, facilitating the journeys of hundreds of thousands each day.

Emergency responders assessed the situation, finding one person with serious injuries, two with moderate injuries, and two with minor injuries, as reported by the city’s fire department. All five were transported to Bellevue Hospital for further treatment. Another individual, whose condition remains unclear, was taken to a different medical facility.

At this time, authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the motivations behind the stabbing or whether the victims were specifically targeted.

By Sunday night, the initial turmoil had subsided, returning Penn Station to its usual bustling scene. Travelers navigated around a cordoned-off area near Tracks 5 and 6, where remnants of the incident, such as medical gloves, used bandages, and traces of blood, still lingered.

The violence erupted as New York prepared for one of its biggest sports events in decades. Monday night’s matchup between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will be the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden since 1999 and is expected to draw massive crowds to the arena.

President Donald Trump has said he plans to attend the nationally televised game, prompting extensive security involving the Secret Service, New York Police Department and other agencies around Madison Square Garden and the surrounding blocks. Authorities did not immediately indicate whether the stabbing would affect security plans for the game.

Amtrak police said they were investigating the stabbing and had taken a suspect into custody. Authorities did not immediately release the suspect’s identity or provide information about potential charges.

During the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton shared an affectionate gesture with his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian. Standing on the podium, the British racing star blew her a kiss, capturing a heartwarming moment.

The 41-year-old champion, who has been romantically linked to the SKIMS mogul since earlier this year, expressed his admiration for Kardashian as he celebrated his second-place finish at the prestigious event.

In a short clip uploaded to the official F1 Instagram account, the TV personality could be seen proudly filming her beau as he was presented the trophy from Princess Charlene of Monaco. 

While hoisting his impressive trophy high into the air, Hamilton also gave a thumbs-up to his team, who were cheering him on from below.

In a delightful response, he blew a kiss to the 45-year-old Kardashian, who was nearby, prompting her to beam with joy.

She applauded the skilled driver as he stood beside the race’s winner, 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who clinched the top spot.

Lewis Hamilton, 41, shared a sweet moment with girlfriend Kim Kardashian as he blew her a kiss while at the podium during the F1 Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday

The British racer sent love to Kardashian as he accepted his second place trophy following the race over the weekend

Kardashian glammed up for the big day wearing a cream-colored dress that clung to her figure. 

While attending the star-studded race, she also unveiled the daring backless portion of the ensemble. 

Her dark locks were swept up into a chic updo, allowing loose strands to border the sides of her face. 

She slipped into a pair of closed-toed black heels and completed the look with stylish shades. 

The star was accompanied by her younger sister Khloe who was also dressed for the special occasion in a satin cream dress with a lace trim on the neckline and hem. 

During the festivities, Kardashian was slammed as ‘rude’ after she seemingly snubbed legendary TV reporter and former driver Martin Brundle. 

She was standing with her entourage watching the pre-race ceremony unfold in the Mediterranean principality. 

Kardashian was approached by Brundle of British broadcaster Sky Sports, who has become famed within F1 for his pre-race walkabouts where he interviews celebrities on the grid before every race.

Hamilton lifted the large trophy up into the air while giving a thumbs up to his team watching from below

He then blew a kiss towards Kardashian who was also nearby which caused her to flash a cheerful smile

She also applauded the professional driver who stood alongside 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli who came in first place

Kardashian glammed up for the big day wearing a cream-colored dress that clung to her figure

During the festivities, Kardashian was slammed as ‘rude’ after she seemingly snubbed legendary TV reporter and former driver Martin Brundle; Brundle seen above on Sunday 

Brundle walked up and down the packed Monaco grid in the moments before the race looking for celebrities and drivers to interview. 

He noticed Kardashian and Khloe standing by the track and approached them to try and get a word while on live TV.

But both Kardashian sisters chose to rudely ignore Brundle, refusing to say a single word to him before they turned to their entourage in a bid to seemingly get him moved away.

The embarrassing moment sparked fury among the F1 fans watching on at home.

One commented: ‘Kim Kardashian is not too good to talk to Martin Brundle. What a complete lack of class.’ 

Another added: ‘Didn’t we just know Kim Kardashian would refuse to speak to Martin Brundle.

‘Famous for absolutely nothing, can’t carry an umbrella herself and she ignores Martin when talented sports persons and international actors embrace him. She has no place on our grid.’

Another posted: ‘How rude was Kim Kardashian? Brundle there to ask questions and she looks at some dude to see if Brundle was worth talking to. Poor.’ 

The embarrassing moment sparked fury among the F1 fans watching on at home

One day earlier on Saturday, Kardashian was also spotted supporting Hamilton during his race

‘Can’t believe Lewis didn’t give Kim Kardashian the talk about Martin Brundle royalty,’ another quipped.

One fan replied: ‘Kim Kardashian just staring at Martin Brundle and ignoring him on the grid walk. She knows it’s okay to use words, right?’

During his career as a driver, Brundle finished on the F1 podium nine times across 12 seasons. He also won the World Sports Car Championships and the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

One day earlier on Saturday, Kardashian was also spotted supporting Hamilton during his race. 

She wore a black lace tank top as well as a pair of blue jeans while walking by the harbor with her sister Khloe. 

The Good American founder also sported a black sleeveless top and fitted black capris for the big day in Monte Carlo. 

And on Friday, Kardashian made her grand arrival ahead of the weekend and sported a black leather look. 

The Monaco Grand Prix is the first race that the reality star has attended to support Hamilton amid their romance. 

She wore a black lace tank top as well as a pair of blue jeans while walking by the harbor with her sister Khloe

The Monaco Grand Prix is the first race that the reality star has attended to support Hamilton amid their romance; Hamilton seen on Sunday in Monaco 

Hamilton and Kardashian have known each other for years before recently sparking up a romance.

Back in late January, the stars were seen checking into an upscale hotel in the Cotswolds.

Shortly after, the pair were spotted at another hotel in the city of Paris – before they grabbed dinner together at Aqua Kyoto.

An insider told Entertainment Tonight at the time, ‘Kim and Lewis are spending more time together and seeing where things are going.

‘They’ve been friends and known each other for years but are now exploring a romantic relationship.’

Later that same month, Kardashian and Hamilton sat next to each other while attending Super Bowl LX.

The pair also spent time together in Tokyo in March ahead of Hamilton taking part in the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix. The couple also made an appearance at the Coachella Music Festival soon after. 

Kardashian and Hamilton were spotted kissing for the first time as they took a dip in the ocean in Malibu in April.

Earlier this month, Kardashian jumped to Instagram as both she and the racer had a blast during a bike ride. 

Earlier this month, Kardashian uploaded a photo to Instagram as both she and the racer had a blast during a bike ride

Hamilton has also met the star’s four children whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West: North, 12, Saint, 10, Chicago, eight, and Psalm, seven

Hamilton has also met the star’s four children whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West: North, 12, Saint, 10, Chicago, eight, and Psalm, seven. 

‘Kim’s very selective when it comes to the people she allows around her kids,’ a source recently told People. 

The insider added that the media personality is ‘very protective’ of her kids and ‘doesn’t take new introductions lightly.’

‘The fact that Lewis has spent time with the kids reflects how much she trusts him.’ 

A video has surfaced depicting a New York City police officer allegedly slamming a Knicks fan’s face into a pole during an arrest following Friday night’s victory celebration at Madison Square Garden.

The footage shows numerous officers, including a captain, working together to restrain the young suspect, as the crowd reacted with boos during the arrest after the Knicks secured a win in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

In the video, the suspect, with his hands secured behind his back, did not seem to be resisting when an officer from the Community Affairs unit suddenly grabbed him by the neck and forcefully pushed his face against a green pole.

The fan visibly recoiled in pain, while an agitated crowd expressed their disapproval, as captured in the clip shared on Instagram by mrcheckpoint_.

“What the f–k! Yo, what the f–k!” shouted one of the onlookers, as several fans recorded the intense altercation on their phones.

It’s unclear what happened before or after the 17-second viral clip, which has racked up nearly 900,000 views. 

The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment.

The apparent arrest came after a nail-biter Knicks win over the San Antonio Spurs, with chaos erupting as thousands of revelers flooded the streets outside the iconic arena. Some fans were detained for blocking traffic and climbing light poles.

One fan, Karley Reyes, allegedly punched a cop and bit another during the celebration.

A watch party for Monday’s Game 3 was nixed after strict security measures were announced for President Trump’s attendance.

As the Karmelo Anthony murder trial continues this Monday, a Texas attorney suggests that the verdict may hinge more on the jury’s interpretation of self-defense, racial dynamics, prior interactions between the teenagers, and the distinct atmosphere of high school track meets than on the deadly altercation itself.

Anthony stands accused of fatally stabbing fellow student Austin Metcalf during a confrontation at a Texas track meet last year. He has entered a plea of not guilty, asserting that his actions were in self-defense. The trial, which has garnered significant public attention and sparked widespread debate, kicked off last week.

On Saturday, the prosecution concluded its case after presenting testimony from 21 witnesses. Anthony’s defense requested a directed verdict, which was denied by the judge. As the trial progresses, the defense began presenting its case by calling three witnesses, with proceedings set to continue on Monday.

Larry Taylor, a seasoned criminal defense lawyer and former Texas prosecutor, shared with News Media that the jury will need to consider factors beyond just the physical evidence presented in court.

In a courtroom sketch from the Collin County courthouse, defense attorney Mike Howard is depicted delivering his opening statements during Karmelo Anthony’s murder trial. (Pat Lopez)