Palace budget for interest payments can’t be reviewed—senator

The proposed budget for interest payments in 2011 may have been overstated by up to P7.7 billion but Congress could no longer touch this after Malacanang’s move to shield debt service from congressional review, a senator said on Tuesday.

Suicides, depression cost Japan $32 billion – gov’t

Suicides and depression cost the Japanese economy almost $32 billion last year on top of their human toll, the government said Tuesday, the first time it released such an estimate.

PNP to beef up security in malls, public transport

The Philippine National Police intends to beef up security in public places as part of its campaign against crime, a spokesman said Tuesday.

French unions strike against Sarkozy pension reform

President Nicolas Sarkozy’s government faced a showdown with angry trade unions on Tuesday as thousands prepared to march against plans to raise the minimum retirement age to 62.