National

Gibo warns hoarders as La Niña nears

(UPDATE) DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Sunday issued a stern warning to hoarders and profiteers as the government gears up for the onslaught of the La Niña phenomenon. Teodoro said authorities would not hesitate to run after hoarders and price manipulators preying on consumers as the country transitions to La Niña. He issued the warning during the fifth meeting of the presidential task force on El Niño response. In a meeting in Camp...

DOTr mulls offers for EDSA busway

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) would have to choose whether to accept an unsolicited proposal or conduct an open bidding for the operations and maintenance of the EDSA busway. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center is wrapping up the review process for an unsolicited offer, pitched by Megawide Construction Corp., to operate and maintain the EDSA busway. However, PPP Center deputy executive director Jeffrey...

Marcos orders pre-border invoicing to speed up inspection of imported goods

MANILA, Philippines — The government will be implementing digital and integrated pre-border technical verification and cross-border electronic invoicing of all imported products, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said. These steps will be carried out through Administrative Order (AO) No. 23, signed last May 13 and published on May 19. READ: Bureau of Customs exceeds February 2024 revenue collection target In a statement, the PCO said...

‘Bring Julian home’: the Australian campaign to free Assange

Assange’s supporters say what Wikileaks revealed about power and access to information is as relevant today as ever.

French town apologises for not flying Union Jack in D-Day decorations

Pictures from previous years show flag bunting depicting all the nations involved in the Allied resistance to the Nazis adorning the streets of the charming town of Carentan.

Pinoys to continue fishing in Panatag

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fisherfolk will not be cowed and will continue to fish in Panatag Shoal despite China’s empowering of its coast guard to detain for 60 days without trial anyone or any vessel found trespassing in what it considers its territorial waters. In a radio interview at the weekend, New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association president Leonardo Cuaresma maintained that Panatag Shoal is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic...

Slovakian prime minister had predicted an assassination attempt

A chilling video has emerged of Robert Fico making the prophecy of his own assassination attempt last month.

Appeal over student sex attack more than 20 years ago

Police appeal for witnesses to the sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman more than 20 years ago.

Lawmaker endorses renewal of Meralco legislative franchise

MANILA, Philippines — Another official of the House of Representatives has endorsed the renewal of the legislative franchise of the country’s largest power distribution firm, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), for another 25 years. “Renewing the franchise of Meralco will show potential investors that capital-heavy investments can benefit from long-term stability here in the Philippines as it is safeguarded by the government,” Cagayan de Oro 2nd...

Why growing China-Russia military ties worry the west

For two years, Chinese backing for Russia's war in Ukraine has been western governments' biggest concern about the two countries' burgeoning relationship. But two weeks ago, US officials raised alarm over their co-operation in another key security theatre: the seas around Taiwan. "We see them, China and Russia, for the first time exercising together in relation to Taiwan," Avril Haines, director of national intelligence, told US lawmakers. "[We...

No winners of Ultra Lotto 6/58, Superlotto 6/49 on Sunday, May 19, 2024

There were no winners of either of the big lotto draws held on Sunday, May 19. No one hit the right combinations for the Ultra Lotto 6/58 and the Superlotto 6/49, drawn by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The winning numbers for the Ultra Lotto 6/58 were 02-56-44-24-27-40. The jackpot is at P49,500,000.00. The winning numbers for Superlotto 6/49 were 16-18-17-44-37-45. The prize is at P15,865,493.40. — BM, GMA Integrated News...

MIAA gives red lightning alert Sunday, suspends NAIA flights, ground ops

MANILA, Philippines — Flight and ground operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City were temporarily suspended on Sunday afternoon due to a red lightning alert. “The MIAA Airport Ground Operations and Safety Division (AGOSD) has issued a Red Lightning alert at 1404H / 2:04 PM. Flight and ground operations are temporarily suspended,” said the Manila International Airport Authority in an advisory. A red lighting Alert is a...

NSTC-ROTC bill approval pushed

MANILA, Philippines — A two-year mandatory citizen service training for college students is being pushed for approval by 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero. Romero and other military reservists paid a courtesy call last week on Speaker Martin Romualdez, who promised to prioritize the enactment of the National Citizen Service Training (NSTC) and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) bill. Romualdez is the principal author of the NSTC-ROTC...

Israeli army steps up attacks across Gaza as top US official visits Israel

Air and ground attacks kill dozens across besieged enclave as US adviser Jake Sullivan holds talks with Israeli leaders.

Roads closed after two motorcycles crash

Police, ambulance and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are all in attendance.

DRC army says it stopped attempted coup involving US citizens

By Ange Kasongo and Sonia Rolley KINSHASA (Reuters) -The leader of an attempted coup on Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been killed and some 50 people including three American citizens arrested, a spokesman for the Central African country's army told Reuters. Gunfire rang out around 4 a.m. in the capital Kinshasa, a Reuters reporter said. Armed men attacked the presidency in

Lib Dem leader: I needed two years of therapy because of online abuse

The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has revealed he has been receiving therapy for more than two years because of the level of abuse he endures.

Cong. Duke Frasco Cup fires off in Liloan

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cong. Duke Frasco Cup, one of northern Cebu’s biggest sports events, officially kicked off on Saturday, May 18, at the Liloan Sports Complex. More than a hundred athletes from the municipalities of Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Liloan, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Sogod, and Tudela and Danao City paraded during the opening ceremony headed by Rep. Frasco of the fifth district of Cebu. This sports event will run...

Cyclist dies after 'coming off bike' - police

Police believe the man, in his 50s, died when he came off his bike on a road in Winscales.

Investigation into Angela Rayner will be done 'fairly' says police

Stephen Watson - who has been hailed for his 'back to basics' approach to bringing Greater Manchester Police out of special measures - pledged it would 'go where the evidence leads us'.

New Taiwan president to take office facing angry China

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Lai Ching-te takes office as Taiwan's new president on Monday facing an angry and deeply suspicious China which believes he is a "separatist", and a fractious parliament with an opposition chomping at the bit to challenge him. Lai will express goodwill towards China in his inauguration speech at the Japanese-colonial era presidential office in central Taipei, and call for both

Spain recalls ambassador after Argentina's Milei calls PM's wife 'corrupt'

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires for consultations on Sunday after Argentina's President Javier Milei made derogatory comments about Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife during a far-right rally in Madrid. Milei had called Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez "corrupt" during a rally in Madrid organised by the far-right Vox party and attended by many of its

Taiwan coast guard ramps up island patrols ahead of inauguration

KINMEN — Taipei’s coast guard ramped up patrols over the weekend around its outlying islands that have seen increased presence of Chinese vessels, the agency said Sunday, the eve of Lai Ching-te’s inauguration as Taiwan’s new president. China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, maintaining a near-daily military presence with frequent appearances of fighter jets, drones and naval ships around the island. It has also in recent...

CSB, Perpetual near coronation

MANILA, Philippines — The NCAA volleyball dynasties of College of St. Benilde and University of Perpetual Help remained indomitable. CSB and UPHSD turned back Letran, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, and Emilio Aguinaldo College, 24-26, 25-20, 27-25, 25-19, respectively, yesterday to close in on ruling NCAA Season 99 and extending their reigns. The Lady Blazers were clinical in dismantling the Lady Knights, the improbable title challengers, in a win that...

Lai Ching-te inaugurated as Taiwan's president in a transition likely to bolster island's US ties

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan has inaugurated Lai Ching-te as its a new president. It took place in a ceremony Monday after he won an election earlier this year. He is a relative moderate who will continue the self-governing island democracy’s policy of de facto independence while seeking to bolster its defenses against China.

Foreign students could be barred from taking 'low quality' courses

Rishi Sunak is considering the move amid concern that the so-called 'graduate route' is being exploited as a back door route to a new life in the UK.

Man charged with punching actor Steve Buscemi is held on $50,000 bond

NEW YORK (AP) — The man charged with assaulting actor Steve Buscemi on a Midtown street has been held in jail on bond in New York, prosecutors said. Police have said the 66-year-old actor — known for his roles in “Boardwalk Empire,” and “Fargo,” among other performances — was walking in Manhattan on May 8 when a stranger punched him in the face. Police arrested a man Friday in connection with the assault, three days after having released a photo...

Baltimore workers to move crashed cargo ship that downed bridge

(Reuters) - Workers in Baltimore were preparing to clear a crashed cargo ship nearly as long as the Eiffel Tower from the channel it is blocking, officials said on Sunday, almost two months after the vessel downed the Francis Scott Key bridge, paralyzing a major eastern U.S. port. The unified command organizations overseeing the response said work would begin early on Monday to move the cargo

Protest continues vs crackdown on unconsolidated jeepneys

MANILA, Philippines — Protests will continue today amid the ongoing crackdown against colorum or unauthorized public utility jeepneys (PUJ), transport group Manibela said. Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena yesterday criticized the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for being selective in impounding PUJs that failed to consolidate. At least three PUJs were impounded on Friday. These were not part of Manibela and Pagkakaisa...

FM's critics should look at themselves - minister

Critics of Vaughan Gething should ask themselves if they are crossing a line, a minister has said.

Metro disabled access 'shame' for Paralympic Paris

Charity says lack of work to improve access to Paris's Metro ahead of Games is "scandalous".

Asian cycling body honors Tolentino

MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) will confer on PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino the 2024 ACC Merit Award during the continental body’s Congress next month in Kazakhstan. ACC secretary-general Onkar Singh informed Tolentino of the award in a correspondence dated May 16. “The Executive Committee of the Asian Cycling Confederation has decided to confer the 2024 ACC Merit Award for your exemplary service...

HEADLINES: Chinese ships swarm Julian Felipe Reef | May 20, 2024

Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, May 20, 2024. Today's podcast is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, the Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer -- your trusted building partner. READ: Chinese ships swarm Julian Felipe Reef CHINA is poised to take effective control of Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef, a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef that is within the Philippines' exclusive...

Canadian teen says he was fined $580 at McDonald's drive-thru for using app; police dispute

Mason Prima said he was fined $580 for opening the McDonald's app at a drive-thru in Saskatoon, Canada but police have rejected his story.

Foreign dignitaries attending Taiwan president inauguration

(Reuters) -Lai Ching-te is inaugurated as Taiwan's new president on Monday. Following is a list of some of the foreign leaders and dignitaries attending the ceremony. UNITED STATES Former White House economic adviser Brian Deese, one-time State Department official Richard Armitage, Brookings Institution Taiwan expert Richard Bush and Laura Rosenberger, who runs the nonprofit organisation that

Filipino translators seek professionalization of industry

The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) or the Commission on the Filipino Language is looking at the professionalization of translation work given the lack of job security for locals who work as translators. According to the KWF, it is working with the National Committee on Language and Translation (NLTC) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA), universities, and organizations to push for a law that would regulate and...

The causes, effects, and solutions to the global homelessness crisis

Homelessness has been a problem around the world for hundreds upon hundreds of years, and while it has been successfully fought in some countries, it remains a pressing issue in many parts of the world. Lack of government intervention, social stigma, and the countless effects of homelessness that can turn into a vicious and unbreakable cycle all contribute to the persistent struggle of millions of people. Homelessness is rarely as talked about as it should be, which is a significant reason why these issues persist. There are many aspects of being unhoused that aren't fully known or understood by a large amount of the general public, only further alienating those who are struggling. Intrigued? Read on to learn about the the world's homelessness crisis, what contributes to it, and what can be done to fix it.

Notable People who died in 2024

Dominican Republic voters head to polls, incumbent Abinader the favorite

SANTO DOMINGO (Reuters) -Voters in the Dominican Republic head to the polls on Sunday to cast ballots for the next president and members of parliament in an election widely seen as a referendum on the hugely popular incumbent and anti-corruption crusader, Luis Abinader. Up to 8 million eligible voters will decide which candidate is best suited to take on the fallout from the humanitarian crisis

MRT-7 construction suffers another delay

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) is facing right of way (ROW) troubles in its Bulacan leg, causing another round of delay in the construction, the completion of which is now expected by 2027 at the earliest. Thus, there is now the possibility that San Miguel Corp. (SMC), the developer of MRT-7, may realign the Bulacan segment of the railway upon the request of the local government of San Jose del Monte. Last week,...

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Kharkiv region kill at least 11 people

Dozens of people also wounded, Ukrainian officials say, as Moscow continues offensive in Ukraine’s northeast.

China-Russia: an economic 'friendship' that could rattle the world

Watching his Russian clients partying late at a karaoke bar in the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou recently, Chinese factory manager Chen marvelled at their stamina. The Russians were feeling ebullient because Chen's products — industrial valves used mainly in oil and mining — offered a low-cost alternative to the European brands they had used before the Ukraine war.

Who Would Benefit From Ebrahim Raisi’s Death?

If the Iranian president turns out to have lost his life in a helicopter crash, it will set off a fierce scramble for power.

Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi crashes, search under way

By Parisa Hafezi and Elwely Elwelly DUBAI (Reuters) -A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog, an Iranian official told Reuters, and rescuers were struggling to reach the site of the incident. The official said the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian were "at risk

Reeves says ministers ‘gaslighting’ over inflation ahead of expected fall in CPI

Reeves says ministers ‘gaslighting’ over inflation ahead of expected fall in CPI - Labour said the average earner was £180 worse off than they would have been had wages kept pace with inflation since October 2021.

Man dies after car enters water at Buncrana pier

Emergency services were alerted at 07:30 local time on Sunday and the body of a man in his 80s was recovered from the car.

US to complete withdrawal from Niger by Sept. 15

NIAMEY/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Niger and the United States have reached an agreement on the withdrawal of American troops from the West African country, a process that has already begun and will be finished by Sept. 15, they said in a joint statement. Niger's ruling junta last month told the U.S. to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. Until a coup last year Niger had been

Audit of Kaliwa Dam project asked

A CONSUMER group wants Malacañang to do a full audit of the Kaliwa Dam project and hold accountable those behind the release of P1.828 billion in advance payments to the project's foreign contractor. The United Filipino Consumer and Commuters-Water for All Refund Movement (UFCC-WARM) also questioned the payments to the contractor, China Energy Engineering Corp. (CECC), of standby costs and other costs amounting to P309.840 million. The call was...

President Marcos transfers crop insurance corporation to DA

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has transferred the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) from the Department of Finance (DOF) to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and has made changes to its composition as part of the government’s efforts to ensure food security and to promote the welfare of farmers. According to Marcos, streamlining and rationalizing the functional relationships of agencies with complimentary mandates is “essential to...

What happens when councils take control of buses?

More people are using buses in Reading where they are publicly-owned - will others towns follow?