News

RNLI to mark 200th anniversary with Minster service

The RNLI says it has saved more than 146,000 lives since the charity was founded in 1824.

Officer punished for cutting off trainees' earrings

PC Martin Briggs made the students believe he was going to use bolt croppers, Dorset Police said.

China to US: Respect our sea rights, sovereignty

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese defense minister reportedly talked with his US counterpart early this week to relay Beijing’s appeal to Washington that it respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, saying President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden have a shared commitment to improving bilateral relations. The Chinese embassy said the video conversation between Chinese defense minister Admiral Dong...

MMDA reworks ban on e-bikes

In compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday said it will use the one-month grace period to inform the public on the banning of e-bikes, e-trikes, tricycles, pedicabs, push carts and kuligligs (motorized pedicabs) from traversing national roads in Metro Manila. In a press conference in Pasig City, MMDA Acting Chair Romando Artes said the agency received the...

BI: Foreign students can face intel probe for suspicious acts

Foreigners holding student visas may be subjected to an investigation by government intelligence agencies if suspected of conducting illegal activities. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued the reminder amid concerns being raised over the increasing presence of Chinese students in areas near military installations, airports and seaports, an issue stoked by the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. READ:...

Revealed: Mailman's key role in Operation Mincemeat spy plot

The paper's then editor Bob Prew instructed correspondent Cedric Salter to position himself near the Balkans in 1943 to mislead the enemy.

Teddy bears support children in traumatic incidents

The Trauma Teds are going on the road with Derbyshire Police after comforting children in county hospitals.

Benefits to be axed after a year if jobseekers fail to find work

Unveiling the biggest shake-up of the welfare system for a generation, the Prime Minister said he was determined to prevent people staying on benefits as a 'lifestyle choice'.

Measuring development 101: theory

It was in late 1973, at the freshly established Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) at Tagaytay City, that I saw the term “social indicators” for the first time. It was on the draft research agenda of Onofre D. “OD” Corpuz, the first DAP president. I was with several professors of the University of the Philippines (UP), invited by OD for an overnight stay, to see if we would like to help him out in some way. I said I would be interested...

President Marcos to PNPA graduates: Nation first before self

MANILA, Philippines — Police officers should put the nation above self, President Marcos said yesterday. “Taumbayan bago ang sarili,” Marcos told new graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy in his address before Layag-Diwa Class of 2024 at the PNPA. He also told the graduates that being digital natives, they should do “smart policing” and take advantage of technology to combat crime and protect communities. “Most of you were born...

Migrants in Dunkirk undeterred by UK's Rwanda bill

Although migrants are concerned about the deportation policy, they still want to enter the UK.

Mga mambabatas, buhos ang papuri kay PBBM matapos mapabilang sa TIME "100 Most Influential People 2024"

Mga mambabatas, buhos ang papuri kay PBBM matapos mapabilang sa TIME "100 Most Influential People 2024" MMDA: Sapat ang isang buwang grace period sa panghuhuli ng e-bikes at e-trikesOperasyon ng CAVITEX, itinutulak na maibalik sa PEO Tollway Corp.

Only 400 Chinese students in Cagayan – BI

MANILA, Philippines — There are only 400 Chinese students in Cagayan province, contrary to reports that 4,600 had enrolled in a local private school, possibly to serve as spies for the Chinese military. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) made the clarification in response to calls from some lawmakers for an investigation on the “influx” into Cagayan of thousands of Chinese to study in St. Paul University in Tuguegarao City. Cagayan Gov. Manuel...

ONE BILLION people set to vote in six-week Indian election

Nearly 970 million voters - more than 10 per cent of the world's population - will elect 543 ­members to the lower house of parliament over staggered rounds of voting, with polls opening on Friday.

Fire breaks out in residential area in Brgy. Plainview, Mandaluyong

A fire hit a residential area in Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City on Saturday morning. The fire started past 5 a.m. on Sto. Rosario Street, according to a report by Christian Maño on Super Radyo dzBB. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and fire volunteers worked together to put out the fire which reached the second alarm. The fire was declared put out at 6:02 a.m. Twelve houses which were mostly made of light materials were affected by the...

Ukraine needs at least seven Patriot air defence systems, Zelenskiy tells NATO

By Tom Balmforth and Yuliia Dysa KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told NATO members on Friday that Ukraine needed a minimum of seven Patriot or other high-end air defence systems to counter Russian air strikes, exhorting them to step up their military assistance for Kyiv. In an emotional speech by video link to the NATO-Ukraine Council, the Ukrainian leader described the current

INQToday: PDEA, prosecutor blame media for conflicting shabu haul data

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories: PDEA, prosecutor blame media for conflicting shabu haul data An anti-narcotics official and the provincial prosecutor preparing cases related to the government’s biggest-ever drug bust have blamed the media for the conflicting data on the amount of shabu seized, claiming that police officers would not have released estimates if they were not pressured. In a press briefing hosted by the Department of...

These are history's multilingual US presidents

The President of the United States is used to talking tough. But how many presidents in US history were able to do so in another language besides English? Not many people realize that there are 21 former White House incumbents who could converse in at least one foreign language. Some, in fact, were multilinguists. And did you know that there was one American president who didn't speak English as his first language. Intrigued? Click through and discover the presidents who could communicate in foreign tongues.

What does Israel have in its arsenal that it could use against Iran?

Israel has airborne and naval capabilities that it can use against Iran, but it must choose any target carefully.

Landslides feared as grass fires hit Mt. Arayat

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Authorities in Pampanga province have called for an investigation into the source of grass fires that engulfed a large section of Mt. Arayat on Wednesday as an immediate damage assessment has been set due to fear of landslides and rockslides from its slopes. According to Angelina Blanco, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the assessment ordered by Gov. Dennis Pineda with the...

No ‘fight’ anymore? Duterte-led PDP officially drops ‘Laban’ from name

MANILA, Philippines — Political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) under the leadership of former president Rodrigo Duterte has decided to officially drop the second part of its name — Laban, which stands for Lakas ng Bayan — during a meeting of its members in Cebu City. During the celebration of the party’s 42nd anniversary on Friday which was streamed on their official Facebook page, a motion — which was said to have been deliberated...

More than 1.7 million persons affected by El Niño, DSWD says

At least 1.7 million individuals have already been affected by the El Niño phenomenon as of Friday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Saturday. These individuals are in Regions 2, 3, Mimaropa, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12 and Cordillera Administrative Region, DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Irene Dumlao said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. "Batay sa patuloy na pagmo-monitor ng DSWD through our...

Woman who 'hated the sea' was found dead on beach

Glenys Shelton had previously spoken of taking her own life, an inquest heard.

Sudan's horrific war is being fueled by weapons from foreign supporters of rival generals, UN says

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The year-old war in Sudan between rival generals vying for power has sparked “a crisis of epic proportions” fueled by weapons from foreign supporters who continue to flout U.N. sanctions aimed at helping end the conflict, the U.N. political chief said Friday. “This is illegal, it is immoral, and it must stop,” Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the U.N. Security Council. Sudan plunged into chaos in mid-April 2023,...

Russia quietly exits Karabakh, ceding its clout 'for good'

When Russian troops deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh four years ago, their task was clear: keep the peace between bitter foes Armenia and Azerbaijan and prevent another war in the volatile region. The Kremlin deployed almost 2,000 troops in 2020 as part of a ceasefire deal that halted six weeks of brutal fighting between the arch-foes over the Karabakh region.

India pushes Maoist rebel strongholds on road to democracy

A narrow winding road through an untamed forest has proven a blow to a decades-old Maoist rebellion that is one of India's longest and deadliest insurgencies. - 'The state has arrived' - The Naxalite rebellion, as the Maoist movement is known, began in the 1960s as a revolt against the exploitation of marginalised rural Indians.

Ukraine has created a new unit dedicated to demining the country

USC scraps outside speakers at commencement after canceling Muslim student's speech

By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - The University of Southern California announced there will be no outside speakers and honorees at this year's main commencement ceremony after canceling its valedictorian speech from a Muslim student who said she was silenced by anti-Palestinian hatred. "Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership

Ministers working to counter risk of Chinese interference

Correspondence from Cabinet Office minister John Glen reveals the UK is conducting 'significant work related to national security' after concerns were raised about Chinese genomics company BGI.

Land row hits NGCP project

MANILA, Philippines — Grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) hit a legal roadblock in undertaking one of the critical transmission projects in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite. In a statement on Friday, NGCP said it had filed expropriation cases against E. M. Ramos and Sons Inc. and several other defendants “who claim interest over the properties” affected by the construction of its 500-kilovolt Tuy-Dasmariñas...

Nato pledges more advanced air defences to Ukraine

Kyiv has long been pressing for hi-tech Patriot systems to defend against deadly Russian attacks.

Rumbling sounds not from Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales townsfolk told

SAN MARCELINO, Zambales — The local government here reassured residents on Friday, April 19, that the deep rumbling sounds they have been hearing the past two days were not from Mt. Pinatubo. The San Marcelino Public Information Office (PIO) clarified that the noises were not related to any blasting or mining activities in the town. It said the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office had reached out to the authorities from Capas...

North Korea conducts a test on ‘super-large warhead’ – KCNA

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea conducted a test on a “super-large warhead” designed for a strategic cruise missile, state media said Saturday, adding that it also launched a new type of anti-aircraft missile. “The DPRK Missile Administration has conducted a power test of a super-large warhead designed for ‘Hwasal-1 Ra-3’ strategic cruise missile,” KCNA news agency reported, referring to North Korea by an abbreviation for its official name....

Rama orders probe of Baclayon days after defending CAD chief

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has shifted gears and now wants to investigate the allegations against CAD chief Joelito Baclayon. The Mayor has ordered the city’s fact-finding team to probe the accusations made by City Councilor Jun Alcover, the chairman of the committee on agriculture, regarding Baclayon’s alleged negligence. The surprise turnaround came just days after the mayor threw his full support behind his...

In eastern Visayas, 3-month-old boy dies of pertussis

TACLOBAN CITY — A 3-month-old boy from Gamay town in Northern Samar succumbed to pertussis, also known as whooping cough, the Department of Health (DOH) said. Jelyn Malibago, DOH information officer in Eastern Visayas, said the baby, who died on April 11, was the first recorded pertussis fatality in the region. Malibago said the boy, who had received shots against pertussis, was first taken to the Gamay District Hospital but was later...

Mega Millions winning numbers for April 19 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $178 million

The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to $178 million after the April 19 drawing. Did anyone win Friday's prize?

Mexico’s AMLO Says Peso Slump ‘Helps’ After Becoming Too Strong

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the Mexican peso’s recent weakening was a help as the currency had become too strong.

‘Sari-sari’ store incubator project rolled out

MANILA, Phillippines — The Rotary Club of San Juan Supreme has launched its Supreme Store Project, which provides seed grants to enable deserving individuals to set up sari-sari stores at strategic locations across the country. The seed grant of P25,000 is used to build the store and buy initial stocks. The club will also provide financial education and business mentoring, while building beneficiaries’ supply chain to ensure cost-effective...

Marcos urged: Rethink keeping VP as education chief

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should rethink whether he should continue having an alter ego who “constantly undermines him,” a lawmaker said on Friday after first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos admitted she was displeased and hurt by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte’s response to a personal attack against her husband. The President’s wife referred to how Duterte reacted with laughter when the Vice President’s father, former...

Ecuador president declares state of emergency over energy crisis

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared a second state of emergency on Friday over an energy crisis that has already led to rationing in the South American country. Noboa, who took office in November, had declared an energy emergency and instituted power cuts earlier this week, but the cuts will be suspended on Sunday for a referendum he looks set to win on a raft of security

Britain's 'strictest teacher' slams Braverman for 'political' comments

Katharine Birbalsingh, head of Michaela Community School, hit out at Ms Braverman after she congratulated the establishment on winning its legal battle against a Muslim schoolgirl.

Man arrested in Paris after Iran consulate incident

PARIS (Reuters) - French police on Friday arrested a man who had threatened to blow himself up at Iran's consulate in Paris, but on being searched was found not to be carrying any explosives. A police source told Reuters the man was seen at about 11 a.m. (0900 GMT) entering the consulate, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest. Police cordoned off the area. The man later left

The Opium Wars that devastated China

The Opium Wars of the mid-19th century were fought between the Western powers and the Qing dynasty, which ruled China from 1644 to 1912. Two wars took place, both fought essentially over the illegal trade of opium and the expansion of territory claimed by the British in the region. In the eyes of many scholars, the conflict marked the end of China's isolation and the beginning of modern Chinese history. But the price paid was heavy. So, what exactly were the Opium Wars? Click through for an explanation and timeline of events.

X vows to 'robustly challenge' Australia order to remove stabbing posts

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Social media platform X said on Saturday it would challenge in court an order from an Australian regulator demanding the company remove some posts related to the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney. Police charged a boy, 16, with a terrorism offence on Thursday for the alleged stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at a church in the New South Wales capital on Monday. Footage from the

Labour is blasted for 'misogynistic' social media meme about housing

The meme was posted at 12.30pm and quickly got spread around Twitter with elected Labour MP as well as members of the public condemning it for making women appear as 'thoughtless creatures'.

Moment baby is found not breathing shown to jury

Kate Roughley denies she caused the death of nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan.

Seameo veteran named to CHEd vacancy

A former director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (Seameo) has taken over the post of ousted commissioner Mark Libre, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) announced on Friday. Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, who is also a lecturer at the University of the Philippines Diliman, will replace Libre who was sacked in January for appointing relatives in government posts under his direct supervision. READ: CHEd...

Former MPs hoping for a comeback at the next election

A Blair-era cabinet minister and a Lib Dem who was last an MP 20 years ago are among those standing again.

Man sets himself on fire outside Donald Trump hush money trial in New York

Man sets himself on fire outside Donald Trump hush money trial in New York - People rushed to douse the person with a fire extinguisher and try to bat the flames away, according to reports

Goose dies after dog attack at Derby park

An incident the following day saw a dog attack a swan, which distressed a nearby nesting duck.