News

Risk of military incidents on Belarus-Ukraine border quite high: Lukashenko

President also said there could be an ‘apocalypse’ if Russia used nuclear weapons in retaliation for Western actions.

DOJ: Gov’t officials who work with ICC may face punishment

MANILA, Philippines — Government officials who work with the International Criminal Court (ICC) could be punished under the law, said Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Asec. Mico Clavano on Thursday. According to former Senator Antonio Trillanes III, the ICC has already spoken to 50 former and present Philippine National Police officers regarding their involvement in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. READ: Trillanes: ICC...

Duterte attacks vs Marcos: Fearless or reckless?

A foreigner who reads our country’s raging political news for the first time would think that Rodrigo Duterte remains the reigning ruler of the Republic of the Philippines, and not Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This impression would stem from how audacious Duterte criticizes President Marcos, and how brazenly scathing the language of criticism he dishes out against the latter. As early as November 2021, as incumbent president, Duterte unmistakably...

Five sheep killed in dog attack, police say

A further 19 livestock animals were also attacked, officers add.

In east Ukraine, exhausted troops eagerly await new US weapons

Exhausted Ukrainian soldiers near the front line were eagerly awaiting the arrival of desperately needed US weapons Thursday, with some bitter at how much the long wait has cost them. Oleksiy said that his unit had enough Ukrainian ammunition but hoped for "armoured vehicles, artillery and long-range shells."

Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza's Rafah ahead of threatened invasion

By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel stepped up airstrikes on Rafah overnight, killing at least six Palestinians, medics said on Thursday, after saying it would evacuate civilians from the Gaza border city and storm it despite allies' warnings this could cause mass casualties. In the seventh month of a devastating air and ground war against the Gaza Strip's ruling Islamist group Hamas,

More than eight in ten asylum seekers in Ireland 'cross in from NI'

More than eight in ten asylum seekers in the Republic of Ireland have crossed into the country from Northern Ireland, the Republic's justice minister Helen McEntee (pictured) has claimed.

Glass bottle returns sparks Wales-UK ministers row

Welsh ministers accuse UK government of trying to water down a flagship recycling scheme.

What is Netzah Yehuda, the Israeli battalion facing possible US sanctions?

Washington is considering to impose sanctions on the Israeli military unit accused of rights abuse against Palestinians.

Marcos extends term of gov’t workers under contracts of service, job orders

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the engagement of contractual employees in government under the contract of service (COS) and job order (JO). According to the Palace on Thursday, the decision came after the President held a sectoral meeting with the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Interior and Local Government, Civil Service Commission and Commission on Audit last Wednesday. READ: Marcos OKs up to...

Man died after being stabbed in the leg - inquest

Colin Richards had been waiting in a car for his friend to return, an inquest hears.

SNP sparks chaos in Scotland by killing off coalition with Greens

The First Minister is facing a confidence vote in his leadership after he moved to end the Bute House Agreement amid a row with the junior party over environmental and trans policies.

Man charged over machete attack

Officers in Lancaster are trying to find Alex McKenzie after he was attacked with a machete.

Portugal's democracy turns 50: Thousands commemorate Carnation Revolution

By Sergio Goncalves and Miguel Pereira LISBON (Reuters) -Thousands celebrated the 50th anniversary on Thursday of Portugal's "Carnation Revolution" that toppled the longest fascist dictatorship in Europe and ushered in democracy, though support for the far right has revived in recent years. Antonio Oliveira Salazar ruled Portugal from 1932 to 1968, but the arch-conservative, authoritarian regime

Swan dies after single shot to neck

A female swan at a pool in Netley Abbey dies following a single shot to the neck.

Police arrest 93 protesters on California campus

LA police arrest dozens as they clear a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at a college in LA.

Marcos names Hans Cacdac as DMW chief

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac to head the department. To recall, Marcos has designated Cacdac as the officer-in-charge of the DMW after the passing of former secretary Susan “Toots” Ople in August last year. Before his ad interim appointment in the Cabinet, Cacdac served as Undersecretary of the DMW; Executive Director V of the Overseas Workers Welfare...

Palestinian authorities seek probe into mass graves at Gaza hospitals

A Palestinian civil defense team on Thursday called on the United Nations to investigate what it said were war crimes at a Gaza hospital, saying nearly 400 bodies were recovered from mass graves after Israeli soldiers departed the complex. "There are cases of field execution of some patients while undergoing surgeries and wearing surgical gowns at ...

Man taken to hospital after hit-and-run crash

The pedestrian was hit by a van near to Sheffield railway station on Thursday, police say.

Yemen’s Houthis launch attacks on US, Israeli vessels as warships defend

New attack comes two weeks after Iran-aligned group said it targeted three vessels and a US warship.

100 civilian fishing boats to join Scarborough Shoal convoy

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 100 civilian fishing boats will join the Scarborough Shoal convoy on May 15, culminating in the installation of assertive buoys amid mounting tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The Atin Ito coalition said two mother boats will lead this civilian mission, which is also aiming to bring essential supplies for the fishermen there. “The primary objectives of the mission are to conduct a ‘peace and solidarity...

London mayor poll shows smallest lead yet for Sadiq Khan

Savanta research found that the Labour incumbent is 13 points ahead of Tory rival Susan Hall - the smallest gap yet.

Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir facing anti-graft probe in a case involving his sons

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is among individuals being investigated in connection with a graft probe involving his sons, the head of Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission said on Thursday. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in January served Mahathir's businessmen sons, Mirzan and Mokhzani, with notices to declare their wealth, as part of

Remains of fallen soldiers in Korean War identified

The remains of two soldiers who died at the Battle of Imjin River have been identified.

Comelec may set up voting precinct in Sitio Kapihan

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) plans to set up a voting precinct in Sitio Kapihan, Surigao del Norte, which was previously governed by the controversial group Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI). Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced this plan during a voters’ registration event in Sitio Kapihan, a mountainous portion of Socorro town, on Thursday. “The Comelec is looking at this. Bakit hindi natin kayanin na maglagay ng voting...

Kenya on alert as flood death toll reaches 13

The death toll from flash floods in Kenya's capital Nairobi has risen to 13 after the discovery Thursday of three more bodies, police said. "We recovered three more bodies today and the search is going on because we have people who were reported missing," local police commander Fred Abuga said.

Israel says Rafah assault looms; massive Gaza airstrikes end weeks of relative calm

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dan Williams CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli warplanes pounded the northern Gaza strip for a second day on Wednesday in a fierce assault that has shattered weeks of comparative calm, and Israel said it was moving forward with plans for an all-out assault on Rafah in the south. After an abrupt Israeli pullback at the start of this month, Palestinians at both ends of

Wrongfully convicted mother was ‘collateral damage’

Nicole Jacobs says her mother’s vulnerability was “exploited” because she was a young mum.

Pro-Palestinian protesters urge universities to divest from Israel. What does that mean?

College students calling for a cease-fire in Gaza are also urging their colleges to divest. Here's what that means.

Focus on China in WPS territorial dispute stumps Escudero

MANILA, Philippines — The apparent focus being given to China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue does not escape Senator Francis Escudero’s eye. Escudero reminded everyone that the territorial dispute in the WPS was not exclusive to the Philippines and China. “Ang kalaban natin ika nga, o katunggali natin o kaagaw natin sa West Philippine Sea kabilang ang Malaysia, Vietnam at Taiwan at ibang bansa pa sa Southeast Asia, subalit tila medyo...

Cannabis farm worth £1m found in police raid

The cannabis plants covered four floors, Lancashire Police say.

Ukraine claims it hit several Russian air defense systems in recent strike

Protests of Israel war spread across US colleges as police make more arrests: Live updates

Police arrested demonstrators at universities in Massachusetts, Texas and California as protests against the war in Gaza spread to more U.S. colleges.

Murder arrest after alleged assault

A 40-year-old died in hospital on Thursday after suffering serious injuries, police said.

Aboriginal spears snatched by British in 1770 returns to Australia

LONDON — Four spears taken from Australia by a British explorer more than 250 years ago will be returned by Cambridge University to descendants of the indigenous community which crafted them, in the latest high-profile repatriation of artefacts. The four spears are all that remains of the 40 or so which James Cook and his team took […]

PNP denies engaging in EJKs, dismisses Amnesty Int'l, US gov't reports

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday dismissed reports that extrajudicial killings (EJKs) are still prevailing in the country under the Marcos administration. At a press conference, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo also denied allegations that the PNP has been engaging in EJKs. “The PNP and other law enforcement agencies for that matter does not engage in EJKs,” Fajardo said. “Kung titignan po natin yung legal meaning po...

Glasgow venue faces licence review after teen deaths

Representatives for SWG3 are expected to appear at a Glasgow Licensing Board hearing.

Man in his 20s dies in crash between car and van

A man in his 60s is taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Students’ nose bleeding prompts Quezon LGU to suspend on-site classes

LUCENA CITY – The mayor of Tayabas City in Quezon province suspended in-person classes in public and private schools on Thursday and Friday (April 25 and 26) to protect students and teachers from dangerous heat level indices. “There have been reports of students who experienced nose bleeding due to the abnormal temperature in classrooms,” Mayor Maria Lourdes Reynoso-Pontioso said in a memorandum circular issued on Wednesday, April 24....

Kremlin says U.S. long-range missiles sent to Ukraine will not change war's outcome

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that deliveries of U.S. long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine would not change the outcome of the war but would create more problems for Ukraine itself. The United States in recent weeks secretly shipped long-range missiles to Ukraine, which has so far used them twice, a U.S. official said on Wednesday. The missiles were used

Turkish rail officials jailed for more than 108 years for crash that left 25 dead

ISTANBUL (AP) — A court in Turkey sentenced nine rail officials to more than 108 years' imprisonment over a crash six years ago that killed 25 people, local media reported on Thursday. A passenger train operated by Turkish State Railways derailed in July 2018 as it passed through Corlu district some 110 kilometers (68 miles) west of Istanbul. The train was traveling from Unlukopru, near the Greek border, to Istanbul’s Halkali station, Turkey’s...

Here's why Spain's leader is mulling his future while denouncing a 'smear campaign' against his wife

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez left Spain in suspense after announcing he may step down because of what he called an “unprecedented” smear campaign against his wife. Sánchez, who has been in office since 2018, stunned the nation Wednesday by announcing that he was canceling all official events until next week, when he will unveil his future plans. The announcement came hours after a Madrid provincial judge agreed...

‘Deepfake’: PCO disowns clip of Marcos ‘attack order’ vs China

MANILA, Philippines — Amid simmering tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) called for heightened vigilance against online content designed to sow confusion or mislead the public about the issue. On Wednesday, the PCO dismissed as a “deepfake” a video recording of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supposedly ordering an attack on China, whose aggressive actions against Filipino vessels in the West...

Audacious Ukrainian drone attacks keep doing massive damage to Russia's oil industry

Ukraine launched a new wave of drone attacks Wednesday on oil refineries in western Russia.

Israeli security forces make arrests in West Bank overnight

IDF, Shin Bet, Border Police, and Counterterrorism Unit forces arrested eight wanted persons throughout the West Bank overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, the IDF announced. IDF and Shin Bet detained six of those arrested in the Tulkarm area. Another was arrested in Hebron by the Yehuda Division. In another operation in Nabi Saleh, IDF soldier...

Ukrainians welcome delayed US aid but doubt it signals Russia’s defeat

Experts say the $61bn package will replenish military stocks but won’t help Kyiv’s forces counterattack.

Kenyan military deployed as East Africa floods kill dozens

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's military was deployed on Thursday to rescue victims of heavy rains that have killed dozens of people across East Africa over the past month. At least 45 people have died in the floods in Kenya since March, including 10 since Monday, the Kenya Red Cross said. Large parts of the capital Nairobi and other major towns are underwater, forcing thousands of residents to leave

Woman, 84, seriously injured in car park collision

A woman is left with serious injuries after being knocked down outside a Keighley supermarket.

Spanish prosecutor seeks dismissal of case against PM Sanchez's wife

MADRID (Reuters) - Madrid's prosecuting authority on Thursday sought the dismissal of a case against Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife. A judge in Madrid on Wednesday agreed to look into a private complaint laid by an anti-corruption activist against Begona Gomez over alleged influence peddling and business corruption. (Reporting by Emma Pinedo, writing by Aislinn Laing)

Italy's state TV journalists to strike over Meloni government's grip

MILAN (Reuters) - Journalists at Italian state broadcaster RAI will strike next month in protest against the "suffocating control" over their work by Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government, the reporters' trade union Usigrai said on Thursday. The union criticised political attempts "to turn RAI into a mouthpiece for the government" among a raft of grievances behind the 24-hour strike scheduled