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DOJ recommends filing of cyber libel case vs Manibela head Valbuena

MANILA CITY, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the filing of two counts of cyber libel case against a transport group leader for accusing Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista of involvement in the alleged corruption in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). In a 17-page resolution, Assistant Prosecutor Maria Kristhina Paat-Salumbides said found probable cause has been established to...

Reading terror attack: Families feel Counter-Terrorism police failed

Family statements regarding the Reading terror attack highlight clear warnings about Khairi Saadallah's extremist risk, blaming Counter-Terrorism police for failure.

Secret leaked document confirms Russia’s hybrid war against the West

Car stopped on M1 with infants sitting on laps

Police say two children, aged one and two, were found "unrestrained" in a back of a moving vehicle.

Changes at prison after deaths, department says

Changes are made to the Isle of Man Prison's self-harm policy and prisoners' access to healthcare.

PH, China reached 'understanding' in Ayungin row, embassy claims

THE Philippines made two "arrangements" with China last year toward a peaceful resolution to the dispute over the Ayungin Shoal, a ranking Chinese official told The Manila Times. The official, who agreed to an exclusive interview with The Times as long as his identity is not revealed, described the arrangements as a "new internal understanding" and a "new model" that are completely different from the earlier "gentlemen's agreement" between...

Lewis Skelton's family wins police watchdog battle

The 31-year-old was shot by police in November 2016 and later died in hospital.

Man, 4-year-old daughter shot dead in Abra

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — A 44-year-old man and his four-year-old daughter were gunned down in Sitio Quemmel, Barangay Lubluba in Dolores, Abra on Wednesday night. Arnel Zapata and his daughter Ailish Precious were on a folding bed in front of their house when an unidentified man on a motorcycle arrived and opened fire. Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David Peredo said the gunman was armed with an M16 rifle. Zapata and Ailish were...

Man arrested for alleged rape of 4 minors

The Manila Police District (MPD) implemented a warrant of arrest against a man who allegedly raped four minors. According to a "24 Oras" report by Marison Abdurahman on Friday, the suspect allegedly raped his niece in Calamba, Laguna when she was just 10 years old without her mother’s knowledge. “Hanggang mag-seventeen yung bata, hanggang magpunta na siya sa DSWD at doon nakapagsumbong. Tinatakot daw siya lagi nitong ating suspect na papatayin...

Two expatriate workers killed by drone attack on Iraq's Khor Mor - report

At least two expatriate workers were killed and two other people wounded after a drone attack targeted the Khor Mor gas field in Iraq's Kurdistan region on Friday, an advisor to the Iraqi Kurdish Prime Minister and a senior Kurdish political source told Reuters. Production has also been suspended, both sources added. The drone attack on the Khor Mo...

Hamas fires MORTARS at US pier being built by the army off Gaza coast

Militants fired mortars at Israeli forces in Gaza as they prepared for the arrival of a floating U.S. Army pier, American officials said Thursday, an episode that highlights the risks.

Beijing and many of China’s major cities are slowly sinking

No winners of major lotto draws on Friday, April 26, 2024

There were no winners in the major lotto draws drawn by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Friday, April 26, 2024. No bettor managed to correctly guess the winning combinations of 36, 25, 40, 11, 10, 42 for the Mega Lotto 6/45. The prize was P8,910,000.00. Meanwhile, under Ultra Lotto 6/58, no bettor also correctly guessed the winning combinations 2, 24, 22, 47, 49, and 21. the prize was P93,131,368.00. — BAP, GMA Integrated...

INQToday: PNP revokes Quiboloy’s firearm licenses

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories: PNP revokes Quiboloy’s firearm licenses Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil has approved the recommendation of the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) to revoke the license to own and possess firearms (LTOPF) of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo confirmed via Viber Marbil’s approval of the FEO’s recommendation. No Chinese presence...

Barmm political parties forge alliance for peaceful parliamentary polls

MANILA, Philippines — An alliance of political parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) was formed to promote an orderly and peaceful parliamentary elections in the region next year. The alliance of the Bangsamoro People’s Party (BPP), the Al Ittihad-UKB Party and the Serbisyong Inklusibo Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP) Party, was formed during a meeting in Makati City on Wednesday. “As representatives of diverse...

Written warning for SWG3 after teenagers' deaths

The Glasgow venue's licence was reviewed after it was linked to the deaths of three teenagers.

Regan sets out demands in exchange for backing Yousaf in no confidence vote

Regan sets out demands in exchange for backing Yousaf in no confidence vote - The Alba MSP said she will put three key aims to the First Minister – independence, gender reforms and Grangemouth.

Sitoy-Cho’s lawyer says judge handling her case ‘biased’

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — The legal counsel of former Cordova Mayor Therese Sitoy-Cho described Mandaue City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 55 Judge Ferdinand Tapado Rafanan as biased in handling the case of his client. Lawyer Edgar Gica also denied the allegation that his client ignored the invitation to attend an arraignment on April 23. “We can never disobey the law,” Gica said. Gica clarified that the case at hand is a criminal one filed by...

Filipinos favor alliance with US – survey

MORE Filipinos want the Philippines to align with the United States than with the People's Republic of China, a recent survey said. The results of a nationwide poll by Oculum Research and Analytics conducted from February 21 to 20 revealed that 43 percent of the 3,000 respondents favored an alliance with the US, while only 3 percent preferred closer ties with China. Oculum Research Head and Analytics Chief Statistician Joseph Mercado said the...

Victim was beaten and shot in 'cowardly' attack

Two men were sentenced to lengthy jail terms for their actions in the incident.

Top cop for Davao region assumes office

DAVAO CITY — The police in Davao region has a new leader. Brigadier General Aligre Martinez assumed his post on Friday as the new regional police director, replacing Brigadier General Alvin Delvo, who retired from the service on Thursday. Delvo had reached the mandatory retirement for uniformed personnel of 56, and had been in the service for 34 years. Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, formerly the country’s top police official, graced the retirement...

Iran urged to spare rapper Toomaj Salehi sentenced to death

PARIS — Iranian authorities on Thursday, April 25, faced pressure to release and clear a prominent rapper sentenced to death in a verdict supporters say is merely revenge for his music backing anti-government protests. Toomaj Salehi, 33, one of the best-known figures arrested in a crackdown on protests that began in 2022, risks being hanged after the conviction on the sharia charge of “corruption on Earth” by a Revolutionary Court. The verdict,...

Owner of exploded Michigan building arrested at airport while trying to leave US, authorities say

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — The owner of a suburban Detroit business that caught fire and exploded, killing a man, was arrested at a New York airport as he was preparing to depart for Hong Kong on a one-way ticket, authorities said Friday. U.S. Customs and New York Port Authority personnel arrested Noor Noel Kestou, 31, on Saturday at John F. Kennedy International Airport. He was brought back to Michigan on Wednesday. Kestou, of Commerce...

Cagayan governor appeals disqualification

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba has sought reconsideration of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruling disqualifying him from the May 2022 general elections. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said Mamba‘s camp would file a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec en banc. In a decision released on Tuesday night, the Comelec First Division rendered the governor’s seat vacant, to be filled by the vice governor...

3 hurt in Marikina fire

MANILA, Philippines — Three people were injured after a fire razed seven houses in Marikina yesterday. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)’s National Capital Region field office said the victims, a man and two women, were treated by first aid responders. Two of the victims sustained fractures while the other had abrasions on the legs. Arson probers said the fire broke out in a residential area in Barangay Malanday at around 1:40 a.m. and reached...

43% of Pinoys want PH to align with US in SCS dispute —survey

At least 43% of Filipinos are in favor of the Philippines aligning with the US in the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea (SCS), results from a survey of the Oculum Research and Analytics showed. Around 3,000 Filipino adults participated in the survey conducted from Feb. 21 to Feb. 29, 2024, through face-to-face interviews. It has a sampling error margin of ± 2 and a high confidence level of 97%. According to the poll, only 3% of the...

DILG: Marcos admin posts better peace and order situation, improved crime clearance

DILG: Marcos admin posts better peace and order situation, improved crime clearance

Two men in court over China 'spy' probe

Former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash, 29, and another man Christopher Berry, 32, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, facing charges under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly gathering information for China. The pair appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday but were not required to enter any pleas to the charge. Cash and Berry are accused of being in contact with each other and an individual assessed to be a Chinese intelligence agent. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted both men conditional bail, which in Cash's case included not to contact MPs or to enter the parliamentary estate. Cash was told he was permitted to contact his local MP on constituency matters. He was also ordered not to contact any other staff of parliamentarians. Both defendants will next appear at the Old Bailey on May 10 for a preliminary hearing.

Lukashenko boasts of having 'several dozen' Russian nukes in Belarus

'Nuclear deterrence - those who will push us towards it should have a look at the straightforward consequences of their ill-considered decisions, to put it mildly,' Lukashenko said

2 Quezon Province LGU employees face raps over shooting

MANILA, Philippines — Two municipal government employees of Mulanay, Quezon are facing charges for frustrated murder for their alleged involvement in a shooting incident in Barangay Poblacion early yesterday. Maj. Marlon Comia, town police chief, said one the suspects is a municipal disaster risk reduction and management council responder and the other a security personnel. The victim, who was identified only as Michael, 33, was driving a truck...

Man jailed for 18 years for child sex offences

Andrew Austin, 62, is described by police as a dangerous man who committed abhorrent crimes.

Council apologises to arms manufacturer

Elbit Systems UK says it does not supply weapons to the IDF - despite protesters demanding the firm's eviction.

Two men arrested after woman dies following crash

Essex Police is urging anyone with information about the crash in the early hours to come forward.

Businessman slain in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — A businessman was shot dead by a lone assailant in Quezon City on Thursday afternoon. Andy Delapierre, 36, was arranging computers in his shop in Barangay Holy Spirit when he was shot at around 5:54 p.m. Police investigators said an unidentified man wearing a crash helmet, jacket, pants and black shoes arrived and shot the victim with a handgun of unknown caliber. Witnesses interviewed by probers said the suspect fled from...

MMDA fines 105 in road clearing operation

MANILA, Philippines — One hundred five people were fined at least P1,000 each for leaving obstructions such as tables, chairs and vehicles as well as food carts and stalls during a road clearing operation yesterday in preparation for the closure of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover on May 1. Personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Special Operations Group Strike Force cleared Panay Avenue, Scout Borromeo street and Sergeant...

2 minor siblings drown in Ilocos; father to build coffins

Two children died of drowning in an irrigation site in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Due to financial constraints, the victims’ father personally built coffins for his children, GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon's Cris Zuñiga reported on “24 Oras” on Friday. Victims Judilyn Pido, 7, and her five-year-old sister Princess drowned after they went for a swim in an irrigation site near their residence. Police said their mother was unaware they left the...

US teacher accused of racist deepfake of principal

The Baltimore-area principal was placed on leave and received death threats over the hoax clip.

Park terror attack deaths were avoidable - inquest

David Wails, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and James Furlong were stabbed to death in Reading in 2020.

Fish catch down since Balikatan – group

MANILA, Philippines — Fish catch around Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal has decreased since the start of the Balikatan exercises, which may have prompted the Chinese to send more vessels to the area and continue harassing Filipino fishermen, a local fishers’ group said yesterday. “The bullying of the Chinese coast guard continues and their number increased right after the Balikatan,” New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association president Leonardo Cuaresma...

PACU backs colleges over foreign students' issue

(UPDATE) THE Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) is giving its support to four of its member private colleges and universities in Cagayan, who expressed concern over reports surrounding the enrollment of foreign nationals as their students. In a statement on Thursday, the colleges and universities are the University of Cagayan Valley, Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines, St. Paul University Philippines and the...

6,680 pass April 2024 Civil Engineering board exam

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 6,680 out of 17,010 passed the April 2024 Civil Engineering Licensure Exam (CELE), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Friday. The PRC said the results were released four days after the exams were conducted at testing centers in Metro Manila, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calapan, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Palawan, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao...

UN warns of possible imminent attack on city in Sudan’s North Darfur

Attack on al-Fashir would have ‘devastating consequences’ for civilians in area already on brink of famine, UN says.

Sara Duterte leads potential presidential bets in survey

Vice President Sara Duterte emerged as the top choice for potential presidential candidates in an opinion survey conducted by Oculum Research and Analytics in the first quarter of 2024. According to a report on "24 Oras," Duterte garnered the support of 42% of the survey respondents ahead Senator Raffy Tulfo and former vice president Leni Robredo. The potential bets are the following: Sara Duterte - 42% Raffy Tulfo - 17% Leni Robredo - 10% Isko...

Mandaue City cops to undergo refresher training on checkpoints

MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) will conduct a refresher training for station personnel regarding the conduct of checkpoints. MCPO Spokesperson, Police Lieutenant Colonel Mercy Villaro, said that they will conduct refresher training just to remind them of the guidelines and procedures in implementing police operations, especially checkpoints. Villaro said that they would also be updated if there are new policies...

Marcos cites key economic role of upgraded Batangas Port

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said that the newly-improved Batangas Port could help decongest the ports in Manila. Marcos led the launch of the newly renovated Batangas Passenger Terminal Building in Batangas City. “Maximizing the port of Batangas helps in decongesting our Manila ports, causing the dispersal of economic activities to places more than capable of housing entrepreneurial and industrial...

Settlement 'reappears' as Pantabangan dam dries up

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ejica: A centuries-old settlement submerged by the construction of a dam in the 1970s has reappeared as water levels drop due to a drought affecting swathes of the country. The ruins in the middle of Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija are a tourist draw, even as the region swelters in extreme heat. Parts of a church, municipal hall marker and tombstones began to resurface in March after several months of "almost no rain," said...

Burkina Faso suspends BBC over HRW report coverage

BBC Africa is suspended for two weeks for covering a Human Rights Watch report on alleged mass killings.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees test-firing of multiple rocket launchers

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees test-firing of multiple rocket launchers

Yousaf to speak as he battles for political future

Scotland's first minister will speak at an event in Dundee - but the BBC understands he will not announce his resignation.

Romanian court orders trial can begin in case of influencer Andrew Tate

A court in Romania's capital has ruled that a trial can start in the case of influencer Andrew Tate, who is charged with human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.