News

PCG to send 6 ships to ‘Balikatan’ drills with US, allies

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will send six ships for the upcoming “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises with American and other troops in Philippine and international waters starting next week. Rear Adm. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, announced Thursday that the agency will join “joint interoperability exercises” with the Philippine Navy, United States, Australia, and France from April 22 to May 10. READ: Another first: PCG to...

Tehran signals no retaliation against Israel after drones attack Iran

By Parisa Hafezi and James Mackenzie DUBAI/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war. The limited scale of the attack and Iran's muted response both appeared to signal a

Ukraine 'could lose on battlefield by end of 2024', warns CIA Director

CIA Director William Burns admitted yesterday that without Western support Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin may be 'in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement'

French police detain intruder at Iranian consulate in Paris

French authorities Friday detained a man suspected of entering the Iranian consulate in Paris and claiming to be carrying explosives, police and prosecutors said. A police source earlier told AFP that the mission called in law enforcement after a witness saw "a man enter carrying a grenade or an explosive belt".

Kenya investigates crash that killed military chief

Gen Francis Ogolla was in the west of the country when his helicopter went down killing 10.

Arrests after nine injured in fight outside pub

Five people were taken to hospital following the brawl and two men were arrested, police say.

Lidl worker seriously injured in store accident

An investigation is ongoing after a woman suffered what police said were "life-changing injuries".

Taiwan says new Chinese air routes threaten Taiwanese islands' flight safety

By Ben Blanchard and Ryan Woo TAIPEI/BEIJING (Reuters) -Taiwan said on Friday China's decision to open new air routes that run close to two Taiwanese-controlled islands was a flight safety risk taken without consultation, and said it would demand any aircraft using them be asked to turn around. Taiwan's government expressed anger in January after China "unilaterally" changed a flight path called

Inauguration of PCMC’s new equipment, facilities held

Inauguration of PCMC’s new equipment, facilities held

Mother of murdered Anthony Walker made MBE

Gee Walker pays tribute to the people of Liverpool as she is made MBE at Buckingham Palace.

Why an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is a bad idea

A direct Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites would yield little while risking too much.

Father and son nabbed for illegal sale of firearms in Antipolo

A man and his son were nabbed in Antipolo City for the alleged illegal sale of firearms and ammunition in their car repair shop. According to Emil Sumangil’s exclusive “24 Oras” report on Friday, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) raided the establishment after receiving information the suspects were selling firearms for P5,000. Recovered from the shop were 13 firearms and around 220 live rounds...

Man accused of 80-year-old's murder appears in court

Jonathan Moore is accused of murdering Henry Mayo at a retirement complex in Cheltenham.

Meet the dangerous new long-range missile Russia is firing at Ukraine

The problem with Duterte’s ‘What I remember…’

He should have written it down on a table napkin and shoved it into his pocket or undershirt. But former president Rodrigo Duterte, perhaps awed by China’s lavish reception accorded him, did not. So he does not have a written record of the “gentleman’s agreement” between him and China’s President Xi Jinping as regards the Philippines’ decrepit BRP Sierra Madre, the military outpost in the Philippines’ territorial waters in the West Philippine...

2 children found dead hugging each other in Cavite fire

Two children tragically lost their lives after they were trapped inside their burning house in Silang, Cavite on Thursday. The victims, aged 3 and 4, were found hugging each other when their remains were recovered in Barangay Biluso, according to a report on “24 Oras” on Friday. An investigation showed the mother briefly left the siblings to gather wood but when she returned, their house was already engulfed in flames. The fire also gutted a...

Attack sends message to Iran but Israelis divided over response

Some in Israel had been calling for a stronger move than this apparently limited strike, writes James Landale.

China: Marcos gov’t abandons ‘new approach’ to ease WPS tensions

China claimed they had an “internal understanding” and a “new approach” to ease tension at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea with the Philippines. However, they said the Marcos administration later “abandoned” it after seven months. The Chinese Embassy in Manila made this statement on Thursday, a week after Beijing and former President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed a “gentleman’s agreement” to maintain the “status quo” in the...

World urges ‘de-escalation’ after drones shot down over Iran

Escalation more than six months into Israel’s war on Gaza has raised fears of spiralling violence across region.

Police arrest man in Paris Iran consulate incident, threatened to blow himself up

French police arrested a man who had threatened to blow himself up at Iran's consulate in Paris, police said on Friday. A police source had told Reuters the man was seen at about 11 am entering the consulate, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest. The man exited the consulate and was being searched by special police forces and w...

G7 countries slam Chinese firms’ support for Russia’s defence industry

Ministers say transfer of weapons components is enabling Russia to ‘reconstitute and revitalise’ its defence production.

Has Israel attacked Iran’s Isfahan province? What we know so far

Iran deployed air defence batteries to intercept three drones, raising concerns of a confrontation with Israel.

China embassy: Issue vs Sino students reeks of ‘McCaRthyism’

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has accused Filipino politicians who are linking the influx of Chinese students in Cagayan province to the West Philippine Sea dispute of “inciting suspicion and hatred of China.” Without elaborating, it attributed the presence of the Chinese students in the country to “education exchanges and cooperation” between Manila and Beijing that had been “growing fast” in recent years. READ: Some Chinese students in Cagayan...

Teacher admits manslaughter of man found in garden

Fiona Beal goes on trial, accused of murdering her partner "in cold blood".

Man pleads not guilty over death of premature baby

Daniel Gunter, 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, both face a murder charge over the child's death

Man jailed for 10 years for rape of two girls

A south Scotland man has been jailed for 10 years after being convicted of raping two young girls.

Tesco 'vetting' customers on CCTV over shoplifting

Doors are locked at the store at certain times and customers viewed on CCTV before being allowed in.

Russia doesn’t have capability to knock Ukraine out of war: Ex-US commander

Ben Hodges, who led US forces in Europe, says Western powers should overcome their fears of supporting Ukraine.

Death threats reported days before mother stabbed

The IOPC says officers received reports of threats against Kulsuma Akter before she was killed.

People smugglers jailed for trying to sneak 9 migrants OUT of the UK

Tarik Slimani, 47, and Italian national Driss Hasska, 54, were spotted by officers meeting at a bus stop in Kent on the evening of August 4 last year.

Woman, 27, killed after lying in road at night

A young mother was lying on an unlit road at night when she was hit by a car and killed, an inquest hears.

Man burned in suspected corrosive substance attack

A woman in her 40s is being questioned after the late-night incident in York.

Anthony Albanese flags huge changes to HECS debt

On Thursday Mr Albanese promised to make HECS 'simpler and fairer'. The Prime Minister admitted that the average student debt has skyrocketed in the past three years.

The West African Sahel is becoming a drug smuggling corridor, UN warns, as seizures skyrocket

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Drug seizures soared in the West African Sahel region according to figures released Friday in a new U.N. report, indicating the conflict-ridden region is becoming an influential route for drug trafficking. In 2022, 1,466 kilograms, (3,232 pounds), of cocaine were seized in Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger compared to an average of 13 kilograms (28.7 pounds) between 2013 and 2020 , said the report from the U.N. Office on...

Day centre which was closed 'unlawfully' reopens

Campaigners are welcoming the service's return in Hawick more than four years after it was closed.

Rhian Ramos is finally flying home after '2 days of sleeping on airport floors'

Rhian Ramos was among the stranded passengers in Dubai International Airport after heavy rains disrupted its operations. On X (formerly Twitter) Friday, Rhian first posted a photo of what appeared to be her makeshift bed — blankets spread on the floor, towels as pillows — as well as a photo of a long lines at the connections desk, and asked if there was "anyone from Emirates Dubai" who could help. "We need to rebook," she said. Three hours...

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.

Marcos, VP Sara maintain cordial ties at PNPA event

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte showed friendly behavior toward each other on Friday, despite First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos' admission that her relationship with the country's second-highest leader has soured. At the graduation ceremony of the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite, the two leaders were spotted exchanging smiles before Marcos bussed Duterte on the cheek. Marcos and...

Angels’ Walk for Autism in Cebu returns to SM Seaside April 21

CEBU CITY – Philippines — The annual Angels’ Walk for Autism will be held in Cebu on Sunday (April 21. 2024) at SM Seaside, South Road Properties, Cebu City, simultaneous with other Angels’ Walks in Metro Manila (Mall of Asia Arena), Iloilo, Davao, and Bacolod. Assembly of all participants is at the SM Seaside Mountain Wing Main Lobby (9:45 AM to 10:30 AM), followed by the Angels Walk through the mall (10:30 AM to 11:00 AM), and the Program...

Plans lodged to demolish student accommodation site

The Newcastle University student housing block in Spital Tongues dates back to the 1960s.

British ex-soldiers will not be prosecuted over Bloody Sunday perjury

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Fifteen former British soldiers and a civilian who was an alleged member of the IRA will not be prosecuted for perjury over evidence given to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, the Northern Ireland Prosecution Service said on Friday. The Inquiry, also known as the Saville Inquiry after its chairman, Lord Saville, was established in 1998 by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to examine

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.

Pro-China PM retains his seat in Solomon Islands election

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was set to retain his seat in elections Saturday, local media reported, paving the way for the pro-China leader to try to form a government. Sogavare fended off four challengers to retain a parliamentary seat he has held for more than 20 years, according to provisional results reported by the nation's public broadcaster.

Ukraine downs Russian strategic bomber after airstrike kills eight, Kyiv says

By Tom Balmforth and Anastasiia Malenko KYIV/DNIPRO, Ukraine (Reuters) -Ukraine shot down a Russian strategic bomber 300 km (185 miles) from its border on Friday after the warplane took part in an airstrike that killed at least eight people, including two children, in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, Kyiv said. Missiles rained down on the city of Dnipro and the surrounding region in the early

Foreign students may be subjected to intel probe —BI

Foreign nationals with student visas may be subjected to government intelligence investigation for activities that “appear to be inimical to the security of the State,” the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday. Citing Executive Order No. 285, s. 2000, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Friday said foreign students may be subjected to checks by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)....

Rishi Sunak vows Rwanda Bill WILL be passed on Monday

Rishi Sunak warned peers he is ready to make Parliament sit through the night if they continue efforts to hamper the crucial legislation.

Ilang eskwelahan sa Cagayan, itinanggi ang pagdami ng naka-enrol na estudyanteng Chinese

Ilang eskwelahan sa Cagayan, itinanggi ang pagdami ng naka-enrol na estudyanteng Chinese

Relocation, aid readied for displaced families in Zambales

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — The 52 families displaced by the demolition carried out at Sitio Talisay, Barangay Camiing in Cabangan town in this province will be relocated and given aid by the local government and the owner who claimed back his land. Cabangan Mayor Ronald Apostol said at least a hundred houses and seven resorts would be demolished, and only the 52 affected families would be relocated to a 5,000-square-meter lot within the 11-hectare...

Jim'll Fix It fan guilty of causing home explosion

Haydon told police he was "obsessed with all kinds of weaponry, explosives in particular".

Woman in her 70s dies in Londonderry crash

The collision involving two cars occurred on the Limavady Road on Thursday afternoon.