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Raps set as DOJ finds ‘compelling evidence’ vs alleged rebels

Two suspected communist rebels are facing charges for allegedly collecting “revolutionary taxes” and financing terrorism, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday. In a statement, the DOJ said that state prosecutors found compelling evidence against the pair identified as Leonor Taguinod Dumlao and Valentin Cruz Tolentino, both alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA). Dumlao and...


Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 763

As the war enters its 763rd day, these are the main developments.


18 Filipino seafarers of seized oil tanker back in PH

All 18 Filipino crew members of the crude oil tanker St. Nikolas that was seized by Iran in the Gulf of Oman on Jan. 11 have returned to the Philippines. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday the Filipinos were allowed to leave the vessel after being replaced by seafarers from other countries. Of the 18 Filipinos, 17 were repatriated in batches this month, with the last group composed of six seafarers arriving in Manila on...


SC to remove trial court’s authority to conduct preliminary probe

The Supreme Court is set to amend the Rules of Court to remove the authority of trial court officers to conduct a preliminary investigation (PI) in determining probable cause to warrant a person’s arrest. Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said on Monday the amendment would pave the way for a “new paradigm” where the PI becomes the “sole and exclusive domain” of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Under Rule 112 of the Rules of Court, PI...


A tireless champion of global IP rights

Just a few years ago, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Victoria “Vicky” Tauli Corpuz, had every reason to live in fear. During the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018, she was included in a list of 600 scholars, activists, and lawyers that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had wanted a Manila Regional Trial Court to describe as terrorists, along with the New People’s Army, the Communist Party of the Philippines, and the National...


Call for government to ban goldfish as prizes

"Pets are for life and not just a prize to be won at a fair," a council meeting hears.


Pertussis or whooping cough: 40 child deaths so far this year – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Assistant Health Secretary Albert Domingo reported on Wednesday that as of March 16 this year, some 40 children had died of whooping cough — a respiratory infection also called pertussis. An increase in new pertussis cases nationwide had been observed nationwide, with 28 cases reported from March 10 to 16. READ: What is pertussis (whooping cough)? This was according to a statement of the Department of Health. This brings...


Foreign correspondents in the Philippines condemn China over claims of video manipulation

MANILA — Foreign correspondents in Manila rejected on Wednesday a claim made by China that the Philippines had journalists manipulate videos taken during resupply missions in the South China Sea to make it look like a “victim”. The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) “takes deep offence at the insinuation that the press is a ‘troublemaker’ […]


Jakarta to remain economic hub as Indonesia prepares to move capital city

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's parliament on Thursday designated special status for Jakarta, keeping the metropolis as the country's economic epicentre, amid plans to move the capital city to Borneo island. Indonesia plans to move its capital city away from congested and sinking Jakarta, to Nusantara, a $32-billion city under construction in the jungles of East Kalimantan on Borneo. The city is


Probe sought on foreigners owning land, duping banks

House Assistant Majority Leader Faustino Dy V is seeking a congressional inquiry on how foreigners were able to own land and defraud local banks by posing as Filipino citizens, claiming these exposed the country’s security and economy to potential risks. The Isabela 6th district representative pointed out that at least two committee hearings in the House of Representatives showed that a number of Chinese nationals in Pampanga and Isabela were...


IRRI developing rice variety resistant to drought, heat

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) hopes to introduce by 2026 a new variety of rice capable of surviving drought or resisting high temperatures. The international agricultural research and training organization based in Laguna province is currently testing four breeding pipelines that are either drought-resistant or rainfed. These are direct seeded, early, long, soft, rainfed (DELS-R); direct seeded, early, long, soft, irrigated...


Manila roads to close for Good Friday procession

MANILA, Philippines: The city government of Manila announced that the following roads will be closed at 10 p.m. this Thursday to give way to a procession around Quiapo Church on Good Friday. Affected are: -Northbound and southbound lanes of Quezon Boulevard from A. Mendoza/Fugoso Street to Quezon Bridge straight to Padre Burgos (Park N' Ride); -Westbound lane on España Boulevard from P. Campa to Lerma Street; -stretch of Evangelista from C.M....


Indonesian parliament passes into law Jakarta special status bill, speaker says

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's parliament on Thursday passed into law a bill on Jakarta's special status amid a plan to move the capital to the country's Borneo island, house speaker Puan Maharani said. Indonesia plans to move its capital city to Nusantara, a $32 billion city under construction in the jungle of East Kalimantan on Borneo, a flagship project of outgoing President Joko Widodo. (


Putin says Russia will not attack NATO, but F-16s will be shot down in Ukraine

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia has no designs on any NATO country and will not attack Poland, the Baltic states or the Czech Republic but if the West supplies F-16 fighters to Ukraine then they will be shot down by Russian forces, President Vladimir Putin said late on Wednesday. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has triggered the deepest crisis in Russia's relations with the West since the


US admiral: PH can invoke MDT if sea attacks kill soldier, sailor

The Philippines can invoke the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) if a sailor or a member of its military is killed as China continues “to execute belligerent, dangerous and aggressive” actions against Filipino troops and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, according to a US military official. Speaking at a US House committee briefing last week, Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) chief Adm. John Aquilino said China has “become increasingly...


Ireland to intervene in South Africa genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Irish FM said events in Gaza represent the ‘blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a mass scale’.


Russian bombs turn Ukraine border village into 'hell'

Wandering among the ruins, Svitlana Zavaly was searching desperately for anything that could be salvaged from the rubble of her home destroyed by a Russian bomb in north-east Ukraine. - Two weeks, 200 bombs - Almost all the buildings in the centre of Velyka Pysarivka were destroyed in the waves of Russian strikes.


PH, US defense chiefs speak a week after Chinese coast guard attack

MANILA, Philippines — The defense chiefs of the Philippines and the United States spoke over the phone following China’s recent aggression in Ayungin Shoal. The US Department of Defense said the dialogue between US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. transpired on Wednesday—nearly a week after the March 23 incident in the West Philippine Sea. READ: PH vessel sustains ‘heavy...


PNP turnover rites moved; successor yet to be named

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. was supposed to relinquish his post on Wednesday but the change of command ceremony has been moved to Monday, after the Holy Week break. A change of command ceremony that was to be led by President Marcos at Camp Crame was set on Wednesday. But on Tuesday night, the PNP public information office told reporters the event would be rescheduled to April 1. No explanation was given for the...


PH, Vietnamese solons discuss defense cooperation at IPU sidelines

Lawmakers from the Philippines and Vietnam have highlighted the importance of defense and security amid maritime issues faced by the Southeast Asian countries at the sidelines of the 148th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland. According to the information released by the Senate's Social Media Unit, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, along with Senator Nancy Binay, met with Vietnam's delegation headed by Tran Quang Phuong,...


Ukraine foreign minister arrives in New Delhi to boost ties with India, a historical ally of Russia

NEW DELHI (AP) — Ukraine's foreign minister arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit to boost bilateral ties and cooperation with India, which considers Russia a time-tested ally from the Cold War-era. Dmytro Kuleba will meet with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday, as well as the deputy national security advisor, according to India's Foreign Ministry. On Thursday, Kuleba will pay his respects to Indian...


Marcos’ Holy Week message: Find ways to serve others

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on Filipinos to be compassionate to others as the country observes the Holy Week. “As we reflect on the love and selflessness of Jesus Christ, may we also find ways to serve others with the same compassion and grace, spreading love and understanding in our communities,” Marcos said in a message posted on his official social media account. “We pray for a safe and meaningful Holy Week for all,” the...


Calls to stop hotel being used for homeless people

Jonathan Gullis says the hotel's use for homeless people has led to an uptick in crime in the area.


Pupils being sent miles out of catchment - parents

The local education authority offers to pay taxi fares for a child to travel 13 miles away.


At JNU, student ‘flame flickers’ against India’s Modi before national vote

Will the polls at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University after a four-year hiatus also impact the general election?


Cavite declares state of calamity amid pertussis outbreak

MANILA, Philippines — The provincial government of Cavite has declared a state of calamity in response to an outbreak of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. In accordance with Resolution No. 3050-2024, issued on Wednesday, authorities have recorded 36 confirmed cases of pertussis within the province, resulting in six fatalities. Cavite said pertussis cases have been recorded in these cities and municipalities: City of Bacoor – 6 cases;...


Reported deaths alarm CHR after drug war revived in Davao City

In the 33 years that the Duterte family has ruled over Davao City, their “kill, kill, kill policies” have not put an end to the city’s drug problems, with the situation likely to remain the same despite Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s recent declaration he was reviving his father’s war on drugs, a youth group said on Wednesday. “It’s proof that killing is not a solution and continuing this mania at the local and national levels is just a sign...


Church takes custody of 2 ‘freed’ activists

DAGUPAN CITY — Environmental activists Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Joxielle “Jak” Tiong have taken refuge in the Catholic Church as they surfaced on Wednesday, three days after their alleged abduction by masked armed men in San Carlos City in Pangasinan province. But the circumstances behind their purported release were not immediately known, as the two men opted to stay out of the public eye even after allied groups drew attention to their...


Dela Rosa considers war with China but admits: ‘Hindi naman natin kaya’

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is already fed up with China’s persistent harassments in the West Philippine Sea, prompting thoughts of engaging in war with Beijing. But he knows, war is not an option. “Naubos na ang sasabihin ko dapat dyan. Short of declaring war na tayo dyan against sa kanila e, pero hindi naman natin kaya. Hindi tayo pwedeng mag-declare ng war against sa kanila,” Dela Rosa initially said in an interview...


Woman prosecuted after town centre fly tipping

The woman had previously been visited by the council's waste team and been warned about her bins.


Could Rishi Sunak gamble on a summer election? Fevered speculation arises as some Downing Street aides warn the Prime Minister the fragile Tory truce may not hold

With Westminster speculating about the number of letters of no confidence lodged by MPs against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, his aides fear he cannot wait until autumn for an election.


Nearly 100 people still missing after Moscow attack, Russian news site says

By Lucy Papachristou LONDON (Reuters) - As many as 95 people are still missing after last week's attack near Moscow when gunmen sprayed concertgoers with automatic weapons and set the venue on fire, a Russian news outlet reported on Wednesday. The official toll from the attack on Crocus City Hall now stands at 140 dead and 182 wounded. But the Baza news service, which has good contacts in


U.S. defense chief reaffirms support for Philippines, chides ‘dangerous’ Chinese conduct

MANILA — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and criticized as “dangerous” China’s use of water cannon and disruption of a Philippine resupply mission last week. In a phone call on Wednesday with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, Austin “reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the Philippines” following […]


Light to heavy traffic monitored on NLEX, SLEX on Maundy Thursday

Light to heavy traffic was experienced on South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) on Thursday morning amid the Holy Week exodus. As of 10:54 a.m., the Toll Regulatory Board said that heavy traffic was monitored along Eton, Silangan, Calamba Plaza, Canlubang, and Batino southbound of SLEX. Other areas that pass through SLEX such as Alabang, Filinvest, Susana Heights, Daang Hari, San Pedro, Southwoods, Carmona, Mamplasan,...


Ex-President Duterte-China ‘agreement’ on Ayungin bared, jeered

Former President Rodrigo Duterte accepted a “gentleman’s agreement” with Beijing regarding the nature of Manila’s resupply missions to its remote outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, his former spokesperson Harry Roque said on Wednesday. Under the so-called status quo agreement as described by Roque, Philippine vessels may deliver “only water and food” to the BRP Sierra Madre, the grounded World War II-era warship...


Queensland government facing 'thousands' of potential compo claims after vaccines ruling

A state government could be up for millions in compensation after a court ruled its Covid vaccine mandates were 'unlawful' with a mining billionaire ready to back more legal action by those sacked.


Lack of seatbelts on buses is obvious risk - coroner

A coroner is asking the Department for Transport to take action "to prevent future deaths".


C-5 Ortigas, Pasig Blvd flyovers southbound closed from Mar 28 – 31 – DPWH

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Wednesday that the southbound lanes of the C-5 Ortigas flyover and the Pasig Boulevard flyover will be temporarily closed to traffic for the installation of expansion joints from March 28-31. “The Department of Public Works and Highways- Metro Manila 1st District Engineering Office advises that the southbound lanes of C5 Ortigas Flyover, and Pasig Boulevard Flyover...


2 missing environment advocates found 'bruised but alive' —fact-finding team

The missing environmental activists earlier reported abducted in San Carlos City, Pangasinan have been found, a fact-finding team formed by progressive groups said Thursday. In a joint statement, the fact-finding team said “environmental rights defenders and church workers Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Joxelle “Jak” Tiong are no longer in the hands of their abductors, bruised but alive.” “While they are still reeling from their harrowing...


New Zealand's Maori King calls for whales to be given personhood

The King of New Zealand's Indigenous Maori people made an impassioned call Thursday for whales to be granted the same legal rights as people in a bid to protect the hallowed yet vulnerable species. King Tuheitia said granting whales the same status would act as "a cloak of protection for our taonga (treasure), our ancestor -- the whales".


Flood-affected pub 'celebrates' unhappy milestone

The owner of a Lincolnshire pub on a road which has been flooded for 100 days has described the situation as "a joke". The Tyrwhitt Arms is on Ferry Road in Fiskerton which has been closed to the west of the pub since December after a series of storms, although customers have still been able to access the pub from the east. Owner Rob Hardman, 50, s...


Focap, NUJP lash back at China embassy, foreign ministry

Two media organizations lashed back at the Chinese foreign ministry for its “insinuation” that recent reports on the Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea had involved video manipulation and sensationalism to deliberately project the Philippines as a victim. The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said they were taking offense at the...


PH Red Cross on alert for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines: The Philippine Red Cross is on high alert and set to respond to any medical emergency as the country takes a break to observe the rest of Holy Week, the final week of the Lenten season that marks the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Over 2,000 volunteers will operate until March 31 more than 200 first aid stations, ambulance units, and roving units nationwide, including seaports, airports, major highways, bus...


India minister to Marcos: ‘We can be on your ship’

The government of India has reiterated its support for the Philippines in the latter’s assertion of territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea, as well its recognition of the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected Beijing’s claim over practically the entire South China Sea, a visiting official said on Tuesday. In his courtesy visit to Malacañang, Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr....


Gabon's post-coup reform efforts under fire

Seven months after bringing the curtain down on the 55-year Bongo dynasty, Gabon's transitional president launches a national dialogue Tuesday touted as paving the way for elections next year. Under the transition timetable, the Gabonese people were invited to submit suggestions to be presented to the national dialogue.


Greek govt faces censure motion over train tragedy

Greece's conservative government faces a censure motion in parliament on Thursday over claims it had sought to manipulate an ongoing investigation into the nation's worst train tragedy. "Public opinion has reached an irrevocable conclusion -- that you are geared towards a cover-up" of the train tragedy, Nikos Pappas, parliament speaker for the main opposition Syriza party, told the chamber Wednesday.


Ukraine destroys 26 Russian drones in latest overnight strike

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian forces shot down 26 out of 28 attack drones launched overnight by Russia, Kyiv's military said on Thursday. The Iranian-made drones were destroyed over parts of eastern, southern and southeastern Ukraine, the air force added. The Zaporizhzhia region governor said on Telegram that two women had been wounded when debris struck a residential neighbourhood in the regional


Bato says most locals appeal not to close resort in Chocolate Hills

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said majority of the Boholanos he’d talked to are in favor, and have in fact appealed, for the continued operation of the controversial resort within the protected Chocolate Hills. In a phone patch interview on Wednesday, dela Rosa said he personally visited the controversial structure within Chocolate Hills now formally known as Captain’s Peak resort. According to dela Rosa, he wasn’t able...


Furious locals blast Labour council's move to rip down Prince Philip statue as 'leftie, woke censorship' - after the controversial £150,000 sculpture in Cambridge was branded 'possibly the poorest quality work' by city chiefs

EXCLUSIVE: The bronze sculpture called 'The Don' - designed to pay tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh's 35 years as Chancellor of Cambridge University - was built in 2014.


Ambulance and hospital beds arrive in Ukraine

It includes medical equipment from a care home which closed earlier this year, say organisers.