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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...

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...

Togo opposition asks W.Africa court to overturn reforms

Togo's opposition parties have filed a lawsuit with a West African court in an attempt to overturn a constitutional reform they say allows President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his grip on power. The lawsuit calls for the Economic Community of West African States court to "withdraw the law for constitutional change".

Border Force staff set to go on strike at Heathrow

More than 300 Border Force officers are due to walk out from Monday to Thursday.

Remains of fallen soldiers in Korean War identified

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

Home Secretary visits island of Lampedusa

During a visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa, Home Secretary James Cleverly reaffirmed the Government's argument for the Rwanda scheme. The Rwanda Bill is awaiting royal assent to formally become law, paving the way for deportation flights to get off the ground.

Chinese military officials met US and Russian naval officials this week

By Laurie Chen BEIJING (Reuters) - Senior Chinese military officials held separate meetings with U.S. and Russian naval counterparts during a Western Pacific naval symposium in Qingdao this week, a Chinese defence ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Spokesperson Wu Qian told a media briefing in Beijing that China's naval commander Admiral Hu Zhongming and political commissar Yuan Huazhi had

NSC warns of foreign entities that might disrupt 2025 elections

The National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday warned that foreign entities may attempt to meddle with the 2025 national and local elections. NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya was quoted by Super Radyo dzBB as saying that "foreign maligned interference operations" have been increasing in the country. Malaya added that such activities include the hacking of websites and social media accounts of multiple government agencies, the dzBB...

Two hundred killed by Burkina Faso army - report

Soldiers accused residents of aiding Islamist fighters before shooting at them, an investigation shows.

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...

Trillanes: ICC has put over 50 PH cops on notice

MANILA, Philippines — More than 50 active and former police officers who served under the previous administration are on the list of people being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their role in the bloody war on drugs waged by former President Rodrigo Duterte. This was according to an update given by former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on the ICC probe that centers on Duterte, who is being accused of crimes against humanity...

Motor vessel, tanker collide in Batangas

A motor vessel collided with a motor tanker in the waters off Mabini, Batangas on April 22, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday. In a statement, the PCG said the allision happened when M/V Everwin 11 reportedly collided to the left rear area of Mtkr Oak Express, which was docked at Landoor Pier. Quoting the camp of M/V Everwin 11, the PCG said strong sea currents and winds caused the maneuvering motor vessel to drag and collide...

PH seafarers barred from vessels passing through Red Sea, Gulf of Aden

MANILA, Philippines — Licensed manning agencies have been required to submit a written guarantee that passenger or cruise vessels with Filipino crew members will not traverse the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which have been designated as “war-like zones.” Aside from the “affirmation letter,” the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday also required manning agencies to submit their vessels’ detailed itinerary during the processing of crew...

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.

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.

DOJ: State execs, employees coordinating with ICC could be held accountable

State officials and employees who would cooperate with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into the bloody war on drugs of former President Rodrigo Duterte could be held accountable, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday. At a press briefing in Malacañang, DOJ spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano, said cooperating with the ICC regarding the investigation would be a violation of government policy. “As...

African migrant disaster survivor haunted by weeks lost at sea

By Ngouda Dione and Zohra Bensemra FASS BOYE, Senegal (Reuters) - Adrift on the Atlantic Ocean, the migrants from West Africa resorted to drinking seawater to quench their unbearable thirst. Then they started dying one by one. Disposing of the bodies became a daily trial for those still alive on the brightly painted wooden fishing boat. "I thought I would be next, that one morning, I too would

Top grads urged: Join gov’t; no entry exams for you

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is looking for new talents to augment the government workforce: college graduates who obtained Latin honors from local or foreign schools. The agency issued the call on Wednesday as it noted that these honor graduates may skip the career service exam that applicants must pass before they become eligible to work in the public sector. A career service exam, either taken through a “pen and...

Beer festival to go ahead despite police concerns

Hartlepool Borough Council approved the festival's temporary event application.

UK police make additional arrest over migrants' deaths in Channel

LONDON (Reuters) - British police said on Thursday they had arrested an additional individual over the deaths of five migrants, including a child, who died attempting to cross the Channel from France on a small boat earlier this week. The deaths occurred when a boat carrying 112 people set out to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world on Tuesday, and panic took hold among the

M4 reopens after lorry carrying hay catches fire

The M4 westbound near Bristol, was closed for several hours after a lorry carrying hay caught fire.

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

Rights defender, former senator, writer Rene Saguisag; 84

MANILA, Philippines — Rene Saguisag, the human rights lawyer who defended martial law victims and other enemies of the state before rising as a senator after the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, and one of the “Magnificent 12” who voted to remove American military bases from Philippine soil in 1991, has died. He was 84. The death of Saguisag was announced by his son Rebo on his Facebook account on Wednesday. READ: Rene Saguisag championed...

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 (MACC) said on Thursday. The investigation comes amid a widening crackdown on graft involving prominent political figures, including those seen as close to 98-year-old veteran leader

DOJ: At least 200 convictions made since OSAEC law was passed

At least 200 convictions have been made since the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) law was passed in 2022, an official from the Department of Justice said Thursday. ''When the law was passed in 2022, almost 200 convictions were made,'' Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said at a Palace press briefing. ''So, we see a very significant jump ‘no after this law and this tool was given to the law enforcement...

Army runner trains at university for Sahara marathon

Paul Carney ran a 250km race in the Sahara Desert after training at the University of Chichester.

Myanmar junta minister heads to Beijing for security talks

YANGON: The Myanmar junta's home minister has left for China for security talks with Beijing's minister for public security, state media said on Thursday. Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae left for China on Wednesday for a "working visit to discuss law enforcement and security cooperation from 24 to 29 April" at the invitation of Wang Xiaohong, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar. It did not give further details but ties between the junta and...

Chinese student jailed in US for threatening to ‘cut off hands’ of activist

Xiaolei Wu, a music student in Boston, is jailed after being found guilty of harassing a pro-democracy activist.

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.

Head praises school's response to triple stabbing

A teenage girl remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

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...

PNP: Cops who talked to ICC on Duterte case may face sanctions

The cops who communicated with the International Criminal Court (ICC) about the crime against humanity case against ex-President Rodrigo Duterte may face sanctions, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday. “Obviously, kung ikaw ay isang active personnel at you are performing any activities that is contrary to what is being stated officially ng PNP, posible na may kaharapin pong sanction ang sinumang pulis na hindi po susunod sa...

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...

Britain's Rwanda asylum legislation formally becomes law

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles has given his assent to legislation central to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Royal assent is the final stage in the legislative process, and effectively rubber stamps the decision taken by parliament earlier this week to approve the bill after a long battle between the government and opponents of the plan. The Royal

'Audacious' drivers move police road closure cones

Officers who manage closures at scenes of crashes have had to confront motorists over their actions.

DOJ asks courts to issue hold departure order vs Quiboloy

The regional trial courts (RTCs) in Davao City and Pasig City have been asked to issue hold departure orders (HDOs) against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo C. Quiboloy to stop him from leaving the country. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/25/doj-asks-courts-to-issue-hold-departure-order-vs-quiboloy Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews

Man critical in hospital after car crashes into house

The 66-year-old was injured in the crash involving a Vauxhall Mokka in Barrhead on Wednesday.

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 […]

College honor graduates need not take CSC eligibility exam

MANILA, Philippines — Graduates who finish with Latin honors in college no longer need to take the Career Service Exam if they want to pursue a career in public service, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said on Wednesday. CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said honor graduates will not be required to take the exam as they can apply for the Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE) instead. “Summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude graduates no...

50 years since the Carnation Revolution

On April 25, 1974, a revolution took place initiated by music and ornamented with flowers. Known as the Carnation Revolution, it was a near-bloodless military coup staged in Portugal that brought down the authoritarian rule of one of Europe's longest-serving dictators. In its wake, democracy prevailed and a national holiday was decreed to commemorate one of the most astonishing and significant episodes in Portugal's long history. So, what is the background behind this extraordinary event, and how was it planned? Click through and relive the military takeover that reshaped a nation.

EU military officer says a frigate has destroyed a drone launched from Yemen's Houthi-held areas

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — A top European Union military officer said that a frigate that’s part of an EU mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels on Thursday morning. Austrian Gen. Robert Brieger, who is chair of the EU’s military committee, said that it would be crucial for the bloc to “conserve resources” over the long haul because the threat posed by Houthi...

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.

Duke of Edinburgh leads commemoration of Australia and New Zealand's war dead

The Duke of Edinburgh has led the nation in commemorating Australia and New Zealand's war losses during a poignant dawn service marking Anzac Day. Edward laid a wreath at Hyde Park Corner in London, which is home to war memorials for both southern hemisphere countries. Hundreds of Australians, New Zealanders, and military personnel watched as the duke left a floral tribute of red poppies and white flowers in the early morning light.

‘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...

Rwanda scheme spending ‘absolutely worth it’, says Cleverly

Rwanda scheme spending ‘absolutely worth it’, says Cleverly - Home Secretary James Cleverly has been defending the Government’s plans during a visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa.

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...

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

Police arrest 93 protesters on California campus

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

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...

Kyiv issues restrictions on passports for military-age men

(Reuters) -The Ukrainian government, further tightening regulations as it seeks to address a shortage of troops, approved rules temporarily barring military-age men from applying for passports abroad. The provisions, and a subsequent clarification from Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, were announced on Wednesday, a day after Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba suspended consular services for males aged 18