National

BARMM political parties endorse Tan for chief minister

MANILA, Philippines — Warring political groups in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have set aside their differences to support a common candidate for chief minister in the BARMM elections in 2025. The four most influential political blocs in BARMM endorsed over the weekend as common bet for chief minister of the 80-member regional parliament Sulu Gov. Hadji Abdusakur Tan Sr. The four major political parties that make...

Razon to expand Manila Water’s reach

MANILA, Philippines — Ports and power tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. vowed to expand the operations of Manila Water Co. Inc., both locally and abroad, by capitalizing on the group’s infrastructure expertise. Razon said he plans to “continue optimizing” the operations of the water utility firm within and outside its East Zone concession. “Manila Water continues to deliver reliable and efficient water and wastewater services to communities in key metros...

Spain recalls ambassador after Argentina's Milei calls PM's wife 'corrupt'

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires for consultations on Sunday after Argentina's President Javier Milei made derogatory comments about Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife during a far-right rally in Madrid. Milei had called Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez "corrupt" during a rally in Madrid organised by the far-right Vox party and attended by many of its

Kadiwa stores in NCR sell rice at P29/kilo

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is selling rice at P29 per kilo in five Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Sunday. These Kadiwa stores are ADC Building of the Department of Agriculture - Central Office in Quezon City; Kadiwa Center inside the Bureau of Plant Industry in Malate, Manila; Kadiwa Store along Llano Road in Barangay 167, Caloocan City; Kadiwa Store in AMVA Housing, La Mesa Street...

Tingog tops party-list survey

MANILA, Philippines — The lawmakers of Tingog party-list are the top performing party-list representatives in the country, based on a survey by the RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD). Tingog Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre had a performance rating of 90.3 percent in the survey conducted from March 18 to 24. "We are deeply honored and humbled by this acknowledgment, which underscores our unwavering commitment...

Eruption of Indonesia's Mt Ibu forces seven villages to evacuate

JAKARTA (Reuters) - A volcano on the remote Indonesian island of Halmahera has spectacularly erupted, spewing a grey ash cloud into the sky, and people from seven nearby villages have been evacuated, authorities said on Sunday. Mt. Ibu erupted on Saturday evening, sending ash 4 km (2.5 miles) high, as streaks of purple lightning flashed around its crater, according to information and images

Pinoys to continue fishing in Panatag

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fisherfolk will not be cowed and will continue to fish in Panatag Shoal despite China’s empowering of its coast guard to detain for 60 days without trial anyone or any vessel found trespassing in what it considers its territorial waters. In a radio interview at the weekend, New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association president Leonardo Cuaresma maintained that Panatag Shoal is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic...

Iranian President Raisi: a hardliner on morality, protests and nuclear talks

(Reuters) - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose helicopter crashed in mountainous terrain on Sunday, has become a contender to be Iran's next supreme leader with a clampdown on morality questions and a bloody crackdown on the nationwide protests it triggered. Raisi's victory in an election in 2021, after heavyweight conservative and moderate rivals were disqualified by a hardline oversight

Over 300 Mangyan students benefit from OMCPC project

OCCIDENTAL Mindoro Consolidated Power Corp. (OMCPC) formally turned over the four makeshift classrooms and two units of complete solar systems to Taganop Elementary School on March 19, 2024. This was in response to the request for sponsorship by the teachers of the school, led by Gener Trabucon. This project was orchestrated by OMCPC Chief Operating Officer Calvin Luther Genotiva and supported by OMCPC President and Chief Executive Officer Luis...

‘PFP-NPC alliance not marriage of convenience’

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday clarified that his party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) merely formalized their alliance as both political parties have been helping each other for a long time. “What makes this alliance durable is (it) is a partnership of equals and one anchored on a set of principles. It is not a marriage of convenience as we often find in politics, but it is borne...

DRC army says it stopped attempted coup involving US citizens

By Ange Kasongo and Sonia Rolley KINSHASA (Reuters) -The leader of an attempted coup on Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been killed and some 50 people including three American citizens arrested, a spokesman for the Central African country's army told Reuters. Gunfire rang out around 4 a.m. in the capital Kinshasa, a Reuters reporter said. Armed men attacked the presidency in

Marcos orders probe of embassy 'wiretap'

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over the weekend said he has ordered the investigation on the alleged wiretapping of a ranking Armed Forces of the Philippines official by the Chinese Embassy in Manila. "We are looking into it because the fact of the matter is, there have been mentions of a tape that confirms that there was this agreement," Marcos said after attending a ceremony to mark an alliance between his Partido Federal ng Pilipinas...

Over one million Filipinos get P3-B aid on Saturday

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, alongside President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., launched the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) on Saturday, an initiative that will distribute P3 billion in cash aid to more than one million beneficiaries in a single day. The AKAP Program, spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under Secretary Rex Gatchalian, aims to provide immediate...

Chinese ships swarm Julian Felipe Reef

CHINA is poised to take effective control of Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef, a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef that is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and its continental shelf. A May 9, 2024 satellite photo showed a swarm of 82 Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels at the reef, SeaLight, a maritime transparency project that monitors and reports activities in the South China Sea, said. Retired US Air Force Col. Ray...

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Kharkiv region kill at least 11 people

Dozens of people also wounded, Ukrainian officials say, as Moscow continues offensive in Ukraine’s northeast.

DOE studying longer periods for power plant maintenance

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is studying the possibility of allowing power plants to have longer maintenance periods to ensure that they are repaired properly. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said they are now comparing the amount of time that local power plants are allowed for repairs with those of other countries, especially developed ones like Japan. Lotilla noted that other countries have longer periods for...

Taiwan coast guard ramps up island patrols ahead of inauguration

KINMEN — Taipei’s coast guard ramped up patrols over the weekend around its outlying islands that have seen increased presence of Chinese vessels, the agency said Sunday, the eve of Lai Ching-te’s inauguration as Taiwan’s new president. China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, maintaining a near-daily military presence with frequent appearances of fighter jets, drones and naval ships around the island. It has also in recent...

Partido Federal inks unity pact with NPC

MANILA, Philippines — Stressing that it is not a “marriage of convenience” in politics but a “need to unite for the greater good,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the signing of a pact between his political party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) ahead of the much-anticipated 2025 midterm elections. Marcos, chair of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), witnessed the signing of the “alliance for a new Philippines” at the Makati...

Hundreds of Tunisian president's supporters protest against 'foreign interference'

TUNIS (Reuters) - Hundreds of people demonstrated in Tunis on Sunday in support of President Kais Saied amid widespread criticism at home and abroad after a wave of arrests that included journalists, activists and lawyers. The European Union, France and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern at the arrests and at a police raid on the headquarters of the bar association this

Palace declares special holidays

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared May 21 a special non-working day in Malabon City for the commemoration of its 425th founding anniversary. It also declared May 30 a special non-working day in Escalante City, Negros Occidental for the celebration of the Manlambus Festival. The declaration of special holidays in the cities of Malabon and Escalante were specified in Proclamations 548 and 549, both signed by Executive Secretary Lucas...

Appeal over student sex attack more than 20 years ago

Police appeal for witnesses to the sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman more than 20 years ago.

Police issue warning of 'man in car stopping pupils'

Police have received "numerous reports" of a man in a black car stopping pupils in Trowbridge.

Powerball winning numbers for May 18 drawing: Jackpot rises to $88 million

Powerball jackpot rises to $78 million for Saturday night's drawing. Check here to see if you have the winning ticket.

Pedestrian in critical condition after car crash

The man in his 60s was taken to hospital after a collision involving a Fiat Punto, police say.

Reactions to the crash of the Iranian president's helicopter

(Reuters) -Following are reactions from foreign governments and officials to the news that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed as it flew over mountainous terrain in heavy fog on Sunday. U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES "The Secretary-General is following reports of an incident with Iranian President Raisi's aircraft with concern. He

Cacdac, military officers to face CA

THE Commission on Appointments (CA) will hold on Tuesday separate confirmation hearings for Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and 33 top military officers. Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, an assistant minority leader of the commission, said that Cacdac will be vetted by the CA's Committee on Labor, Employment, Social Welfare and Migrant Workers chaired by Negros Occidental 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez. President...

FM's critics should look at themselves - minister

Critics of Vaughan Gething should ask themselves if they are crossing a line, a minister has said.

Search and rescue efforts underway for Iran's president Raisi

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi is involved in helicopter crash as frantic rescue missions is launched - just hours after posing for pictures with Azerbaijan's President Aliyev.

Why growing China-Russia military ties worry the west

For two years, Chinese backing for Russia's war in Ukraine has been western governments' biggest concern about the two countries' burgeoning relationship. But two weeks ago, US officials raised alarm over their co-operation in another key security theatre: the seas around Taiwan. "We see them, China and Russia, for the first time exercising together in relation to Taiwan," Avril Haines, director of national intelligence, told US lawmakers. "[We...

Notes on the beat: Has ADB done enough to solve global problems?

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly six decades ago, about 100,000 civilians and military personnel perished as the Vietnam War escalated, the human spaceflight program Project Gemini was completed and the world witnessed the birth of the automated teller machine. Now, the longstanding Israel-Palestine conflict has worsened, climate change has pushed the global emergency button, while computers and robots are feared to soon replace humankind. From 1966...

Dominican Republic voters head to polls, incumbent Abinader the favorite

SANTO DOMINGO (Reuters) -Voters in the Dominican Republic head to the polls on Sunday to cast ballots for the next president and members of parliament in an election widely seen as a referendum on the hugely popular incumbent and anti-corruption crusader, Luis Abinader. Up to 8 million eligible voters will decide which candidate is best suited to take on the fallout from the humanitarian crisis

No winners of Ultra Lotto 6/58, Superlotto 6/49 on Sunday, May 19, 2024

There were no winners of either of the big lotto draws held on Sunday, May 19. No one hit the right combinations for the Ultra Lotto 6/58 and the Superlotto 6/49, drawn by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The winning numbers for the Ultra Lotto 6/58 were 02-56-44-24-27-40. The jackpot is at P49,500,000.00. The winning numbers for Superlotto 6/49 were 16-18-17-44-37-45. The prize is at P15,865,493.40. — BM, GMA Integrated News...

Audit of Kaliwa Dam project asked

A CONSUMER group wants Malacañang to do a full audit of the Kaliwa Dam project and hold accountable those behind the release of P1.828 billion in advance payments to the project's foreign contractor. The United Filipino Consumer and Commuters-Water for All Refund Movement (UFCC-WARM) also questioned the payments to the contractor, China Energy Engineering Corp. (CECC), of standby costs and other costs amounting to P309.840 million. The call was...

Factbox-What happens if an Iranian president dies in office?

(Reuters) - Rescuers in Iran were racing on Sunday to find the crash site of a helicopter that was carrying President Ebrahim Raisi to find out the fate of all those on board. Below is brief outline of what Iran's constitution says happens if a president is incapacitated or dies in office: * According to article 131 of the Islamic Republic's constitution, if a president dies in office the first

At least 11 killed as Russia presses forward with its offensive in northeastern Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — At least 11 people were reported killed in attacks in Ukraine’s war-ravaged northeast on Sunday as Russia pushed ahead with its renewed offensive. In the Kharkiv region, the focus of the offensive, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office said six people were killed and 27 wounded in a Russian strike on the outskirts of the regional capital, also called Kharkiv. Regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said that five more people were...

BI arrests Japanese national wanted for kidnapping, rape

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) had arrested a 38-year-old Japanese man wanted for abduction and kidnapping in Osaka, Japan. In a report by John Consulta on 24 Oras Weekend on Saturday, the Japanese fugitive was arrested in a casino hotel in Parañaque City. “Mako-consider natin siya serial rapist kasi nga reportedly mayroon siyang lima naging victim sa Japan,” BI Fugitive Search Unit chief Rendel Sy told GMA Integrated News. (We can consider him...

SPD’s most wanted fugitive falls

MANILA, Philippines — A man tagged as the Southern Police District (SPD)’s most wanted fugitive was arrested in Parañaque on Friday night. In a report, the SPD said the suspect, identified only as Love Singh, was arrested in Barangay Sun Valley at around 9:30 p.m. Singh was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Ma. Christina de Pio Lim of Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 296 for murder. She refused to grant bail. The suspect...

PH may file new case if China detains sea 'trespassers' -senators

The Philippines may file another case before an international court should China detain foreign nationals, particularly Filipinos, for “trespassing” in the South China Sea, several senators said Sunday. Senator Francis Tolentino pointed out that there were existing provisions in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which state that what China planned to do violated international maritime laws. Beijing said in its...

Ombudsman suggests DILG file a complaint against Guo

After the Department of the Interior and Local Government recommended that the Office of the Ombudsman issue a preventive suspension order on Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said that the DILG had written to him, but what his office received was a fact-finding report which said nothing about what needed to be done. According to Jonathan Andal's Sunday 24 Oras Weekend report, Martires also said the copy of the DILG report they...

NSTC-ROTC bill approval pushed

MANILA, Philippines — A two-year mandatory citizen service training for college students is being pushed for approval by 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero. Romero and other military reservists paid a courtesy call last week on Speaker Martin Romualdez, who promised to prioritize the enactment of the National Citizen Service Training (NSTC) and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) bill. Romualdez is the principal author of the NSTC-ROTC...

PSA-7: 6.6 million already registered for PhilSys ID in C. Visayas

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Over 6.6 million people in Central Visayas now have Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) IDs. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority in Central Visayas (PSA-7), 6,682,192 individuals are registered, reaching 94.9 percent of their 7,040,833 target. They’ve already given out 4,328,065 physical ID cards and 2,333,544 ePhilIDs since registration began in 2020. The PSA-7 reminds people to authenticate their...

Ukraine’s divisive mobilization law comes into force

KYIV, Ukraine — A divisive mobilization law in Ukraine came into force on Saturday, as Kyiv struggles to boost troop numbers after Russia launched a new offensive that some fear could close in on Ukraine’s second-largest city. The legislation, which was watered down from its original draft, will make it easier to identify every conscript in the country. It also provides incentives to soldiers, such as cash bonuses or money toward buying a house...

Time capsule opened as old village hall demolished

The old village hall was demolished to make way for HS2, but the time capsule was rescued.

MRT-7 construction suffers another delay

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) is facing right of way (ROW) troubles in its Bulacan leg, causing another round of delay in the construction, the completion of which is now expected by 2027 at the earliest. Thus, there is now the possibility that San Miguel Corp. (SMC), the developer of MRT-7, may realign the Bulacan segment of the railway upon the request of the local government of San Jose del Monte. Last week,...

Cyclist dies after 'coming off bike' - police

Police believe the man, in his 50s, died when he came off his bike on a road in Winscales.

US troops to leave Niger by mid-September

The US says its soldiers will be out by 15 September, after the junta-led government asked them to leave.

Man dies and two taken to hospital after crash

The man was pronounced dead at the scene and two passengers were taken to hospital, police say.

This is what Kyiv looked like before the war

Two dead, five missing after suspected boat collision on Danube in Hungary

BUDAPEST (Reuters) -Two people were killed and five others were missing after a suspected collision involving a small motor boat and a cruise ship on the Danube River north of Budapest late on Saturday, Hungarian police said. The body of an adult man was found near the site, while that of a woman was recovered further downstream and disaster response units were still searching for the five

Number of migrants arriving in UK in small boats nears 10,000 mark

Some 103 people came across in two boats yesterday, it has been revealed - bringing the total so far this year, not including Sunday's arrivals, to 9,803.