World

Factbox-How Ukraine is keeping the lights on under Russian fire

By Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) - Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukraine on Wednesday, hitting nearly a dozen energy infrastructure facilities across the country, in the latest in a string of attacks on the power sector over the past two months. Here is an overview of Ukraine's worsening energy situation since Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion. DAMAGE Ukraine's

3 power co-ops face raps for misuse of P400M

MANILA, Philippines — The National Electrification Administration (NEA) wants to hold three “erring” electric cooperatives (ECs) accountable for allegedly misusing funds totaling more than P400 million. NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda earlier endorsed the filing of administrative cases with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco), First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative Inc. and Nueva...

Ukraine responds to Russia adding Zelensky to its wanted list

Notable People who died in 2024

SC grants writ of amparo to 'red-tagged' ex-Bayan Muna lawmaker

The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that red-tagging and guilt by association threaten a person’s right to life, liberty, or security as it granted a writ of amparo in favor of former Bayan Muna lawmaker Siegfred Deduro. In a 39-page decision, the SC En Banc reversed and set aside the ruling of the Iloilo Regional Trial Court that dismissed Deduro’s petition for a writ of amparo, which is a remedy available when there is a threat against life. “A...

2 nabbed for posing as MMDA enforcers

Two individuals, including a former traffic enforcer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), were nabbed for allegedly flagging down vehicles while posing as traffic constables last Saturday. In a statement on Wednesday, MMDA said Taguig City Police arrested Tomas Taguinod Jr. And Karl Vincent Moaña. Taguinod is a former MMDA enforcer who was found guilty for extortion and grave misconduct in 2021, which resulted to the...

Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Amsterdam university overnight

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Pro-Palestinian protesters were occupying a University of Amsterdam (UvA) site on Wednesday, a day after police clashed with protesters in the Dutch capital and broke up an earlier encampment at the university. Police said the UvA had not asked them to stop the protest, contrary to early on Tuesday when riot police used a bulldozer to knock down barricades at UvA and detained

Pakistan court orders jail for wife of former PM Imran Khan, lawyer says

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -A court in Pakistan granted on Wednesday a request by the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to shift to jail, her lawyer said, instead of house arrest ordered by the government because of security concerns. Bushra Bibi, detained at Khan's hilltop mansion in Islamabad since the couple's January conviction on charges of illegally selling state gifts, had challenged the

Tayabas City back to on-site school classes with limitation

LUCENA CITY – On-site classes at all levels in public and private schools in Tayabas City in Quezon have resumed on Wednesday, May 8, but with some limitations. “It is highly recommended that the conduct of highly essential activities shall be held indoors and in the early part of the day or later in the afternoon when the temperature is bearable and that all other safety precautions under ‘Extreme Caution Level Heat Index’ are followed,” Mayor...

Kenya declares public holiday to mourn flood victims

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s President William Ruto has declared Friday a public holiday to mourn the 238 people who have died due to ongoing flooding. The president on Wednesday said the day will be observed by national tree planting activities to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Kenya, along with other parts of East Africa, have been overwhelmed by floods. More than 235,000 people are displaced and living in dozens of camps....

Man murdered sister and covered body with tarpaulin

Kevin Shepherd pleads guilty to murdering Sharon Butler on the day his trial was due to start.

Police cordon on high street after sexual assault

Part of Exeter city centre has been cordoned off after reports of a sexual assault on Wednesday.

Russia slams British claims it was involved in London 'arson attack'

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the accusation that her country was involved was part of an information war against Moscow amdi Putin's on-going war in Ukraine.

Dozens still missing after Monday's South Africa building collapse. 7 confirmed dead

GEORGE, South Africa (AP) — Nearly 40 construction workers were still missing Wednesday in the rubble of a building that collapsed in South Africa on Monday as rescue teams continued to search for survivors for a third day in the wreckage of the unfinished five-story apartment complex. Seven workers have been confirmed dead, while authorities in the city of George on South Africa's south coast released new information on the injuries, saying 16...

Cyclist knocked off bike in crash with van

Police appeal for information after a crash between a bicycle and a van in Guernsey.

Chinese warship, 2 other vessels spotted off Batanes during ‘Balikatan’

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — A Chinese warship and two other vessels from Beijing were spotted off Batanes during the conduct of bilateral war games between Manila and Washington. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that around 10:45 a.m. on May 1, the BRP Melchora Aquino spotted a People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessel of China and two other Chinese-flagged vessels in the vicinity of Itbayat, Batanes, where the Balikatan Exercise was being held....

Israel says reopening key Gaza border point as it steps up Rafah attacks

Israeli forces also pound central Gaza as negotiations continue in Egypt for a ceasefire in the enclave.

Chinese Embassy dared to show 'new model' recording to PH gov't

The supposed audio recording proving the conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a Philippine military official on the supposed "new model" concerning the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should be made available to the Executive Department, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday. In a press conference, Hontiveros pointed out that China has been "waging" information warfare and the Philippines must pursue to "get at the...

Ailing Cuban migrants rescued after weeks at sea

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico — Four emaciated and dehydrated migrants were rescued by Mexican fishermen more than a month after leaving Cuba on a flimsy raft with several others who died at sea, authorities said. Two of the survivors remained hospitalized Tuesday in Mexico’s northeastern state of Tamaulipas due to what immigration authorities called “severe dehydration.” According to testimonies given to Mexican officials and a Cuban diplomat, who...

FULL SPEECH: President Marcos delivers speech in the Alliance Signing of Lakas-CMD and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his speech during the Alliance Signing of Lakas-CMD and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas at Manila Polo Club, Makati City on Wednesday, May 8. Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

‘We pray for everyone’s healing’: University of Southern Mindanao department clears plagiarism issue

A department of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) said that a former faculty member and her advisee have already reached a “settlement” after the former’s apology letter earned criticism from the online community. The university’s Department of English Language and Literature on Monday shocked Filipinos when it posted a letter from Riceli Mendoza apologizing […]

Hong Kong court bans protest anthem, saying it can be used as a weapon

By Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong's Court of Appeal on Wednesday granted an application by the government to ban a protest anthem called "Glory to Hong Kong", overturning a lower court judgment that had rejected such a ban because of its possible "chilling effects" on free speech. The ruling comes amid what critics say is an erosion in Hong Kong's rule of law and individual rights

'Magaling magtimpi': Marcos' restraint on West Philippine Sea issue impresses solon

Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores can't help but be impressed by President Marcos' restraint when it comes to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, where the country has typically been on the receiving end of China's aggressive actions. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/7/magaling-magtimpi-marcos-restraint-on-west-philippine-sea-issue-impresses-solon Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Completing A9 dualling 'matter of honour' - Salmond

The former first minister says the SNP government he led wanted to improve safety on the road.

Two men injured in crash which closed motorway

The crash closed the northbound carriageway of the M40 in Warwickshire for several hours.

China's foreign ministry congratulates Putin on his inauguration as president of Russia

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry congratulated Vladimir Putin on his inauguration as president of Russia, according to a spokesperson on Wednesday. "China congratulates President Putin on his inauguration," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, noting President Xi Jinping had already sent a congratulatory message to Putin on his re-election. Lin said Sino-Russian

Westfield Stratford evacuated over 'bomb scare'

Westfield Stratford evacuated over 'bomb scare' - The item was found to be non-suspicious

Balikbayan box with P56M shabu intercepted at Manila port

A balikbayan box from Thailand was intercepted at Manila International Container Port (MICP) after authorities found P56.3 million worth of shabu, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said on Wednesday. According to the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS), the balikbayan box was misdeclared to contain household items, shoes, and motor parts. The CIIS was prompted to conduct an inspection after they received “derogatory information”...

Bomb squad called after 'suspicious items' found

The public is being advised to avoid the area while emergency services are at the scene.

US and Philippine forces sink a ship during largescale drills in the disputed South China Sea

LAOAG, Philippines (AP) — U.S. and Philippine forces, backed by an Australian air force surveillance aircraft, unleashed a barrage of high-precision rockets, artillery fire and airstrikes Wednesday and sank a mock enemy ship as part of largescale war drills in and near the disputed South China Sea that have antagonized Beijing. Military officials and diplomats from several countries watched the display of firepower from a hilltop along a sandy...

Russia's biggest airstrike in weeks piles pressure on Ukraine power grid

By Gleb Garanich and Anastasiia Malenko KYIV (Reuters) - Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian critical infrastructure facilities in a major airstrike early on Wednesday, causing serious damage at three Soviet-era thermal power plants, Kyiv officials said. The air force said it shot down 39 of 55 missiles and 20 out of 21 attack drones used in the attack, which piles more

Russia targets energy facilities in air attack on Ukraine, officials say

By Pavel Polityuk and Gleb Garanich KYIV (Reuters) - A Russian air attack on Ukraine damaged several facilities in a strike targeting energy infrastructure across the country, Ukraine's military and energy officials said on Wednesday. "Another massive attack on our energy industry!" Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Power generation and

Japan, Sweden to join civilian WPS mission

Private individuals and embassy personnel from Japan and Sweden are expected to join the second civilian mission to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on May 14 to 17, its organizer Atin Ito Coatition said Wednesday. “For now, we have some guests from the embassy joining the convoy and a handful of people joining the guests,” Atin Ito co-convenor and Akbayan president Rafaela David said in a press conference. “So far, we have two confirmed from...

Police find body in Kirkwall harbour

A lifeboat crew is called to assist at the scene following the discovery at the pier in Orkney.

Trauma counselling for jurors in distressing cases

Jurors who hear distressing court cases are to receive counselling in a pilot scheme at 15 courts.

Ukraine says thwarted Russian-led plot to kill Zelensky

KYIV — Ukraine said Tuesday it had unravelled a Russian plot to assassinate senior Ukrainian political and military figures, including President Volodymyr Zelensky. Two Ukrainian security officials were arrested for their links to the group, which had aimed to carry out high-profile killings ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration on Tuesday. “The terrorist attack, which was supposed to be a gift to Putin for his inauguration,...

Russia warns of 'enormous danger' if NATO sends troops to Ukraine

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday that sending NATO troops into Ukraine would potentially be extremely dangerous, and Moscow was closely watching a Ukrainian petition that called for such an intervention. The petition, posted on the Ukrainian president's website, says Ukraine should ask the United States, Britain and other countries to send troops to help it repel Russia's invasion. "

Admin allies observe Trillanes’ ouster claims now sound like evidence

MANILA, Philippines — The speculations raised by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on a possible destabilization plot have started to appear as corroborating evidence if the actions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s critics are considered, a lawmaker said on Wednesday. In a press briefing in Makati, 1-Rider party-list Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said that while Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun may have tagged Trillanes as a...

Bombshell moment Tory MP Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour

Rishi Sunak was hit with a bombshell today as another Tory defected to Labour. Dover MP Natalie Elphicke announced she was crossing the floor just moments before Mr Sunak faced a bruising PMQs session.

Woman wins appeal over cyclist death conviction

A woman whose actions led to the death of a pensioner cycling on a pavement wins a court appeal.

US, PH begin striking ‘Made in China’ mock target ship near Taiwan

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Philippine navy missiles began striking the “Made in China” ship which served as a mock target during the highlight event of Manila and Washington’s bilateral drills within the vicinity waters of this province near Taiwan. The mock target, former BRP Lake Caliraya, was located about 15 kilometers off the coastal city of Laoag, which is only over 400 kilometers away from the southernmost point of the self-ruled island...

Chinese warships have been docked in Cambodia for 5 months, but government says it's not permanent

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's Defense Ministry insisted Wednesday that the months-long presence of two Chinese warships in a strategically important naval base that is being newly expanded with funding from Beijing does not constitute a permanent deployment of the Chinese military in the country. Questions had arisen after the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported last month that two Chinese corvettes that docked at...

UK to build first advanced nuclear fuel facility in Europe to reduce reliance on Russia

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was essential for the UK to build an uranium enrichment plant to 'prise Putin's blood-soaked hands off Europe's energy market'

Abalos denies destabilization plot vs Marcos admin

MANILA, Philippines — “Walang (No) credible threat as of now.” Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. made the statement on Wednesday to dismiss reports of an alleged destabilization plot against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration. In a radio interview, Abalos said he was surprised to learn about the alleged destabilization move, adding that the President has the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “solid” support. READ:...

City plan for police powers to confiscate alcohol

Norwich City Council hopes the plan will curb anti-social behaviour and alcohol abuse in the city.

6-month suspension up against Cebu City mayor, 7 others

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and seven other officials of Cebu City government are placed under preventive suspension for six months. In a 10-page resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman in Manila found sufficient grounds to put the mayor and the seven officials under suspension for grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of public officer, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave abuse of authority, and violation of the Code...

Ex-Pres. Duterte slams revocation of permit to hold peace rally in Dumaguete

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday cried foul over the revocation of their permit to hold a peace rally in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, saying Malacañang could be behind it, Balitanghali reported on Wednesday. “Nakakagalit, nadaanan ko ‘yung Freedom Park, ‘yun sana ang gusto namin. Nagpunta kami rito, nanghingi kami ng permit, binigyan kami,” said Duterte. “But nu’ng araw na dumating kami, binawi ‘yung permit at sinarhan ‘yung...

Ukraine tycoon Kolomoisky named suspect in decades-old murder attempt

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian authorities suspect jailed tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky of being behind the attempted murder of a lawyer in a corporate dispute more than 20 years ago, the national police said on Wednesday. Kolomoisky, who backed President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in the 2019 election and faces charges of fraud and money laundering, has previously denied any wrongdoing in those cases. His lawyer

Vatican to publish new document on Marian apparitions next week

ROME— The Vatican’s doctrine office will publish a new document next week on discerning Marian apparitions and other supernatural events. The Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday that Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), will unveil new norms for discernment regarding “apparitions and other […]

Family pays tribute to 'irreplaceable' daughter

The investigation into Grace Gardner's death is ongoing, according to West Mercia Police.