World

Iran, Pakistan urge U.N Security Council to take action against Israel

By Charlotte Greenfield ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Iran and Pakistan called on the United Nations Security Council in a joint statement issued on Wednesday to take action against Israel, saying it had "illegally" targeted neighbouring countries and foreign diplomatic facilities. The joint statement, released by Pakistan's foreign ministry, followed a three-day visit to the country by Iranian President

Jordan's king issues decree to hold parliamentary elections, state TV says

Jordan's King Abdullah issued a royal decree on Wednesday announcing that a parliamentary election will be held, state TV said. Under the constitution, the multi-party election is usually held within four months of the end of a four-year term of parliament. The country's last election, with over 4.6 million eligible voters, was held in November 202...

China blasts US military aid to Taiwan, saying the island is entering a 'dangerous situation'

BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday blasted the latest package of U.S. military assistance to Taiwan on Wednesday, saying that such funding was pushing the self-governing island republic into a “dangerous situation.” The U.S. Senate late Tuesday passed $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars. China claims the entire island of...

British Army Apache helicopters fly to Finland for Nato training exercise

British Army Apache helicopters fly to Finland for Nato training exercise - Some 20,000 British personnel are involved, among 90,000 troops from all 32 members of the alliance.

EJKs in PH persisted in 2023, says Amnesty International

Amnesty International on Wednesday called on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to make a categorical "policy pronouncement" against the war on drugs as it noted that extrajudicial killings (EJKs) had persisted in 2023. In a press conference in Quezon City, Amnesty International Philippines director Butch Olano said Marcos should "make an explicit and categorical policy pronouncement to end the so-called war on drugs and EJKs." Citing...

Former Labour minister and Lord Frank Field dies aged 81

Frank Field, a former Labour minister has died aged 81, "He will be mourned by admirers across politics but above all he will be greatly missed by those lucky enough to have enjoyed his laughter and friendship."

Investigation into airport emergency ongoing

Ross Coppolo, from Guernsey Ports, praised the team's response to the emergency.

Russia will expand Ukraine 'buffer zone' if Kyiv gets longer range missiles, says Kremlin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia would further expand its "buffer zone" inside Ukraine if Kyiv takes delivery of longer-range ATACM missiles from the United States that allow it to strike deeper inside Russia. The United States is preparing a $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine, the first to be sourced from the yet to be signed Ukraine-Israel bill, two U.S.

Solons urge PNP to reconsider tattoo policy

At least three members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday questioned the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) memorandum circular banning visible tattoos among policemen. In an ambush interview, Bukidnon Representative Jonathan Keith Flores said the issue may be tackled when the House deliberates on the PNP’s proposed budget for 2025 later this year. “Budget hearing is coming up so we have to talk with the PNP again. Of course, if that...

North Korea leader Kim's sister: we will build overwhelming military power

SEOUL (Reuters) - Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said the country will continue to build overwhelming and the strongest military power to protect its sovereignty and regional peace, the North's KCNA news agency reported on Wednesday. Kim said a series of military exercises by the U.S. military in the region this year starting with live-fire drills conducted

No live fire drills for US ground-based missile during Balikatan—AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The United States’ newest ground-based missile will not be used for live fire drills during the Balikatan war games, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday. “There will be no live-fire exercise for the [Typhon] MRC (mid-range capability) missile system,” Trinidad said in a regular AFP press briefing. Training for logistics, mobilization However, Trinidad said there will still be training on the...

Armenia blasts modern 'ethnic cleansing' as it commemorates WWI mass killings

Armenia on Wednesday said it had faced modern-day "ethnic cleansing" as it commemorated Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, a national holiday marking the World War I-era mass killings of ethnic Armenians by Ottoman forces. On Tuesday night, thousands had carried torches through the streets of Yerevan to commemorate victims of the 1915-1918 killings by Ottoman authorities -- seen as a genocide by Armenia and several other countries, but fiercely...

Russia arrests deputy defence minister suspected of corruption

Timur Ivanov, in charge of military construction contracts, suspected of taking bribes ‘on a particularly large scale’.

Former prisoner-of-war camp which held Nazis transformed into thriving new venue

Cultybraggan Camp in Scotland was a prisoner-of-war site during WWII and held some of the most fervent Nazi soldiers who were captured - but is now a thriving community hub

Fears after a boatload of Chinese men arrived on Australian coastline

In early April the boat carrying 15 Chinese citizens landed at the remote Mungalalu Truscott Airbase, but it wasn't until days later that Defence personnel tracked them all down.

Ukrainian officials thank the US for its latest military aid to help stop Russia's onslaught

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials on Wednesday expressed thanks for a fresh batch of U.S. military aid that threw Kyiv’s armed forces a lifeline in their more than two-year war with Russia, even though the vital new supplies aren’t expected to have an immediate impact on the battlefield. Ukrainian troops have faced acute shortages of shells and air defense systems as political quarrels in Washington held up the aid for months, allowing...

Tamar Bridge tolls petition given to government

The petition, signed by 6,300 people, has been presented to the House of Commons.

Australian police launch manhunt for Home and Away star

The public has been asked to help find Orpheus Pledger, after he failed to appear in court on assault charges.

Senators mourn the death of human rights lawyer Rene Saguisag

MANILA, Philippines — Senators mourned the death of human rights lawyer and former senator Rene Saguisag, remembering the “indelible mark” he left in the field of justice. In a statement on Wednesday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Saguisag was a man of true honor, dignity, and integrity. READ: Former Senator Rene Saguisag dies “[H]is entire life was devoted to pursuing justice and fairness for every Filipino, particularly through such...

Bradford break-ins cause 'emotional distress'

Police have made one arrest and say they are "keeping an open mind" as to whether the incidents are linked.

Notable People who died in 2024

Marcos rejects circular on increasing fines for illegal parking

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he has rejected the circular of the Metro Manila Council which calls for an increase in penalties for illegally parked vehicles. ''Para patuloy ang magandang serbisyo ng ating pamahalaan ay hindi ko pinayagan ang Joint Traffic Circular No. 01 ng Metro Manila Council tungkol sa probisyon na tataasan ang multa para sa mga illegal parking mula sa isang libong piso na hanggang apat na...

AFP spots 124 China vessels around WPS ahead of ‘Balikatan’

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 124 Chinese vessels, including three warships, appeared in various parts of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in what a Philippine Navy official called an “out of the normal” deployment ahead of the annual “Balikatan” exercises which began on Monday. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the three warships of the People’s Liberation Army Navy were seen on Monday in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island, about...

Amnesty International joins call to abolish NTF-ELCAC

Human rights group Amnesty International on Wednesday urged the government to dissolve the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). Amnesty International Philippines Director Butch Olano expressed concern over the alleged misuse of the Anti-Terror Law and red-tagging. He said these two were being used to link journalists and human rights advocates to the communist insurgency. Olano said that in March, the NTF-ELCAC...

More illegal sirens, blinkers seized after Marcos order —HPG

The number of confiscated illegal sirens, blinkers, and other signaling devices has increased after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. banned government officials and workers from using them. From April 15 to 21, the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said a total of 481 signaling devices were seized, including 463 blinkers and lights as well as 18 sirens and horns. This was higher compared to the previous week...

Remember when Ukraine blew up millions in Russian equipment hiding in a warehouse?

UK Rwanda deportation law leaves asylum seekers fearful

Asylum seekers housed on an accommodation barge on the coast of southern England say they are afraid of being sent to Rwanda, after a controversial proposal for deportation was approved. Designed to accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers, it has been controversial because of complaints about conditions on board.

Seven arrested in massive counter terrorism raids

Seven minors have been arrested in raids across Sydney with the Australian Federal Police focussed on those allegedly adhering to a 'religiously motivated violent extremist ideology'.

Australia’s counterterrorism team arrests seven teens in overnight raids

Police arrest seven in raids across Sydney following the stabbing of an Assyrian Orthodox bishop last week.

Man arrested in alleged plot to assassinate Zelensky

Knives sold to children as young as 13

One child was sold a machete-style knife during the police sting in Bristol and Somerset.

New radios upgrade PH defensive posts up north

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines has installed high-tech Harris radios in the naval detachments in Batanes, the Philippine province nearest Taiwan, and in two other islands in northern Luzon. The upgrades were made on Mavulis Island in Batanes and on Fuga and Calayan islands in Cagayan from April 21 to 23 amid heightened maritime tensions between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Navy...

Quiboloy’s gun permit revocation may be approved this week —PNP

The decision on the recommendation to revoke the gun permits of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy will be issued this week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday. “I don't want to preempt po yung magiging decision ng PNP, but ang Chief PNP po natin ay pag-aaralan po ito. May mga legal officers po ang PNP,” said PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. (I don't want...

POGOs, 'hotspot of fugitives' —Hontiveros

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday reiterated her call for the immediate ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), saying these are "hotspot of fugitives." The lawmaker issued the statement as she led the inspection of a raided POGO firm in Bamban, Tarlac together with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. During the briefing with Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the senators were informed that six Chinese fugitives were...

London police contain 2 horses that were on the loose in the city. It's still a mystery as to why

LONDON (AP) — London police have contained two horses that were seen running around loose without riders in the heart of the U.K. capital on Wednesday morning. City of London police said officers were waiting for a horse box from the British Army to collect the animals and take them to a veterinarian. Images of the two horses, one of which is black the other white and which were wearing saddles and bridles, were circulating across social media....

Russian priest presiding over Navalny's memorial suspended from duties

A Russian Orthodox priest who presided over the memorial service for the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in March has been suspended from clerical duties for three years, the Moscow Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church said. In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, the diocese did not say what was the reason for the punis...

Marcos urged to help Bukidnon indigenous groups to reclaim ancestral lands

Amnesty International on Wednesday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to direct the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help the Manobo-Pulangiyon of Bukidnon to reclaim their ancestral lands. Amnesty International Philippines Director Butch Olano said the community was composed of around 1,490 families. “We call on President Marcos to personally instruct the AFP and other agencies of government to install the Monobo-Pulangiyon community...

1 injured after crane cable snaps in Binondo

A construction worker was injured after the cable of a construction crane carrying more than 4 tons of metal snapped and fell at Aguilar Street near Recto in Binondo, Manila. According to a dzBB report by Carlo Mateo on Wednesday, the machine was transporting the materials when the incident occurred at around 6 a.m. The broken crane cable also damaged a parked pick-up truck, tricycles, a bicycle, and part of a nearby building. Internet in the...

Katie Simpson murder accused has died, court hears

Jonathan Creswell is found dead at his home police officer tells court

Cyclist, 74, dies after being found hurt at roadside

The 74-year-old man was found injured next to his bike and taken to hospital where he later died.

Wanted man found in Benidorm after global manhunt

An alleged drugs trafficker wanted by police since 2020 has been arrested at a hotel in Spain.

Russian attack injures six people in Ukraine's Kharkiv, governor says

(Reuters) -Russian missiles damaged residential buildings and injured six people in Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, early on Wednesday, Governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram. The attack damaged three residential buildings, two offices, three non-residential buildings and a gas pipeline in the central district of the city, according to the governor's statement. Some 568 windows and 33

Indonesia commission formally declares Prabowo next president

Indonesia's election commission formally declared Prabowo Subianto as the next president of the world's third-largest democracy Wednesday, after the country's constitutional court shot down challenges to his first-round majority victory. But the constitutional court shot down the complaints of Prabowo's two rivals in their entirety on Monday, saying nepotism and state intervention had not been proven. mrc-jfx/ssy

Cost of crumbling concrete scandal rises again after RAAC found in jails

The RAAC concrete crisis continues to grow as the number of prisons discovered with the material went up to five - adding to the list of schools and hospitals needing repairs

Some Metro Manila LGUs suspend face-to-face classes due to 'dangerous' heat

Some local government units in Metro Manila suspended face-to-face classes at all levels from April 25 to 26 (Thursday to Friday) due to dangerous heat level. In a Facebook announcement on Wednesday, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan declared the suspension of face-to-face classes for public and private schools at all levels for Thursday and Friday. Schools were advised to shift to blended modality. “This is due to the forecast danger heat index...

Teenager who stabbed boy banned from towns

The teenager is told he cannot enter Royal Wootton Bassett and Marlborough for three months.

Former Senator Rene Saguisag dies

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights lawyer and former senator Rene Saguisag has died, his family confirmed on Wednesday. In a statement posted on his son Rebo Saguisag’s Facebook page, the former lawmaker’s death is being mourned by his loved ones, recalling the “impact of his legacy.” “We are grateful that, in his final months, he was able to spend time with relatives, friends and countless supporters. He passed away knowing that he was much...

VP Sara thankful for Marcos' continued trust

Vice President Sara Duterte thanked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday for his continued trust in her as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) despite her rift with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Duterte issued the statement after Marcos said on Tuesday that he did not see any reason to replace her at DepEd. “Maraming salamat, Pangulong Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., sa patuloy na pagtitiwala sa akin bilang...

‘Absolute power’: After pro-China Maldives leader’s big win, what’s next?

Muizzu’s party wins huge mandate in parliamentary polls. Will Beijing now step in to alleviate Maldives’ economic woes?

Cebuano lawmaker pushes for BFP firefighting choppers

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker and Cebuano congressman Duke Frasco has called on the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to incorporate funds for helicopters in their upcoming 2025 budget to enhance their firefighting capabilities. Frasco said on Tuesday that he filed House Resolution No. 1686 calling on the BFP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to include the use of helicopters in its arsenal of firefighting...