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

At least 100 cities, municipalities affected by El Niño — task force

At least 100 Philippine cities and municipalities have been affected by the El Niño phenomenon, according to the government's Task Force El Niño. ''Base sa tala ng OCD, nasa 103 cities and municipalities, kasama sa bilang na ito ang limang probinsiya, nandiyan 'yung Occidental Mindoro na pinuntahan ng Pangulo kahapon, Antique, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan at Maguindanao del Sur,'' task force spokesman Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama said during...

Notable People who died in 2024

Concern over experiments near home of boy who died

Zane Gbangbola's parents say he was killed by toxic gas from a former dump after the Thames flooded.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Prabowo vows to fight for all Indonesians, urges unity among political elites

By Ananda Teresia JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto vowed on Wednesday to fight for all Indonesians and he called for unity among political elites to take the country forward, as he seeks to boost his parliamentary clout before taking office in October. Speaking at a ceremony where he was confirmed as the winner of the Feb. 14 election, Prabowo, who won by a huge

CCTV captures buildings collapsing in Taiwan earthquakes

A cluster of earthquakes struck Taiwan early Tuesday, April 23, the strongest having a magnitude of 6.1, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. 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

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...

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...

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...

Knives sold to children as young as 13

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

Portugal celebrates democracy anniversary amid far-right surge

By Catarina Demony and Miguel Pereira SANTAREM, Portugal (Reuters) - Veteran military officer Captain Joaquim Correia Bernardo, 84, remembers the revolution that toppled Portugal's fascist dictatorship five decades ago as if it were yesterday. He was in his thirties when he helped organise the April 25, 1974 military coup that returned Portugal to democracy after 48 years of authoritarian rule.

DepEd, CHEd warn vs fake scholarship offers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) have warned the public not to fall prey to offers of scholarships and cash incentives for students on social media as they also cautioned parents against giving away their children’s personal information. On Tuesday, the DepEd urged people to beware of Facebook posts about supposed scholarships it was offering, complete with the DepEd logo and a...

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...

Germany, Britain move in on suspected Chinese spies

BERLIN, Germany — Germany and Britain on Monday both swooped on suspected spies accused of passing on secret information to China, as concern deepens in the West over aggressive Chinese espionage. In Germany, investigators arrested three German nationals in the west of the country suspected of sharing information on maritime technology, prosecutors said in a statement. The trio, named as Herwig F., Ina F. and Thomas R., are accused of taking...

‘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?

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...

Iran ready to forge stronger ties with Sri Lanka, Raisi says

By Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO (Reuters) -Iran is ready to strengthen ties with Sri Lanka and other Asian countries, its president, Ebrahim Raisi, said on Wednesday, during a short visit to the island nation, the first by an Iranian president in 16 years. The two countries are set to sign five pacts, or Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on the visit, only the second since one in April 2008 by

Nationwide red, yellow alerts raised as power supply further thins

MANILA, Philippines — The power supply nationwide is running low prompting grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to place all regions—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—under red or yellow alerts today, April 24. In an advisory, NGCP issued a red alert in the Luzon grid between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. It will place the country’s largest island under yellow alert from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. NGCP said a red alert...

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

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...

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.

Top Russian military official appears in court on bribery charges

A top Russian military official arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe was sent to pre-trial detention Wednesday after appearing before a court in central Moscow, court officials said in a statement. Timur Ivanov, 48, one of Russia’s 12 deputy defense ministers, was arrested Tuesday evening, Russia’s Investigative Committee said in a statement. They gave no further information, apart from specifying that Ivanov is suspected of taking an...

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...

Street to be renamed in teenage soldier's memory

Denise Carter said it was an "honour" that a Nuneaton street would be renamed after her son Louis

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.

Palace debunks viral deepfake video of President

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday debunked a viral deepfake video of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. supposedly commanding the Armed Forces of the Philippines to act against a foreign country. The Palace did not specify which video this was, or which streaming platform. However, the supposed deepfake was created amid heightened tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea. “It has come to the attention of the Presidential...

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'.

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...

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

Investigation into airport emergency ongoing

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

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

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...

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....

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...

Former Comelec chief Bautista not in US custody

MANILA, Philippines: The United States government dismissed reports that former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista has been arrested after he was sued for money laundering and conspiracy in the state of Florida last year. "Juan Andres Donato Bautista is not in US custody and we decline to comment further," Nicole Navas Oxman, Senior Communications Advisor for International Law Enforcement of the US Department of Justice,...

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...

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

Tamar Bridge tolls petition given to government

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

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...

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."

Cameron rebukes old ally Osborne over praise for Labour's Reeves

David Cameron has - playfully - taken aim at his former chancellor George Osborne over the latter's praise for Labour finance chief Rachel Reeves .

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.

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...

Man arrested in alleged plot to assassinate Zelensky

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