World

Appeal after man seriously injured in city centre

Police say investigations at 'an early stage' after a man suffered serious head injuries on Tuesday.

DepEd to shorten next school year by 15 days

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will cut the prescribed minimum of 180 school days for the coming school year 2024-2025 by 15 days to ensure that students and teachers are not in classrooms during extreme summer heat by April and May 2025. DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said the agency plans to start SY 2024-2025 on July 29 and end it on March 31, 2025, with 165 school days or 15 days short of the 180 to 220...

AFP on China claim: Audio can be forged with deep fakes

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said it wouldn't dignify China's claims that it agreed to "a new model" for conduct in the Ayungin Shoal, saying audio recordings could be manufactured with deep fake technology. In a statement, AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner said China's claim of an audio recording allegedly between Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos and a Chinese diplomat did not merit significant concern "as it appears to be...

PFP, Lakas-CMD alliance is ‘the most powerful political force’ – Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) President and House Speaker Martin Romualdez called their political party’s new alliance with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) “the most powerful political force” in the country. PFP — led by Romualdez’s cousin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.— consists of a sizable number of local leaders in its party. Lakad-CMD, on the other hand, comprises one-third of the members of the House...

48 hours waiting time? Senators seek better port access for PH Navy ships

MANILA, Philippines — Making the Philippine Navy vessels wait up to 48 hours before allowing access to the country’s seaports is “unacceptable” and “alarming” for some senators. According to Senator Robin Padilla, naval vessels need to wait four to 48 hours before being given access to ports. It also is up to the private sector, he said, to determine how long they can stay. “Ang resulta po nito: mga delays sa kanilang mga misyon dahil sa tagal...

Malaysia plans to introduce ‘orangutan diplomacy’–minister

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia intends to gift orangutans to palm oil-purchasing countries as part of an initiative similar to China’s panda diplomacy, the commodities minister said on Wednesday. Johari Abdul Ghani said the “orangutan diplomacy” strategy would gift the endangered great apes to palm oil trading nations, especially major importing territories like the EU and India. Orangutans are critically endangered, according to the WWF, with habitat...

Teacher induction

LAST week of May this year, the Philippine Teacher Education Council will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Today, we shall recall its earliest popularly known training for our public school teachers, termed "In-service Training," which later had newly appointed teachers undergo teacher induction. In England or Wales, teacher induction refers to a period during which a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) is supported and assessed to ensure that...

Subway project equipment movement to affect 7 NCR roads on May 10-12

MANILA, Philippines — Traffic in several Metro Manila roads from May 10 to 12 will be affected by the transportation of the Metro Manila Subway Project’s (MMSP) tunnel boring machine (TBM) the vicinity of the Camp Aguinaldo Station. The Department of Transportation, in a social media post on Wednesday, said the following roads would be affected from May 10 to May 11, 2024 (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.) and May 11 to May 12, 2024 (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.): Port/...

Kenyan government doctors sign agreement to end strike

By George Obulutsa NAIROBI (Reuters) -Kenyan public hospital doctors on Wednesday signed a return to work agreement with the government meant to end a strike that started in mid-March, union and government officials said. The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), which represents more than 7,000 members, went on strike on March 15 to demand payment of their salary

Men robbed after talking to woman online

Police say the two victims were confronted by a man with a baseball bat and robbed.

Cyclist, 37, dies following crash with car

The police say officers are supporting the cyclist's family and are asking witnesses to come forward.

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,...

Arrests after gates damaged at drone factory protest

Seven people are detained after a van damages gates and protesters climb onto the factory roof.

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

Man wanted for 72 child abuse, sex raps falls

MANILA, Philippines — The third most wanted fugitive in Quezon City, who is facing at least 72 child abuse and sex-related offenses, was arrested by police on Tuesday. Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said Delfin Dolatre was arrested in Barangay Del Monte at around 2:30 p.m. Dolatre was collared based on a warrant of arrest for violating Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse,...

'Significant arrest' after chop shop inquiry raid

West Midlands Police carried out two raids on Wednesday, in relation to suspected "car cannibalism."

SC: Red-tagging threat to life, liberty, security

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has declared that red-tagging and guilt by association threatens a person’s constitutional right to life, liberty and security. In a 39-page decision, the SC noted that red-tagging has been acknowledged by international organizations as a form of harassment and intimidation. Being labeled as “red” often comes with frequent surveillance, direct harassment and, in some instances, eventual death,...

Quiboloy camp surrenders 5 guns

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of fugitive Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy has surrendered five of the 19 firearms registered under his name. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Quiboloy’s representatives turned over four handguns and a long firearm. “Iba-ibang kalibre ito... Sana itong gesture na ito na pakikiisa sa batas ay tuloy-tuloy na,” Abalos said in an interview at Camp Crame. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen....

Murderer's release rejected days before death

Victor Farrant was given a whole-life sentence for the murder of Glenda Hoskins in 1996.

Go calls on govt to solve drug problem

SEN. Bong Go urged the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to continue the fight against illegal drugs to ensure a safer future for Filipinos."Whatever the approach or attack of the administration now, I support it as long as the important thing is to solve the problem of illegal drugs completely," said Go, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, during a committee hearing on Tuesday.The Senate...

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...

Marcos Jr’s Partido Federal unites with Lakas-CMD

MANILA, Philippines — The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) led by President Marcos formalized its alliance with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) yesterday, marking the revival of a UniTeam alliance for the 2025 midterm elections. Marcos witnessed the signing of the “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” between the PFP and Lakas-CMD at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. Also present at the gathering were Lakas-CMD president...

Bato: I’m no destabilizer, not persecuting Marcos Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate probe on the leak of purported documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is not part of destabilization efforts against President Marcos, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday. And despite being a party-mate of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Dela Rosa maintained that he is not in favor of calls to oust Marcos from office. In an interview with “Storycon” on One News, Dela Rosa described...

Man on bike with machete spotted by police drone

A PCSO saw the man and was able to monitor him before officers arrived, police say.

DOJ to brief Marcos on ICC arrest options

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing a brief on the legal options available to President Marcos on the arrest warrants that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue. DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said all options will be discussed in the briefer, including the Philippines’ possibly rejoining the ICC, “with an awareness that policy frameworks may evolve.” “The briefer will be an objective analysis of the pros...

DMMMSU, Holcim PH offer training on fish processing, value addition

THE Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) College of Fisheries is helping boost the fishery industry by offering a skills training program focused on fish processing and value addition. DMMMSU Strategic Communications director Maricon Viduya said a recent training program was conducted in partnership with Holcim Philippines which "sought to uplift the capabilities of individuals engaged in the local fisheries industry." Viduya...

Expel Chinese embassy execs over phone wiretap – Gibo

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. called on the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday to investigate how unnamed people in the Chinese embassy in Manila allegedly recorded a supposed phone conversation between a Chinese diplomat and a top Armed Forces official discussing a so-called new model agreement on rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea last January. He said if proven true,...

Russian court says US soldier charged with theft causing 'significant' damage

MOSCOW (Reuters) - U.S. soldier Gordon Black, who has been detained the Russian city of Vladivostok until July 2, has been charged with theft causing significant damage, a Russian court said. The detention of Black, who the Pentagon said travelled to Russia without authorization, presents yet another diplomatic headache for the United States, which has warned U.S. citizens against all travel to

Armed police seen in hospital after stabbing

A man in his 30s was rushed to Royal Berkshire Hospital with stab wounds.

Filipinos want military action to resolve sea row

(UPDATE) SEVEN out of 10 Filipinos favor military action and diplomacy in resolving the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, an OCTA Research survey said. Results of the first quarter Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from March 11–14, 2024 showed that 73 percent of respondents wanted the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand naval patrols and troop presence in the disputed waters. Seventy-two percent said they wanted the dispute...

Accused Canadian serial killer trial opens in Winnipeg

Jeremy Skibicki is accused of sexually assaulting and murdering four indigenous women in Winnipeg in 2022.

US police break up Gaza protest encampment at George Washington University

Police say arrests made as US-wide crackdown continues on student-led demonstrations in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

Mohammad Rasoulof Lawyer Says Dissident Director Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison, Flogging by Iran Court

Dissident Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has received an eight-year prison sentence, as well as a fine, confiscation of his property and flogging, by an Iranian court, Rasoulof’s lawyer Babak Paknia announced in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday. Paknia said the verdict was issued by 29th branch of the Islamic Revolution […]

Ukraine responds to Russia adding Zelensky to its wanted list

Hong Kong court bans protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s appeal court on Wednesday banned “Glory to Hong Kong,” a protest song that emerged during the city’s massive democracy demonstrations in 2019. Penned anonymously, its lyrics include the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times”, and the song has been all but illegal to sing or play it since authorities crushed the protests and Beijing imposed a national security law quelling dissent in 2020. Wednesday’s...

Taiwan offers STEM scholarships to PH students

MORE than 2,000 students and officials from various schools in Luzon trooped to the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City recently to check on available scholarships offered by 15 Taiwanese universities. Spearheaded by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), the Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE), and the International Talent Circulation (Intact) Base Taiwan-Philippines, the academic program for Filipino students and professionals...

Thai pro-democracy leader jailed over royal defamation

BANGKOK — A court in Thailand on Wednesday sentenced a prominent pro-democracy activist to three years in jail for royal defamation. Critics say the government has used the strict lese-majeste laws to silence dissent, prosecuting scores under the tough legislation that protects King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family. Panupong Jadnok, 27, was among the leaders of 2020’s youth-led demonstrations, which saw tens of thousands take to the streets to...

UP Mindanao to offer medicine program in 2025

The University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao announced on Tuesday that it would open its medical school in 2025. With this development, UP will be the first state university to offer a Doctor of Medicine program in Davao City. UP ranked in the 401–450 bracket in the life sciences and medicine area in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject. Aside from the medicine program, the university would also add programs in...

PM 'deeply concerned' about a full military incursion into Rafah

The Prime Minister says he is 'deeply concerned' about a full Israeli military incursion into Rafah. Rishi Sunak also clarifies that the United Kingdom 'does not directly provide or ship arms' to Israel.

P60B in emergency allowances given to COVID-19 frontliners – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that his administration was able to release nearly P60 billion in health emergency allowances (HEA) to COVID-19 frontliners. In a Facebook post late Tuesday night, Marcos said the government made the move to show how it values its frontliners. READ: Frontliners in some gov’t hospitals finally get COVID-19 incentive “Alinsunod sa ating pangako, naipamahagi na ng ating...

Interloper joins ‘Made in China’ mock enemy ship sinking drills

LAOAG CITY, Philippines — A surprise guest joined Wednesday’s sinking exercise here where a “made in China” ship was made the target of naval missiles and airstrikes as part of Manila and Washington’s war games. However, the marine interloper appeared to have no sinister intention, according to Lt. Col. Omad Abdullah Al Assaf, the maritime strike lead planner for this year’s Balikatan. READ: US, PH begin striking ‘Made in China’ mock target ship...

Ombudsman suspends Cebu City mayor Rama

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a six-month preventive suspension of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and seven other city government officials in connection with the administrative cases they are facing for the alleged illegal reassignment and withholding of salaries of four city hall employees. In a 10-page order approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said it found sufficient grounds...

7 BuCor officers axed over NBP strip searches

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) yesterday relieved seven officers who are under investigation for conducting strip cavity searches on female visitors of inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa. The Department of Justice (DOJ), which supervises the BuCor, has ordered an investigation into the allegations of “abusive” strip searches by prison guards. Acting NBP Superintendent Ruben Formoso signed the order for...

Investigation as van fire spreads to supermarket

A police cordon was put in place around a city centre Iceland store following the incident.

Hontiveros urges release of Ayungin ‘new model’ pact evidence

MANILA, Philippines – The “evidence” allegedly proving that a Philippine army official reached an agreement with China regarding a “new model” on Ayungin Shoal should be made available to the government, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday. “Kung meron talaga silang recording at kung meron talaga silang transcript, they should at the least make it available to the government — to the Executive, dahil seryosong claim na naman nila yan ng...

Britain to expel Russian spy amid new fears over Kremlin espionage

James Cleverly told MPs that an 'undeclared' Russian military intelligence officer had been posing as Moscow 's defence attaché and had been told to leave the country.

1,000 march to BSP to claim ‘hidden wealth’

MANILA, Philippines — Around 1,000 people trooped to the main office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Manila yesterday to claim what they described as P100 trillion in “hidden wealth” supposedly kept in the BSP. Members of the Democratic and Republican Guardians Philippines – who came from Pangasinan, Antipolo City, Iloilo and other areas – marched to a gate of the BSP head office at the corner of Mabini and P. Ocampo streets at past 9...

UK will expel Russian defence attache over 'malign activity'

By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) -Britain will expel Russia's defence attache, remove diplomatic status from some properties and limit the length of Russian diplomatic visas in response to what interior minister James Cleverly called Moscow's "malign activity". Britain's action was among several taken across Europe on Wednesday. Estonia summoned the head of the Russian embassy to protest the

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

By Anastasiia Malenko and Pavel Polityuk KYIV (Reuters) -Russian missiles and drones struck nearly a dozen Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities on Wednesday, causing serious damage at three Soviet-era thermal power plants and blackouts in multiple regions, officials said. Ukraine's air force said it shot down 39 of 55 missiles and 20 of 21 attack drones used for the attack, which piles

Philippine military chief accuses China of 'malign influence effort'

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' military chief accused China of a "malign influence effort" on Wednesday, after a local newspaper reported a Filipino vice admiral had made a deal with Beijing to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea. The Manila Times published what it said was a transcript of a phone conversation during which it said a Philippine admiral had agreed to China's proposal