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Cebu City declares state of calamity in 28 mountain barangays due to el Niño

CEBU CITY, Philippines – In response to the escalating effects of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, Cebu City has declared a “state of calamity” in 28 mountain barangays. This decision comes after a resolution was passed with reports of dwindling water sources and agricultural distress, prompting urgent measures to assist affected communities in the city. The resolution was approved during a special session on March 27. READ: Rama wants state of...


Pope washes feet of 12 women prisoners on Holy Thursday

Pope Francis, who often pleads for compassion to prisoners, washed the feet of 12 incarcerated women in Rome on Thursday in a rite marking Holy Thursday before Easter. Since becoming pope in 2013, the head of the Catholic Church has often visited prisons and refugee centres, including last year on Holy Thursday when he visited a juvenile detention centre and washed the feet of 12 young men.


Man jailed for childhood rape of boy

John Smith, of Chester, was aged 10 or 11 when he first sexually assaulted his victim, police say.


LIST: Pres. Bongbong Marcos’ overseas trips from 2022-2024

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s term has yet to reach its midway point—but many say that foreign trips have become a defining feature of his administration. With every foreign travel announcement from Malacañang stirring conversation online, INQUIRER.net has compiled a list of Marcos’ foreign travels and its highlights. 2022 1.) Indonesia – Marcos’ first trip abroad as a President was to Indonesia for a state...


Advincula urges faithful to hear Mass, says it's most effective prayer

MANILA, Philippines: Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Holy Thursday called on the faithful to always go to Mass, saying that it is the most effective and highest form of prayer "The Eucharist is the highest form of prayer because in the Holy Mass, it is Jesus who offers and it is Jesus who is offered," said Advincula in his homily at the Manila Cathedral. He pointed out that attending the Holy Mass is very important as a form of prayer,...


The right Marcos legacy in power, revisited

I FIRST published this last November when columns were under a paywall. Given it is a holiday week, let me present a revised and shortened version. As the nuclear advocates seem to be ramping up again, rather than being negative, let me point this out to contrast what we should be proud of and build on. I am not a never-nuclear person, but I don't think nuclear power for the Philippines is timely, cost-effective or practical (modular nuclear is...


Russia links concert shooting to 'Ukrainian nationalists'; US says 'nonsense'

MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Russian investigators said on Thursday they had found proof that gunmen who killed more than 140 people at a concert last week were linked to "Ukrainian nationalists", an assertion immediately dismissed by the United States as baseless propaganda. Russia has said from the outset that it believes Ukraine was linked to the attack, even though Kyiv has denied it and the


Ati families face forced eviction in disputed Boracay land

ILOILO CITY — Ati tribe members in Boracay were shocked early Palm Sunday morning when guards stormed their area and started to place barricades made out of galvanized iron sheets, citing recent decisions by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). Maria Tamboon, one of the leaders of the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (Bato), whose family has been living on the land for more than 48 years, told the Inquirer that at around 6 a.m. on March 24,...


Driver admits to causing death after police pursuit

Police say they called off their pursuit of a van before it was involved in a crash.


Watchdog investigating how train derailed

It said the probe would seek to identify the "sequence of events" that led to the accident in Cumbria.


Fourth man denies gold toilet palace theft charge

The £4.8m toilet was stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019 while it was featured in an exhibition.


Russian military plane crashes in sea off Crimea - local governor

(Reuters) - A Russian military aircraft crashed into the sea on Thursday off the Crimean port of Sevastopol, the Russian-installed governor of the region said. The pilot safely ejected and was picked up by rescuers. Сivilian objects were not damaged, Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said. Earlier, Russian Telegram channels reported that a Russian Su-35 fighter jet had crashed near


Akbayan to Sara: You don’t have to be president to speak vs China

MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan said on Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte does not have to be a president of the country for her to call out China’s intrusive actions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Empathy and a moral backbone is just what it takes to stand up with fisherfolk and frontline workers enduring China’s actions in the region. This is the response of Akbayan party president Rafaela David to statements from...


Sweden says worker negligence behind motorway landslide

Swedish authorities said Thursday that worker negligence at a construction site was believed to be behind a landslide that tore apart a motorway in western Sweden in September. Prosecutor Daniel Veivo Pettersson said Thursday he believed "human factors" were behind the landslide as "no natural cause" had been found during the investigation.


Investigators seen onboard stricken Dali container ship in Baltimore

Investigators can be seen on the Frances Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore using a drone to perform reconnaissance on stricken container ship Dali before boarding the ship and meeting the crew.


BBM vows response to Chinese bullying

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to mount a "proportionate, deliberate and reasonable" response to the "unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks" by the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a statement released by the Palace, the President said the relevant government agencies would put together "a response and countermeasure package" in the...


Islamic State spokesperson praises group's attack on concert hall in Russia

CAIRO (Reuters) - The spokesperson for Islamic State praised the group's attack that killed more than 140 people in a Russian concert hall near Moscow. Abu Huthaifa al-Ansari was speaking in a recorded message posted on Thursday on the militant group's Telegram channel. Al-Ansari also reiterated urging the group's supporters to target "crusaders" everywhere, especially in the United States,


CCLEX safety enhancements pushed after US bridge tragedy

Cebu City, Philippines — In light of recent events, a call for increased CCLEX safety measures has been made to the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) by a Cebu City legislator. Councilor Rey Gealon penned a resolution urging CCLEC to implement precautionary measures at the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway to prevent disasters, considering the high volume of container vessels navigating under the bridge and through Cebu Harbor. The...


Two children among Russians questioned over 'terrorism' posts

By Lucy Papachristou LONDON (Reuters) - Two children are among at least six people who have been detained or questioned in Russia over online comments viewed as "justifying terrorism" since last week's deadly attack on a concert hall, according to local authorities and Russian media. Security services have been on high alert since the March 22 gun rampage at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow that


Pope, looking well, visits female prison for foot-washing ritual

By Philip Pullella ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis looked well as he washed and kissed the feet of 12 women prisoners on Thursday at a traditional ritual on the first of four event-filled days leading to Easter for the 87-year-old pontiff. Francis travelled to Rome's Rebibbia prison, in a run-down area on Rome's outskirts, to preside at a Holy Thursday Mass for dozens of inmates, guards, chaplains


Just skin and bone: The starving Gaza toddlers kept in incubators as UN human rights chief warns Israel may be guilty of war crime if it has cut off food aid

Leila Jeneid suffers from extreme malnutrition, which the UN today accused Israel of actively using as a weapon of war


NYC will try gun scanners in subway system in effort to deter violence underground

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City officials announced a pilot program on Thursday to deploy portable gun scanners in the subway system, part of an effort to deter violence underground and to make the system feel safer. The scanners will be introduced in certain stations after a legally mandated 90-day waiting period, Mayor Eric Adams said. “Keeping New Yorkers safe on the subway and maintaining confidence in the system is key to ensuring that New...


A blip in Philippine history

I WAS involved in the initial stages of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary (quincentennial) of the Victory at Mactan under the auspices of the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC). I was quite active at the time (2019) — as I still am — in the arena of public history with another Manila Times columnist, Dr. Xiao Chua. I suppose that was the main reason why Chua and I were asked to write some historical articles for public consumption...


Vessel runs aground in Quezon; 181 passengers, crew rescued

LUCENA CITY — A total of 181 passengers and crew members of a roll-on-roll-off vessel which ran aground near the port of Real, Quezon were rescued Thursday morning by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG-District Southern Tagalog (PCG-DST) reported that MV Virgen De Peñafrancia II, which was about to leave the port for Polillo island off the Pacific Ocean, while maneuvering accidentally drifted into the shallow waters and consequently...


Arson and firearm arrests after police raids

Staff and pupils at a school stay indoors as raids take place at four addresses in Stockton.


Witness hunt after woman subjected to 'terrifying' rape

Police want to find a man they believe intervened in the attack and took the victim home.


Marcos on BARMM: Much needs to be done

MORE work has to be done to spur peace and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, a decade after the signing of an agreement that paves the way for peace and development in the region. In his message on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), Marcos pledged to continue working with the Bangsamoro government for BARMM's...


'Serious' crash closes major road into city centre

Police are at the scene and the road is expected to be closed in both directions for some time.


America is giving Ukraine a key weapon at an important time


Russian rights group warns jailed leader's health is deteriorating

(Reuters) - Leading Russian human rights group Memorial has warned that the health of its jailed 70-year-old head, Oleg Orlov, is deteriorating, accusing prison authorities of subjecting him to inhumane treatment. Orlov, a leader of Memorial which won a share of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, was sentenced last month to 2-1/2 years in prison for "discrediting the armed forces" after he took part


Indian police spot glowing UFOs zig-zagging over nuclear power plant - mirroring reports of craft at sensitive bases in US

DailyMail.com has obtained two UFO videos recorded by an Indian police official, depicting an apparent craft near India's Kudankulam nuclear plant.


Putin says he won't start a war with NATO. But Western bases hosting Ukraine F-16s would be targets

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin scoffed at the possibility of his country launching an attack on a NATO member, calling it “sheer nonsense,” but warned that any Western air base hosting U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets that are slated for deployment in Ukraine would be a “legitimate target” for the Kremlin’s forces. “Their statements about our alleged intention to attack Europe after Ukraine is sheer nonsense,” Putin said late...


4 sex convicts barred from PH entry, says BI

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted four sex offenders from entering the country in March. According to a statement on Thursday, the American national was barred from entering the country through the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Mar. 16 after he was found to have one count of sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old minor at a US district court in Michigan. Another American national was blocked from entry at the Ninoy Aquino...


Suspect named over UK fighter's death in Ukraine

Daniel Burke, 36, from Manchester, was 44km from the frontline when he was shot in Zaporizhzhia.


Philippine president warns of countermeasures in response to Chinese aggression at sea

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine president said Thursday that his government would take action against what he called dangerous attacks by the Chinese coast guard and suspected militia ships in the disputed South China Sea, saying “Filipinos do not yield.” Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not provide details of the actions his government would take in the succeeding weeks but said these would be “proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in the...


Haiti's children caught in gang violence 'cataclysm'

A UN report says criminals are recruiting and abusing young people as violence soars


Cardinal Advincula underscores value of prayer in priestly life

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula reminded priests on Maundy Thursday to keep prayer central to their lives. Cardinal Advincula said prayer is a part of priests’ lives and will be detrimental to their vocation without it. “As we prepare to renew our priestly commitment for this year of prayer as designated by Pope Francis in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year, pilgrims of hope, let us take this opportunity to...


Man gets 14-year jail sentence for sex offences

Peter Goodchild from Bury St Edmunds was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court.


Judge rejects officers' bid to erase charges in the case of a man paralyzed after police van ride

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — Four former Connecticut police officers arrested for allegedly mistreating a man who wound up paralyzed in the back of a police van in 2022 were denied bids Thursday to enter a program that could have erased criminal charges against them and let them avoid trial. A judge in New Haven Superior Court rejected the former officers' applications for accelerated rehabilitation, citing the seriousness of Richard “Randy” Cox’s...


Horror as rescue cat found decapitated

Animal shelter workers urge vigilance after several cats are killed "in an awful way" in Greater Manchester.


Central and Eastern European countries mark 20 years in NATO with focus on war in Ukraine

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Several central and Eastern European countries began marking on Thursday the 20th anniversary of the largest expansion of the NATO military alliance when formerly socialist countries became members of the bloc. Military aircraft roared over the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. At the main airbase hosting Spanish and Portuguese fighter jets tasked with NATO air policing missions in the Baltic region, officials gathered to...


Families face Easter holiday travel chaos as more than 600 Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport to strike over last four days of festive break

The strike is set to begin on April 11 and end four days later on April 14 - just as families return from their Easter holidays.


China: PH is ‘straying down a dangerous path’

MANILA, Philippines — China continued to blame the Philippines and its ally, the United States, for the continued tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea. In a statement on Thursday, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian warned that the Philippines is going down a dangerous path. READ: No letup in Chinese water cannon attacks “The Philippines’ harassment and provocations are the immediate cause of the recent escalation...


Residents near 'illegal' waste tip call for action

The landowner says he is a victim of land grabbing and did not give permission to tippers.


QC to prosecute erring official

QUEZON City Mayor Maria Josefina "Joy" Belmonte on Thursday said the city engineering official accused of extortion would face charges despite the withdrawal of complaints against him. Belmonte said the complainant, a 47-year-old Filipino Chinese businessman who sought the help of the Quezon City Police District for the arrest of Quezon City Engineering Department supervisor Joel Avila, has decided to withdraw his charges against the city...


Minnesota teen gets 4 years as accomplice in fatal robbery that led to police shooting of Amir Locke

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A teenager has been sentenced to four years for his role in a St. Paul killing that prompted police in Minneapolis to execute a search warrant that led to the fatal shooting of Amir Locke by a police officer in a case that focused scrutiny on the use of no-knock warrants. Feysal Jama Ali, 18, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty earlier to being an accomplice after the fact in the killing of Otis Elder, 38, of St. Paul, during a...


Man dies after being hit by car

The man in his 40s was struck by a vehicle on the B1318 Great North Road in Jesmond, Newcastle.


Family's law change plea after house explosion

Gemma McLaughlin's parents lost their home to a devastating gas blast in 2020, but no-one is liable.


Italian woman held in Hungary to remain in jail

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - An Italian woman charged in Hungary with taking part in an anti-fascist group's assaults on people they viewed as far-right activists will remain in jail after a judge denied her attorney's request that she be released into house arrest. Ilaria Salis, a 39-year-old teacher, is accused of taking part in a serious assault on two far-right militants by a group of anti-fascist


Kyiv asks NATO allies for air defences after Russia hits infrastructure

(Reuters) -Ukraine's defence minister asked allies for more air defences at an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Thursday and said nearly all the impact from Russian strikes this year had been on civilian infrastructure. Last Friday, Russia carried out its largest air strike on Ukraine's energy system since its invasion in February 2022, damaging power units at a dam and