World

French forces clear New Caledonia roadblocks as official vows to end unrest

Dozens of barricades dismantled along key road linking airport to capital Noumea, French officials say.

‘PFP-NPC alliance not marriage of convenience’

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday clarified that his party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) merely formalized their alliance as both political parties have been helping each other for a long time. “What makes this alliance durable is (it) is a partnership of equals and one anchored on a set of principles. It is not a marriage of convenience as we often find in politics, but it is borne...

Cacdac, military officers to face CA

THE Commission on Appointments (CA) will hold on Tuesday separate confirmation hearings for Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and 33 top military officers. Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, an assistant minority leader of the commission, said that Cacdac will be vetted by the CA's Committee on Labor, Employment, Social Welfare and Migrant Workers chaired by Negros Occidental 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez. President...

‘Bring Julian home’: the Australian campaign to free Assange

Assange’s supporters say what Wikileaks revealed about power and access to information is as relevant today as ever.

What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?

BEIRUT (AP) — The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region. Details remained scant in the hours after the incident, and it was unclear if Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the other officials had survived. Here's what we know so far. WHO WAS ON BOARD THE HELICOPTER AND WHERE WERE THEY GOING? The helicopter was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the...

Dominican Republic voters head to polls, incumbent Abinader the favorite

SANTO DOMINGO (Reuters) -Voters in the Dominican Republic head to the polls on Sunday to cast ballots for the next president and members of parliament in an election widely seen as a referendum on the hugely popular incumbent and anti-corruption crusader, Luis Abinader. Up to 8 million eligible voters will decide which candidate is best suited to take on the fallout from the humanitarian crisis

Investigation into Angela Rayner will be done 'fairly' says police

Stephen Watson - who has been hailed for his 'back to basics' approach to bringing Greater Manchester Police out of special measures - pledged it would 'go where the evidence leads us'.

Palace declares special holidays

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared May 21 a special non-working day in Malabon City for the commemoration of its 425th founding anniversary. It also declared May 30 a special non-working day in Escalante City, Negros Occidental for the celebration of the Manlambus Festival. The declaration of special holidays in the cities of Malabon and Escalante were specified in Proclamations 548 and 549, both signed by Executive Secretary Lucas...

Audit of Kaliwa Dam project asked

A CONSUMER group wants Malacañang to do a full audit of the Kaliwa Dam project and hold accountable those behind the release of P1.828 billion in advance payments to the project's foreign contractor. The United Filipino Consumer and Commuters-Water for All Refund Movement (UFCC-WARM) also questioned the payments to the contractor, China Energy Engineering Corp. (CECC), of standby costs and other costs amounting to P309.840 million. The call was...

Support for Albo climbs but Aussies aren't happy with the Budget

Mr Albanese remains as the preferred Prime Minister among 52 per cent of voters who were surveyed in a recent Newspoll conducted by Pyxis Polling & Insights for The Australian.

Philippines to vigorously defend territory, Marcos says

MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Saturday the country will “vigorously defend what is ours”, in a thinly veiled reference to mounting tensions with China over maritime disputes. The conduct against intruders disrespecting Philippine territorial integrity will be guided by law and the responsibility as a rules-abiding member of the international community, Marcos said […]

NAO: No clear timetable for full post-Brexit border controls

NAO: No clear timetable for full post-Brexit border controls - The National Audit Office said the lack of clarity on when full post-Brexit border controls will be in place is causing problems for traders.

DRC army says it stopped attempted coup involving US citizens

By Ange Kasongo and Sonia Rolley KINSHASA (Reuters) -The leader of an attempted coup on Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been killed and some 50 people including three American citizens arrested, a spokesman for the Central African country's army told Reuters. Gunfire rang out around 4 a.m. in the capital Kinshasa, a Reuters reporter said. Armed men attacked the presidency in

Gibo warns hoarders as La Niña nears

(UPDATE) DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Sunday issued a stern warning to hoarders and profiteers as the government gears up for the onslaught of the La Niña phenomenon. Teodoro said authorities would not hesitate to run after hoarders and price manipulators preying on consumers as the country transitions to La Niña. He issued the warning during the fifth meeting of the presidential task force on El Niño response. In a meeting in Camp...

Taiwan swears in new president as China pressure grows

Taiwan's Lai Ching-te was sworn in on Monday as president of the democratic island in the face of growing Chinese military pressure and a hostile parliament. But it has its own government, military and currency, and the majority of the 23 million population see themselves as having a distinct Taiwanese identity, separate from the Chinese.

SPD’s most wanted fugitive falls

MANILA, Philippines — A man tagged as the Southern Police District (SPD)’s most wanted fugitive was arrested in Parañaque on Friday night. In a report, the SPD said the suspect, identified only as Love Singh, was arrested in Barangay Sun Valley at around 9:30 p.m. Singh was arrested on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Ma. Christina de Pio Lim of Parañaque Regional Trial Court Branch 296 for murder. She refused to grant bail. The suspect...

American town torn apart in 400-year dispute over historic landmark

A 400-year-old dam in Ipswich, Massachusetts is causing a stir in a small town with a long history.

Notable People who died in 2024

Cyclist dies after 'coming off bike' - police

Police believe the man, in his 50s, died when he came off his bike on a road in Winscales.

MRT-7 construction suffers another delay

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) is facing right of way (ROW) troubles in its Bulacan leg, causing another round of delay in the construction, the completion of which is now expected by 2027 at the earliest. Thus, there is now the possibility that San Miguel Corp. (SMC), the developer of MRT-7, may realign the Bulacan segment of the railway upon the request of the local government of San Jose del Monte. Last week,...

Pinoys to continue fishing in Panatag

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fisherfolk will not be cowed and will continue to fish in Panatag Shoal despite China’s empowering of its coast guard to detain for 60 days without trial anyone or any vessel found trespassing in what it considers its territorial waters. In a radio interview at the weekend, New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association president Leonardo Cuaresma maintained that Panatag Shoal is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic...

Man dies after car enters water at Buncrana pier

Emergency services were alerted at 07:30 local time on Sunday and the body of a man in his 80s was recovered from the car.

Russian strikes on Ukraine's Kharkiv region kill at least 11

By Max Hunder KHARKIV, Ukraine (Reuters) -Russia struck a busy lakeside resort on the edge of Ukraine's second largest city on Sunday and attacked villages in the surrounding region, killing at least 11 people and wounding scores. The missile strikes were the latest in what have been constant Russian attacks in recent weeks on the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have

French town apologises for not flying Union Jack in D-Day decorations

Pictures from previous years show flag bunting depicting all the nations involved in the Allied resistance to the Nazis adorning the streets of the charming town of Carentan.

FM's critics should look at themselves - minister

Critics of Vaughan Gething should ask themselves if they are crossing a line, a minister has said.

Lib Dem leader: I needed two years of therapy because of online abuse

The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has revealed he has been receiving therapy for more than two years because of the level of abuse he endures.

Protest continues vs crackdown on unconsolidated jeepneys

MANILA, Philippines — Protests will continue today amid the ongoing crackdown against colorum or unauthorized public utility jeepneys (PUJ), transport group Manibela said. Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena yesterday criticized the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for being selective in impounding PUJs that failed to consolidate. At least three PUJs were impounded on Friday. These were not part of Manibela and Pagkakaisa...

Lai Ching-te inaugurated as Taiwan's president in a transition likely to bolster island's US ties

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan inaugurated Lai Ching-te as its new president Monday, installing a relative moderate who will continue the self-governing island democracy’s policy of de facto independence while seeking to bolster its defenses against China. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and has been upping its threats to annex it by force if necessary. Lai accepted congratulations from fellow politicians and delegations from the 12...

Foreign dignitaries attending Taiwan president inauguration

(Reuters) -Lai Ching-te is inaugurated as Taiwan's new president on Monday. Following is a list of some of the foreign leaders and dignitaries attending the ceremony. UNITED STATES Former White House economic adviser Brian Deese, one-time State Department official Richard Armitage, Brookings Institution Taiwan expert Richard Bush and Laura Rosenberger, who runs the nonprofit organisation that

Taiwan coast guard ramps up island patrols ahead of inauguration

KINMEN — Taipei’s coast guard ramped up patrols over the weekend around its outlying islands that have seen increased presence of Chinese vessels, the agency said Sunday, the eve of Lai Ching-te’s inauguration as Taiwan’s new president. China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, maintaining a near-daily military presence with frequent appearances of fighter jets, drones and naval ships around the island. It has also in recent...

Roads closed after two motorcycles crash

Police, ambulance and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service are all in attendance.

CSB, Perpetual near coronation

MANILA, Philippines — The NCAA volleyball dynasties of College of St. Benilde and University of Perpetual Help remained indomitable. CSB and UPHSD turned back Letran, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, and Emilio Aguinaldo College, 24-26, 25-20, 27-25, 25-19, respectively, yesterday to close in on ruling NCAA Season 99 and extending their reigns. The Lady Blazers were clinical in dismantling the Lady Knights, the improbable title challengers, in a win that...

Foreign students could be barred from taking 'low quality' courses

Rishi Sunak is considering the move amid concern that the so-called 'graduate route' is being exploited as a back door route to a new life in the UK.

US to complete withdrawal from Niger by Sept. 15

NIAMEY/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Niger and the United States have reached an agreement on the withdrawal of American troops from the West African country, a process that has already begun and will be finished by Sept. 15, they said in a joint statement. Niger's ruling junta last month told the U.S. to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. Until a coup last year Niger had been

Who Would Benefit From Ebrahim Raisi’s Death?

If the Iranian president turns out to have lost his life in a helicopter crash, it will set off a fierce scramble for power.

Spain recalls ambassador after Argentina's Milei calls PM's wife 'corrupt'

MADRID (Reuters) -Spain recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires for consultations on Sunday after Argentina's President Javier Milei made derogatory comments about Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife during a far-right rally in Madrid. Milei had called Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez "corrupt" during a rally in Madrid organised by the far-right Vox party and attended by many of its

HEADLINES: Chinese ships swarm Julian Felipe Reef | May 20, 2024

Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Monday, May 20, 2024. Today's podcast is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, the Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer -- your trusted building partner. READ: Chinese ships swarm Julian Felipe Reef CHINA is poised to take effective control of Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef, a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef that is within the Philippines' exclusive...

NSTC-ROTC bill approval pushed

MANILA, Philippines — A two-year mandatory citizen service training for college students is being pushed for approval by 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero. Romero and other military reservists paid a courtesy call last week on Speaker Martin Romualdez, who promised to prioritize the enactment of the National Citizen Service Training (NSTC) and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) bill. Romualdez is the principal author of the NSTC-ROTC...

MIAA gives red lightning alert Sunday, suspends NAIA flights, ground ops

MANILA, Philippines — Flight and ground operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City were temporarily suspended on Sunday afternoon due to a red lightning alert. “The MIAA Airport Ground Operations and Safety Division (AGOSD) has issued a Red Lightning alert at 1404H / 2:04 PM. Flight and ground operations are temporarily suspended,” said the Manila International Airport Authority in an advisory. A red lighting Alert is a...

Reeves says ministers ‘gaslighting’ over inflation ahead of expected fall in CPI

Reeves says ministers ‘gaslighting’ over inflation ahead of expected fall in CPI - Labour said the average earner was £180 worse off than they would have been had wages kept pace with inflation since October 2021.

'There are lies, damned lies and Tory Party statistics designed to make you not vote Labour'

When the truth really hurts the Conservatives will lie harder about Labour. No general election is a clean fight and all 14 I recall were dirty, mud-slinging scraps. Yet this one is shaping up to be worse, woke wars and social media injecting fresh

What happens when councils take control of buses?

More people are using buses in Reading where they are publicly-owned - will others towns follow?

President Marcos transfers crop insurance corporation to DA

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has transferred the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) from the Department of Finance (DOF) to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and has made changes to its composition as part of the government’s efforts to ensure food security and to promote the welfare of farmers. According to Marcos, streamlining and rationalizing the functional relationships of agencies with complimentary mandates is “essential to...

Raisi and Foreign Minister travel in helicopter prior to accident

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian pictured in helicopter prior to crash.

Tunisians protest as number of stranded in transit to Europe grows

JEBENIANA, Tunisia — Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the streets of Jebeniana on Saturday to protest the presence of sub-Saharan migrants who have found themselves stranded as the country ramps up border patrol efforts. Anti-migrant anger is mounting in impoverished towns like Jebeniana along the Tunisian coastline that have emerged as a launchpad for thousands of people hoping to reach Europe by boat. Chanting slogans to oppose settling...

Snatcher steals bag through car’s open window

Two men stole a bag from a moving car along the southbound C-5 Road in Taguig past 7 p.m. last week. In a report by Vonne Aquino on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, the snatchers were seen running through slow-moving traffic up to a white car. While one of them was seen running to the driver’s side, the other man went up to the passenger’s seat window, reached in and snatched the bag, then hastily fled. “Yung takbo lang nila kasi mabagal pa eh tapos...

Slovakian prime minister had predicted an assassination attempt

A chilling video has emerged of Robert Fico making the prophecy of his own assassination attempt last month.

Razon to expand Manila Water’s reach

MANILA, Philippines — Ports and power tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. vowed to expand the operations of Manila Water Co. Inc., both locally and abroad, by capitalizing on the group’s infrastructure expertise. Razon said he plans to “continue optimizing” the operations of the water utility firm within and outside its East Zone concession. “Manila Water continues to deliver reliable and efficient water and wastewater services to communities in key metros...

‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says HYBE’s Bang

In a petition filed with the court Friday, HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk made public for the first time his stance on the ongoing feud over ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin’s alleged breach of trust. The Seoul Central District Court on Friday, May 17, convened a hearing on the preliminary injunction filed by Min against HYBE to prohibit the parent company from exercising voting rights in favor of a proposal to dismiss her at an extraordinary shareholders’...

Labour 'will make changing gender easier' by simplifying process

Labour is looking at ways to 'simplify' the process of legally changing gender in a bid to 'strip out the dehumanising parts', says shadow women and equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds.