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Police search for suspected robber 'carrying axe'

Officers say the suspect "acted aggressively to the staff" at a Post Office in Tilbury.

Bishop to gov’t: Ensure safety of Pinoy crewmen on ship seized by Iran

A Catholic bishop urged the Philippine government to ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers who were among the crew of a container ship seized by Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf over the weekend. “We trust our government officials for necessary diplomatic assistance and assurance to exhaust all means to bring them safely home,” Bishop […]

Russian businessman sues sanctioned Putin ally over fertiliser giant

Alexander Gorbachev has taken Andrey Guryev to court on London over claims he is owed shares in the fertiliser firm PhosAgro, one of Russia's biggest companies.

Cameroon museum honors oldest sub-Saharan kingdom

FOUMBAN, CAMEROON — To enter the Museum of the Bamoun Kings in western Cameroon, you have to pass under the fangs of a gigantic two-headed snake—the highlight of an imposing coat of arms of one of the oldest kingdoms in sub-Saharan Africa. Thousands of Cameroonians gathered in the royal palace square in Foumban on Saturday to celebrate the opening of the Museum of the Bamoun Kings. Sultan King Mouhammad Nabil Mforifoum Mbombo Njoya welcomed...

ICTSI assumes control of Iloilo port

MANILA, Philippines – International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is set to take over and develop the Iloilo port under a 25-year concession agreement with the government after receiving the green light from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Monday. The Razon-led port operator, in a statement on Monday, said the PPA had issued a notice to proceed for the P10.53-billion port project, now called Visayas Container Terminal (VCT),...

The RAF needs more fighter jets, Rishi Sunak is warned

Only days after starting sorties over the Black Sea, a quartet of RAF Typhoons were rushed to defend Israel against attack by Iran.

Easter church garden theft 'especially upsetting'

The thief was caught on CCTV taking 12 scaffolding boards from the community garden.

Marcos: A ‘Good Machiavelli’?

Niccolò Machiavelli, arguably the greatest (and most controversial) late-Renaissance thinker, counseled: “One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.” Since their surreptitious return to the Philippines following a few years of luxurious exile in Hawaii, the Marcoses pulled off one of the most successful “counter-revolutions” in contemporary history. Well before TikTok and social media transformed our politics,...

Kidnap accused was 'just a tourist from China'

Tianfu Guo, 35, has told a court he was sightseeing and not part of a plot to kidnap a businessman.

Woman in hospital after birthday holiday snake bite

Sam West was left in intensive care after being bitten by a viper in Cyprus.

Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge

Michaela School in London was challenged over a policy allegedly amounting to a prayer ban.

Russia has a new target and hopes to capture it soon

Lost kingdom of the Kalaga-Putuan Crescent

For over 13 centuries, a sophisticated maritime kingdom flourished in the southeastern Philippine archipelago. Centered in Butuan (Caraga region), this kingdom, the “Kalaga-Putuan Crescent” (KPC), formed a vital maritime trade triangle with the Srivijaya in Palembang (now Indonesia) and Vijaya in Champa (now Vietnam). This remarkable history is revealed by Baldomero M. Olivera et al. (2024) in their study, “Reconstructing Philippine history...

No jails will be built in Masungi Georeserve — BuCor

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Tuesday assured that no prison will be constructed within the Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal. Catapang, however, said a facility for a detachment of forest rangers would have to be built in the area to secure the agency’s jurisdiction. He said there are 20 to 30 hectares of “vacant spaces” within the area that may be used. “The bureau with proper coordination with the...

Britain needs its own Iron Dome after Iran's attacks on Israel

There is rising concern that although the UK has a strong air defence strategy, the country lacks land-based systems to defend London or its nuclear plants.

Stabbing victim found after police appeal

Police appealed for help to find Owen Sharp following an attack in St Paul's Street.

Statue to Tony Blair honours "Tonibler" cult in Kosovo

By Fatos Bytyci FERIZAJ, Kosovo (Reuters) - As sculptor Agon Qosa put some of the finishing touches to a statue of Tony Blair, he thought about what the former British prime minister had done for Kosovo a quarter of a century ago. Qosa and other ethnic Albanians in Kosovo idolise Blair for his leadership role during a NATO bombing campaign in 1999 that halted Serb forces' advances and ultimately

PBBM admin, inaalam na ang detalye sa umano'y 'secret agreement' ni ex-Pres. Durterte sa China

PBBM admin, inaalam na ang detalye sa umano'y 'secret agreement' ni ex-Pres. Durterte sa China; PBBM, tiniyak na hindi apektado ang bansa sa 'secret agreement'

Rwanda battle ramps up as unelected Lords brace to defy MPs AGAIN

The House of Lords will again debate the Prime Minister's flagship Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill this afternoon.

Pangulong Marcos – "If any Filipino servicemen is killed by an attack from any foreign power, it is time to invoke the MDT" | UB

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PH, US eyeing inclusion of Japan in ‘Balikatan’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States are considering the expansion of their annual “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) military exercises to include Japan following the historic trilateral meeting of the leaders of the three countries in Washington last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday. Marcos welcomed the idea of having Japanese troops participate in the Balikatan war games, carried out under the Mutual...

British lawmakers to vote on smoking ban for younger generations

By Sarah Young LONDON (Reuters) - British lawmakers will vote on Tuesday on moves by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ban anyone aged 15 and under from ever buying cigarettes. Though expected to be approved, Sunak's plan to impose some of the world's strictest anti-smoking rules has angered some members of his governing Conservative Party including former prime ministers Liz Truss and Boris Johnson

Not my duty to apologize for martial law atrocities — PBBM

MANILA, Philippines — For President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., it is not his duty to apologize to the victims of martial law under his father. “I don’t think it’s a duty for a president to be involved, that is a personal matter for the Marcos family,” Marcos said during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines forum held in Manila Hotel when asked if he’s going to issue an apology on behalf of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. When...

55 Chinese vessels monitored in WPS features —PH Navy

A total of 55 Chinese vessels were monitored in different features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday. Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said the following Chinese vessels were spotted in the following areas: Bajo de Masinloc - two Chinese Coast Guard vessels, 24 Chinese maritime militia vessels Ayungin Shoal - one Chinese Coast Guard vessel, five Chinese fishing vessels...

Ex-ES Vic Rodriguez urges Marcos to undergo 'credible' drug test

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr's former executive secretary, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, on Tuesday urged him to undergo a "credible hair follicle drug test" in order to put an end to allegations that he is an illegal drug user. Rodriguez made the statement when asked about Marcos' remark in January that he would not dignify inquiries on his alleged illegal drug use. "That's not dignifying, it's heeding the call and the clamor of the Filipino...

Six things that stand out for me in Liz Truss book

The BBC's political editor Chris Mason on what the former prime minister has to say about the state of conservatism.

Iran says any action against its interests will get a severe response

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran will respond to any action against its interests, President Ebrahim Raisi said on Tuesday, according to the Iranian Student News Agency, a day after Israel warned it will respond to Tehran's weekend drone and missile attack. "We categorically declare that the smallest action against Iranian interests will certainly be met with a severe, widespread and painful response

Alvarez says Marcos support withdrawal call is not seditious

MANILA, Philippines — Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez said his call for the country’s police and military to withdraw their support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cannot be deemed seditious. According to the former speaker of the House of Representatives, his appeal is not the same as advocating a coup-d’état style of withdrawing support from the current administration because “ it was done in a peaceful and orderly...

Moscow pledges fighter jets and air defenses to Iran amid conflict

A strategic alliance between the two hostile nations has experts fearing Iran is growing in capabilities as it barrels towards war and the crisis in the Middle East deepens.

Israeli forces vow response to Iran's attack despite calls for restraint

By James Mackenzie JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israelis awaited word on how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack as international pressure for restraint grew amid fears of an escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's massive weekend missile

'Bollard Man' who saved kids during Sydney stabbing offered Australian citizenship

Aussie PM Anthony Albanese said French construction worker Damien Guerot, who showed 'extraordinary bravery' in confronting the Bondi Junction attacker with a bollard, is welcome to stay in the country 'as long as he likes'.

China ship stalks PH survey vessel

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese coast guard vessel has been tailing an ongoing hydrographic survey of Philippine flagged vessels near Bajo de Masinloc (also called Panatag or Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea. In a press conference on Monday, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, said a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship, with tail No. 5303, has been “monitoring and tailing” the BRP Hydrographer Ventura of the...

Protest rally at Welcome Rotonda ends; DOTr says transport strike just created traffic

The protest rally against the government's PUV Modernization Program at Welcome Rotonda at the boundary of Quezon City and Manila ended Tuesday morning. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) however said the transport strike was successful only in creating traffic. According to a Balitanghali report by Joseph Morong, members of the Samahang Manibela Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon or MANIBELA who gathered at the Welcome...

After 'biggest' drug haul, Marcos tells syndicates: Aabutan namin kayo

In the wake of what has been described as possibly one of biggest drug busts in the country's history, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday warned members of drug syndicates that his administration would prosecute them with the full force of the law. "Bahala kayo sa ginagawa ninyo basta't tuloy-tuloy lang kami. Aabutan din namin kayo. Maliit lang ang Pilipinas," Marcos said in an ambush interview after inspecting the inventory of...

Philippines' Marcos says 'not one person died' as police make huge drug bust, in dig at predecessor

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Tuesday police seized the largest haul of methamphetamine in the country in years without anybody being killed, in a subtle criticism of his predecessor’s notoriously deadly crackdown on illegal drugs. Police seized nearly 1,630 kilograms (1.8 tons) of methamphetamine Monday from a van and arrested its driver at a checkpoint in Alitagtag town in Batangas province south of...

First Gen to buy LNG from China

MANILA, Philippines — Despite rising tension in the West Philippine Sea, the country will source part of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) requirements from a state-owned company in China. CNOOC Gas and Power Trading & Marketing Ltd. is the latest foreign entity to supply LNG to Lopez-led First Gen Corp. In a stock exchange filing on Monday, First Gen said it had awarded a contract to CNOOC to deliver one LNG cargo of around 130,000 cubic meters...

Australia says Assyrian church stabbing was terrorist act

By Renju Jose and Lewis Jackson SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian police on Tuesday said a knife attack on an Assyrian church bishop and some followers in Sydney was a terrorist act motivated by suspected religious extremism, as the country reeled from a second stabbing incident in three days. At least four people were wounded in the attack, including Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of the Assyrian Christ

Gang forged papers so people from Pakistan could illegally enter UK

Ringleader Mahmood Hussain, 56, a respected member of the community in Burnley, Lancashire, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years' imprisonment for assisting unlawful immigration.

Regulation vs development

Put regulatory and developmental functions together in the same government entity, and chances are it will focus on the former and neglect the latter. This has been our experience over decades with the Philippine government. The heavy hand of government has held back our economy and led it to fall further and further behind since the 1960s when we were the envy of our neighbors and second only to Japan in the level of economic development....

Plebiscite to create 8 towns in BARMM successful—Comelec

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Voters in 63 former villages of Cotabato province that now make up the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ratified on Saturday the creation of eight new SGA towns in a quiet and peaceful electoral process that stood in sharp contrast with the bloody and violent village elections last year. According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), voters’...

Negros execs slam local Church try to veto NIR revival

BACOLOD CITY — Local government officials of Negros have defended plans to revive the Negros Island Region (NIR) amid the request of the Diocese of Dumaguete for President Marcos to veto it. Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria of Negros Oriental’s 2nd district said consultations about the NIR had been done for the past decade contrary to what the local church claims. “Are 10 years of consultations not enough time? This (NIR push) has been going on for the...

Woman attacked by suspected XL bully dog

Police say the woman needed hospital treatment following the attack in Blackpool on Monday.

Israel still imposing 'unlawful' restrictions on Gaza aid, UN rights office says

GENEVA (Reuters) - Israel is still imposing "unlawful" restrictions on humanitarian relief for Gaza, the U.N. human rights office said on Tuesday, despite assertions from Israel and others that restrictions have eased. Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip triggered by Hamas' cross-border attacks on Oct. 7 has turned much of the Gaza strip into a wasteland, with hundreds of thousands of people now

Fire crews blast water to contain blaze at Copenhagen's stock exchange

Fire crews blast water to contain blaze at Copenhagen's stock exchange. The iconic building went up in smoke on 16th April, with horrified onlookers watching as the dragon tail spiral collapsed during the fire.

An impending ‘omnicide’ (2)

President Gustavo Petro’s warning of a possible future “omnicide,” in his speech at COP 28 last Dec. 6, 2023, was to campaign for the end of using fossil fuels that drive the engines of development—in factories and in urban human-made landscapes that heavily utilize these. The intense use of fossil fuels worldwide has induced certain processes in nature, speeding up the warming of our oceans, leading to a rising global temperature that is no...

MPs to vote on cigarettes ban TODAY as Rishi Sunak faces revolt

Dozens of the PM's own MPs are set to oppose the plans to ensure anyone currently aged 15 or younger will never be able to buy a cigarette legally.

What to know about the prison sentence for a movie armorer in a fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A movie weapons armorer received the maximum sentence of 18 months in jail for involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on a Western movie set, as authorities now turn their focus on prosecution of Baldwin himself. A New Mexico judge on Monday found that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's recklessness amounted to a serious violent offense, while noting few indications of genuine remorse from...

Driver arrested three times over drink-drive limit

Police are urging people not to drink-drive after three arrests are made in one weekend.

Man charged with 2013 murder of widow, 86

Police say they have charged David Newton, 69, from Wisbech.

On a China visit, the German chancellor says Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens global security

BEIJING (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Chinese leader Xi Jinping who hosted him in Beijing on Tuesday that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine threatens global security, in an apparent call for China to apply greater pressure on its neighbor and close strategic partner to resolve the conflict. Scholz also told Xi at their meeting that the use of nuclear weapons in the 2-year-old war should not even be threatened, German media...