News

Ministers have caved in on evictions pledge - Rayner

Labour's Angela Rayner attacks the government's housing record but faces jibes over her own living arrangements.

No live fire drills for US ground-based missile during Balikatan—AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The United States’ newest ground-based missile will not be used for live fire drills during the Balikatan war games, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday. “There will be no live-fire exercise for the [Typhon] MRC (mid-range capability) missile system,” Trinidad said in a regular AFP press briefing. Training for logistics, mobilization However, Trinidad said there will still be training on the...

Katie Simpson murder accused has died, court hears

Jonathan Creswell is found dead at his home police officer tells court

MEA introduces rule to simplify OCI card application process for Goans with Portuguese citizenship

A memorandum from the Ministry of External Affairs, dated April 4, stated that it has decided to accept the ‘revocation certificate’ as an alternative document to the ‘surrender certificate’.

PCO: Marcos deepfake a ‘serious’ matter; foreign policy may be affected

MANILA, Philippines — The viral deepfake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could have affected the Philippines’ foreign policy, said an official from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, the PCO released a statement debunking a viral video that simulated Marcos commanding the Armed Forces of the Philippines to act against another country. “It’s a big news because it’s foreign policy that’s affected there,”...

Wanted man found in Benidorm after global manhunt

An alleged drugs trafficker wanted by police since 2020 has been arrested at a hotel in Spain.

Man arrested in alleged plot to assassinate Zelensky

Man admits murdering wife with skateboard

Olobunmi Abodundee, 48, unexpectedly pleads guilty to the killing during his trial.

Kenya doctors wage talks collapse, strike to go on: union

Talks between striking Kenyan doctors and the government have broken down, the medics' union said Wednesday, bringing misery for thousands of patients after six weeks of industrial action. Meanwhile, the national Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya) said on Wednesday it was "deeply concerned" by the current strike and was considering taking legal action against those who failed to resolve the walkout, without specifying who.

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."

Sunak defends plan to ‘prioritise defence’ as he declines to rule out other cuts

Sunak defends plan to ‘prioritise defence’ as he declines to rule out other cuts - The Prime Minister said it’s ‘right’ to spend more on defence in ‘dangerous’ world.

Russia to push Ukraine further back if Kyiv gets long range U.S. missiles, says Kremlin

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia will need to push Ukrainian forces further back and expand what it regards as a "buffer zone" if Kyiv takes delivery of advanced longer-range ATACM guided missile systems from the United States, the Kremlin said on Wednesday. The White House last October said it had provided Kyiv with a type of ATACMS capable of hitting targets up to 165 kilometres (102 miles) away. But a

'Exploited and coerced' boy rescued in drug gang raids

A teenager is taken to safety after a police operation targets addresses across Rochdale.

Dominica strikes down laws prohibiting gay sex

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A top court in the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica has struck down colonial-era laws criminalizing gay sex. It’s the latest nation to repeal such laws in the socially conservative region, joining Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda. READ: Cubans approve gay marriage by large margin in referendum Monday’s ruling comes nearly five years after a man whose identity was withheld for...

Ex-DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in court on rape and other sex charges

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has appeared in court charged with rape and a number of other historical sex offences. Sir Jeffrey's wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, also appeared in court to face charges in relation to the same police investigation Sir Jeffrey resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party following the charges.

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

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

Jersey police warn islanders of new bank scam

Jersey Police said the scammer was able to transfer £12,800 out of a local resident's account.

Russia detains ally of Defence Minister Shoigu for alleged corruption

By Guy Faulconbridge and Darya Korsunskaya MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian court on Wednesday ordered one of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's deputies be kept in custody on suspicion of taking bribes, the highest-profile corruption case since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022. Deputy Defence Minister Timur Ivanov was detained on Tuesday at work by the Federal Security Service

Scorching heat pushes Pangasinan town to adopt 4-day work week

Officials of Binmaley in Pangasinan move to implement a four-day working schedule in its government offices. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/heat-pushes-binmaley-pangasinan-adopt-4-day-work-week/

‘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?

Malacañang flags deepfake audio of Marcos ordering military attack

The Presidential Communications Office warns against an ‘audio deepfake’ that made it appear President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the military to ‘act against a particular foreign country.’ Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/malacanang-flags-deepfake-audio-marcos-ordering-military-attack-april-2024/

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 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 the...

Teenager who stabbed boy banned from towns

The teenager is told he cannot enter Royal Wootton Bassett and Marlborough for three months.

Ex-teacher not guilty of sexual activity with boy

Simon Taylor had been accused of kissing and cuddling a teenager at his home in 2005 and 2006.

UK police arrest three over migrants' deaths in Channel

LONDON (Reuters) -British police said on Wednesday they had arrested three men over the deaths of five migrants including a child who died attempting to cross the Channel from France the day before. The deaths occurred when a small overcrowded boat carrying 112 people set out to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world and panic took hold among the passengers not far from the shore.

Spain PM under pressure as wife faces graft probe

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was under pressure to give answers Wednesday after a court said it had opened an investigation into his wife Begona Gomez on suspicion of graft. "His family is being investigated by the court... it is important enough that the prime minister explains himself to the Spanish people."

Man charged with attempted murder after shootings

Cleveland Police say shots were fired in County Durham and Teesside.

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

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...

1 injured after crane cable snaps in Binondo

A construction worker was injured after the cable of a construction crane carrying more than 4 tons of metal snapped and fell at Aguilar Street near Recto in Binondo, Manila. According to a dzBB report by Carlo Mateo on Wednesday, the machine was transporting the materials when the incident occurred at around 6 a.m. The broken crane cable also damaged a parked pick-up truck, tricycles, a bicycle, and part of a nearby building. Internet in the...

Rayner calls Sunak a 'pint-sized loser' in Dowden face-off

Deputy Labour leader labelled Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a 'pint-sized loser' in a heated exchange with her opposite number Oliver Dowden as she accuses him of 'stabbing Boris Johnson in the back'.

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...

VP Sara thankful for Marcos' continued trust

Vice President Sara Duterte thanked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday for his continued trust in her as Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) despite her rift with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Duterte issued the statement after Marcos said on Tuesday that he did not see any reason to replace her at DepEd. “Maraming salamat, Pangulong Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., sa patuloy na pagtitiwala sa akin bilang...

Murder arrests after woman found dead in house

A man and a woman are held on suspicion of murder after a 90-year-old woman was found dead in Wirral.

Two arrested after suspected chop shop found

Police are called to a lock-up in Shirley, after a stolen van is tracked there.

CSC: No need for Career Service Exam for college honor graduates

MANILA, Philippines — College graduates with Latin honors need not take the Career Service Exam if they want to have a career in public service, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said on Wednesday. CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said honor graduates will not be required to take the exam as they can apply for the Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE) instead. “Summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude graduates no longer need to take the Career...

Three arrested after five die in Channel boat crossing tragedy

Three arrested after five die in Channel boat crossing tragedy - The men were held on suspicion of immigration offences and are being questioned in Kent, the National Crime Agency said.

Russian Orthodox Church suspends priest who prayed at Navalny's grave

By Mark Trevelyan (Reuters) -A Russian Orthodox priest who led a memorial service last month at the grave of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been suspended from clerical duties and ordered to serve three years of "penance". Dmitry Safronov has prayed several times at the Moscow grave of Navalny and conducted a service there on March 26 to mark 40 days since Navalny's death in an Arctic

Venezuelan candidate Gonzalez touts return of exiles, freeing political prisoners

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez said on Wednesday he is committed to carrying out a transition that will allow exiled people to return to the country and political prisoners to be freed. Gonzalez was named on Friday by the Unitary Platform opposition coalition as its candidate in the July 28 presidential election after primary winner Maria Corina Machado was

INQToday: ICC contacted 50 past, present PNP officials on Duterte case – Trillanes

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories: Trillanes: ICC contacted 50 past, present PNP officials on Duterte case The International Criminal Court (ICC) has talked to around 50 former and incumbent police officials regarding the crime against humanity complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said on Wednesday. Trillanes in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) claims to have received “highly...

PNP to ICC: We only recognize PH’s justice system

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday stood firm that it would only recognize the country’s justice system even as International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators reportedly contacted its former and incumbent officials implicated in ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo stressed that the country has a working judicial system, noting that there were police personnel...

No10 says asylum returns deal with France 'is not possible'

Any such agreement is 'not on the table' because the Government 'would not agree to any kind of deal that would require quotas in return', a No10 spokeswoman said.

Marcos rejects increasing illegal parking fines in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rejected the Metro Manila Council’s proposal to increase fines for illegal parking. In a video posted on Wednesday, Marcos said that it was important to prioritize discipline. READ: Metro Manila mayors eye higher fines for illegal parking “Para patuloy ang magandang serbisyo ng ating pamahalaan ay hindi ko pinayagan ang Joint Traffic Circular No. 01 ng Metro Manila Council tungkol sa...

British Army Apache helicopters fly to Finland for Nato training exercise

British Army Apache helicopters fly to Finland for Nato training exercise - Some 20,000 British personnel are involved, among 90,000 troops from all 32 members of the alliance.

Cost of doing business with Iran? US warns Pakistan of sanctions risk

Iran’s Raisi visited Pakistan as the neighbours seek to mend ties after tit-for-tat military strikes this year.

Unexploded bomb found on Lincolnshire beach

A controlled explosion was carried out, Mablethorpe Coastguard said.

Plane makes emergency landing due to bird strike

A flight from Newcastle to Cape Verde diverted to Manchester due to a bird strike, TUI says.

Jordan sets September 10 for parliamentary elections, official says

Jordan's independent electoral commission set September 10 as the date for parliamentary elections on Wednesday after King Abdullah earlier issued a decree to hold the polls this year, state media reported. The monarch had repeatedly said he wanted elections to be held when parliament's four-year term ends this year to allow for multi-party electio...

Uncovering of mass grave at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital: What you need to know

More than 300 bodies retrieved from two of the largest hospitals in Gaza after Israeli sieges end this month.