World

Hamas accepts US proposal on talks over Israeli hostages, Hamas source says

By Samia Nakhoul, Muhammad Al Gebaly and Nidal al-Mughrabi DUBAI/CAIRO (Reuters) -Hamas has accepted a U.S. proposal to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages, including soldiers and men, 16 days after the first phase of an agreement aimed at ending the Gaza war, a senior Hamas source told Reuters on Saturday. The militant Islamist group has dropped a demand that Israel first commit to a

Why Wes Streeting is set for war with the health service

The history of the NHS is littered with attempts by ministers to reform the institution for the benefit of patients. When Wes Streeting, the new Health Secretary, described the NHS as “broken”, and said it was now the policy of the Department of Health to treat it as such, he was laying down a marker for the scale of the challenge ahead of him. But...

Canadian archdiocese to pay $104M to child sex abuse victims

MONTREAL — The Catholic Church is to pay 104 million Canadian dollars ($76 million) to hundreds of victims of sexual abuse from eastern Canada, according to a statement released Friday. In 2020 the Archdiocese of St. John was found liable for one of Canada’s largest child sex abuse scandals, at Mount Cashel Orphanage, a now-defunct boy’s orphanage in Newfoundland and Labrador province. The court found sexual abuse was perpetrated by priests and...

Marcos revokes policy granting CES rank to NDCP grads

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has revoked the policy granting career executive service (CES) rank to graduates of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), months after it was suspended to determine if its goals are in line with existing rules. The policy conferring CES eligibility and rank to graduates of the NDCP’s Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program was scrapped through Executive Order (EO) 63,...

Major update after woman's body found inside a bin by staff at a tip

Detectives believe the woman's remains were put inside a bin that was picked up from a Coolaroo property, in Melbourne 's north, by a garbage truck on Tuesday.

Sulu cops seize over P17 million in smuggled cigarettes

CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines – Police authorities in Sulu confiscated over P17 million in smuggled cigarettes in two separate operations this week. Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, director of Police Regional Office in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said that on Friday, some P5.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized in Patikul town after a resident alerted the police about the contrabands being unloaded...

Arrests after two men reportedly stabbed in city

Two men, aged 54 and 18, are being questioned after reports of the stabbing on Friday night.

Ensure a peaceful 2025 BARMM elections, Marcos tells AFP

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel to guarantee a peaceful election for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The BARMM Parliament elections, which is the first in the region, will be held with the 2025 national and local elections. “We need to have peaceful elections in the upcoming voting season,” Marcos said on Friday. READ: BARMM polls: 16...

Who could replace Rishi Sunak as party leader?

The Conservatives will need to choose a new leader when the former PM stands down.

Why do police officers touch your trunk during a traffic stop? Here's what you should know

Royal Navy crew return home after six months fighting Houthi rebels

HMS Diamond docked at Portsmouth on Saturday after helping to protect shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden and shooting down the most enemy missiles in one day on record.

Cybercrime groups restructuring after major takedowns – experts

PARIS — Cybercrime gangs are looking to rebuild with new tactics after global police operations this year made a huge dent in their activities, experts have told AFP. The gangs have had a bad year so far, with law enforcement operations taking out some of prominent groups, including LockBit, a loose network of largely Russian-speaking cyber criminals. LockBit was one of the major developers of malicious software that allows criminals to lock...

Teachers bare ‘to do’ list for new DepEd chief

MANILA, Philippines — Teachers group Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) has listed ten “critical areas” in the education sector that outgoing senator Sonny Angara must immediately work on as the new secretary of the Department of Education. Angara is set to replace Vice President Sara Duterte, whose resignation as DepEd secretary will officially take effect on July 19, though the resignation was announced by Malacañang and Duterte herself last...

Woman ambushed and sexually assaulted in street

Police are seeking a white man of slim build, in his 20s, with light coloured facial hair.

6 Bantay Dagat members arrested in Bataan

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer and five members of the sea patrol force Bantay Dagat were arrested for allegedly threatening the Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MARIG) personnel in Bataan province on Friday. Brig. Gen. Jonathan Cabal, MARIG director, said their personnel were on seaborne patrol operations off Pilar town and Balanga City when the Bantay Dagat group approached them from another boat. One of the Bantay Dagat...

‘Loose monetary policy may stoke inflation’

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) should consider the risks of increasing the country’s money supply as these could aggravate existing inflationary pressures, according to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD). In a report, the think tank of the House of Representatives said money supply and inflation are deeply intertwined based on the evidence presented. “Policymakers committed to managing...

'Beautiful and caring' teen tragically killed in bus crash in small village

The family of teenager Jonathan Debnam, 14, have paid tribute to the youngster after he was tragically killed in a collision with a bus in the quaint village of Shortstown

Now SNP suffers £1m hammer blow in lost Westminster funding

The SNP's financial woes have been compounded by last week's humiliation at the ballot box with £1 million of crucial funding lost from the House of Commons.

Dozens of vehicles stopped in rural crime crackdown

Cumbria Police says it hopes the operation, which saw 47 vehicles stopped, will offer reassurance.

Junta-led Sahel states rule out return to West African economic bloc

By Boureima Balima NIAMEY (Reuters) - Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, three West African states led by the military, signed a confederation treaty on Saturday, underscoring their determination to chart a joint course outside a regional economic bloc that has been urging them to return to democratic rule. The signing took place at the first summit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and signals a

Lawmakers welcome Romualdez’ support for P29 rice program

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers welcomed House Speaker Martin Romualdez’ support for the expansion of the P29 rice program that aims to provide affordable rice for vulnerable Filipino households. The program’s large-scale trial launched on Friday in Metro Manila and Bulacan sells rice at P29 per kilo. Eligible beneficiaries including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), solo parents, senior citizens and persons with...

Last two migrants bound for Rwanda to be bailed, Home Office says

New Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirms the scheme is now "dead and buried".

What happens next to the Conservative Party?

Rishi Sunak has made it clear he considers it his duty to stay in post as leader for a while - meaning he'll face Keir Starmer in Parliament.

Starmer: Rwanda deportation scheme is 'dead and buried'

The troubled Rwanda deportation policy introduced by the former Conservative government is "dead and buried", Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Prime Minister said he was "not prepared to continue with gimmicks" as he confirmed the multimillion-pound scheme to send some asylum seekers to Kigali is to be scrapped. Before the general election, Labour had vowed to stop the plan "on day one" if it entered government.

Kandaya captures 3rd place in HRRACI Sportsfest 2024 hoop wars

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Kandaya Resort wrapped up its Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRACI) Sportsfest 2024 basketball campaign with a fitting third-place finish. This was after Kandaya Resort outlasted Jpark Island Resort in a lung-busting, 98-93, victory on Friday evening, July 5, at the Capitol Parish gymnasium along Escario Street, here. Jed Lorenz Moralde put on a heroic double-double game to lead Kandaya to...

SPD deploys 821 cops to secure SONA

MANILA, Philippines — The Southern Police District will deploy 821 police officers to ensure peace and order during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos on July 22. In a statement on Friday, the SPD said police personnel underwent a two-day refresher course on civil-disturbance management (CDM) operations, aimed at enhancing their knowledge and skills in handling civil disturbances. Police officers have also been...

The commodification of language in migration

IN the last few weeks, I have been writing about language and labor migration. Today, I want to discuss how language is commodified in migratory contexts. I have argued, as with many scholars of language and migration, that language is an essential element of migration. But I go on to say that language is also among the goods that move in migratory and mobility contexts. As such, there is value ascribed to language. Language has, therefore,...

Warnings scrapping Rwanda plan to cause Channel crossing 'open season'

Kevin Saunders, who was the Chief Immigration Officer covering Calais and Dunkirk, claims that up to 60,000 people could try to make the journey from France to England without the Rwanda plan in place.

Escudero defends probe on Senate building costs

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis Escudero defended the need for the Senate to investigate the ballooning costs of constructing the New Senate Building following the heated exchange between Senators Nancy Binay and Alan Peter Cayetano at the recent hearing. In a dwIZ interview yesterday, Escudero said the accounts committee hearing is being conducted because of the failure of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to...

What to expect at the Binibining Pilipinas 2024 grand coronation night

Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) will throw a grand coronation night to mark the 60th anniversary of the most enduring national pageant in the country on Sunday, July 6. The ceremonies will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City, and more than 100 Bb. Pilipinas queens are expected to grace the occasion, for a grand reunion together on stage. And as in the three previous editions, an all-female hosting...

Georgia coach visits Pinoys’ lockerroom

MANILA, Philippines — Georgia coach Aleksandar Dzikic was a surprise visitor in Gilas’ lockerroom after the Philippines clinched a semifinals slot in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia last Thursday despite losing a 96-94 decision to the world No. 23 squad. “Coach Dzikic came to our lockerroom after the game to compliment our players, coaches and staff,” said Gilas assistant coach Sean Chambers. “He told us, ‘You all are one hell...

SBP chief promises continuity for Gilas after FIBA OQT stint

SBP Chief Al Panlilio promises to stay the course

Family pay tribute to 'caring' army cadet, 14, who was killed by bus

A heartbroken family have paid tribute to 'funny, kind and intelligent' teenager, Jonathan Debnam (pictured), 14, who was killed after being hit by a bus in Shortstown, Bedfordshire on Thursday.

Marcos congratulates new UK Prime Minister Starmer

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday congratulated the newly-elected prime minister of the United Kingdom as he expressed hopes for strengthened ties between London and Manila. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Marcos sent his congratulations to Keir Starmer who was elected as the UK’s new prime minister on July 5. “On behalf of the Philippines, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Labour Party and...

Archival airs dismay: Restoring ‘Citizen’s Hour’ in City Council sessions rejected

CEBU CITY, Philippines – City Councilor Nestor Archival expressed disappointment over the rejection of a motion to reinstate the Citizen’s Hour, a time for public participation in council meetings, during the reorganizational session on July 3. Archival stated that the motion aimed to give citizens a platform to voice their concerns and suggestions directly to their elected representatives. “I’m very sad because as a representative sa mga...

PRC: 389 pass special licensure exams for teachers

MANILA, Philippines — The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said 137 of 274 elementary educators and 252 of 478 high school teachers passed the Special Professional Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers held last month. In a July 5 advisory, the PRC named Jovelle Salamanca of the University of Santo Tomas as the topnotcher among elementary teachers-examinees for earning a 90.80 percent rating. She is followed by Jenefer Gregorio from...

Nine foreigners murdered, dumped in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — Nine foreigners, most of them Chinese nationals, have been killed and their bodies dumped in different areas in Pampanga. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is coordinating with the Pampanga police to get more details about the foreigners, three of whom were found in Porac, Pampanga where an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub, Lucky South 99, was raided for alleged human trafficking...

Boy, 7, Dies After Being Hit by Piece of Farming Machinery While Helping in Field

Authorities in Pennsylvania said there were no signs of foul play and the boy’s death was ruled accidental

PNP begins distribution of performance-based bonus for 2022

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that it will begin the distribution of its performance-based bonus for fiscal year 2022 on Saturday. According to the PNP, the bonus will be given to around 214,320 police personnel. READ: PNP warns public: Con artists pose as cops to solicit money The PNP said that the bonus that the personnel will receive is equal to 52 percent of their monthly salary as of December 31, 2022....

Attempted murder arrest after four men hit by car

Two of the men are taken to hospital with serious injuries, say police.

562 BuCor inmates freed in June

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 562 inmates from all the prisons and penal farms in the country were released in June, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported. In a statement, BuCor said 121 of those released were acquitted, 321 had served their maximum sentence, 98 were granted parole, 21 were granted probation and one was granted executive clemency. BuCor director Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the bureau has already released a total of...

Citizen scientists mobilized to protect Verde Island Passage

MANILA, Philippines — The Verde Island Passage (VIP), one of the country’s marine treasures, has received invaluable help from the Lopez Group, which organized an 18-member team of citizen scientists. Clean energy leader First Gen Corp. and nonprofit sister organization ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) partnered to mobilize the time in Lobo, Batangas as an additional initiative in support of a long-term program, co-pioneered by both Lopez-led...

Starmer to meet Swinney in first official engagement as UK leader

Sir Keir Starmer will meet John Swinney today in his first official engagement since being appointed Prime Minister.

Remains found in Tarlac confirmed to be of missing pageant bet, Israeli BF

MANILA, Philippines — The remains found in Capas, Tarlac were those of missing Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024 candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda said on Saturday. According to Pineda in a Facebook post, police were able to confirm their identities through their clothing and other items. “Malungkot ko po na ibinabalita sa inyo na natagpuan na ang mga bangkay ng kabalen natin na si...

Sudanese political factions meet in Cairo with little prospect of peace

By Nafisa Eltahir CAIRO (Reuters) - Rival Sudanese political factions formally attended reconciliation talks in Cairo on Saturday, the first since a conflict in the country began almost 15 months ago, but admitted there was little prospect of quickly ending the war. During the conference the Democratic Bloc, which is aligned with the army, refused to hold joint sessions with Taqaddum faction,

Lightning kills girl (13) on Greek beach

13-year-old Dorothea died tragically after she was struck by lightning on a Greek beach. On June 28, Dorothea and her family were swimming at Faros beach, near Poseidi. The storm took them all by surprise while they were still in the water. As the family went to collect their belongings on their way back to the beach, they were surprised by a bolt of lightning. The young girl, who was walking right behind her mother, was struck by lightning,...

Meet the new Baby of the House: Labour MP Sam Carling

As Britain's first MP to be born in the 21st Century, Labour 's Sam Carling is now the youngest Commons member, leading him to affectionately be known as the 'Baby of the House'.

China ship taunts PH vessel in Escoda Shoal

CHINA Coast Guard's (CCG) "monster" ship is inching closer to a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel that has been maintaining its presence in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea for more than two months now — a move that has left authorities in Manila puzzled. Considered the world's largest coast guard ship, CCG 5901 is only 2,400 feet away from BRP Teresa Magbanua, PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea Commo. Jay Tarriela said in a...

Israeli attack on UN school used as shelter in Gaza kills at least 16

Dozens of Palestinians also injured in bombing in central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, Government Media Office says.

Toledo City police hunt 2 men who attacked ‘arrogant’ neighbor

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Policemen in Toledo City, Cebu are after two men who are believed to be responsible for punching and shooting a neighbor in Sitio Buswang in Brgy. Cambang-ug on Thursday, July 4. The incident happened at around 8 p.m. near a river in Sitio Buswang. In a report, Toledo police said that the suspects who were identified as Johnny Largo, 30, and a certain Jaybe, allegedly told Roy Abarquez Isidro “You are so very arrogant,”...