LOOK: Marcos leads a command conference with AFP officials

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday met with officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a mid-year command conference at the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Marcos, who serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP, reviewed the progress of the military campaigns and programs. He also provided further directives for the rest of the year. According to the AFP, in a statement, ground...

DA: ‘Large-scale’ trial of P29/kilo rice for vulnerable sectors to launch July 5

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to launch a mass trial of the P29 per kilo rice program on July 5 at 10 locations in Metro Manila and Bulacan and is aimed at providing affordable rice to vulnerable sectors. At a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday, DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra announced that the “large-scale” trial of selling aging National Food Authority (NFA) buffer rice stock will be done simultaneously in 10...

More than a dozen dolphins die in mass stranding around Cape Cod

Around 125 Atlantic white-sided dolphins became stranded in the area, which rescue workers called a 'big dolphin trap'. Hours of work meant that more than 100 of the dolphins were freed.

Lasting tribute to man who fed roundabout's chickens

An information board is installed to remember a man who fed chickens on a village's roundabout.

China 'monster ship' kept watch over PCG vessel in Escoda Shoal - monitor | INQToday

WATCH: West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell says the China Coast Guard's biggest vessel "kept watch" over the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal.

Jay Slater could be alive 'drinking rainwater', says PI

Army reservist and private investigator Juan García, 53, claimed missing teenager Jay Slater could be alive and keeping hydrated and fed by 'drinking rainwater and eating plants'.

P27-B COVID-19 allowance for healthcare workers released Friday – DBM

MANILA, Philippines — The remaining P27 billion COVID-19 health emergency allowances (HEAs) for eligible healthcare workers will be released on Friday, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The DBM made the announcement shortly after Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa shared his exchange with Budget Secretary Mina Pangandaman — where the latter committed to release the remaining funding for HEAs within the year. “We will...

Application for special study permits now available online — BI

Foreign students in the country can now apply for special study permits (SSP) online, the Bureau of Immigration said Thursday. The digitization effort will make it easier for foreign students to apply for such a permit instead of personally going to the BI’s main office. “The permit can now be applied for via the BI’s online services portal at e-services.immigration.gov.ph. This new online application system is expected to significantly improve...

Malaysia rescues hundreds of tortoises from ‘Ninja Turtle Gang’

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian authorities have rescued hundreds of smuggled tortoises meant for sale in Southeast Asia, disrupting an international crime ring called the “Ninja Turtle Gang”, a wildlife official said Thursday. Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, wildlife and national parks department director-general, said 400 tortoises worth 3.8 million ringgit ($805,084) bound for the lucrative exotic pet trade were seized during an operation by the police and...

Ex-cop among 7 persons of interest in missing beauty pageant bet, Israeli BF case

A former police officer is among the seven persons of interest in the disappearance of a beauty pageant contestant and her Israeli boyfriend in Central Luzon, the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said on Thursday. Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, CIDG chief Police Major General Leo Francisco said authorities have yet to communicate with all of the persons of interest. "Pito ang POIs natin...

Ukrainian forces pull back from part of strategic eastern town

By Anastasiia Malenko KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's military said on Thursday its troops had pulled back from part of Chasiv Yar in the eastern Donetsk region, a day after Russia said its forces had taken control of a district in the strategic town. Chasiv Yar stands on high ground. If they establish full control over the town, Russian forces could potentially use it as a staging post to advance

Find out who Vladimir Putin really is

As the world reacts in horror and disbelief to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the man who ordered the military attack, President Vladimir Putin, is being widely condemned for what's been described as a dangerous and unprovoked act of aggression. But who is this man from Leningrad who grew up to become one of the most powerful men in recent history? Click through and find out more about Vladimir Putin's life and career.

Chocoholic arrested after stealing 250 blocks of the sweet treat

The alleged thief is accused of loading his trolley with 241 Whittaker's chocolate blocks worth $1349.60 from a supermarket in South Auckland, New Zealand this week.

NSC: No ‘imminent attack from China despite Sen. Marcos’ warning

MANILA, Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) assures on Wednesday that the Philippines does not face an “imminent attack” from China. The NSC made the assurance after Senator Imee Marcos’ warning that 25 areas in the country could be possible targets of a Chinese hypersonic missile attack. Marcos warned on Monday that Beijing might use its hypersonic missiles in areas including the Ilocos region, Subic, and Batanes due to Manila’s...

Philippines says US mid-range missile system to be pulled out

A US mid-range missile system deployed in the Philippines for annual joint military exercises -- to the annoyance of China -- will be pulled out of the country, a Philippine Army spokesman said Thursday. The US Army said in April it had deployed the Mid-Range Capability missile system which can fire the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in the northern Philippines.

Is humanity ready? Unmasking the horrors of chemical warfare

The use of gas in warfare can be traced back to Antiquity. Though crude in their make up, these ancient chemical weapons proved very effective and provided new and deadly ways in which to dispatch an enemy. The widescale development of chemical weaponry began in earnest during the early years of the 20th century. In 1915, the first full-scale use of gas in war took place on the battlefields at Ypres in Belgium. By the Armistice, all sides involved in the First World War had used chemical weapons. The Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997 prohibits the large-scale use, development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of chemical weapons. And yet as recently as 2013 in Syria, chemical weapons have been deployed to devastating effect. Click through and follow this timeline of the development and use of chemical weapons.

'Entitled neighbour asked me to put her bin out – it kicked off when I didn't'

One woman was left 'seeing red' after her neighbour kicked off at her for not bowing to her demand - but many were left wondering why she'd asked in the first place

Dubai's ruler wins permission to build EIGHTH house on Scots estate

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has won permission to build an eighth house on his Scottish Highland estate in Wester Ross despite concerns from neighbours.

Angara’s track record to serve him well in DepEd, Eastern Visayas leaders say

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines —Government leaders in Eastern Visayas welcomed the appointment of Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as the next secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), saying his track record as a public servant will help him in his new position. According to Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, Angara’s “extensive knowledge” of education-related issues makes him a fitting choice to lead DepEd, replacing Vice President...

China and Russia highlight ‘tectonic shifts in global politics’

Comments come at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit of nations representing nearly half the world’s population.

Bishop hits ‘harassment’ of Palawan islanders over resort dispute

A Catholic bishop has deplored the ‘harassment’ of island villagers in southern Palawan, who risk losing their land to a proposed high-end resort. Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa, in a statement, expressed concern for the people of Mariahangin, an island settlement in Bugsuk village in Balabac town. Masked men reportedly fired shots over the […]

Waitress almost drowns after being dragged in lake by dine-and-dashers

Waitress Liahna Bertels, 20, was forced to swim her way out of the Missouri lake as a result, crying and traumatized by the encounter.

Just Stop Oil activists get conditional bail

Two private jets were sprayed with orange paint in the attack at Stansted Airport on 5 June.

Zamboanga City gov’t suspends firecracker distributor permit after blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mayor John Dalipe suspended the business permit of Jonathan “Jojie” Chua, operator of the Next Step Fireworks Shoppe, whose stockpile of fireworks exploded on Saturday, killing five people and hurting 38 others. Chua had secured a sole proprietorship in selling, dealing, and distributing all types of pyrotechnics in this city. He also owned the old firecracker shop at Veterans Street here that caught fire and left two people...

Where have 14 years of Conservative rule left Britain?

Daughter, 36, admits poisoning father and stabbing mother to death

Virginia McCullough, 36, killed John, 74, and Lois, 75, (pictured together) at their home in Chelmsford, Essex, between June 17 and June 20, 2019.

Cops probe new theory in mystery death of dad found with bite marks in Magaluf

Father-of-four Michael Grant was on holiday with his family when he was found collapsed in the early hours of Monday morning close to the popular Punta Ballena strip

Animal rescuers work to save 125 dolphins stranded off Cape Cod

As many as 125 Atlantic white-sided dolphins became stranded on Cape Cod and at least 10 died, prompting an intensive rescue effort, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The animals were stranded off the coast of Massachusetts.

6 arrested in separate anti-gambling ops in Angeles City

Authorities nabbed six individuals in separate anti-gambling operations in Angeles City, Pampanga, the Angeles City Police Office reported Thursday. Two of the suspects were arrested in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Angeles City on early Thursday morning. The police also seized two P1 coins used as toss coins and the bet money amounting to P1,072 in different denominations. In another operation on Wednesday evening, the police arrested four suspects in...

Australian arrested for cracking bomb joke at Dipolog Airport

An Australian national was arrested for cracking a bomb joke at the Dipolog Airport in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. The incident happened when the 69-year-old man was checking in for his flight on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. When he was asked by a Passenger Service Agent (PSA) if his bag contained electronic devices, he allegedly said, “No, just an atomic bomb.” While he took his statement back, saying “it was a joke,” upon seeing the agent’s...

Moscow is bombing and looting its own cities in Russia

According to the Washington Post, relying on internal Ukrainian intelligence documents, Russia has accidentally dropped unguided bombs on its own territory. The independent Russian medium Astra estimates that Russia has inadvertently dropped more than 100 bombs on its own territory and in occupied territories in eastern Ukraine over the past four months, this at a time when the use of slide bombs has increased sharply. Military expert Ruslan...

Taiwan says China seizure of trawler may be act of psychological warfare

TAIPEI (Reuters) - China's seizure of a Taiwanese trawler operating close to the Chinese coast for illegal fishing might be an act of psychological warfare by Beijing designed to further pressure Taipei, a top Taiwan security official said on Thursday. Chinese officials boarded and then took the boat back to a port in China late on Tuesday. It was fishing for squid in Chinese waters but near the

Marcos told AFP to de-escalate tensions in WPS, says AFP chief

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deescalate tensions with China in the West Philippine Sea, AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Thursday. At a news briefing following a conference with the commander-in-chief, Brawner indicated that the rules of engagement were laid out clearly. "The guidance also of our President to our troops is not to escalate the situation on...

Hezbollah fires 200 rockets into Israel after commander killed

Massive barrage launched in response to killing of group’s senior commander as fears of full-blown war reverberate.

Xi and Putin set out ambitions for Eurasian security club

ASTANA (Reuters) -China's President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin pressed their case on Thursday for closer security, political and economic cooperation between countries of the vast Eurasian region as a counterweight to Western alliances. They were speaking on the second and final day of a summit in the Kazakh capital Astana of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a club

Gilas Pilipinas Steps Closer to Olympic Spot After Historic Victory Over Latvia

The Philippines’ Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Basketball Team is pushing for a top finish in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) to secure a berth for the 2024 Paris Summer Games. After its historic victory against Latvia, the Filipino squad next targets Georgia to gain a final four spot in the crossover finals for the lone […] The post Gilas Pilipinas Steps Closer to Olympic Spot After Historic Victory Over Latvia appeared first on...

Lord Sugar thanks police after burglar’s daughters ordered to compensate victims

Lord Sugar thanks police after burglar’s daughters ordered to compensate victims - David Buisson stole mostly cash and jewellery from homes and businesses, including the business magnate’s Essex home, between 2015 and 2017.

Exclusive-Kenya president spoke to IMF chief after pulling tax hikes, sources say

By Aaron Ross NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan President William Ruto spoke by phone with International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva in the days after he withdrew $2.7 billion in proposed tax hikes in response to deadly protests, two diplomatic sources told Reuters. The finance bill containing the tax increases was central to policy reforms agreed by Kenya with the IMF as part of a lending

Suspect in Slovak PM shooting faces charge of carrying out terrorist attack

(Reuters) - The man detained over the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will face prosecution on the charge of carrying out a terrorist attack, Slovakia's general prosecutor said on Thursday. Fico is recovering after being shot four times at close range when he greeted supporters at a government meeting in the central Slovak town of Handlova in mid-May. That left him needing hours of

Cebu City Council: 2 councilors reject posts; majority seats filled

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Two minority councilors declined their newly nominated committee posts, while majority members filled their respective seats during the reorganizational session of the Cebu City Council. City Councilors Mary Ann Delos Santos and Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa rejected their committee nominations on July 3. The session saw members to various committees, with some positions remaining unchanged and new chairpersons appointed...

Woman found dead in Cavite hotel room

MANILA, Philippines — A woman was found dead inside a hotel room in Bacoor, Cavite on Wednesday morning, according to police. In a report on Thursday, the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batngas, Rizal, Quezon) police said a roomboy found the bloody remains of the woman, around 40 to 50 years old, at around 7 a.m. She reportedly checked into a hotel in Barangay Zapote 1 at around 1:45 a.m. with a male suspect, identified as a certain “Rommel.” The...

Smuggled cigarettes seized in Camiguin, Sulu

The Bureau of Customs seized 350 reams of illegally smuggled cigarettes worth P280,000 in Guinsiliban, Camiguin. The Bureau of Customs – Port of Cagayan de Oro (BOC-CDO) seized the reams through the implementation of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention on June 25. Authorities were also able to seize a Wing Van Truck that was being used to transport the smuggled cigarettes. This brings the amount of illegally smuggled cigarettes in Northern...

Britons vote in election expected to propel Labour to power

By Kate Holton LONDON (Reuters) -Britons were voting on Thursday in a parliamentary election that is expected to bring Keir Starmer's Labour Party to power, sweeping away Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives after 14 often turbulent years. Opinion polls put Starmer's centre-left party on course for a landslide victory but also suggest many voters simply want change after a period of

China hypersonic missile attack: 25 areas in PH possible targets

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-five areas in the country could be possible targets of possible hypersonic missile attack. That is according to Senator Imee Marcos as she warned about this due to the increase in Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites and the brewing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. READ MORE: Chinese Coast Guard: Philippines to blame for ship collision at WPS China monster ship leaves El Nido, passes Scarborough...

Girl killed in school bus crash 'was wearing seatbelt'

Jessica Baker, 15 was killed along with the driver of the bus when it crashed on the M53 last year.

UP Law Achieves Historic Milestone as World Finalists in Criminal Moot Court Tilt

The University of the Philippines College of Law (UP Law) finished as a World Finalist and Top 3 placer at the prestigious 2024 International Bar Association International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (IBA ICC MCC). This marks the first time a Philippine team has reached the world finals in the competition’s 11th edition held on […] The post UP Law Achieves Historic Milestone as World Finalists in Criminal Moot Court Tilt appeared first...

Ukraine might have just destroyed a very expensive air defense system

India preacher denies blame for crush deaths

Bhole Baba, who led the festival where some 120 people died, will co-operate with investigations.

China took law enforcement measures in South China Sea to protect sovereignty, says foreign ministry

BEIJING— China took enforcement measures to protect its sovereignty in the South China Sea after Philippine provocations, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. The spokesperson was referring to long-standing disputes between the countries over atolls in the South China Sea and demands from the Philippines for China to return what it called […]

Israel weighs Hamas response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Mohammad Salem and Maayan Lubell CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet on Thursday evening to discuss new Hamas positions on a possible ceasefire deal in Gaza, a source in Netanyahu's office said as fighting raged in the enclave. Before the cabinet meets, Netanyahu will have consultations with his