National

ACT urges teachers, parents to report issues ahead of school opening

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Monday called on public school teachers, parents, as well as students to raise any concerns or challenges they face while preparing for the opening of School Year 2024-2025 on July 29. The teachers group made the call as it launched its “Bantay Balik-Eskwela” hotline to monitor the situation of schools nationwide which are now gearing up for another academic year. “Ang tinayo natin na hotline ay...

For Palestinian prisoner, return to Gaza brings anguish and shattered dreams

By Ramadan Abed DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (Reuters) - During more than two decades in an Israeli prison, Palestinian Youssef Mikdad dreamed about one day returning to a prosperous Gaza Strip where he could make up for lost time with his children. But when Mikdad finally tasted freedom and set foot in Gaza last week, he found his house destroyed and his homeland reduced to rubble, dust and twisted

More people are leaving Metro Manila. Here’s why

MANILA, Philippines—When COVID-19 landed in the Philippines, nationwide lockdowns prompted many people in the National Capital Region (NCR) to return to their provinces or places of origin outside the capital. Years into the new normal, even with restrictions lifted, people continued to leave the NCR for other regions. For decades before the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos from impoverished rural regions migrated to densely populated cities,...

Man sentenced after £100k of illegal tobacco seized

Amang Mohammed was selling and storing the products in his shop in Salisbury.

New Law Waives Entrance Exam Fees for Private Colleges in the Philippines

The Free College Entrance Examinations Act, now in effect in the Philippines, mandates waiving entrance exam fees in private colleges and universities for eligible students. Republic Act (RA) 12006 exempts qualified graduates and graduating students from paying fees for entrance exams to private higher education institutions (HEIs). The Act aligns with the state policy to […] The post New Law Waives Entrance Exam Fees for Private Colleges in the...

Philippines and Japan sign defence pact amid South China Sea tensions

By Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines and Japan boosted their defence ties by signing a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) on Monday, saying they were seeking stability in the region, amid rising tensions with China. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa described the pact, which eases the entry of equipment and troops for combat training and disaster response, as

Israeli forces bombard Gaza City as tanks re-enter central areas

Residents say they are seeing some of the heaviest strikes since the war began nine months ago.

CBCP names 2 more national shrines

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has designated two parish churches as national shrines, bringing to 31 the total number of national shrines in the country. READ: Quiapo Church now a national shrine for pilgrims These churches are the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, more known as the Maasin City Cathedral in Southern Leyte province, and the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in...

VP Sara to aspiring journalists: ‘Never assume, don’t lie’

Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Monday urged students who want to become journalists in the future not to report anything that is not the truth. During the opening ceremony of the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Carcar City, Cebu, Duterte directed the call to participants whom she described as “future award-winning journalists.” \ “Never print or post or circulate something that you know is not the...

Taxi driver corkscrew attackers jailed

The driver had a knife held to his neck and was stabbed in the hand with a corkscrew, a court hears.

Geneva Lopez kin call for justice over her, Yitshak Cohen deaths

The bereaved family of beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez is calling for justice over her death and that of her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon's Jasmin Gabriel Galban reported on “BaliTanghali” on Monday. Authorities over the weekend found the victims’ bodies in a quarry site in Barangay Sta. Lucia in Capas, Tarlac days after they were reported missing. Autopsy reports showed that the couple died of...

Ukrainian air defence engaged in repelling Russian missile attack on Kyiv, officials

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian air defences were engaged on Monday in repelling a rare daytime Russian missile attack on the capital Kyiv and other cities across the country, local authorities said. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported explosions in the city and urged residents to stay in shelters. He said on the Telegram messaging app that ambulances were heading to one of the districts in central

Inquest opens into death of paramedic at house

Circumstances surrounding the death of Daniel Duffield and student nurse Lauren Evans are being probed.

Father is allegedly stabbed to death as his son is charged with murder

Robert Hillemacher, 84, was allegedly stabbed to death at a house on Foote Street in Brighton, south-east Melbourne, at about 8.30pm on Friday.

Pampanga couple slay: 2 ex-cops held on gun raps

MABALACAT CITY, PAMPANGA, Philippines — Two former policemen tagged as “persons of interest” in the abduction and murder of beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen were arrested on Saturday for illegal possession of firearms. A police report obtained by the Inquirer on Sunday identified one of the arrested as dismissed policeman Michael Angelo Guiang, who earlier executed a sworn statement that he was the...

Japan foreign minister takes MRT ride ahead of RAA signing

Japan's top diplomat may have flown to Manila to tackle heavyweight geo-political issues but also wanted to get a feel of the traffic-choked city’s daily grind - she took a train ride. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa flew to Manila on Sunday, a day ahead of a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the signing of a landmark defense agreement with the Philippines, the Reciprocal Access Agreement or RAA which will allow military...

£290million down the drain? Home Secretary blasts Rwanda scheme 'con'

The new Home Secretary said she planned to audit the programme to send Channel boat arrivals to east Africa, which was axed by Sir Keir Starmer in one of his first decisions after entering No10.

House pressed to probe Manila Bay reclamation projects

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives was asked to take action on a resolution calling for an investigation of Manila Bay reclamation projects after nine Chinese nationals were arrested for allegedly working illegally in vessels involved in dredging. ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said the House should start the discussions on the issue, especially since he had filed a resolution urging for such a probe almost a year ago. “Ito...

This American weapon is one of the most dangerous on the battlefields of Ukraine

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi unleashes

Muslim voters have 'long been ignored', says Deputy Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi, amid expectations a grassroots organisation will field candidates in Labor-held seats.

High water consumption? Check for leaks in your water line – MCWD

CEBU CITY, Philippines — An official from the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) urged its consumers to check their meters every now and then to determine if there is a leak in their line. In a recent interview with Sugboanon channel, MCWD Public Information Officer Minerva Gerodias addressed the complaints of its consumers regarding high water bills and the lack of water supply in their areas. Gerodias explained that an increase in water...

PRC releases results of electrical engineer, master electrician, social worker exams

The Professional Regulation Commission on Monday released the results of three special professional licensure examinations held last month. According to the PRC, 22 test takers out of 103 passed the exam for registered electrical engineers, while 85 out of 126 passed the registered master electricians exam, both given by the Board of Electrical Engineering at test centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Al Ahmadi, Kuwait;...

In Iloilo, delay hits repair work on ‘sinking’ flyover

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The completion of the P295-million repair work on the controversial Ungka flyover in Iloilo may have to wait for some time. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced that the full reopening of the flyover, initially scheduled for August, has been reset to November this year. Sanny Boy Oropel, regional director of the DPWH in Western Visayas, reasoned that the rectification techniques, including...

British, 18, 'accuses UK holidaymaker of raping her in Ayia Napa'

The 18-year-old woman went to Cypriot police and told them that she woke up in the bed of the man, who is reported to be 19 years old.

BI bars entry of 2 foreign sex offenders

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Monday that they prevented two foreign sex offenders from entering the Philippines. The BI identified the offenders as 52-year-old Irishman Charles Henry Gabler and 29-year-old American Mark Halligan. The foreigners were intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Gabler was barred from entering the country on June 23 when he arrived via a United Airlines flight from Guam. Halligan was banned on...

Hungary PM Orban in Beijing on ‘Peace mission 3.0’

BEIJING — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, state media reported, in a visit the European leader has branded as a “Peace mission 3.0” after recent trips to Moscow and Kyiv. The unannounced visit comes a day before NATO is due to hold a summit to mark its 75th anniversary, with setbacks in Ukraine set to dominate discussions, and follows Orban’s surprise trips to Russia and Ukraine in the...

Deadly landslide hits illegal gold mine in Indonesia

Rescue team deployed to remote region on Sulawesi island to search for the missing.

Fear and relief as relatives rush to attacked Ukraine hospital

Removing bricks and rubble by hand, thousands flocked to the scene of a devastating strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv on Monday, following a massive barrage that killed more than 30 people across the country. Shortly after survivors of the strike emerged from the basement bunker at the Okhmatdyt children's hospital, crowds gathered to form a human chain and remove rubble piece-by-piece.

Ukraine is fielding a century old machine gun and its proving quite effective

This is where U.S. troops are stationed overseas

South Korea records the world’s first ‘robot suicide’

For many years, humans have dreamt of having robots that can perform tasks too tedious and repetitive. However, it seems machines can become overburdened as South Korea records the world’s first “robot suicide.” CNBC reported a Gumi City Council administrative officer found the mechanical employee unresponsive after it threw itself down a flight of stairs. READ: Signs you need a social media break Some witnesses said the robot worker was...

Mélenchon: It's an immense relief for an overwhelming majority

The party was formed last month, bringing together socialists, greens, communists and the hard-left into one camp - with the leader of the radical left, Jean-Luc Melenchon, vowing to implement several socialist policies.

Even in death, dolphins still boost human understanding

MANILA, Philippines — As marine mammal strandings increase in the Philippines, scientists and veterinarians are turning dolphin deaths into opportunities for critical research and conservation efforts. At a recent workshop held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, experts emphasized that while the death of a stranded dolphin is “disheartening,” it provides valuable data to understand cetacean diseases and the impact of human...

West African bloc risks 'disintegration' if juntas quit

The military leaders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso say they are leaving Ecowas and forming a new alliance.

At least 20 dead in Russian attack on Ukraine cities

At least seven people were killed in the capital Kyiv and 10 in the city of Kryvyi Rih.

Starmer places focus on stability in Northern Ireland as he meets leaders

Sir Keir Starmer placed a focus on preserving stability in Northern Ireland as he held talks with the region's political leaders as part of his tour of the devolved regions. The Prime Minister met Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly early on Monday before holding meetings with delegations from the five main Stormont parties.

Youth chased down street by machete-wielding gang

Police recover three machetes and a gun after witnesses report seeing armed pursuit in Gipton.

Three Gazans found dead after release from Israeli custody, relative and witness say

By Hatem Khaled GAZA (Reuters) - The handcuffed bodies of three Palestinian men freed from Israeli custody have been found near Gaza's border with Israel, and an uncle of one of them and a witness said they had been attacked by Israeli forces shortly after their release. Abdel Hadi Ghabayen, an uncle of one of the detainees, Kamel Ghabayen, said he set out at 5 a.m. on Sunday looking for his

Husband rang GP 570 times before killing wife

Gary Alexander Baird killed his wife Susan Baird with a hammer at their home in Belfast in 2020.

Long-term prisoners may be released after two-thirds of sentence

Prisoners could spend the rest of their sentence under community supervision, under Scottish government plans.

Russian missile attack kills 29, hits children's hospital, Ukraine says

By Olena Harmash and Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) -Russia rained missiles down on cities across Ukraine in broad daylight on Monday morning, killing at least 29 civilians and badly damaging Kyiv's main children's hospital in the deadliest air strike in months, officials said. Hundreds of people rushed to clear debris at the hospital, where windows had been smashed and panels ripped off. Parents

5 persons of interest in Geneva Lopez, boyfriend’s slay under custody

MANILA, Philippines — Five of the seven persons of interest in the abduction and killing of beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen are under police custody, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). “Lima na po yung nasa custody natin, tatlo arrested for different cases, dalawa po ay surrendered and gave their testimonies and dalawa lang po yung at large,” PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said in a...

New British PM Starmer seeks to improve trade deal with EU

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to reset relations at home and abroad. During a visit Sunday to Edinburgh, that he billed as an “immediate reset” with the regional governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, Starmer said he would also seek to improve the U.K.’s “botched” trade deal with the European Union. “I do think that we can get a much better deal than the botched deal that (former Prime Minister) Boris...

Man charged following stabbing

He is charged with possessing a knife after the arrests of four men.

2 drug suspects slain, cop hurt in Tawi-Tawi shootout

CAMP SK PENDATUN, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines — Two alleged drug personalities were killed while a police officer was injured during a law enforcement operation in Bongao town of Tawi-Tawi on Friday, police said. Police Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, regional director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police, said the two suspects fired at approaching lawmen, sparking a shootout inside the Bongao public market in...

Hungary's Orban unexpectedly visits China, backs Xi's peace plan

By Joe Cash and Anita Komuves BEIJING/BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday to discuss a potential Ukraine peace deal, paying the unexpected visit to Beijing days after his talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin angered some European Union leaders. Orban and Xi met at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, Chinese state media

China claims Philippine warships damaged reef at atoll in South China Sea

BEIJING — China said on Monday “illegal” beaching of Philippine warships at the Nansha islands in the South China Sea had “gravely damaged” the coral reef ecosystem in the area, as both countries tussle over disputed territory at atolls in the vast waterway. China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, in a comprehensive report, said Philippine warships have been […]

Man held after woman sexually assaulted in street

A 23-year-old man is held on suspicion of sexual offences after a woman was attacked in Hyde, Tameside.

Racist graffiti investigated at five sites in Antrim

Swastikas and Combat 18 signs are sprayed across Antrim days after eight families fled their homes.

2 alleged rebels slain in Masbate clash

LEGAZPI CITY — Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a clash Monday with government troops in Esperanza town in Masbate. Major Frank Roldan, spokesperson for the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, reported that the unidentified slain rebels and six other members of Komiteng Larangang Guerilla-South, Sub-Regional Committee 4, had a 15-minute firefight at 6:50 a.m. with members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion...