Japan and Philippines sign defense pact allowing their forces to train in each other’s territory

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, to the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in World War II but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as they face an increasingly assertive China. The Reciprocal Access Agreement, similarly allows Filipino forces to enter Japan for...

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.

5 persons of interest in Geneva Lopez, Yitshak Cohen slay in police custody — Abalos

Five persons of interest in the killing of beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen are in police custody, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said on Monday. In a press conference, Abalos said two of the POIs are former police officers who were dismissed from the service in 2019 and 2020. “May naaresto ang ating kapulisan na tatlong tao na nasa custody nila…Yung tatlong taong binabanggit...

Ireland's Green Party elects new leader

It comes after Eamon Ryan announced last month that he was to step down from the position.

PH, Japan to ensure Indo-Pacific peace, stability with signing of RAA — officials

The Philippines and Japan ensured peace and sustainability in the Indo-Pacific region with the signing of their Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) on Monday, officials said. “This is another milestone in our shared endeavor to ensure a rules-based international order to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and particularly in our region,” Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said in his opening remarks during his meeting...

Kenya starvation cult leader goes on trial on terrorism charges

The leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult went on trial on Monday on charges of terrorism over the deaths of more than 400 of his followers in a macabre case that shocked the world. He and his co-accused all pleaded not guilty to the charges of terrorism at a hearing in January.

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.

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.

Nancy Binay files ethics rap vs Alan Cayetano: Wounds ‘have reopened’

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Nancy Binay formally filed on Monday an ethics complaint against Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for allegedly resorting to name-calling and behaving disorderly during the chamber’s proceedings. The complaint was filed days after the two senators exchanged barbs during the Senate panel on accounts’ hearing on the supposedly ballooning cost of the New Senate Building (NSB) in Taguig. During the July 3 hearing, panel head...

Woman stranded in Greece after quad bike crash

Courtney Boylan was seriously injured when she fell down a ravine and the bike landed on her.

UK’s new PM Starmer calls for ‘urgent’ need for Gaza ceasefire

Keir Starmer tells Netanyahu that the UK wishes to continue its ‘vital cooperation’ with Israel.

India's lawyers, activists protest against new criminal laws

By Arpan Chaturvedi NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian lawyers and activists are urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to put on hold three sets of new criminal laws, arguing they will increase litigation in an already overburdened justice system and give excessive powers to police. India this month replaced its criminal justice system - the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the 1973 Code of

Philippines, Japan sign reciprocal access agreement

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Japan signed a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) on Monday in Malacañang. The RAA will serve as the legal basis for both countries’ troops entering each other’s territory for joint military exercises. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko signed the agreement, which was witnessed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “The RAA with Japan is a commitment...

Russian missiles hit a children's hospital in the Ukrainian capital and kill at least 20 elsewhere

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missiles killed at least seven people and struck a children’s hospital in the Ukarinian capital, Kyiv, Monday, while another attack in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih killed at least 10. The Russian barrage targeted five Ukrainian cities with more than 40 missiles of different types, hitting apartment buildings and public infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post. At...

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...

Fund for dismissed paramedics swells to £43,000

A crowdfunding page for Tom Le Sauteur and John Sutherland reaches more than £43,000.

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...

China says Philippine warships 'damaged' reef at atoll in South China Sea

BEIJING (Reuters) -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 "illegally beached" around

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...

Duterte, Go to face more complaints, says Trillanes

MANILA, Philippines — More complaints will be filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. This is what former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said that he planned to do. And he said this on Sunday, July 7, in an interview at the Kapihan sa QC. “We are preparing other complaints, so they should wait, and it seems like others will also file complaints against them,” Trillanes said in Filipino in the interview....

Is Ukraine heading for defeat?

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.

Philippines says pact with Japan takes defence ties to unprecedented high

By Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines hailed an "unprecedented" high in defence ties with Japan after the signing on Monday of a landmark military pact allowing deployment of forces on each other's soil in the face of China's increasingly assertive stance in the region. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), the first of its kind Japan has signed in Asia, will ease

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...

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

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...

Danger: 30 nuclear bombs threaten the world

In recent hours, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has announced that an asteroid the size of the Eiffel Tower will pass very close to Earth. This is particularly alarming news. When talking about distances in space, the data should be put in context. This asteroid, the size of the Eiffel Tower, is expected to approach our planet in 2029. According to calculations by Russian scientists, the object will pass 39,000 kilometres from Earth....

New Orban-backed EU alliance says France's RN to join

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) will join a growing new alliance in the European Parliament led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary's government spokesperson said on Monday. Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Orban's Fidesz and the populist Czech ANO party led by Andrej Babis have joined forces in the European Parliament, citing the fight

Man arrested after Newquay stabbing

Officers say a man was taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged.

French left says ‘ready to govern’ as country faces hung parliament

After winning a plurality in National Assembly, France’s left-wing coalition plans to name PM candidate this week.

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...

Two ex-policemen face murder charges for killing of beauty queen, boyfriend

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is set to file murder charges against two former policemen who are the principal suspects in the killing of beauty queen Geneva Lopez and her boyfriend, Yitzak Cohen. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday presented the two suspects -- Rommel Abuzo and Angelo Guiang. Abalos said Abuzo was dismissed in 2019 while Guiang was sacked in February 2020. A third suspect, identified as Jeffrey...

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...

Deadly landslide hits illegal gold mine in Indonesia

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

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...

3 arrested for illegal fishing in Tañon Strait

Authorities nabbed three men for engaging in illegal fishing within the marine protected waters of Tañon Strait, the Philippine National Police - Maritime Group reported Monday. The three men were found operating an unmarked motor banca worth around P200,000 with a defaced engine number. Authorities also seized from the men various fishing paraphernalia worth around P200,000, a Garmin fish finder, and their catch of 'tuloy' fish, a kind of...

France faces coalition puzzle after left-wing surge

By Tassilo Hummel and Elizabeth Pineau PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday asked his prime minister to stay in the role for now, pending what will be difficult negotiations to form a new government after a surprise left-wing surge in elections that delivered a hung parliament. The leftist New Popular Front (NFP) emerged as the dominant force in the National Assembly after

Man bailed as probe into fatal fire continues

The 30-year-old had been detained by police on suspicion of murder.

Putin ready to end war with Trump's help

The former White House occupant claims he could quickly end the war in Ukraine if he became president. Meanwhile, according to US media, he is conducting (secret) negotiations with Putin. Republican candidate Donald Trump's plan is to "force Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin into negotiations by, on the one hand, threatening to reduce arms deliveries to Ukraine and, on the other, increasing arms deliveries to Kiev to increase pressure on...

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...

Stranded aid trucks in Egypt deepen Gaza's humanitarian crisis

By AbdelHadi Ramahi, Amr Alfiky and Alexander Cornwell AL-ARISH, Egypt (Reuters) - Hundreds of trucks loaded with food and water have been stranded on a scorching Egyptian road, some for nearly two months, awaiting permission to deliver the much needed humanitarian supplies to war-torn Gaza. About 50 kilometres from the Gaza border, trucks carrying flour, water and other aid line a dusty road in

Man sentenced to life for killing Hong Kong worker dies after being found hanged in cell

A 32-year-old man sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a Hong Kong convenience store worker over two cans of beer worth HK$31 (US$4) in 2019 has died after he was found hanged at a maximum-security jail. Former sailor Javed Iqbal Islam was discovered by a correctional officer inside his one-person cell at Stanley Prison at 8.44pm on Sunday. A source familiar with the case said on Monday the man was checked up on about 15 minutes earlier...

World Bank: Trunk line of Cebu BRT may be completed this August

CEBU CITY, Philippines – If things go accordingly, civil works for the trunk line of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) may be completed next month. The World Bank, in a recently disclosed report, projected that Package 1 of the P17-billion project has already achieved a progress of 64 percent, and may be “substantially completed” by August this year. Package 1 refers to the trunk line of the transportation system that connects Cebu South Bus...

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...

Russia says it foils Ukraine bid to hijack strategic bomber

(Reuters) -Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) blocked an attempt by Ukraine to organise the hijacking of a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber and fly it to Ukraine, the FSB said on Monday. "Ukrainian intelligence intended to recruit a Russian military pilot for a monetary reward and the provision of Italian citizenship, to persuade him to fly and land a missile carrier in Ukraine," the FSB,

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

Support for Letby surprising, says lead witness

The lead prosecution witness says supporters of Letby reported him for his role in the trial.

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.

Japan's foreign, defense ministers pay courtesy call on Marcos

Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday in Malacañang Palace. The President welcomed the Japanese ministers as he marked this as an ''important event that our two countries have been working very hard to achieve.'' ''I’m glad that having witnessed the commencement, the [beginning] of this agreement that it has now come to fruition and...

Some areas in Luzon, Visayas to have isolated downpours

MANILA, Philippines — Some areas in Luzon and Visayas will have isolated downpours and thunderstorms due to the easterlies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday. Weather specialist Robert Badrina said the easterly winds that bring warm, humid weather are particularly affecting the eastern sections of Visayas and Luzon including Bicol Region, Quezon, Aurora, Isabela and Cagayan....