World

Protective mesh removed from controversial statue

The Cecil Rhodes figure in Oxford was covered by black netting after protesters called for it to be removed.

Groups ask SC to stop Marcos rice tariff order

Leonard Abella, 53, has been farming rice for decades, but his toiling has yet to pay off as he remains buried in debt. He barely earns any profit from tilling the land; whatever he earns is spent immediately to pay off his loans and buy necessities for his small-scale farm in Rosales, Pangasinan, such as water, seeds, and pesticides. “The income is small, not even enough for food… We are farmers [and yet] we have almost nothing to eat,” he said...

Philippines eyes key defense pact with Japan

MANILA, Philippines — The military chief of the Philippines expressed hope on Thursday that a key defense agreement with Japan, which would permit the deployment of troops on each other’s soil, will be signed during security discussions next week. Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa are set to meet their Philippine counterparts in Manila on Monday. The Philippines and Japan — longtime allies of the United...

UK Labour Party sweeps to power in historic election win. But impatient voters mean big challenges

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. Labour leader Keir Starmer will officially become prime minister later in the day, leading his party back to government less than five years after it suffered its worst defeat in almost a century. In the...

Rishi Sunak hands peerage to top aide alongside Theresa May

No10 chief of staff Liam Booth-Smith, who is known as 'the Treasury Travolta' due to his love of a leather jacket, will enter the upper house among a slew of Tory big-hitters quitting the Commons.

Rishi Sunak seen for first time since explosive exit poll

Nigel Farage finally won election to the Commons at the eighth attempt today, as he became the Reform MP for Clacton amid a Tory election bloodbath. The party leader surged to victory in Essex with a majority of almost 8,000.

Fireworks explode in night skies of NYC and DC on 4th of July

Fireworks explode in the night skies of New York City and Washington, DC on 4th of July.

'We did it!' Jubilant Keir says 'change begins now' at victory party

Keir Starmer boasted 'we did it' today after Rishi Sunak conceded he has lost the election - and said 'sorry' to vanquished Tories. Sir Keir trumpeted his victory at a rally in central London after the party formally crested the 325 seats needed.

PCSO Lotto Draw Results, July 4, 2024 | Super Lotto 6/49, Lotto 6/42, 6D, 3D, and 2D

Here are the winning lotto combinations of the lotto draw results for the 9 p.m. draw on Thursday, July 4.

National Rally to fall short of absolute majority in French parliamentary elections, poll shows

PARIS (Reuters) - France's far-right National Rally (RN) party will likely fall short of an absolute majority in forthcoming parliamentary elections, OpinionWay said in a poll for business daily Les Echos published on Friday. The poll saw RN win 205-230 seats in Sunday's vote, ahead of the leftwing New Popular Front with 145-175 seats, and President Emmanuel Macron's centrist bloc with 130-162

Creation of Department of Peace pushed

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said that he would propose to Congress the creation of a Department of Peace in place of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru). Opapru, formerly known as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, was renamed under then President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 158 in December 2021. READ: Galvez bats for the creation of ‘Department...

China on Sen. Marcos’ missile attack claim: We do not pose threat

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday insisted that her country does not pose a threat to any nation following Sen. Imee Marcos’ claim that China is planning to use hypersonic missiles against the Philippines. “I’m not sure what the Philippine side’s source was, but I can tell you that China is committed to peaceful development and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and China does...

Left-wing champion Corbyn defeats Labour to win parliament seat

LONDON (Reuters) - Veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn won his parliamentary seat, beating the candidate of the Labour Party he used to lead and promising to be a thorn in the side of Keir Starmer's incoming government after an acrimonious falling out with his successor. Corbyn resigned as Labour leader in 2019 after the party suffered its worst election defeat since 1935, and Starmer threw him out

Bodies of 89 migrants retrieved from Atlantic

Coastguards say nine people - including a little girl - are rescued, but dozens more are missing.

World leaders react to Labour's sweeping victory in UK election

(Reuters) - Keir Starmer will be Britain's next prime minister with his centre-left Labour Party expected to win a huge majority in a parliamentary election, ending 14 years of often tumultuous Conservative government by trouncing Rishi Sunak's party. Here are some reactions to the news: AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE TO REPORTERS: "We have a strong relationship between our two

Tories facing 'electoral Armageddon' - ex-minister

Sir Robert Buckland said too many in his party were focused on "personal agendas and jockeying for position".

Things renamed because of wars and other political reasons

Disagreements and differences lead to change, and this also applies to names. From wars to protests, many events have lead to the change of names of foods, territories, and even royal families. For example, did you know that during World War I hamburgers became known as "liberty sandwiches" in America? Or that London's National Portrait Gallery changed the name of a series of paintings in protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine? These are just a couple of examples. Click through the following gallery to learn about more things renamed because of wars and other political reasons.

UK’s Starmer promises ‘national renewal’ after commanding Labour win

Labour Party leader says UK has chance to ‘get its future back’ after 14 years of Conservative rule.

Almost 600 inmates released in June — BuCor

A total of 562 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in June, the agency announced Friday. According to BuCor, this brings the total number of released PDLs to 14,657 from June 2022 to June 2024. Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said that of the 562 PDLs, 321 served their maximum sentence, 121 were acquitted, 98 were paroled, 21 were granted probation, while one was granted...

Woman, 98, loses 'last chance' after postal ballot did not arrive

Flora Kelsey, 98, from Corstorphine in Edinburgh West, says she may have been robbed of her last ever chance to take part in an election after her postal vote did not arrive on time.

Which countries will have the largest population in 2075?

Speaker Romualdez seeks probe on POGO-linked crime

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday called for a congressional probe on crimes linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Romualdez, in a statement, said a House probe shows the government's commitment to curbing illegal activities and ensuring that existing regulations are effectively enforced. “We cannot allow these rogue POGO operators to persist. It is imperative that we identify and unmask the masterminds and protectors behind...

Who was Lord Mountbatten and why was he assassinated?

Lord Mountbatten was a close relative of the British royal family, an officer in the British Royal Navy, and later in life the British Viceroy of India and its first Governor-General. He was the father of Patricia Knatchbull and Lady Pamela Hicks, as well as a mentor to Prince Phillip and then-Prince Charles. On August 27, 1979, Lord Mountbatten was killed by an IRA (Irish Republican Army) bomb, which accelerated growing tensions between England and Northern Ireland. If you're curious about the life of this British noble and are keen to discover why he was targeted by the IRA, click through the gallery to find out.

Education reform: Old as history

The continuing deterioration in Philippine Education is crystal clear from the Philippines’ dismal scores in the Programme for International Student Assessment. We ranked 78/78 in 2018. We improved a bit in 2022, ranking 77/81 besting Uzbekistan, Kosovo, the Dominican Republic, and Cambodia. I am surprised that there seems to be no visible urgency on this national crisis, we go on with our days afflicted by traffic, and social media feeds...

House probe pushed on illegal POGOs

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez called for a congressional investigation into reports of criminal activities associated with illegitimate POGOs or Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators as part of the government's commitment in curbing illegal activities while ensuring that existing regulations were enforced. In a statement on Friday, Romualdez stressed his "deep concern" over the persistence of these illegal operators who continue...

Boy who had baby with paedophile Rebecca Joynes issues heartbreaking six-word statement

Rebecca Joynes was sentenced to 6.5 years behind bars today after she was found to have groomed two teenage students - known as Boy A and Boy B - from the age of 15

Gov’t rolls out ‘P29 per kilo’ rice program for low-income folk

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is rolling out on Friday a program that offers rice at only P29 per kilo in select Kadiwa stores in Metro Manila and neighboring Bulacan province. But the rice will be sold not to the general public but to “vulnerable” segments of the population: senior citizens, single parents, persons with disabilities, and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the government’s conditional cash...

Satellite images show deforestation toll of Indonesia mines

More than 700,000 hectares of forest in Indonesia have been cleared for mining since 2001, including large tracts of primary forest, a new analysis using satellite data has found. It estimates that mining -- including pits, processing facilities, tailings areas and roads -- resulted in the clearing of 721,000 hectares (7,210 square kilometres) of forest between 2001 and 2023.

America explodes into riot of color as July 4 fireworks light up skies

In celebration of 248 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, millions celebrated with parades, cookouts and the anticipated splashes of color in the evening sky.

Farage elected to UK parliament as his Reform party breaks through

By Paul Sandle LONDON (Reuters) - Nigel Farage was elected to parliament on Friday, marking the emergence of his populists Reform UK as a new force in British politics squeezing the Conservative vote from the right wing. Farage, a driving force behind Britain's decision to leave the European Union, only entered the race last month, a move that caused shockwaves in a Conservative Party that was

DepEd-Mandaue conducts conference for Palaro delegates

MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — The Department of Education in Mandaue City (DepEd-Mandaue) conducted a conference for athletes and coaches who will participate in Palarong Pambansa 2024 to provide final instructions and address other concerns. DepEd-Mandaue Superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan said that the conference was held to guide the student-athletes and coaches. During the conference, Dagatan encouraged the athletes to enjoy, unleash their...

PCG helps Chinese crew with cut thumb in Antique

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said it has conducted a medical evacuation for a Chinese crew who cut his left thumb in the waters of Antique. In a statement, the PCG said the 35-year-old second engineer of Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier MV BBG Qinzhou was accidentally cut by a fan blade which resulted in severe pain. From Nansha, China, MV BBG Qinzhou was heading to Tanjung Bara, Indonesia when the incident happened 20.69 nautical...

Romualdez lauds Gilas Pilipinas after win vs Latvia

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez heaped praises for Gilas Pilipinas after pulling an upset against world no. 6 Latvia in the 2024 FIBA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT). Romualdez in a statement on Thursday said that Gilas’ victory in the OQT is proof of the Filipino’s unwavering spirit and dedication to their craft. “It is with great pride and heartfelt congratulations that I commend...

It's the Nadine Dorries show! Former minister upstages Emily Maitlis

Former Conservative minister Nadine Dorries stole the show on election night as she accused Alastair Campbell of sexism and revealed Boris Johnson had been texting her.

Drive to recruit firefighters living near station

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is attempting to recruit new on-call firefighters who live near a station.

Britain's Labour Party set for huge election win, exit poll shows

LONDON (Reuters) - Keir Starmer will be Britain's next prime minister with his Labour Party set to win a massive majority in a parliamentary election, an exit poll on Thursday indicated, while Rishi Sunak's Conservatives are forecast to suffer historic losses. Sterling held steady, as traders and investors had already widely anticipated a Labour victory. It traded at around $1.2758 and 84.74

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.

PNP bent on finding Pampanga couple

MABALACAT CITY — The Philippine National Police has identified a former police officer as among the seven persons of interest in the disappearance of a Pampanga beauty pageant contestant and her Israeli boyfriend in Central Luzon, according to the chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Geneva Lopez, 27, a former Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga candidate, and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, 37, have been reported missing...

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s victory speech in full

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s victory speech in full - Sir Keir Starmer said ‘the fight for trust is the battle that defines our age’ in his first speech after the Labour Party secured more than 326 seats.

China is no threat to PH, says foreign ministry

MANILA, Philippines — "We do not pose a threat to any country." This was how the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to a pronouncement by Sen. Imee Marcos in a video on TikTok and Facebook that China had allegedly identified 25 targets around the Philippine archipelago and that it would attack them with hypersonic missiles. "I'm not sure what the Philippine side's source was, but I can tell you that China is committed to peaceful...

George Galloway LOSES Rochdale seat just five months after winning it

The leader of the Workers Party of Britain received 11,508 votes, losing out to Labour's Paul Waugh who won with 13,047 votes.

'This is huge': Farage claims Reform set to win six million votes

The party leader is on course to enter Parliament at the eighth attempt by winning in the Essex coastal seat of Clacton.

Cebu Daily Newscast: China hypersonic missile attack: 25 areas in PH possible targets

Listen to Cebu Daily Newscast and get the latest stories in and around Cebu. Here’s what you need to know on Thursday, July 4, 2024. China hypersonic missile attack: 25 areas in PH possible targets 25 areas in the country could be possible targets of hypersonic missile attack from China 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...

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

Taiwan says China’s seizure of a Taiwanese trawler that was operating close to the Chinese coast might be an act of psychological warfare by Beijing. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-china-seizure-trawler-psychological-warfare/

Rishi Sunak, the stopgap prime minister who failed to turn around Tory fortunes

Rishi Sunak, the stopgap prime minister who failed to turn around Tory fortunes - During his 20 months in No 10, the premier grappled with a toxic inheritance.

SNP faces 'slaughter' says former leader Salmond

The SNP is on course to be 'slaughtered' in the General Election with its biggest loss of MPs in history. John Swinney's party looked set to lose 38 seats compared to the 2019 election.

Trillanes to file plunder raps vs Duterte, Go over P6.6-B anomalous projects

MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Antonio Trillanes 4th will file this Friday before the Department of Justice (DoJ) plunder cases against ex-president Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go over alleged anomalous projects estimated at P6.6-billion projects. In a Viber message, Trillanes told The Manila Times that the cases were linked to CLTG and Alfrego Builders, companies allegedly owned by Go's father and step brother. He...

UK left-wing maverick Galloway loses his parliamentary seat

LONDON (Reuters) - Veteran left-wing political maverick George Galloway lost his parliamentary seat in Britain's election on Friday, defeated by the Labour candidate in the northern English town of Rochdale. Galloway had served for just four months after winning a by-election triggered by the death of the town's previous lawmaker. Back in March, Galloway's pro-Palestinian campaign helped him win

Peterborough turns red in election night shock

The city seats were among the last to be called in the county because of a recount.

What Labour plans to do in government

See what the party has promised to do on issues including the economy, the NHS, immigration and housing.