News

PH, Japan ink landmark Reciprocal Access Agreement

The Philippines and Japan on Monday signed the landmark Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which aims to heighten defense cooperation between the two countries in the middle of the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Together with key government officials, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of the deal at the Heroes' Hall of Malacañan Palace. The signing came after the courtesy call of Japanese Foreign...

America's 'worst roommate's' jailhouse phone call is revealed

Janie Lynn Ridd's chilling jailhouse phone call has been revealed, more than two years after she was paroled for trying to poison her best friend, second from right, with a bacteria.

2 churches elevated to national shrine status

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Saturday has designated two parish churches as national shrines. These churches are the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption in Maasin City and Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Novaliches, Quezon City. The decision was made on the first day of the […]

Urgent warning over parasite spreading at alarming rate in Australia

Australia has been hit by one of its largest gastro outbreaks in 20 years with one group becoming sick at an alarming rate.

Israeli army used Hannibal Directive during October 7 Hamas attack: Report

The directive is a controversial policy of Israel’s military aimed at preventing the capture of its soldiers.

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....

Struggle for Church unity

Like many Filipino Catholics who were born into and raised in the faith, I grew up learning that excommunication is a rare and severe measure reserved for the gravest offenses. So despite being updated about the issue, it still came as a shock last Friday when the Vatican officially excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò on charges of schism, citing his “refusal to recognize and submit to the Supreme Pontiff, his rejection of communion...

BIZ BUZZ: Chiong’s revenge

In about two months, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) will be turned over to the San Miguel-led consortium that bagged the P170.6-billion contract to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the country’s primary gateway. And according to insiders in the aviation sector, among those calling the shots at the New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC)—composed of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and...

South Korea will withdraw plan to suspend licenses of striking doctors to resolve medical impasse

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea said Monday it’ll withdraw its earlier plan to suspend licenses of striking doctors as part of its efforts to resolve the country’s months-long medical impasse. It wasn’t immediately known whether and how many of thousands of the striking doctors would return to work in the wake of the government's announcement. Also, the plan could invite criticism that it hurts the principle of fairness over the...

‘The fight continues,’ says ex-VP Robredo after declaring 2025 Naga mayoral run

Her decision to run as Naga City mayor does not mean she’s leaving the causes she has fought for and her supporters behind, former vice president Leni Robredo said. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/7/the-fight-continues-says-ex-vp-robredo-after-declaring-2025-naga-mayoral-run Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews

Senator urges SEC probe of incorporator identities

MANILA, Philippines — As an outcome of the Senate probe of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to conduct random check on corporations to ensure that their registered incorporators are not fictitious. “The [SEC] should probably conduct random probity check. I know there are a lot of corporations, and I know that because of the ease of doing business...

How EVERY MP in Sir Keir Starmer's Cabinet full opposed Brexit

A close inspection of the new Cabinet by ROSS CLARK reveals every single MP around the table campaigned for Remain in the 2016 referendum.

Pope Francis deplores state of democracy, warns against ‘populists’

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis decried the state of democracy and warned against “populists” during a short visit to Trieste in Italy’s northeast on Sunday ahead of a 12-day trip to Asia — the longest of his papacy. “Democracy is not in good health in the world today,” Francis said during a speech at the city’s convention center to close a national Catholic event. Without naming any countries, the pope warned against “ideological temptations and...

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

Notable People who died in 2024

Boeing pleads guilty to a criminal fraud charge

Families of the people who died on the flights five years ago have criticised it as a "sweetheart deal".

Missing girl, 17, is found dead in woods near busy road

A 17-year-old missing girl has been found dead in the woods near a busy road as a minor is charged with her murder.

Will NATO disappoint Ukraine again in Washington?

When NATO leaders welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to their summit in Washington this week, they will reaffirm that Kyiv will one day become a member and vow to keep arming its troops. But in Kyiv there is an acceptance that the Washington summit will not bring the country any closer towards NATO membership.

Speaker pledges House support for food security

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday assured the House of Representatives’ support to help attain President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s aspiration of rice self-sufficiency for the Philippines, removing the country’s dependence on imports of the staple grain, by 2028. READ: Affordable ‘Rice-for-All’ available soon, says DA Romualdez vowed that the chamber would do everything it can to help in achieving Marcos’...

New test kit detects high-risk leptospirosis cases

MANILA, Philippines — Researchers at the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) have developed a test kit which accurately predicts who among patients contracting leptospirosis are at risk of developing serious complications, allowing doctors to put them under strict monitoring to prevent kidney and lung problems. A product of the UPM’s National Institutes of Health-Institute of Human Genetics (NIH-IHG), the new molecular test measures and...

Missing Jay Slater hope as 'hunters and dogs' to flood Tenerife search area

British teenager Jay Slater has been missing for three weeks after he went missing during a walk from an Airbnb in the small village of Masca, some 11 hours away from his accommodation

Police commissioner seeks views on fighting crime

Susan Dungworth wants to hear from the public on what the force's priorities should be.

Exclusive-NATO will need 35-50 extra brigades under new defence plans, source says

By Sabine Siebold WASHINGTON (Reuters) - NATO will need between 35 and 50 extra brigades to fully realise its new plans to defend against an attack from Russia, a military source told Reuters. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to provide any more detail about the plans, which are secret. A brigade consists of between 3,000 and 7,000 troops, so generating 35 to 50 more such

DHSUD chief admits challenge in completing 6M housing units until 2028

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar on Monday admitted that it would be difficult to complete the target of six million housing units until 2028. During the pre-SONA briefing, Acuzar explained that while there is no problem with funds, the construction of these housing units has been challenging. ''Dati po ang usapan six million, ganito po 'yun eh, may katotohanan doon sa drawing pero sa...

Binibining Pilipinas 2024 crowns Abra’s Myrna Esguerra, Pampanga’s Jasmin Bungay

Click this link for Binibining Pilipinas 2024 Live Updates!!! Two new queens became instant millionaires, Binibining Pilipinas International Myrna Esguerra from Abra and Binibining Pilipinas Globe Jasmin Bungay from Pampanga, at the culmination of the Bb. Pilipinas 2024 competition, the national pageant’s 60th edition. The ceremonies celebrating the most enduring national pageant’s 60th anniversary began Sunday night, July 7, at the Smart...

Low Welsh voter turnout appalling, says Kinnock

The former Labour leader says the 56% Welsh turnout figure is "deeply concerning".

Binay to file ethics complaint vs Cayetano

SEN. Nancy Binay will file today an ethics complaint against Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for insulting her during a public hearing. The two senators had a heated argument on July 3 during the Senate inquiry led by Cayetano on the increased cost in the construction of the new Senate building in Taguig City. "Hopefully [between] 10:30 and 11 a.m. I hope there would be no more changes so that I can file it immediately," Binay said in a text message...

Reform UK MP says he will give salary to charity

Rupert Lowe says he will make monthly donations to worthy causes in his Great Yarmouth constituency.

Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra win big in two international music competitions in Europe

Pinoy Pride! The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) proudly waved the Philippine flag as they bagged awards in two prestigious international European music competitions. In a Facebook post, MSJO announced that on Thursday, July 4, they clinched the Gold Prize after scoring 99 points and awarded the only Grand Prix given to participating orches...

P25K reward up for arrest of Amorsolo painting thieves

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — Mayor Joedith Gallego of Silay City in Negros Occidental has dangled a P25,000 reward for any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the persons who stole a valuable painting by national artist Fernando Amorsolo from a private museum in the city. Gallego, in an interview on Sunday, said he hoped that the amount would help authorities locate the persons involved in the theft...

CBCP designates two parish churches as national shrines

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has elevated the status of two parish churches to national shrines. In a statement, the CBCP said bishops approved the designation of the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption in Maasin City and the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Quezon City as national shrines during their 128th plenary assembly in Cagayan de Oro City. At least 70 bishops attended the first-ever...

Romualdez praises Gilas Pilipinas after Fiba OQT campaign

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed admiration for Gilas Pilipinas for demonstrating “unparalleled determination, skill and heart” despite losing to Brazil in the semifinals of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga, Latvia. “The journey of Gilas Pilipinas in this tournament has been nothing short of inspirational. Their victory against Latvia, a European team, was a historic moment for Philippine...

French voters deliver a win for the left, a blow for Le Pen and a hung parliament

By Juliette Jabkhiro, Layli Foroudi and Zhifan Liu PARIS (Reuters) -France faced potential political deadlock after elections on Sunday threw up a hung parliament, with a leftist alliance unexpectedly taking the top spot but no group winning a majority. Voters delivered a major setback for Marine Le Pen's nationalist, eurosceptic National Rally (RN), which opinion polls had predicted would win

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.

China's Xi calls on world powers to help Russia and Ukraine resume direct dialogue

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping called on world powers to help Russia and Ukraine resume direct dialogue and negotiations during a meeting Monday with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Orbán made a surprise visit to China after similar trips last week to Russia and Ukraine to discuss prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. Orbán praised China’s “constructive and important initiatives”...

Labour vows to 'immediately' scrap anti-strike laws

Jonathan Reynolds said that restrictions on strikes brought in by the last Conservative government would be 'removed from the statute book' straight away.

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...

2 drug suspects killed, cop hurt in armed encounter in Tawi-Tawi

Two drug suspects were killed while a policeman was injured in an armed encounter at a public market in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Authorities identified the suspects as alias “Jay” and alias “Nasir.” Personnel of the Bongao Municipal Police Station and 1405th Regional Mobile Force Company conducted an operation after receiving a report from an informant about the alleged illegal drug trafficking happening at the market. The suspects allegedly opened...

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.

Coroner calls for action over Harry Dunn death

Improved driver training for US government staff in the UK among action points sought by a coroner.

China anchors ‘monster ship’ in South China Sea, Philippine coast guard says

MANILA— The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday that China’s largest coastguard vessel has anchored in Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, and is meant to intimidate its smaller Asian neighbor. The China coastguard’s 165-meter ‘monster ship’ entered Manila’s 200-nautical mile EEZ on July 2, spokesperson for the PCG Jay Tarriela […]

DOF's Recto wants POGO ops stopped

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto on Monday said he is keen on recommending to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to stop operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), given the issues surrounding the industry. According to Recto, while he is not against POGOs per se, it is the illegal activities being conducted by several POGO companies such as those in Bamban, Tarlac and in Porac, Pampanga that influenced him in the decision....

June PH dollar reserves dip as BSP defends peso

The Philippines’ dollar reserves inched down in June, partly due to foreign exchange interventions of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to soothe the peso’s volatility. Data released by the BSP showed that the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at $104.70 billion in June, slightly lower than the $105.02 billion recorded in May. Similarly, the net international reserves—or the difference between the GIR and liabilities like...

Binibining Pilipinas 2024 opens with epic reunion of more than 100 queens onstage

Click this link for Binibining Pilipinas 2024 Live Updates!!! Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) has managed to gather more than 100 of its winners from its 60-year run to open the 2024 competition show Sunday night, July 7, with the most iconic international titleholders from the Philippines sharing the same stage in a massive opening presentation. Queens crowned in the 60s paraded alongside winners spanning decades, all the way to...

French PM Attal: I will hand my resignation on Monday morning

PARIS (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Sunday he will hand his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning, adding he will carry out his functions as long as required. Attal made the comments after France's left-wing New Popular Front coalition won the most seats in the second voting round of parliamentary elections, leading pollsters said on Sunday, putting

Japan, Philippines sign defence pact with eyes on China

Agreement comes as Manila and Tokyo share concerns about Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region.

Sue Gray's son among dozens Labour MPs likely back pro-Brussels drive

Liam Conlon, whose mother is Chief of Staff to Sir Keir Starmer, became MP for Beckenham and Penge last week.

US Typhon missile system's stay in PH may be extended —PH Army

A US mid-range missile system may extend its deployment in the Philippines beyond September, Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said on Monday. Dema-ala said the possible extension of deployment of the Typhon missile system in the country would depend on the evaluation of the Salaknib training, which is set to end in September. Salaknib is the annual joint military exercises between the US and the Philippines. “Yes, that is a...

Japan says keen to deepen security ties with Philippines, US, Australia

MANILA (Reuters) - Japan is keen to deepen security ties with the Philippines, the United States and Australia under trilateral and quadrilateral arrangements, its defence minister said on Monday. Defence Minister Minoru Kihara spoke in Manila during a joint press conference with his Philippine counterpart after Japan and the Philippines signed a reciprocal access agreement for their defence

Chinese risk perilous journey in search of ‘freedom’ in the United States

Thousands of middle-class Chinese are trekking thousands of kilometres through the Americas to the southern US border.