Video

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/

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...

Court clears IFI bishop, NDFP exec of grenade possession rap

OZAMIZ CITY — After more than seven years, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) here has acquitted the prelate of Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and a consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) of illegal possession of explosives charge. In a 33-page ruling promulgated on July 2, RTC Branch 15 Presiding Judge Grace Yulo said the prosecution failed to prove the guilt beyond reasonable doubt of IFI Bishop Carlo Morales...

Russia jails US citizen Robert Woodland for 12-1/2 years in drug trafficking case

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian court on Thursday sentenced U.S. citizen Robert Romanov Woodland to 12-1/2 years in a maximum security penal colony after finding him guilty of attempting to sell drugs, Woodland's lawyer and Moscow prosecutors said. Stanislav Kshevitsky, his lawyer, told Reuters that Woodland, who was detained in Russia in early January, had partially admitted his guilt. Video

Impact of junior doctor strike revealed as medics await call from Labour

Impact of junior doctor strike revealed as medics await call from Labour - Sir Keir Starmer said that discussions would start on the first day of a Labour Government.

SNP set for election humiliation leaving nationalists with SIX seats

John Swinney's scandal-ravaged nationalists could left with just six MPs, down from the high of 48 the party achieved in 2019.

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

Kinshasa, a megacity of traffic jams, potholes, transit chaos

Cable car, urban rail link or ring road -- Kinshasa has big plans for alleviating its traffic chaos but for now, travelling into the megacity remains a daily headache for millions of people. The cable car could provide a "small solution" to the city's traffic woes, Ndaka added -- but there is still one problem with the idea.

Labour wins Glasgow as party retakes heartlands

Labour's performance in Glasgow is emblematic of its success in winning back its traditional seats.

Marcos to issue EO on enforcing nomad visas without tax incentives

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is set to issue an executive order that will enforce nomad visas immediately without tax incentives. During the meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism (PSAC-Tourism), the group recommended the issuance of an EO that will implement nomad visas immediately without tax incentives, which can be added once a related bill is passed. Marcos supported the interim solution and has tasked...

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...

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.

Marcos to Angara: We have to take care of teachers

''We have to take care of teachers.'' This was among the directives of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. to incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara, noting that teachers are behind the success in the Department of Education. In an ambush interview in Sulu on Friday, Marcos said he already talked to Angara and he emphasized to the outgoing senator that the government should financially support teachers who have families to feed. ''The...

DoJ starts preliminary probe into trafficking case vs Guo, 13 others

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DoJ) conducted on Friday its first preliminary investigation into the case of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and several others for qualified trafficking in persons. The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) before the DoJ last June 21 alleging that Guo and 13 other...

Russia claimed its forces built tunnels to attack Ukrainians from behind

Why the SNP was left shocked by Labour's surge

There was surprise at the party's victories in seats beyond its traditional heartlands in the central belt.

BOC, PDEA seize P8.52M worth of liquid cocaine; consignee arrested

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized millions of pesos worth of liquid cocaine in Pampanga, which led to the arrest of its consignee. In a statement on Friday, the BOC said its operatives from the Port of Clark along with PDEA agents arrested the consignee, a 32-year old Colombian, for possession of 1,608 grams of liquid cocaine with an estimated value of P8,522,400. The arrest was made during a...

Marcos: Gov't pushing for development of Jolo airport

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Friday assured Sulu residents that the government has been pushing for the immediate implementation of the P100-million Jolo Airport Development Project. During the distribution of presidential aid to farmers and fisherfolks in the province, Marcos said all aspects of the development project are being mapped out so that the construction can start sooner. “Kasabay ng pagbibigay namin ng ayuda ay ang...

Tragic update after little girl died in crocodile attack

The girl was last seen swimming with family members at Mango Creek near the remote Aboriginal community of Palumpa south-west of Darwin.

Andrew George reclaims St Ives for Lib Dems

Andrew George has been elected MP for St Ives , nine years after he last represented the Cornish constituency.

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.

Labour dominate West Yorkshire but Gaza "an issue"

Labour won all but two seats in West Yorkshire in what has been a historic night for Keir Starmer.

PCG challenges China's 'monster ship' anchored off Escoda Shoal

The Philippine Coast Guard says it challenged China's "monster ship" at Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Today's headlines: Gilas Pilipinas, Binay & Cayetano, health workers' pandemic allowance | The wRap | July 4, 2024

Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world: - Gilas Pilipinas drops close loss to Georgia but still marches on to FIBA OQT semis - DBM to release P27-B overdue health allowance for pandemic workers on July 5 - Taiwan says China seizure of trawler may be act of psychological warfare - Biden rejects growing pressure to abandon his campaign, vows to stay ‘to the end’ - Binay mulls ethics complaint after Cayetano calls her crazy, ‘Marites’ https://www.rappler.com/video/daily-wrap/july-4-2024/

Iranians vote in run-off presidential race amid widespread apathy

By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI (Reuters) -Polls opened in Iran on Friday for a run-off presidential election that will test the clerical rulers' popularity amid voter apathy at a time of regional tensions and a standoff with the West over Tehran's nuclear programme. State TV said polling stations opened their doors to voters at 8 a.m. local time (0430 GMT). Polling will end at 6 p.m. (1430 GMT), but are

Former UK PM Liz Truss loses her seat at election

LONDON (Reuters) - Former British prime minister Liz Truss, who became the country's shortest-serving leader ever when she sparked a bond market meltdown and a collapse in sterling, lost her parliamentary seat in the election on Friday. Truss secured 11,217 votes in her South West Norfolk constituency in eastern England, behind 11,847 votes for Labour candidate Terry Jermy. Taking over from the

Bodies of 89 migrants retrieved from Atlantic

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

PNP to open gun permit renewal offices in Visayas, Mindanao

Offices for the renewal of permit to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) will be opened in the Visayas and Mindanao this July and August, respectively, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday. “We will be opening yung PTC, doon sa sinasabi ko, not only in Metro Manila, sabi ko bakit wala bang threat doon sa [Mindanao] and Visayas?” PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said in an ambush interview during a shootfest in Camp...

Three Black Sea countries launch new minesweeping force

Post-communist generation is hoping for a new era of democracy in Mongolia

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (AP) — Tsenguun Saruulsaikhan, a young and newly minted member of Mongolia's parliament, is unhappy with below-cost electricity rates that she says show her country has yet to fully shake off its socialist past. Most of Mongolia’s power plants date from the Soviet era and outages are common in some areas. Heavy smog envelops the capital Ulaanbaata r in the winter because many people still burn coal to heat their homes....

UK PM Sunak concedes election defeat, says Labour has won

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat in the national election on Friday, saying the opposition Labour Party had won. "The Labour Party has won this general election and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory," Sunak said after winning his parliamentary seat in northern England. "Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly

Labour wins Western Isles with SNP finishing second

The former journalist said the SNP had "abandoned" islanders, winning with 6,692 votes.

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.

Body of autistic girl, 7, is found in Tennessee lake

The body of a missing autistic girl has been found in a Tennessee lake just minutes after a statewide search was launched.

Taiwan reports more Chinese military activity, calls for de-escalation

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan on Friday reported renewed Chinese military activity nearby with another "combat patrol" as the government called on Beijing not to escalate tensions after the seizure of a Taiwanese fishing boat. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up its pressure over the past four years, both militarily and politically. On Tuesday,

‘We are not criminals’: Philippines considers making divorce legal

The staunchly Catholic Southeast Asian nation is the only place other than the Vatican where divorce is banned.

'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.

Alice Guo as state witness? No way, says Gatchalian

Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo cannot be made a state witness in the ongoing probes into illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in Pampanga and Tarlac, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. But he added that she could “reduce her culpability” by cooperating with separate special teams tasked to investigate her involvement as well as those of her family and friends. “She cannot [be made state witness] because she is not...

Michelle Troconis, convicted for helping her boyfriend murder his wife, claims to be a ‘scapegoat’

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...

UK’s Labour on course for landslide election win – exit polls

LONDON, United Kingdom — Britain’s main opposition Labour party looks set for a landslide election win, exit polls indicated on Thursday, with Keir Starmer replacing Rishi Sunak as prime minister, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. As polling stations closed at 10:00 p.m., the survey for UK broadcasters suggested centre-left Labour would win 410 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, with the right-wing Tories managing only 131. In another...

Philippines turned down US help amid South China Sea tensions — AFP chief

MANILA —The Philippines has turned down offers from the United States to assist operations in the South China Sea, after a flare-up with China over missions to resupply Filipino troops on a contested shoal, its military chief said. Tensions in the disputed waterway have boiled over into violence in the past year, with a Filipino sailor losing […]

Rishi Sunak quits as Prime Minister after conceding defeat to Keir Starmer

'I take responsibility for the loss'

PNP to deploy around 22K personnel for SONA 2024 security

Around 22,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. scheduled on July 22, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday. “Ang nakikita po natin last time po mga 22,000 na-deploy, ganun pa rin po. Unless we see may mga threats po, there will be more,” PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said in an ambush interview during a shootfest in Camp Karingal in...

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.

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...

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...

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.

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...

Marcos urges Angara: Teach kids about PH history

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said on Friday that he instructed incoming Education Secretary Sonny Angara to teach Filipino children about the country's history. In an ambush interview in Sulu, Marcos said he had talked with Angara about their plans for the education sector. ''One thing I asked of him was to please teach our children Philippine history because I have seen my children's workbooks, and there's very little said about...