Boy, parents among 5 dead in firecracker warehouse blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The bodies of a couple who worked as caretakers of the firecracker warehouse at Marquez Drive in Barangay Tetuan here and their 3-year-old son were among those recovered from the rubble of the explosion on Saturday, a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) official said. Rolly Limen, 38, and his wife Mirriam, 37, the caretakers of the warehouse owned by Jonathan Chua, were earlier reported to be among the wounded in the...

3 Chinese men nabbed in Angeles City yield P3.4M shabu

ANGELES CITY — Three Chinese men arrested Monday by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yielded some P3,400,00 worth of shabu (crystal meth) in a sting operation in Balibago village in this city. The PDEA Region 3 report on Tuesday, July 2, said the buy-bust occurred at 10:50 p.m. at the Shanghai Building along MacArthur Highway, PDEA identified the arrested as Bin Da, 23; Hei Xiao; and Gua Xiao, 20. READ: 3 Chinese yield shabu ‘worth’...

Hontiveros: I’m not yet considering running for president in 2028

MANILA, Philippines— Running for president in 2028 is not yet part of her plan, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros. What she is certain for now is that the opposition would field its own senatorial bets in the 2025 midterm elections and probably a full slate in 2028. Hontiveros made this declaration on Tuesday when categorically asked over ANC’s “Headtstart” if she is considering running for president in 2028. “I am not considering running yet...

Critics warn foreign policy direction risky to PH

MANILA, Philippines — Some critics on Monday cited the country’s foreign policy under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the reason for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attention to the United States’ military deployment in the Philippines. Putin, in a televised address on Friday, called for the resumption of his country’s missile production and raised the possible deployment of these weapons after noting that the United States had brought...

Philippine says to be 'relentless' in protecting interests in South China Sea

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines told China it will be "relentless" in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, its foreign ministry said on Tuesday. But both countries recognised the need to "restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction," the Philippine foreign

Tear gas and stones as protesters across Kenya say 'Ruto must go!'

By Jefferson Kahinju and Dicksy O'Biero NAIROBI/MOMBASA (Reuters) -Kenyan riot police fired tear gas at protesters in Nairobi on Tuesday and demonstrations erupted in other cities across the country demanding the resignation of President William Ruto, following a week of deadly clashes in anti-tax protests. Clouds of tear gas wafted over downtown Nairobi after protesters set fires on Waiyaki Way

Nacionalista Party to forge alliance with Marcos' PFP

MANILA, Philippines — The Nacionalista Party (NP) will forge an alliance with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. heads. In a press conference on Tuesday, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, a stalwart of the NP, said that the NP was "in the process of firming up" the alliance. Barbers said in mixed Filipino and English that "we would like to align with them in order that we can...

Rohingya minority in firing line as rebels attack western Myanmar town

By Ruma Paul COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (Reuters) - It was soon after afternoon prayers at a mosque near western Myanmar's Maungdaw town last month that 45-year-old Abdur said he looked up and spotted a drone hovering above. It was armed. "Within seconds, there was an explosion, and I lost consciousness," said the bearded farmer, asking only to use his first name because of security concerns. He

PCG spox Balilo maintains China Coast Guard offered to help injured Filipino fishers

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo on Tuesday said China Coast Guard (CCG) via radio offered help for injured Filipino fishermen whose boat exploded in Bajo de Masinloc. Balilo made the statement when asked about conflicting details from PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela regarding China’s action. “Dito lang ako nag-rely sa report ng Captain ng BRP Sindangan. Help was offered...

Measures for education recovery sought ahead of Angara’s DepEd leadership

The newly appointed head of the Department of Education (DepEd) will face a host of challenges. This was mentioned by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines, a non-traditional teachers’ organization in the country focused on advocating for the welfare of education workers and students. They expressed hopes that the education crisis would be properly addressed with the […]

Pope Francis sent greetings to Marcos, Philippines—Vatican secretary

Pope Francis sent President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and the Filipino people his greetings, the Vatican's foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher said when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive in Malacañang on Tuesday. Gallagher said the Pope, who visited the country in 2015, appreciated the Filipinos for their amazing work and contribution to the Catholic Church not only in the Philippines, but around the world “bringing...

Murder probe after man found with stab wounds

Greater Manchester Police has urged anyone with information about the man's death to get in touch.

Man charged with causing death by dangerous driving

A Wigton man in his 70s died at the scene of the crash on the A595 at Bothel.

Hungary's leader is in Ukraine for talks with Zelenskyy. It's his first visit since the war began

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was in Kyiv on Tuesday for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, his first visit to the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Orbán’s press chief confirmed to Hungarian news agency MTI that the prime minister had arrived in the Ukrainian capital in the morning for the talks. Bertalan Havasi said the main topic of the meeting will be the...

Cambodian court jails activists for plotting against government, insulting king

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) -A Cambodian court handed jail terms of up to eight years to 10 activists of environmental group Mother Nature, on charges of plotting against the government and insulting the king, the group's founder and a lawyer said on Tuesday. The verdict comes amid growing concerns about freedom of expression in Cambodia under Prime Minister Hun Manet, who took power last year after the

Japanese exec arrested in Myanmar for allegedly selling overpriced rice

BANGKOK — Myanmar’s military government has arrested a Japanese business executive, along with dozens of local businessmen, for allegedly selling rice at prices well above the officially regulated ones, state-run media said Monday. The reports said Hiroshi Kasamatsu, a director of Aeon Orange, was detained. Aeon Orange operates several supermarkets in Myanmar and is part of Japan’s giant Aeon retail group. Japanese media reports confirmed that...

Duterte’s Senate bid poses threat to Marcos, analysts say

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s dominant Marcos and Duterte dynasties, uneasy allies for two years, are gearing up for an election showdown that could upset policy stability in the coming years. Vice President Sara Duterte’s resignation as education secretary on June 19 was followed a week later by her bombshell announcement that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and brothers Paolo, a lawmaker, and Sebastian, the incumbent Davao...

Boy, 13, arrested after teen stabbed in city centre

The teen has been arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after the incident in Bristol.

Lecturer killed in fire started by her mentally ill grandson

A retired academic was killed in a fire started by her mentally ill grandson just hours after police refused to detain him, an inquest heard.

First year University of Oxford student dies 'celebrating exams'

The first year student, 19, who has not yet been named, is believed to have drowned at Port Meadow on Friday.

Police nab rape suspect at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — A rape suspect attempting to leave the country was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The 32-year-old male suspect, whose identity was withheld, was about to take his flight bound for Osaka during the arrest at Terminal 3 on Monday. A July 1 report from the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) indicated that the suspect was stopped at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) due to an...

Boys, 15 and 16, injured in Notting Hill shooting

The teenagers were taken to hospital but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Wife of Pakistan's Imran Khan gets bail in graft case, media say

KARACHI (Reuters) -A special court in Pakistan's city of Rawalpindi granted interim bail on Tuesday to the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a graft case, media outlet ARY News said. Khan, in jail since last August, was convicted in some cases ahead of February's general election, but a U.N. human rights working group said on Monday his arbitrary imprisonment violated international law.

AFP to check if Lanao gun runners were military personnel

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it will investigate if the gun runners who were involved in a fatal firefight during a buy-bust operation in Lanao del Sur were military personnel. “Any report naman po that is given to the AFP, we'll take action on it... Sa AFP, we do not condone these activities especially naka-uniform pa,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing. “With this, the...

5 pass chemical engineers special professional licensure exam

Five test takers passed the chemical engineers special professional licensure examination given in June, the Professional Regulation Commission said. In a statement, the PRC said five out of 19 passed the exam given by the Board of Chemical Engineering in test centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Doha, Qatar. They are: 1 LOBIDO, SHAIRA DABLO 2 MONTENEGRO, BRYANT JOSH BASA 3 TORRES, MARK CEAZAR DE RUEDA 4 VALENCIA, RICHIE...

Drugs gang jailed after cannabis raid on nightclub

Six men are jailed following a hearing at Ipswich Crown Court.

Countries that still have the death penalty

The death penalty, or capital punishment, is the state-enacted execution of a person as punishment for a capital crime. Historically, this form of punishment was used in almost every part of the world. But as we evolve in our ethics and recognize the flaws in our justice systems, more and more nations have abolished state executions and reformed their legal systems. However, out of almost 200 countries on Earth, 54 still enforce the death penalty. Click on to discover the countries where the state can still kill you for your crimes.

Putin revealed his navy’s weaknesses while speaking at a shipbuilding meeting

2025: A grand coalition vs Dutertes?

Perched on the edges of Manila, where the pearl of the orient meets the South China Sea, lies the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) headquarters. Located not far away from the statue of our most celebrated hero, Jose Rizal, is the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702). Named after one of the heroines of the Philippine Revolution, she is a sight to behold. Drenched in silk white, and donning the royal blue and crimson red colors of our national flag, she is...

Brawner: 50K challenges issued vs ships passing EEZ, territorial waters in 2024 so far

The Philippines has issued around 50,000 challenges against vessels passing the territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the country this year so far, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. Interviewed on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon’s pre-SONA special, Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said some Chinese warships were getting close to the coastal waters of the Philippines. “For this year alone, we already have...

Angara ‘open’ to lead DepEd if post offered to him

BALER, AURORA, Philippines — Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara on Monday said he would likely accept the education portfolio should President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offer it to him as he thanked his fellow senators for endorsing him as the next education secretary. “I’m open [to accepting the appointment] if given the trust [by the President],” Angara told reporters at the sidelines of the 22nd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day here. “It may be impossible...

Dela Rosa to Castro who said he’s avoiding probe: I don’t answer to a brat

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday rebutted accusations that he is hiding behind inter-parliamentary courtesy to avoid a House inquiry on extrajudicial killings. Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police chief when the bloody war on drugs dubbed as “tokhang” started during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. The accusation came after House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro issued a statement...

Two arrested after McDonald's stabbing

Two men - aged 33 and 37 - have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, police say.

Marcos declares July 2 a holiday in Pasig

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared July 2 a holiday in Pasig City. In Proclamation 612, he declared Tuesday a special nonworking day in the city to allow its residents to mark Pasig’s 451st founding anniversary or “Araw ng Pasig.” Earlier, he also declared July 1 a nonworking holiday in San Carlos City in Negros Occidental in Proclamation 611 to mark the celebration of its charter anniversary. READ: Palace declares...

What's behind the dispute between Benin and Niger?

Benin and Niger are locked in a growing diplomatic row that has damaged their economies and seen Niger's military rulers switch off a key oil pipeline. Niger's military rulers, though, have refused to reopen their side.

Solons to Pagcor: Identify ex-Cabinet official who lobbied for Pogo

MANILA, Philippines — Two lawmakers have asked the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to identify identity of the former Cabinet official who supposedly lobbied for the Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogos) raided recently. ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro on Tuesday said that Pagcor chief Alejandro Tengco should expose who among the past administration’s officials pushed for Pogos because the games have had...

NSC: Released 85-year-old PDL not a political prisoner

The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday said the 85-year-old Gerardo dela Peña, who was released from the New Bilibid Prison over the weekend, was not a political prisoner. According to the NSC, Dela Peña was not convicted because of his political beliefs, nor was he detained in a discriminatory manner. “We wish Mr. Dela Peña well but we also want to set the record straight,” said the NSC. GMA News Online sought comment from the political...

‘Hindi na ako babalik’: DU30 refutes Sara’s claim on 2025 political comeback

Former President Rodrigo Duterte denied that he has plans to return to politics despite a recent statement made by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, that he and sons—Davao 1st Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte—will seek Senate seats next year. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/1/hindi-na-ako-babalik-du-30-refutes-sara-s-claim-on-2025-political-comeback Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

At least 27 dead in stampede during religious gathering in northern India

This is a breaking news story, more details to follow.

Lucy Letby trial jury retires to consider verdict

The jury in the retrial of Lucy Letby, who has denied attempting to murder a baby, is sent out.

Patients, medics flee south Gaza hospital after evacuation orders, WHO says

GENEVA (Reuters) - Gaza's European Hospital in Khan Younis is virtually empty with staff and patients fleeing the facility after the Israeli army ordered residents in the surrounding areas to evacuate, a World Health Official spokesperson said on Tuesday. "The hospital staff and the patients decided to already evacuate themselves," said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO Representative for the occupied

UN seeks aid for Sudan refugees fleeing to Libya, Uganda

By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) -The U.N. refugee agency said on Tuesday it is expanding its Sudan aid plan to Libya and Uganda, after a surge in arrivals in those countries of people fleeing the 14-month-old Sudanese civil war. Sudan is already the world's worst displacement crisis with some 12 million forced to flee their homes and more than 2 million displaced across borders. The latest

Student feared sex attack from balaclava-clad man

Steve Donaghey is jailed for five years for a "terrifying" and "cowardly" attempted robbery.

Sunak seizes on Starmer saying he won't work past 6pm on Fridays as PM

As the election battle enters its penultimate day, Rishi Sunak visited an Ocado plant in Bedfordshire before 5am.

Vatican calls for peaceful resolution of West Philippine Sea conflict

A visiting Vatican official in the Philippines on Tuesday urged parties in the West Philippine Sea conflict to "resolve any differences peacefully" and "abide by international law." "In such circumstances, such situations of conflict, whatever they are, the first and foremost effort must be to resolve any differences and conflicts peacefully," said Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See. "We would...

North Korea claims ballistic missile test with ‘superlarge warhead’

South Korean military says Pyongyang’s claim of successful launch ‘likely to be false’.

Marcos OKs proposed P6.352-T national budget for 2025

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the proposed P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2025, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Tuesday. In a statement, the PCO said this would support the key pillars of the administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. “You see a really good thing,” Marcos said in a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang where Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman presented the...

Photo shows signboard of Porac LGU near raided Pogo hub

ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA, Philippines — Amid repeated claims by local officials that they were being denied entry into the recently raided compound of Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) Lucky South 99, the municipal government of Porac, Pampanga, had apparently maintained an extension office less than a kilometer away from the company’s 10-hectare hub. This was based on a photograph seen by the Inquirer and later supported by on-site...

Vatican official's visit not 'diplomatic overtures' to PH vs divorce

MANILA, Philippines — Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See's secretary for relations of states, said there were "no diplomatic overtures" from the Vatican to oppose divorce in the Philippines. Gallagher made the remark in a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo when asked whether there were "overtures" from the Vatican with regard to calls to legislate divorce in the country. Gallagher was visiting the...

Bondi Junction: Police operation underway - what you need to know

The man was seen sitting on of top of a crane in Bondi Junction on Tuesday morning, wearing a dark hoodie and dark pants.