Iloilo under state of calamity due to El Niño

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The provincial board of Iloilo on Tuesday placed the province under a state of calamity due to damage wrought by the El Niño phenomenon on agriculture, which topped P1 billion. The declaration, which was recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), enables the provincial government, through the PDRRM Office (PDRRMO), to utilize P75.78 million in allocated funds for its El Niño...

Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza 'by tank fire'

The reported friendly-fire incident in Jabalia is one of the deadliest since the war began.

Co-convict in Vhong Navarro case surrenders to NBI

A person convicted for the illegal detention of TV host and actor Vhong Navarro in 2014 has surrendered to authorities. Ferdinand Guerrero surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, according to GMA Integrated News' John Consulta. According to Consulta's video posted on Facebook, Guerrero was brought to the NBI's office in Quezon City accompanied by his lawyer. The video also showed NBI agents reading Guerrero the...

UN resolution to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia sparks opposition from Serbs

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A U.N. resolution sponsored by Germany and Rwanda to establish an annual day to commemorate the 1995 genocide of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims by Bosnian Serbs has sparked protests and a strong lobbying campaign against its adoption by Serbia’s president and the Bosnian Serb leadership. The U.N. General Assembly has scheduled a debate on the resolution on the morning of May 23 to be followed by a vote in the 193-member...

Aussies turn on tenant who blasted Anthony Albanese over eviction

Jim Flanagan, 45, has lived in one of Mr Albanese's investment properties in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Dulwich Hill for four years.

Police take back building from protesters at University of California, Irvine

By Daniel Trotta and Mike Blake IRVINE, California (Reuters) -Police on Wednesday took back a lecture hall from pro-Palestinian protesters who for hours occupied the building at the University of California, Irvine, then cleared a student encampment that stood for more than two weeks, witnesses said. Officers from about 10 nearby law-enforcement agencies converged on the campus after university

P30B OKd for rehab of damaged schools

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board approved on Wednesday the P30.56-billion fund for the repair and rehabilitation of school facilities outside Metro Manila that were damaged by recent calamities. In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the amount comprised funding for the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools (ISRS) project, the bulk of which was sourced from a...

Marcos dismayed over low ranking of PH universities in Asia list; says much work needs to be done

While more Philippine universities were included in the recent world rankings, President Marcos expressed disappointment over the non-ranking of any Philippine university in the top 100 Asia University Rankings. The results, he said, calls for a comprehensive strategy in order to turn the trend around. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/marcos-dismayed-over-low-ranking-of-ph-universities-in-asia-list-says-much-work-needs-to-be-done 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

Gurdwara leader says new statue 'beautifies' site

Ranjit Singh Seehra, general secretary of a gurdwara in Derby, says the congregation are "chuffed".

Notable People who died in 2024

Meta restores Facebook posts by Malaysian media on PM Anwar's meeting with Hamas

By Danial Azhar KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Meta Platforms has restored Facebook posts by Malaysian media covering Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's meeting this week with a Hamas leader, saying they were removed in error. The removal had drawn complaints from Malaysia's government, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and which has warned that firm action could be taken against Meta and other

Phivolcs records two 'phreatic eruptions' in Taal Volcano

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Thursday, May 16, that it had monitored two "phreatic eruptions" or steam-driven eruptions, at Taal Volcano. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/16/phivolcs-records-two-phreatic-eruptions-in-taal-volcano Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews

Patrols stepped up to reassure Jewish communities

Greater Manchester Police said it is taking proactive approaches to protecting the community.

Abalos warns LGUs anew vs project fund ‘fixers’

MANILA, Philippines — Local government and barangay officials nationwide should beware of dealing with people who claim they can help facilitate the release of funding for their projects. “These incidents of poseurs claiming to be government agents pose serious threats to the integrity of government processes, and undermine the trust and confidence of the public in the administration of government funds,” Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said in...

US soldier held in Russia pleads guilty, RIA agency reports

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Gordon Black, a U.S. soldier being held in the Russian city of Vladivostok, has pleaded guilty to theft charges and is cooperating with investigators, Russia's RIA state news agencies reported on Thursday. "He is cooperating (with the investigation), he admitted (guilt)," RIA cited a representative of the local interior ministry as saying. Black could not be reached for

Farmers want tougher action for dog attacks on sheep

Farmers have raised the concerns after at least 26 sheep were reportedly killed in attacks last year.

House also wants to probe Bamban mayor

MANILA, Philippines — House lawmakers are eyeing a parallel probe of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who is being investigated by the Senate over allegations she may be a Chinese asset who has infiltrated the government by winning the local post in 2022. During a regular press briefing, House Assistant Majority Leaders AKO Bicol Rep. Jil Bongalon and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega said it was “possible” to have a parallel investigation in the lower...

Marcos tasks LWUA to study possible management of CDO Water District

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Thursday directed the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to study the possible management of the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Water District to address water supply issues. In his speech during the distribution of assistance in CDO, Marcos said he already talked to business tycoon Manny Pangilinan, owner of Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated (COBI), about the matter. ''Pumayag po si Mr....

MMDA deputizes 10 Metro LGUs’ enforcers to issue tickets

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday said it has already deputized traffic enforcers under 10 local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to issue violation tickets under the single-ticketing system (STS). The enforcers were from Malabon, Mandaluyong, Valenzuela, San Juan, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig and Quezon cities, as well as the municipality of Pateros, the MMDA...

Mother of stab victim meets boy saved by bleed kit

Daniel Baird was stabbed in Digbeth in 2017, prompting his mum to campaign for bleed kits in the UK.

Jailed Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan appears in top court by video link

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared in the Supreme Court on Thursday by video from prison, in connection with a case he has filed against amendments to Pakistan's anti-graft laws. His video appearance was expected to be streamed live on the court's website and YouTube, making it the first publicly seen visuals of the jailed leader since his arrest in August

Kremlin says Switzerland conference on Ukraine is futile

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said a planned summit that Switzerland hopes will pave the way for a peace process in Ukraine will be futile without the participation of Russia. "Without Russia, discussing security issues that concern us is absolutely futile," Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian newspaper Izvestia. "Most likely, it will be just empty scholasticism with no prospect

US says warship Mason intercepted Houthi missile, vessel Destiny untouched

DUBAI (Reuters) -The U.S. navy's destroyer the USS Mason intercepted an inbound Houthi anti-ship missile over the Red Sea on Monday, U.S. Central Command said in a statement, after Yemen's Houthis said on Wednesday that they had targeted the warship. The U.S. forces also destroyed two drones, Central Command said. On Wednesday the Houthis said they had also targeted a vessel called "Destiny" in

Re-elected council leader says city is 'on the up'

Tom Hunt is re-elected as council leader for Sheffield during a meeting which featured a protest.

State of emergency takes effect in New Caledonia after four killed in riots

Local authorities say five suspects under house arrest as they move to try and restore calm.

'Police might have saved my sister from husband'

Three police officers are under investigation for possible misconduct in connection the case.

Philippine civilian boat convoy won't proceed to China-held reef

A Philippine boat convoy bearing supplies for Filipino fishers said they were headed back to port Thursday, ditching plans to sail to a Beijing-held reef off the Southeast Asian country after one of their boats was "constantly shadowed" by a Chinese vessel. The advance team boat, which returned to a Philippine port on Thursday morning, was "able to distribute aid despite being constantly shadowed by a Chinese Navy vessel", Hizon told AFP. A...

Man arrested after disorder at Bristol pub

Police said several people suffered injuries after the disorder at The Rising Sun in Bristol.

UC Irvine filled with anti-Israel protestors before face off with cops

Police arrested at least a dozen anti-Israel protestors at University of California, Irvine. They arrived in riot gear on Wednesday, clashing with protestors and clearing the encampment.

Court averts water cut in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A local court has temporarily eased the worries of some 40,000 households here whose taps could run dry due to an unresolved dispute between the water district and its bulk supplier. On Tuesday night, Mayor Rolando Uy announced that Regional Trial Court Branch 17 Judge Ana Candida Casiño issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Cagayan de Oro Bulkwater Inc. (Cobi) and Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc....

Schools across Devon are forced to shut after mystery illness spreads

Schools across Devon have been forced to shut after hundreds of people were struck down by a mystery illness which was sparked by contaminated water.

Senate starts review of Baguio charter

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday began correcting flaws in the modern Baguio City Charter (Republic Act No. 11689), which had upset sectors here for technically downgrading the city’s status as an independent, highly urbanized local government and for granting another agency power in the titling of city properties. The upper chamber is reviewing House Bill No. 7406 that was recently passed by the Lower House to amend erroneous...

2 China Coast Guard ships try to block ‘Atin Ito’ convoy

WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, Philippines — Two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on Wednesday shadowed and tried to block the Filipino civilian-led convoy sailing toward Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a resource-rich area in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that was seized by China in 2012. At 6:15 p.m., a CCG ship, with body No. 4108, maneuvered to blocked FB Bing Bing, one of the four commercial fishing...

Improving education in PH is Marcos' top priority

Improving the quality of education in the country is a top priority, President Marcos said, stressing that it is the "most important service" the government must provide. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/improving-education-in-ph-is-marcos-top-priority Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews

Pagcor told to tighten up on POGOs

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Wednesday told the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to step up its regulatory powers and monitoring of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). PAOCC Spokesperson Winston Casio said this after the agency shut down an illegal hospital in Pasay City, allegedly catering to POGO workers. “Really the bottom-line is the Philippine Amusement Gaming...

Marcos admin targeting to create Northern Mindanao as leading agri hub

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Thursday bared that his administration is targeting to create Northern Mindanao as the leading agricultural hub in the country. Marcos made the remark during the distribution of presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolks, and families in Iligan City. ''Sa pangunguna ng NEDA, inilatag na ang mga estratehiya at proyekto na gagawin sa inyong rehiyon sa ilalim ng Northern Mindanao Regional...

Everything we know about the assassination attempt on the PM of Slovakia

Barangay ‘day care centers’ for elderly pushed

MANILA, Philippines — As more Filipinos become part of the silver generation, a party list lawmaker is proposing the setup of “senior citizen day care centers” in every barangay to help elderly Filipinos stay well and active through easy access to community recreation, education and health services. United Senior Citizens Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay filed House Bill No. 10362, or the draft Senior Citizens Day Care Center Act of 2024, to...

Comelec gets stricter: No more ‘placeholder’ ploys

MANILA, Philippines — For the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has banned the substitution of poll aspirants who withdraw from the race at the last minute to open a spot for reserve candidates. In an interview with reporters, Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said the poll body approved during Wednesday’s en banc session a resolution disallowing substitutions beyond the designated period for filing certificates of...

PCSO Lotto Draw Results, May 15, 2024 | Grand Lotto 6/55, Mega Lotto 6/45, 4D, 3D, and 2D

Here are the winning lotto combinations of the lotto draw results for the 9 p.m. draw on Wednesday, May 15.

Double standards

With rising tensions over the West Philippine Sea, people have been wary about infiltration by foreign nationals. We have seen the Senate hearings with Bamban Mayor Alice Guo who apparently secured an elected government post without much of a background to speak of. We have heard public concerns over the supposed influx of Chinese students in a university in Cagayan. News reports have shown arrests of Chinese nationals found with weapons in...

Murder investigation launched after woman's death

Three people are arrested after a woman in her 30s is found dead in east Belfast.

SC, Australia Federal Court sign MOU on judicial cooperation

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Court of Australia (FCA) on judicial cooperation. According to the SC, both courts shall undertake programs to promote a "deeper understanding of each other's legal and judicial cultures, common international legal standards, regional development and relevant emerging issues." Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Chief Justice Debra...

Pacific countries call for calm as New Caledonia riots continue

By Kirsty Needham and Camille Raynaud SYDNEY (Reuters) -New Caledonia's Pacific neighbours called for de-escalation and a return to dialogue between France and the island territory's political parties, after a third night of violent riots that have killed four people and led to hundreds of arrests. France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia that came into force at 5 a.m. local time (

Taiwan's incoming president faces angry China, fractured parliament

By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) - Lai Ching-te takes office as Taiwan's president on Monday, facing a China that calls him a "dangerous separatist" and has ramped up military drills, as well as a fractured parliament at home where no party has a majority. Lai, vice president for the past four years, succeeds President Tsai Ing-wen at a time Beijing has been increasing military

A Ukrainian naval drone has done hundreds of millions in damage to Russia

Russia's Putin arrives in China for state visit in a show of unity between the authoritarian allies

China’s leader Xi Jinping welcomed Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Thursday as he began a two-day state visit, in a show of unity between the authoritarian allies as Moscow presses forward with a new offensive in Ukraine. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/16/russia-s-putin-arrives-in-china-for-state-visit-in-a-show-of-unity-between-the-authoritarian-allies

PH fishermen chants "West Philippine Sea, Atin ito!" amid the presence of shadowing Chinese vessels

Video shows Filipino fishermen shouting "West Philippine Sea, Atin ito!" on their boats while 2 Chinese coast guard vessels are seen shadowing them on their civilian supply mission on Wednesday, May 15. 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

Marcos hopes for closer ties with 6 countries

MANILA, Philippines — The government is looking forward to forging deeper diplomatic relations with different countries in Asia, Europe and Central America as President Marcos received their envoys in Malacañang on Tuesday. The nonresident ambassadors from Belarus, Ghana, Turkmenistan, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua presented their credentials to Marcos who said that “distance should not get in the way of our continuing relations.”...

Over 40 Chinese ships move to block PH civilian mission in Scarborough

Forty-three Chinese vessels, including a warship, moved to Scarborough Shoal to block the Filipino civilian mission, which held fishing activities in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Thursday. “China has finally moved the rest of its blockade into position,” former US Air Force official and ex-Defense Attaché Ray Powell said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening. According to him, there were one People's...