World

Philippines president orders de-escalation in South China Sea, military chief says

By Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered his armed forces to defuse tensions in the South China Sea, his military chief said on Thursday, after a flare-up with China over missions to resupply Filipino troops on a contested shoal. Marcos' instructions came after Manila and Beijing agreed on the need to restore trust and confidence to

Police launch urgent hunt for missing girl, 13, not seen since Monday

Layla, who has connections in the south of England, including Essex, was reported missing from Stowmarket at the beginning of this week.

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.

Tunisia opposition leader Lotfi Mraihi arrested

Mraihi joins a growing list of President Saied’s political opponents who are in jail or facing prosecution.

Man, 34, appears in court charged with murder of girl, 17, in shooting

Tanesha Melbourne-Blake (pictured) was socialising with friends when she was gunned down from a Vauxhall Meriva people carrier in Tottenham, north London.

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

Undercover police swoop and arrest British Tinder rape suspect hanging upside down

Scottish Tinder rape suspect James Clacher, 55, was hanging upside down on ropes when he was jumped on by two plain-clothes officers posing as tourists on a Costa del Sol beach.

INQToday: China ‘monster ship’ kept watch over PCG vessel in Escoda Shoal – monitor

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories: China ‘monster ship’ kept watch over PCG vessel in Escoda Shoal – monitor West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell says the China Coast Guard’s biggest vessel, dubbed the “monster ship,” was spotted in Escoda Shoal. In a post on X, Powell says China Coast Guard 5901 kept watch over the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal. Angara shrugs off claims he will use DepEd post for...

Ukraine confirms ‘retreat’ from district in strategic town

KYIV — Ukraine said Thursday its forces had withdrawn from a district in the key eastern town of Chasiv Yar, where Russian forces have recently claimed several advances. The fall of the small hilltop town is a worrying prospect for Ukraine because it would likely accelerate Russian advances towards large civilian hubs in the wider eastern Donetsk region. “It became impractical to hold the Kanal district, which the enemy had entered, because it...

No winners of the major jackpot lotto draws on Thursday, July 4

There were no winners of the Super Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The winning combination for Super Lotto 6/49 was 07-18-34-31-14-40. A bettor with the correct guess would have won the jackpot of P108,686,706.80. Meanwhile, the winning numbers for Lotto 6/42 were 35-12-16-30-17-03. The prize was P16,035,120.80. Check the other lotto results here.— RF, GMA Integrated News This article No winners of the major jackpot...

Cyclist in his 70s taken to hospital after crash

Hertfordshire Police says the man has "potentially life-threatening injuries".

Man arrested after allegedly pushing woman onto train tracks

A man has been charged with a string of offences hours after he allegedly pushed an elderly woman onto the tracks at one of Melbourne's busiest train stations, which caused major delays.

Cebu City Council: 2 councilors reject posts; majority seats filled

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Two minority councilors declined their newly nominated committee posts, while majority members filled their respective seats during the reorganizational session of the Cebu City Council. City Councilors Mary Ann Delos Santos and Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa rejected their committee nominations on July 3. The session saw members to various committees, with some positions remaining unchanged and new chairpersons appointed...

Cebu town shootout: Man killed after firing at cops

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — A 34-year-old man died in a shootout with policemen at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Purok Mangga, Barangay Panangban, Compostela town in northern Cebu. The suspect was identified as Joel Niño Pareha, a resident of Purok Kamansi of the barangay. Policemen were responding to the area after receiving an armed person alarm in the area, who allegedly fired his gun. READ MORE: Love triangle eyed in shooting of...

Pangasinan village exec gunned down

ALAMINOS, Pangasinan, Philippines — A motorcycle-riding man shot dead a barangay councilman in this city on Wednesday. Recto Tabua, 57, of Barangay Victoria, was declared dead on arrival at the Western Pangasinan District Hospital. Investigation showed Tabua was in the village’s covered court when the assailant pulled over at past 2 p.m. The assailant approached the victim and shot him at close range, police said. When Tabua fell, the gunman...

Army spox: US missile system to be removed from PH by Sept | INQToday

WATCH: The powerful US midrange missile system, which saw action in recent large-scale military exercises between Filipino and American troops, remains in the Philippines but will be "shipped out of the country" this September, according to a Philippine military official.

University and student in court fight over protest

The University of Birmingham is seeking a court order against a pro-Palestinian protest camp.

Chinese blockade formation seen near Ayungin

(UPDATE) THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported on Thursday the sighting of several Chinese ships off Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), while China Coast Guard 5901 — the world's largest coast guard ship — was seen off Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal). The sightings occurred after the Philippines and China agreed to deescalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea through a bilateral consultation mechanism meeting in Manila. The military...

Police statement following conviction of Holly Willoughby's stalker

DCI Greg Wood of Essex Police gave a statement after security guard Gavin Plumb, 37, was been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby. He described Gavin Plumb as a 'dangerous and predatory' individual.

Ukraine’s army retreats from positions as Russia gets closer to seizing strategically important town

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s army has retreated from a neighborhood in the outskirts of Chasiv Yar, a strategically important town in the eastern Donetsk region that has been reduced to rubble under a monthslong Russian assault, a military spokesperson said Thursday. Chasiv Yar is a short distance west of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russia last year after a bitter 10-month battle. For months, Russian forces have focused on capturing Chasiv...

Trudeau says he will stay on as Prime Minister after major election loss

Palace adviser eyes Department of Peace

(UPDATE) PRESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez called for the creation of a Department of Peace that will eventually replace the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru). Formerly known as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the Opapru was established through Executive Order 158 signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in December 2021. The Opapru manages, directs, integrates,...

Mystery of man who vanished nearly 22 years ago takes dramatic twist

Cold case murder detectives have made an arrest in the unsolved mystery surrounding the disappearance of a Scottish in Northumbria man more than two decades ago.

Gilas’ stunner for ages

MANILA, Philippines — And shock the world Gilas Pilipinas did. Not given much of a chance against a high-powered, seemingly unstoppable Latvia backed by a horde of home supporters, the gritty Nationals defied doubters and delivered a hell of a performance that would go down as one of the greatest victories in Philippine basketball history. Coach Tim Cone and his gutsy Gilas 11 toppled the world No. 6 and heavily favored Latvians in the latter’s...

Marcos says fight vs insurgency in Samar ‘have come a long way’

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there was significant progress in the government’s fight against insurgency in Samar province. According to Marcos, five Samar municipalities, which he did not identify, have been declared to have “stable internal peace and security status.” “Patuloy pa rin kinakaharap ng Samar ang hamon ng insurhensya, isa ito sa mga balakid sa tuluyang pagunlad ng inyong lalawigan,” Marcos said in a...

What became of the advanced tanks Russia sent to Ukraine?

Woman caught illegally using Edsa busway tried to bribe traffic enforcer

MANILA, Philippines — A woman wearing a Philippine Army (PA) uniform who was caught illegally using the Edsa busway attempted to bribe and even threatened to file complaints against a traffic enforcer, according to the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT). The incident happened on Tuesday. SAICT said a traffic enforcer asked for the woman’s official receipt or certificate of registration (OR/CR). READ: 2...

World champion high jumper Jacques Freitag found dead in suspected murder

Hunt for knifeman on the loose after triple stabbing six minutes apart

Three men were stabbed six minutes apart during the rampage in Feltham. They were all treated at the scene with two currently in hospital in a life threatening condition.

Moment predator teacher Rebecca Joynes arrested after sex with pupil

CCTV was also shown of Rebecca Joynes purchasing a pupil a £350 Gucci belt before going back to her flat in Salford Quays, where they had sex twice.

CIDG: Middleman, 6 others are under probe for pageant bet’s disappearance

MANILA, Philippines — The middleman who met with Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024 candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend, Yitchak Cohen, before they allegedly disappeared last June 21, is one of the persons of interest (POIs) in the case. This information comes from the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG). CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco is looking into seven POIs, including the...

Body of man found floating in Laguna river

The body of an unidentified man was found floating in the Pagsawitang River in Santa Cruz, Laguna, according to CJ Torida’s Thursday report on Saksi. Authorities have yet to identify the man and determine the exact cause of his death. He was wearing long sleeves and a pair of denim pants. Police said the man was a street dweller who was often seen wandering around the town. He would also be seen washing his hands in the river after collecting...

Jay Slater could be alive 'drinking rainwater', says PI

Army reservist and private investigator Juan García, 53, claimed missing teenager Jay Slater could be alive and keeping hydrated and fed by 'drinking rainwater and eating plants'.

Angara expected to push gov’t aid to teachers, students as DepEd chief

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sonny Angara, who is anticipated to take the helm of the Department of Education soon, is foreseen to boost government assistance to teachers and poor but deserving students. The Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), a five-member panel headed by the DepEd secretary, said they are optimistic about the expansion of initiatives for teachers and students under Angara’s leadership. PEAC is constituted to serve as...

Driver posed as police officer with fake siren and lights, court hears

A DRIVER caught pretending to be a police officer after attaching a fake siren and flashing blue lights to his car has been fined £380.

DRC tribunal sentences 25 soldiers to death for ‘fleeing the enemy’

Military court in Butembo set up as part of crackdown on soldiers fleeing M23 rebels as fighting rages in the east.

Wife who orchestrated petrol bomb plot against mother-in-law is jailed

A wife has been jailed for a petrol bomb plot against her mother-in-law for saying she 'wasn't good enough' to marry her son.

No peace for Ukraine: Zelensky faces a new internal threat

Ex-teacher jailed for six-and-a-half years for sex with schoolboys

Rebecca Joynes, 30, groomed the youngsters from the age of 15, and was on bail for sexual activity with the first child, Boy A, when she began having sex with the second, Boy B, who she went on to become pregnant by. Neither boy can be identified. Parents of both boys watched as Joynes, wearing a gold necklace, black padded jacket and with blonde highlights in her hair, visibly shook and broke down in tears as she was jailed at Manchester Crown Court.

Makabayan bloc aims for full Senate slate

THE Makabayan bloc plans to field 12 senatorial bets in 2025, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro said on Thursday. The bloc also remains open to forming an alliance with "true opposition" groups, said Castro, who will run for senator next year. She said the group also wants to field candidates from marginalized sectors. As to whether the bloc was talking with other opposition groups, Castro said in mixed Filipino and English that "ongoing...

Security guard guilty of hatching Holly Willoughby kidnap, rape and murder plot

A security guard has been found guilty of masterminding "graphic" plans to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby. Gavin Plumb developed an "obsession" with the star over a number of years and assembled an "abduction kit" - complete with handcuffs and metal cable ties - to help carry out his attack.

Cebu City drug den dismantled, 5 suspects nabbed

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A suspected drug den at the Quijano Compound in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City was shut down and five drug personalities were arrested on Wednesday afternoon, July 3, 2024. The anti-illegal drugs operation also resulted to the confiscation of suspected shabu worth P81,600. The buy-bust was conducted by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency of Central Visayas (PDEA-7) together with personnel of the Pasil...

Aussie dad learns his fate after he was caught with meth in Bali

Troy Andrew Smith, 49, appeared in Denpasar District Court on Thursday, where a panel of judges sentenced him.

Former head of police watchdog on trial for rape

Michael Lockwood is charged with offences between 1979 and 1986.

Human Remains Found amid Search for 12-Year-Old Girl Missing After Suspected Crocodile Attack

"This is devastating news for the family," authorities in Australia said on Thursday, July 4

Brutal gang initiations from around the world

Gang culture is famed for its brutality and violence. Their involvement in crimes such as drug trafficking and extortion often leads to shootouts with police or all-out street wars with rival gangs. In movies and TV shows, there's usually an initiation process for members—a sort of ceremony or ritual whereby they commit themselves to the organization and prove that commitment with a symbolic act. In 'The Sopranos' for example, new mob members draw blood from their hands and swear a pledge to their new "family," but this is pretty mild compared to many real-world initiation ceremonies. When it comes to notorious gangs like the Yakuza, the Bloods, and the Sinaloa Cartel, new recruits are subjected to horrific torture, or asked to commit terrible crimes to prove themselves. From brutal beatings to cannibalism, you won't believe what people go through to join these criminal enterprises. Click through the gallery and find out what it takes to become a member of the world's most notorious gangs.

Malaysia rescues hundreds of tortoises from ‘Ninja Turtle Gang’

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian authorities have rescued hundreds of smuggled tortoises meant for sale in Southeast Asia, disrupting an international crime ring called the “Ninja Turtle Gang”, a wildlife official said Thursday. Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, wildlife and national parks department director-general, said 400 tortoises worth 3.8 million ringgit ($805,084) bound for the lucrative exotic pet trade were seized during an operation by the police and...

Enforce arbitral award, but first let's do our homework

THE Philippines should assert and enforce the July 12, 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling on the Philippines-China South China Sea conflict. But how? Incidentally, our government has yet to define what is "Atin." To expound further: 1. Since the promulgation of the arbitral tribunal award, did our government publish an official map indicating the geographical coordinates of our maritime zones (exclusive economic zones, territorial seas, contiguous...

Palarong Pambansa 2024: CCPO on full alert to secure games

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is now on full alert status for the Palarong Pambansa 2024 which will officially start next week. This was announced by CCPO city director Police Colonel Ireneo B. Dalogdog in an interview with local media during an inspection in one of the meet’s billeting centers on Thursday, July 4, 2024. “We are now in full alert status tungod sa upcoming na Palarong Pambansa 2024. Although magstart...

Hezbollah fires 200 rockets and drones into Israel

Hezbollah launched the barrage in response to Israel's killing of one of its senior commanders.