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She accused Assange of sexual assault, but is glad he’s now free

Anna Ardin accused Julian Assange of sexual assault - but is pleased he has been freed from jail.

P9.52-million shabu seized in Cebu City

MANILA, Philippines — Police confiscated 1.4 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated street value of P9.52 million in two stings in Cebu City on Friday. Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, Central Visayas police director, said operatives seized 1.05 kilos of shabu worth P7.14 million from a 48-year-old woman during the first sting in Barangay San Roque. The second operation, conducted by the Philippine National Police Drug...

Ensure a peaceful 2025 BARMM elections, Marcos tells AFP

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel to guarantee a peaceful election for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The BARMM Parliament elections, which is the first in the region, will be held with the 2025 national and local elections. “We need to have peaceful elections in the upcoming voting season,” Marcos said on Friday. READ: BARMM polls: 16...

Sir Keir Starmer's dilemma over which mansion to give Angela Rayner

Dorneywood, an 18th century house in Buckinghamshire, is traditionally used by the Chancellor, but one option could be for Rachel Reeves to share the estate with Angela Rayner.

Rural pub makes summer campsite plans

The Worlds End Inn, in Almer, notifies Dorset Council it plans to use its grounds for camping.

562 BuCor inmates freed in June

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 562 inmates from all the prisons and penal farms in the country were released in June, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported. In a statement, BuCor said 121 of those released were acquitted, 321 had served their maximum sentence, 98 were granted parole, 21 were granted probation and one was granted executive clemency. BuCor director Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the bureau has already released a total of...

SPD deploys 821 cops to secure SONA

MANILA, Philippines — The Southern Police District will deploy 821 police officers to ensure peace and order during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos on July 22. In a statement on Friday, the SPD said police personnel underwent a two-day refresher course on civil-disturbance management (CDM) operations, aimed at enhancing their knowledge and skills in handling civil disturbances. Police officers have also been...

The far right is close to power in France. Will the rest of Europe follow?

Whatever the result of France's election, its impact will be seismic, says Europe editor Katya Adler.

Last two migrants bound for Rwanda to be bailed, Home Office says

New Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirms the scheme is now "dead and buried".

Sunak's wife posts photo near Richmond amid move to California rumours

Rishi Sunak's wife has posted a sweet Instagram picture of their two daughters and family dog out near Richmond amid rumours they will decamp to California.

NBI to search upper floors of raided illegal clinic catering to POGO workers

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sunday said it will search the other floors of a three-storey building in Makati City that houses an illegal clinic catering to workers at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). NBI Director Jaime Santiago said that they only had a search warrant for the ground floor of the building where they found an operating clinic that catered to Chinese and Vietnamese patients, when it was only registered...

Marcos congratulates new UK Prime Minister Starmer

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday congratulated the newly-elected prime minister of the United Kingdom as he expressed hopes for strengthened ties between London and Manila. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Marcos sent his congratulations to Keir Starmer who was elected as the UK’s new prime minister on July 5. “On behalf of the Philippines, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Labour Party and...

DND, Thai Navy discuss defense cooperation

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy discussed measures to boost military cooperation when Thai Navy officials visited Manila last week. Undersecretary Angelito De Leon and Admiral Adoong Pan-Inam met as the Philippines and Thailand commemorated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. De Leon conveyed possible areas of...

Marcos creates special economic zone in Victoria, Tarlac

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared the creation and designation of several parcels of land located at Barangay Baculong in Victoria, Tarlac as a special economic zone. Based on Proclamation No. 623 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 4, the 297,719-square meter property will be known as the Victoria Industrial Park. Marcos made the move pursuant to Republic Act No. 7916 or the Special Economic Zone Act of...

China ‘monster’ ship drops anchor in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — China’s largest coast guard ship dropped anchor in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal several hundred yards from a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel which sent out a radio challenge but was ignored, PCG Commodore and spokesman Jay Tarriela said yesterday. “It’s an intimidation on the part of the China Coast Guard,” Tarriela said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. “We’re not going to pull out and we’re not going...

Police launch new search in headless torso case

Body parts belonging to Stuart Everett, 67, were first discovered at the Kersal Dale beauty spot on April 4, and have subsequently been found at four other sites around Salford.

Canadian archdiocese to pay $104M to child sex abuse victims

MONTREAL — The Catholic Church is to pay 104 million Canadian dollars ($76 million) to hundreds of victims of sexual abuse from eastern Canada, according to a statement released Friday. In 2020 the Archdiocese of St. John was found liable for one of Canada’s largest child sex abuse scandals, at Mount Cashel Orphanage, a now-defunct boy’s orphanage in Newfoundland and Labrador province. The court found sexual abuse was perpetrated by priests and...

Powerball winning numbers for July 6 drawing: Jackpot resets to $20 million

Powerball players, are you feeling lucky? The winning numbers are in for the July 6 drawing.

Arrests after two men reportedly stabbed in city

Two men, aged 54 and 18, are being questioned after reports of the stabbing on Friday night.

Two murder suspects are on the loose after daring jail break

Two murder suspects are on the loose after they managed to make a daring escape from a Mississippi jail.

Israeli attack on UN school used as shelter in Gaza kills at least 16

Dozens of Palestinians also injured in bombing in central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, Government Media Office says.

Anti-tourism protestors rally against foreign visitors in Barcelona

Protesters carried signs reading 'Barcelona is not for sale,' and, 'Tourists go home,' before some used water guns on tourists eating outdoors at restaurants in hotspots

A Ukrainian ally secretly shipped much needed weapons to the country

DENR lauds Cotabato farmer for saving serpent eagle

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Environment officials lauded a farmer in Cotabato province for saving a juvenile Philippine serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus) which was released back to the wild on Wednesday. Forester Abdulnagib T. Ringia, community environment and natural resources officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) based in Matalam town, said the acts of Jimmy Icdang should set an example to all on how...

Matthew Perry death probe to expose drug dealing underworld as cops prepare for manslaughter charges

Matthew Perry's death could unravel a drug dealing underworld in Hollywood. Matthew died in October 2023 from "acute effects of ketamine" and was found dead in his hot tub at home

Tories must embrace Farage, says ex-minister

Tory says party must go "centre right", while Labour MP says Starmer won't change things overnight.

Man is shot dead by police after allegedly threatening officers

Queensland Police allege the man confronted officers at Kirwan Police Station in Townsville, North Queensland, after 10pm on Saturday.

Official PH visit of foreign minister of Malaysia

UPON the invitation of Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Ambassador of Malaysia Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Haji Hasan embarked on an official visit to the Philippines on July 1, 2024. While in the Philippines, the foreign minister paid a courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace. During the meeting, Marcos and Hasan affirmed their commitment to strengthen Malaysia-Philippine...

Major update after woman's body found inside a bin by staff at a tip

Detectives believe the woman's remains were put inside a bin that was picked up from a Coolaroo property, in Melbourne 's north, by a garbage truck on Tuesday.

Marcos revokes policy granting CES rank to NDCP grads

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has revoked the policy granting career executive service (CES) rank to graduates of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), months after it was suspended to determine if its goals are in line with existing rules. The policy conferring CES eligibility and rank to graduates of the NDCP’s Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program was scrapped through Executive Order (EO) 63,...

Mother speaks of 'anger and relief' as her son's killer dies in prison

Craig Hepburn (right) died after he was stabbed 11 times while walking home from a pub with his friend Conor Paton, 19, in Marsden, West Yorkshire, on 6 July 2012.

Kahayágan art project honors 23 Fil-Am changemakers, leaders

SAN FRANCISCO – The South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) through its Reclaiming Our Space (ROSe) program presents Kahayágan, an art installation on the windows of the Children’s Creativity Museum honoring 23 Filipino/a/x changemakers and leaders. In partnership with the Children’s Creativity Museum and artists Wilfred Galila and Ramon Bonifacio, SOMCAN is set to unveil Kahayágan on Friday, July 12 at 6 p.m. at the Children’s...

Army clarifies US missile system not yet leaving PH

The US midrange missile system that was brought into the country in April — and cited by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week — is not leaving the Philippines just yet. Col. Louie Dema-ala, the Philippine Army spokesperson, said the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system, which was used in recent “Balikatan” war games between Filipino and American troops, was still being used for “Salaknib,” another set of exercises that is still ongoing. This...

BI re-arrests Chinese national for overstaying

The Bureau of Immigration nabbed an overstaying Chinese national who had previously been detained by the Philippine National Police. According to a Saturday BI statement, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had arrested 32-year-old Liu Yuhang in May for illegal possession of firearms and suspected hacking equipment. “The discovery of such equipment raised significant concerns about potential security threats,” the statement read. The...

Dire warning an unstoppable contagion is about to take off

Health authorities have warned an unstoppable contagion could spread in one Aussie state in a matter of days, and revealed how residents can remain safe.

Participate in the drug war probe, Kabataan tells Senator Bato

MANILA, Philippines — Kabataan Partylist challenged Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to participate in the drug war probe, saying that he is accountable to the Filipino people. “Stare your victims in the eye during the hearing, Senator. We dare you. If you truly love your country, you would not turn a blind eye to the clamour of thousands of families victimized seeking justice,” said Kabataan Partylist Executive Vice President Renee Co in a...

Always by Rishi Sunak's side: Akshata Murthy in the public eye

Here are all the iconic moments former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy has been at the forefront of politics. Whether it be on polling station visits ahead of the general election, or at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

Police hunt cat killer as four pets fatally poisoned

Each feline has died in similar circumstances in or around Ramsons Close in Malvern, Worcestershire, in recent weeks.

Two arrested over 'unexplained' death

Two people remain in custody, police say, after officers were called to the scene on Friday night.

Why Wes Streeting is set for war with the health service

The history of the NHS is littered with attempts by ministers to reform the institution for the benefit of patients. When Wes Streeting, the new Health Secretary, described the NHS as “broken”, and said it was now the policy of the Department of Health to treat it as such, he was laying down a marker for the scale of the challenge ahead of him. But...

PNP begins distribution of performance-based bonus for 2022

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that it will begin the distribution of its performance-based bonus for fiscal year 2022 on Saturday. According to the PNP, the bonus will be given to around 214,320 police personnel. READ: PNP warns public: Con artists pose as cops to solicit money The PNP said that the bonus that the personnel will receive is equal to 52 percent of their monthly salary as of December 31, 2022....

Election fallout: deep shifts in Muslim and Jewish voting

In the 2024 UK general election, Labour suffered some surprise seat losses over its stance on Gaza.

British holidaymaker dies of a 'suspected heart attack' in Bulgaria

Roger Grose, 68, took himself to hospital in the city of Plovdiv after feeling unwell while on a two-week holiday in Bulgaria.

Reform would have won 94 seats if first-past-the-post was ditched

Under a 'proportional representation' (PR) voting system, Labour would still have come top but would have been denied a majority, while the Tories would have had 157 seats instead of 121.

‘Guo as state witness? Only if she tags someone higher’

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac might be considered a state witness if she would spill the beans on those higher than her in the heirarchy of the illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in her hometown. Winston John Casio, spokesman for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), made the statement yesterday as he stressed that any state witness should be the least guilty in the...

NATO is spending more on defence, but it's likely not enough

Spurred on by Russia's war in Ukraine and the spectre of Donald Trump's potential return to the White House, more of NATO's European members are finally hitting the alliance's defence spending target. That is designed to send a message to Russia's President Vladimir Putin as he wages his war in Ukraine and menaces NATO from the east.

France is voting in key elections that could see a historic far-right win or a hung parliament

PARIS (AP) — France will vote Sunday in pivotal runoff elections that could hand a historic victory to Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally and its inward-looking, anti-immigrant vision — or produce a hung parliament and years of political deadlock. Sunday’s snap elections in this nuclear-armed nation have potential impact on the war in Ukraine, global diplomacy and Europe’s economic stability. And they’re almost certain to undercut...

Marcos keen to strengthen PH-UK ties

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Saturday that he was looking forward to working with new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in strengthening Philippines and United Kingdom relations. Labour leader Starmer was elected prime minister on July 5, replacing Conservative Rishi Sunak. "On behalf of the Philippines, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Labour Party and @Kier_Starmer. We wish the new government success and look forward to...

Woman charged with murder after stabbing

Helen Shakespeare, 53, is due to appear at Swindon Magistrates' Court, police say.

PRC: 389 pass special licensure exams for teachers

MANILA, Philippines — The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said 137 of 274 elementary educators and 252 of 478 high school teachers passed the Special Professional Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers held last month. In a July 5 advisory, the PRC named Jovelle Salamanca of the University of Santo Tomas as the topnotcher among elementary teachers-examinees for earning a 90.80 percent rating. She is followed by Jenefer Gregorio from...