Alice and the ‘crime wonderland’

The Philippines, like the moon, finds itself perpetually in the gravitational pull of a larger China. Under President Marcos, the Philippines has tried to counter China’s influence by strengthening ties with the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. However, China’s response has been a seemingly relentless escalation of its presence in Philippine affairs. Newspapers overflow with tales of China’s growing footprint: The West Philippine Sea...

‘Lone wolf’ or JI?: Jemaah Islamiyah confusion after Malaysia attack

Hardline group launched wave of devastating attacks in Indonesia in the 2000s before regional governments cracked down.

Philippines, US sign accord to promote civil nuclear cooperation

The governments of the Philippines and the US on Tuesday signed an accord to further enhance the collaboration between the two countries on exploring nuclear power. At the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Taguig City, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and US Agency for International Development-Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn signed a memorandum of understanding to promote the Philippines-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation....

History's botched executions: people who just wouldn't die

An execution is not supposed to be torture. Capital punishment is death, and throughout history, there have been many methods employed to achieve this. Sometimes, however, executions do not go as planned, often ending in the prolonged suffering of their victims. From miscalculated hangings to electric chairs gone haywire, in this gallery you'll get to learn about some of history's most infamous botched executions. Click on for more.

New Caledonia tourists 'ecstatic' as rescue planes arrive

Tourists trapped by rioting, looting and separatist roadblocks in crisis-wracked New Caledonia expressed joy that they may soon be rescued after the first military evacuation flights landed on Tuesday. Winchester received word around lunchtime Tuesday that Australia was finally sending two military evacuation planes.

Taiwan’s New President Calls Out Beijing’s Intimidation

After Chernobyl: meet the Ukrainian ghost city of Pripyat

The city of Pripyat was stopped in time after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and today is considered a fascinating yet terrifying portrait of the old Soviet Union. The abandoned city has been overrun by nature, which has been thriving for more than 35 years despite the high radiation levels. Intrigued? Check out these pictures of this eerie Ukrainian city.

SNP support at lowest point in a decade, new bombshell poll finds

Support for the SNP has plunged to its lowest in a decade as it faces the threat of unprecedented losses in the general election.

Japan's new whaling mothership sets sail on first hunt

The chef fires up the grill and bastes a chunky whale steak, a Japanese delicacy that could soon appear on more plates nationwide as a new whaling mothership sets sail despite criticism from conservationists. But conservationists dispute this argument, saying whales live for a long time and reproduce slowly, so are not a sustainable food source.

Historical events that nobody can explain

In the digital age, you expect to have every mystery solved and every question answered. Truth is, history is full of extraordinary events and occurrences which have remained unexplained for years. There have been disappearing islands, never-ending thunderstorms, and what could be a message from aliens. Here's a selection of the most mind-blowing mysteries in history. Click on to examine the historical events that nobody can explain.

Comelec breaches 3 million target of new voter registrants

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections on Monday breached its three million target of new voter registrants, according to poll body chairman George Erwin Garcia. Garcia said that a total of 3,020,999 voters were registered as of Monday, including 1,462,493 for males and 1,558,506 for females. Most of the voter registrants came from Metro Manila at 440,857. READ: No extension of voters’ registration after Sept. 30, 2024 — Comelec While...

Taiwan parliament erupts in arguments at start of Lai's presidency

Taiwanese lawmakers shouted each other down Tuesday in a rambunctious parliamentary session, indicating the troubles ahead for newly appointed President Lai Ching-te. After a brawl broke out in parliament on Friday between lawmakers over the matter, the session resumed Tuesday with DPP members unveiling a giant banner reading "No to power expansion".

Hong Kong hits back at UK-based pressure group for ‘despicable’ manoeuvres against city officials

Hong Kong has hit back at a UK-based pressure group for its “despicable political manipulation to intimidate” city officials by calling for sanctions against the chief executive and five ministers over the newly enacted domestic national security law. In a statement issued on Monday night, the government slammed Hong Kong Watch as an “anti-China organisation”, accusing many of its members of being “destabilising forces in the front line” and...

Panelo: Marcos 'misinformed' on Yolanda rehab claims

Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. could have been misinformed when he said nothing was done by the previous administrations when it comes to Yolanda rehabilitation. ''President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. must have been misinformed. It is not accurate as it is incorrect to say that the Yolanda rehabilitation commenced only two years ago and that the Aquino and the Duterte administrations...

World reactions to death of Iran’s President Raisi

PARIS, France — Iran’s powerful allies on Monday mourned the death of its President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, while regional militants hailed him as a supporter of the Palestinian cause. The United States said the deceased ultraconservative leader “had blood on his hands”, Russia and China called him a “friend”, and Iran’s arch-foe Israel has yet to react publicly. Here is a round-up of key reactions: United Nations Members of the UN...

Notable People who died in 2024

Sunak issues 'wholehearted and unequivocal' apology to infected blood victims

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologised to the victims of the infected blood scandal and their families in a statement to the House of Commons, saying: "I want to make a whole-hearted and unequivocal apology for this terrible injustice."

4 hurt, at least 20 commercial stalls affected in QC fire

Four people were hurt and 20 commercial stalls were affected when fire broke out on Regalado Highway in Quezon City before dawn on Tuesday. The fire started at almost 2 a.m., according to a report on Balitanghali. Some employees were seen running out of establishments. Those injured were brought to the nearest hospital. The fire lasted for 30 minutes before it was put out by firemen who arrived on 20 firetrucks. The Bureau of Fire Protection is...

Price freeze up in 3 Negros localities

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — A price freeze on basic commodities is in place in three local governments in Negros Occidental that have declared states of calamity because of the damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon. The price freeze in Kabankalan City and the towns of San Enrique and Valladolid would last for 60 days from the time their respective local governments declared a state of calamity, said Department of Trade and...

Ethics panel finishes hearing complaints vs Alvarez

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives’ committee on ethics and privileges has finished hearing the complaints against former speaker and now Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, regarding his alleged seditious remarks uttered in a previous rally. During a press briefing on Monday afternoon, committee vice chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said that the panel will meet again on Tuesday to vote on the...

2 people injured as Cessna 172 flips in crash

MANILA, Philippines -- Two people aboard a Cessna 172 sustained injuries when their aircraft crashed into the waters of La Union, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported on Tuesday. Initial investigation revealed that shortly after RP-C6923 took off at 8:23 a.m. from San Fernando Airport Runway 19, the pilot-in-command radioed the San Fernando Tower to declare an emergency. The four-seater single-engine plane, operated by...

PH says evidence of China's hand in Bajo de Masinloc destruction 'clear, convincing'

The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday said there is "clear and convincing" evidence of China's alleged hand in the environmental destruction of Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. “The PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) has presented clear and convincing evidence that since 2016, it has observed Chinese fishermen transporting large quantities of giant clams, sea turtles, puffer fishes, stingrays, topshells, eels, and other marine...

Ignore ‘scare tactics’ by Chinese, fishers urged

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fishermen should continue fishing in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and not be mindful of China’s “scare tactics,” the government said, amid reports of continued Chinese harassment there. “We do not want to give this too much attention because we know that these are all scare tactics, and the moment we raise this officially to the Chinese government, it… sort of [grants] acquiescence or recognition that they have...

Cardinal Quevedo condemns attack on Cotabato chapel

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Retired Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo has condemned the grenade attack on a Catholic chapel here on Sunday, saying it was a “sacrilegious act” targeting people in the midst of worship. Quevedo, Mindanao’s first and only Cardinal who sits representing Christian settler communities in the Council of Leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said what made the attack doubly...

The oldest current world leaders

The median age group of current world leaders is early sixties, but, of course, there are much older heads of state. Yes, there are a few national leaders in their thirties, but we also have quite a few ones born in the 1930s. Not only that, but some of these leaders have been in power for decades. In this gallery, we've compiled a list of the oldest world leaders by age. Click on to find out who they are.

Indian voters dissect Modi's politics while traversing the country by train

ABOARD THE THIRUKKURAL EXPRESS, India (AP) — The 1,800-mile (2,900-kilometer) journey south from New Delhi to Kanyakumari is one of the longest train rides in India, passing through cities, villages, scrub forests and deep ravines. The 22-car Thirukkural Express is a microcosm of India, carrying passengers from different castes and religions and with wide-ranging ambitions and grievances — from migrants crammed into sweltering no-frills cars to...

South Korea bans viral hit 'idolising' Kim Jong Un

The boppy propaganda tune extols Kim Jong Un as a "friendly father" and "great leader".

Manalo says detention of foreign nationals trespassing SCS inconsistent with UNCLOS

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said Tuesday that China's regulation empowering its coast guard to detain any foreign nationals trespassing the South China Sea is inconsistent with the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). In a chance interview in Taguig City, Manalo was asked for reaction on China's remarks that the Philippines had a malicious misinterpretation of China’s new regulations in the region. ''Why...

Hong Kong’s John Lee warns taxi drivers against targeting Uber with sting operations

Hong Kong’s leader has urged taxi drivers to stop launching sting operations against Uber drivers, warning such efforts require proper training and legal knowledge. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday sought to address “divergent views” among residents over the regulation of ride-hailing services, saying transport authorities would unveil a report on the topic after July. The call for calm followed an ad hoc sting operation where cabbies...

Manalo says no instruction from Marcos yet on alleged wiretapping

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Tuesday said there is no instruction yet from President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. regarding the probe into the alleged wiretapping of Chinese Embassy personnel of a conversation about the supposed “new model” deal on the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. ''No, no, no... I have not received any instruction. If we find any evidence, obviously we will take whatever action considered...

Marcos extends support to Chiz Escudero as Senate president

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed support for newly elected Senate President Francis ''Chiz'' Escudero, pointing out the lawmaker's record as a public servant. ''I extend my support to the new Senate President, Chiz Escudero. His legislative record and commitment to public service have distinguished him as a dedicated leader,'' Marcos said in a tweet, a day after Escudero replaced Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri...

Places in the world to remember the Holocaust

The Holocaust is the name given to the genocide that resulted in the deaths of millions of people under Nazi tyranny leading up to and during WWII. Jews, Slavs, Roma, homosexuals, the mentally and physically disabled, and many others were considered "undesirables" and were brutally executed in one of the darkest moments of world history. Anyone wishing to pay their respects to the millions who lost their lives can visit one of the numerous monuments and memorials to the Holocaust located around the world. Browse this gallery for a guide to Holocaust memorials.

2 women hurt after grenade thrown into Cotabato City chapel explodes

Two women were injured after a grenade thrown into a chapel in Barangay Rosary Heights 3, Cotabato City exploded shortly before midday on Sunday, May 19, 2024. The women, 40 years old and 65 years old, were attending a fellowship at the chapel when the grenade went off. They were taken to the hospital for treatment. Police said only a part of the M26 fragmentation grenade exploded. “Nagkaroon lang siya ng low order of detonation. Hindi lahat...

Four east Jerusalem teens arrested for planning terror attack against transportation vehicles

The Israel Police thwarted attacks against transportation vehicles and security forces in east Jerusalem, resulting in the arrest of four 14-year-old teenagers, Ynet reported on Tuesday. The investigation revealed that the teenagers intended to carry out a terrorist attack using pipe bombs, having purchased materials for assembling pipe bombs. They...

Greek trial of one of Med's worst migrant tragedies opens

The trial of nine accused smugglers opened in Greece on Tuesday, nearly a year after a migrant trawler with hundreds on board sank off the country's coast in one of Europe's deadliest shipwrecks. The sinking of the rusty and overloaded trawler Adriana on the night of June 13 to 14, 2023 off the coast of Greece, has left many unanswered questions as to whether the tragedy could have been averted.

McDonald's Australia worker called out over 'filthy' act

Many Australians were disgusted after a McDonald's employee was caught committing a food hygiene violation on camera - here's what happened when bosses found out

China rebukes South Korea, Japan lawmakers visiting Taiwan

BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Tuesday scolded South Korean and Japanese lawmakers for visiting Taiwan despite its strong opposition, chiding both neighbours for attending Taiwan's "so-called inauguration ceremony of the leader". Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who won a January election, was officially sworn in on Monday. China resolutely opposes the visits, its embassies in South Korea and Japan

‘No equivalence’: Biden defends Israel after ICC requests arrest warrants

US president insists Israel and Hamas cannot be compared after ICC seeks warrants over alleged Israeli war crimes.

PCG bares photos of China’s harvest of marine species

MANILA, Philippines — Previously unreleased photographs taken by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showing the harvesting of giant clams and other marine species at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal during the previous administration were publicized for the first time on Monday. Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the photos taken from 2017 to 2019 were never made public during that time. He said these were...

DA: Onion import ban extended to July

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is extending the ban on onion importations “maybe until July” as the country is assured of a stable supply and prices, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Monday. “We will extend the ban on onion importation. Cold storage facilities in onion-producing areas are full and prices in retail markets are low. There’s no reason to import,” Tiu Laurel said. According to him, an...

International ocean tribunal to issue climate opinion in 'David and Goliath' precedent case

By Riham Alkousaa BERLIN (Reuters) - An international ocean court is expected to issue an advisory opinion on Tuesday on whether countries have a responsibility to reduce emissions and fight climate change - a judgement that could give legal leverage to future climate cases. In its first-ever climate-related judgement, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg, Germany

‘May mga positive na naman’: Medical community urges masking as COVID-19 cases rise

Some online Filipinos, including those from the medical community, warned the public about the recent rise in COVID-19 cases. Physician Benjamin Co, an infectious disease expert who has been giving daily COVID-19 updates especially in the early days of the pandemic, has been posting about the recent increase in cases. On May 17, he reminded […]

Fresh twist in disappearance of William Tyrell

Police have asked prosecutors to pause their review of evidence that William Tyrrell's foster mother might have been involved in his disappearance.

Finland calls for EU-wide solutions to prevent migrant flow from Russia

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland wants the European Union to find common measures to prevent what it calls instrumentalised migration, meaning a flow of migrants arriving from Russia without valid travel documents, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Tuesday. Finland shut its border with Russia last year to stop a growing number of arrivals from countries including Syria and Somalia, and accused

UberEats driver's 'sneaky' act caught on camera

A hungry Aussie has revealed the sneaky tactic used by an UberEats delivery driver after their order vanished from their doorstep.

Tragic reason teens leaped off bridge into South Carolina lake

Two high school students are believed to have leapt off a South Carolina bridge into a lake before drowning because they were apparently dared by friends in a group chat.

Investigate the strangest unsolved mystery in each US state

The world is filled with unexplained mysteries, and the United States are no different (quite the opposite actually!). Did you know that in Missouri, a teenager passed away due to complications related to AIDS nearly ten years before the disease was discovered? And in Minnesota, a woman miraculously survived after being found frozen. This gallery comprises renowned unsolved mysteries from each state, ranging from disappearances to UFOs. Click on to delve into America's unexplained underbelly.

Labour leader responds to damning Infected Blood scandal report

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer responded in the Commons after the Infected Blood Inquiry identified a 'catalogue of systemic, collective and individual failures' that amounted to a 'calamity'.

Fishing is catching on in schools

A series of schools are introducing angling in the curriculum, to help build pupils' confidence.

Marcos: Gov't working on 'upgrading' PH's transportation system

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that government agencies are working hard to "upgrade" the country's transportation system. "We have a wide range of programs and projects underway, all aimed at making our transport systems more efficient and our cities smarter,'' Marcos said at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Taguig City. ''While we have not yet reached the point of seamless smart transportation, we are not...