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Is Ukraine losing the war?

‘Atin Ito’ convoy breaches China’s blockade at Bajo de Masinloc

MANILA, Philippines — An advance team sent a day before the civilian convoy for the West Philippine Sea embarked on a voyage to Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal has reached the area and breached China’s blockade, according to Atin Ito (This is Ours) Coalition. In a Facebook post on Thursday, the coalition said the 10-member advance team comprised of members from Akbayan Party, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan and the Philippine Rural...

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...

PNP releases P7.6 billion for 2024 mid-year bonus of police force

MANILA, Philippines — A total of P7.6 billion mid-year bonus for 228,893 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel was released on Wednesday, according to the PNP-Public Information Office (PIO). PNP-PIO said the bonus funds came from the 2024 national budget’s appropriations for the police force. READ: PNP releases mid-year bonus for its personnel “A total allocation of P7,629,893,993, as specified in the 2024 General Appropriations Act, has...

Man jailed for bomb threat to doctor's surgery

Christopher Scarr's threat led to about 60 people being evacuated from their homes in April last year.

Bus station to be protected in redevelopment plans

Somerset Council has said there are no plans to close the bus station in the centre of Yeovil.

Who is Alice Guo? No Tarlac politician knows her, says Marcos

Bamban Mayor Alice Guo had been the subject of investigation for some time, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Thursday. In an interview with reporters, Marcos said he knew most of the politicians in Tarlac and none of them knew the mayor of Bamban. ''Well, matagal na naming inimbestigahan ‘yan, kaya naman nahuli ‘yan eh," Marcos said in an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro City. (We've been investigating her for a long time;...

Duo charged over girl's death at nightclub

Taylor Rowsell and James Greaves have been bailed and are due to appear in court next month.

Marcos wants stricter PH visa rules to address abuses

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Thursday that he wants stricter enforcement of visa rules in the Philippines due to reports of abuses. In an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro City, Marcos was asked if there is a need to impose stricter visa restrictions on Chinese nationals who enter the country. He expressed belief that this matter is not being strictly monitored as some foreigners were able to obtain fake documents to enter...

Man jailed for second controlling behaviour offence

Marc Masterton subjected his former girlfriend to two years of "horrific" abuse, a court hears.

House wants parallel investigation of Bamban mayor Alice Guo

MANILA, Philippines — House lawmakers are eyeing a parallel investigation 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...

Marcos: We won’t allow ‘agents within the country’ to destabilize gov’t

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said his administration would not let “agents within the country to destabilize our government.” Speaking with Army troops at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, Marcos stressed the importance of loyalty to the country. “We will also not allow agents within the country to destabilize our government and create division within our nation,” he said. “So, I urge all of...

Soon to rise: PH navy barracks, rural health center in Pagasa Island

PAGASA ISLAND, West Philippine Sea — In line with the government’s bid to boost Filipino presence in the West Philippine Sea and prevent “illegal incursions of China,” a Philippine Navy barracks and a Super Rural Health Unit will soon be built in Pagasa Island in the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri flew to Pagasa Island on Thursday to lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the two infrastructure projects....

House panel to probe killings in Duterte war on drugs

The House Committee on Human Rights will investigate the deaths attributed to the war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, committee chairman Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante said on Thursday. Abante said a hearing on the matter has been set on May 22. Invited to the inquiry are relatives of the victims of the war on drugs, police officers, and former Cabinet officials. “Why are we conducting an inquiry into the...

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...

Child dies in fall from block of flats

A child has died after falling from a building in east London.

Controlled explosion 'at back of pre-school'

Met Police are now leading the investigation and a man is held under the Terrorism Act.

New ‘reclamation’ just rumors, says China; PCG sneers at denial

MANILA, Philippines — China has dismissed as “sheer rumor” the recent statements of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that Beijing may again be building artificial islands in the country’s exclusive economic zone. The PCG over the weekend reported the discovery of piles of dead and crushed corals dumped on the sandbars around Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, taking them as fresh signs of land reclamation in the West Philippine Sea. The PCG has deployed a...

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...

Suspended Cebu City mayor Rama gets support from other mayors

CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least three mayors who are members of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) have voiced their support for suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. In separate statements, Mayors Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte (Quezon City), Carmen Geraldine Rosal (Legazpi City), and Baby Armi Alvarez (Muñoz City) expressed their support for Rama, who was the LCP president. “We write to express our support to Mayor Michael L. Rama...

China challenges aircraft of senators bound for Pag-asa Island

KALAYAAN, PALAWAN—China issued a radio challenge Thursday to a private aircraft carrying Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito before landing at Pag-asa Island. The three lawmakers visited the largest island in the Kalayaan Island Group for the groundbreaking of a new barracks inside the Emilio Liwanag Naval Station and a Super Rural Health Unit in this municipality. The same...

Powerball numbers revealed

Half of the Australia's adult population were expected to buy a ticket for Thursday night's $100million jackpot in the hope of snaring a lifechanging windfall. Here are the winning numnbers.

Cyclist in 70s dies in crash near railway station

Kent Police is looking for witnesses to the fatal crash on Tuesday.

'Cataclysm prepper' charged over explosives stash

Ralph Caldwell and his wife Maria face multiple charges over items including suspected firearms.

Turkey sentences pro-Kurdish politicians to lengthy prison terms over deadly 2014 riots

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Turkish court on Thursday sentenced dozens pro-Kurdish politicians to between nine and 30 years in prison over deadly riots in 2014 by Kurds who were angered by what they perceived to be government inaction against Islamic State group militants who had besieged the Syrian border town of Kobani. The three days of clashes that broke out in October 2014 resulted in 37 deaths and left hundreds of others — police and civilians...

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.”...

46 Chinese ships in vicinity, as civilian convoy tries to reach Panatag Shoal

The Philippine Coast Guard monitors at least 46 Chinese vessels in the ‘vicinity area’ of Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc on Thursday, May 16. This, as the civilian mission of coalition Atin Ito sails closer to the shoal. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/chinese-ship-vicinity-civilian-convoy-tries-reach-scarborough-panatag-shoal-may-16-2024/

Why Egypt backed South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the ICJ

Angered by Israel’s moves in Gaza and the regional security risks they pose, Egypt joined the genocide case.

Singapore wakes up to first new leader in 20 years

By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's first prime minister in 20 years held an initial cabinet meeting on Thursday after taking office with a pledge to sustain what he called the miracle of the wealthy city state amid an uncertain global environment. After being sworn in on Wednesday night, attending a party and receiving congratulations from world leaders, Lawrence Wong posted on

Int’l People’s Tribunal to conduct hearing on alleged war crimes of Marcos, Duterte admins

An international court will conduct hearings on the crimes against international humanitarian law (IHL) allegedly committed by the administrations of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former president Rodrigo Duterte from May 17 to May 18, 2024. The International People’s Tribunal (IPT) on Thursday said several war crimes such as indiscriminate bombardment, massacres, fake surrenders, extrajudicial killings, and red-tagging will be filed...

Russians capture 110 square miles

According to AFP news agency estimates, Russian forces have captured 110 square miles in their offensive in Ukraine's north-eastern Kharkiv region and in the southern region. This represents the biggest gain for Russia in a year and a half of sustained warfare. According to analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have taken about 300 square miles of Ukrainian territory since the beginning of 2024. By...

Xi and Putin condemn U.S., pledge closer ties as Russia advances in Ukraine

By Bernard Orr and Guy Faulconbridge BEIJING/MOSCOW (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned what they cast as increasingly aggressive U.S. behaviour on Thursday and pledged to deepen their countries' already close defence and military ties. In a clear snub to Washington, whose top diplomat flew into China last month to try to persuade Beijing to

Violence rages in New Caledonia as France rushes emergency reinforcements to its Pacific territory

Violence raged across New Caledonia for the third consecutive day Thursday hours after France imposed a state of emergency in the French Pacific territory, boosting security forces’ powers to quell deadly unrest in the archipelago where some residents have long sought to break free from France. French authorities in New Caledonia and the interior ministry in Paris reported four people, including a police officer, have been killed in the violence...

Malabon LGU: Expect traffic in areas due to Grand Sagalahan on May 18

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Malabon City advised motorists that heavy traffic may occur on some of its roads on May 18. According to a Facebook post by the city, this is due to the Grand Sagalahan, which will be celebrated along with the city’s 435th founding anniversary. READ: MMDA deputizes 10 Metro LGUs’ enforcers to issue tickets The event will be conducted from 5:00 p.m. at the Malabon Sports Center to the Diocesan Shrine...

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

Woman killed, placed in icebox after trying to collect debt —police

A woman was killed and placed inside an icebox after allegedly trying to collect a debt from the suspect in Trece Martires City, Cavite, according to the police on Thursday. According to a report from the Philippine National Police's Police Regional Office 4A (PRO 4A), authorities received a phone call reporting that a dead body had been found inside an icebox in Barangay Hugo Perez on Wednesday. The victim was identified as Mari Joy Singayan....

Bus driver charged after man, 73, killed crossing road

A bus driver has been arrested after a man was killed in a collision in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.

Chinese ships block convoy’s mother boat from reaching Scarborough

ABOARD FBCA BING BING — The mother boat of a civilian convoy aiming to bring supplies to Filipino fishermen could not reach Scarborough Shoal due to shadowing by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels. “It is not advisable to proceed because it is already risky,” Ariel Bustillos, the captain of Fbca Bing Bing, told INQUIRER.net here in the West Philippine Sea. According to Bustillos, the Atin Ito coalition’s mother boat was about 50 nautical miles away...

Woman describes fight to save ammonia victim's life

Four men are facing trial over a series of chemical attacks in and around Gateshead last year.

Jordan's king wants neighbours to confront groups smuggling drugs, arms

DUBAI (Reuters) -Jordan's King Abdullah on Thursday called on Arab states to confront what the U.S. ally has called an alarming rise in incursions of drugs and weapons smugglers linked to Iranian militias operating in southern Syria. Jordanian officials, like their Western allies, say the operations are controlled by Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and other pro-Iranian militias who

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

Mauritania ex-leader among eight to file candidacy for president

Eight men have submitted their candidacies for Mauritania's June 29 presidential election, including incumbent Mohamed Ould Ghazouani and his jailed predecessor Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who was previously ruled out of the race, according to an AFP count. The 66-year-old fell into disgrace under his successor and current President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

Amid ethics charge vs Alvarez, Abante asks solons: Be careful with words

MANILA, Philippines — Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. has advised lawmakers to be more careful with their words since they are public officials. His statement comes as a House of Representatives panel is set to hear again a complaint against former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. In a press briefing on Thursday, Abante said he has no idea as to what will happen at the House committee on ethics and privileges hearing on the complaints...

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...

Prolific and 'aggressive' beggar jailed

Earl Allen, 52, from Peterborough, is jailed for four weeks after admitting breaching a court order.

Why are protests against France raging in New Caledonia?

Recent demonstrations against local election reforms by France have turned violent and prompted a lockdown.

Welsh Labour leader Vaughan Gething SACKS minister for Covid leak

Mr Gething said he had 'no alternative' but to fire Hannah Blythyn, Minister for Social Partnership, accusing her of leaks to the media following a 'recent disclosure of communication'.

Ukraine says it has checked Russia's offensive in a key town, but Moscow says it will keep pushing

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian units locked in street battles with the Kremlin’s forces in a key northeastern Ukraine town have halted the Russian advance, military officials in Kyiv claimed Thursday, though a senior Moscow official said the frontline push had enough resources to keep going. Russian attempts to establish a foothold in the town of Vovchansk, which is among the largest towns in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region with a prewar...

Bone found during missing Japan steel worker search

Police say DNA tests will be carried out to see if the remains are those of the 30-year-old employee.

Marcos says MVP allowed restoration of water supply in CDO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that Manuel V. Pangilinan has allowed the restoration of normal water supply in Cagayan de Oro. According to the chief executive, he spoke with the business tycoon regarding plans of Cagayan de Oro Bulkwater Inc. (Cobi) to stop its service to the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over failure to settle a debt amounting to P470 million. “Nakipag-usap tayo kay Mr. Manny...