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Ship that hit Maryland bridge had lost power several times, investigators say

By David Shepardson and Lisa Baertlein WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The cargo ship Dali lost electrical power several times before it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, killing six people and paralyzing a major transportation artery for the U.S, Northeast, federal investigators said on Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a preliminary report that about 10

BARMM parliament appoints ceremonial head of gov’t

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — At past 1 p.m. on Tuesday, amid the gathering of 80 members of parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), Sheikh Muslim Guiamaden beat the gong to signify the official start of the interim body’s third regular session. A day earlier, in a special session by the BTA on Monday presided by Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Sema, the parliament approved a resolution appointing Guiamaden, 59, as the “Wali”...

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 811

As the war enters its 811th day, these are the main developments.

Ex-Marine charged with 'spying for Hong Kong' fought Somali pirates

Matthew Trickett, 37, is accused of carrying out surveillance and hostile reconnaissance on pro-democracy activists in the UK for the Hong Kong intelligence service.

Manhunt for escaped French prisoner enters second day

Hundreds of police officers are deployed in the search for Mohamed Amra and his accomplices.

SOGIESC bill reaches House plenary after almost a year

MANILA, Philippines—The proposed Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Act has reached the House of Representatives’ plenary discussions, nearly a year after it was approved at the committee level. During the session on Tuesday, House Bill (HB) No. 10176 — a consolidation of HB Nos. 222, 460, 3418, 3702, 4277, 5551, 6003, and 7036—was brought to the floor. Bataan 1st District Rep....

End of Lee era for Singapore as PM steps down

After 20 years in power Lee Hsien Loong is stepping down, marking the end of a political era for the tiny island nation.

Man grabbed woman by neck and threw her into bushes

A man has been arrested following the assault which took place in front of a small child.

Georgian parliament passes 'foreign agent' bill, prompting US anger, new protests

By Felix Light TBILISI (Reuters) -Georgia's parliament on Tuesday passed the third and final reading of a "foreign agents" bill, prompting a warning from the United States that if the legislation failed to meet European Union standards, Washington could review relations. Thousands of protesters, who along with Western nations denounce the bill as authoritarian and Russian-inspired, massed in the

HEADLINES: PH ships to prevent Escoda 'reclamation' | May 15, 2024

Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Today's podcast is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, the Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer -- your trusted building partner. READ: PH ships to prevent Escoda 'reclamation' THE Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy ships around Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to deter Chinese...

Number of foreign students staying to work in Britain could fall

The Home Office's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) said James Cleverly's changes could see the pool of foreign students going into work fall from 70,000 to 26,000.

Marawi folk protest ‘unjust’ valuation of damaged properties

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Residents of Marawi City displaced by the five-month war between government forces and Islamic State-linked militants in 2017 trooped to the conflict’s “ground zero” in the city on Monday to protest what they claimed as an “unjust valuation” of their properties destroyed during the siege. Drieza Lininding, chair of the Moro Consensus Group, said at least 300 of the displaced residents also signed a position paper during...

Lawmakers say P3,000 food aid not enough, but it’s a good start

MANILA, Philippines — While several lawmakers have admitted that the P3,000 monthly assistance for the government’s food stamp program is not enough, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin said the measure is a good start. Garin herself, during a press briefing on Tuesday, noted that P3,000 aid under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is not enough to cover poor Filipinos’ food needs for a month. However, she stressed that the program is...

Child, 3, in car driven at 150mph to escape police

The child was seen sitting on the knee of a passenger as an Audi A3 sped away, police say.

Anthony Albanese defends $300 energy bonus for millions of Australians

Anthony Albanese has leapt to the defence of his government's $300 energy rebate after experts warned the 'irresponsible' measure could aggravate soaring inflation.

Lotto Draw Results, May 14, 2024 | Ultra Lotto 6/58, Super Lotto 6/49, Lotto 6/42, 6D, 3D, 2D

Here are the winning lotto combinations of the lotto draw results for the 9 p.m. draw on Tuesday, May 14.

LTFRB to start flagging down drivers of unconsolidated PUVs on Thursday

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Wednesday that starting Thursday, May 16, it will begin apprehending jeepney drivers who failed to consolidate their public utility vehicles (PUV) into cooperatives. Interviewed on Unang Balita, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said that PUV operators that did not apply to consolidate operations as part of the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) after the April 30, 2024...

Baybayin tattoo exhibit in San Francisco explores Filipino heritage

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is hosting a one-of-a-kind exhibit that shines the spotlight on the ancient Filipino practice of tattooing and the revival of baybayin, an indigenous form of writing in the Philippines. In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the Consulate – through Sentro Rizal San Francisco – has opened the “Bagong Liwanag 2: Baybayin...

Peru police report 13 dead in Andean highway crash

LIMA (Reuters) -Police in Peru reported 13 people killed in a crash on a highway in the South American country's Andean region, according to a radio announcement on Tuesday, marking the latest fatal incident in a place where such accidents are frequent. The crash involving a vehicle belonging to the Interprovincial Civa transport company took place at 6:30 a.m. (1130 GMT) near Vinchos as the bus

Activist on hunger strike for reform of Thai monarchy dies in prison

Netiporn Sanae-sangkhom had been in jail since January, charged under Thailand 's tough royal insult laws over a royal motorcade protest in 2020 during the peak of the pro-democracy movement.

Tolentino notes possible 25-strong PH Olympic team

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino scribbled in his notebook the list of Filipino athletes who could possibly join the country’s delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The local Olympic chief found out that several hopefuls could still make it, more than his projected expectation. “I wrote down 25 athletes from various sports. But it seems, that number is bound to increase going into the final stretch of [Olympic]...

Florida bus crash kills eight, leads to DUI arrest of driver involved

By Rich McKay and Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) - A bus carrying farm laborers in northern Florida collided with a pickup truck on Tuesday and overturned, killing at least eight people and critically injuring eight others, authorities said. The driver of the pickup truck, Bryan Maclean Howard, was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol troopers on eight counts of manslaughter while driving under the

Mandaue City College gets new COPC from CHED

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – The Mandaue City College (MCC) was granted a Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). However, its COPC will only cover five degree program like Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Math, English, and Filipino; Bachelor of Elementary Education; and Information Technology. COPC is a recognition that is given to specific degree programs offered by local universities and...

Garin urges Senate panel: Assess ‘PDEA leaks’ evidence first

MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin has urged the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs to pause and take steps back to assess the evidence gathered during hearings on the allegedly leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents. Garin on Tuesday stressed that since congressional hearings are funded by taxpayers’ money, the inquiry should answer specific questions — like what benefit it would...

UP adopts new motto

MANILA, Philippines — The president of the University of the Philippines (UP) presented the school’s new motto on Tuesday. In a Facebook post, UP President Angelo Jimenez shared a picture of the university’s logo which read “Honor, Excellence, Service.” READ: There is hope for the country Previously, the school’s motto was “Honor and Excellence.” “Our new motto. Honor and Excellence in the Service of the Nation! UP serves. It’s our reason for...

Acting Mayor Garcia gets support of some Cebu City Councilors

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Some members of the Cebu City Council showed up at the flag raiding ceremony at Plaza Sugbu on Monday to show their support for acting mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia. Monday, May 13, was Garcia’s first day at City Hall as the acting mayor, a position that he will occupy for six months. He received his appointment papers late on Friday afternoon, May 11. Those present were Councilors Joel Garganera, Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella...

Notable People who died in 2024

INQToday: Trillanes files libel, cyberlibel raps against Duterte supporters

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories: China now ‘desperate,’ intervening in PH politics, says solon China has become desperate in its goal of influencing the country and has resorted to interfering in local politics by spreading misinformation, 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said on Tuesday. During a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Gutierrez and other lawmakers were asked about the recent Department of...

Win for workers who refuse to get Covid vaccine as mandate is scrapped

In March NSW Health said it was reviewing the rule and it has now been revealed that it will be removed for existing personnel and for new recruits from Thursday.

‘Aggressive vs Diplomatic’: Acting Mayor Garcia takes different approach from Rama

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said he will adopt a more diplomatic approach to problems at Cebu City Hall during his six-month tenure. Garcia said that one of his goals during his 6-month assumption as acting mayor would be to address specific issues with agencies where the government has ongoing friction, such as the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), and the Cebu Bus Rapid...

PH civilian mission sets sail for Scarborough Shoal in WPS

Around 100 boats departed from Zambales early Wednesday morning for a civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Atin Ito Coalition, organizer of the civilian mission, said they will install symbolic markers or buoys within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Members of the Atin Ito Coalition get ready to board boats in Zambales that would take them to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal...

BOC seizes P791 million worth of illicit cigarettes from Singapore

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities intercepted a shipment containing smuggled cigarettes worth P791 million from Singapore at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) over the weekend, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Tuesday. According to BOC, the shipment consigned to Burias Jang Consumer Goods Trading was initially declared tobacco products. READ: BOC seizes P27.6M allegedly smuggled cigarettes in Davao Gulf However, the agency’s...

Taiwan says WHO should let it attend all its meetings

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu called on the World Health Organization on Wednesday to allow the island to attend all its meetings if it is serious about its goal of "Health for All", ahead of a key summit Taipei wants to take part in. Taiwan is excluded from most international organisations because of objections by China, which considers the democratically governed island

Utah judge to decide if author of children's book on grief will face trial in her husband's death

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — A Utah woman who authorities say fatally poisoned her husband, then published a children’s book about coping with grief, will appear in court Wednesday for a hearing that will determine whether state prosecutors have enough evidence against her to proceed with a trial. Kouri Richins, 33, faces several felony charges for allegedly killing her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022 at their home in a small...

UP Fighting Maroons add Fil-Am Jacob Bayla, former Kai Sotto teammate Jordan Wilmore to roster

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons are making significant strides to enhance their basketball team with recent commitments from two promising players. Filipino American hooper Jacob Bayla, a 6-foot-5 wing from Valley Christian High School in California, has officially committed to the Fighting Maroons. His decision marks a pivotal addition to the team’s roster as they prepare for the upcoming University Athletic Association...

Child rapist left victim 'living life of fear'

Raymond Hawthorne is jailed for 27 years after abusing boys whose trust he had won.

American sought after ‘So I raped you’ Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant

LYON, France (AP) — An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, “So I raped you,” has been detained in France after a three-year search. A prosecutor in Metz, France, confirmed Tuesday that Ian Thomas Cleary, 31, of Saratoga, California, had been taken into custody last month and will be held pending extradition proceedings. Cleary had been the subject of...

Putin backs China's Ukraine peace plan, says Beijing understands the conflict

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview published early on Wednesday, said he backed China's plan for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, saying Beijing had a full understanding of what lay behind the crisis. Putin, speaking to China's Xinhua news agency ahead of his visit to Beijing this week, said Russia remained open to dialogue and talks to solve the more than

DOE questioned over lack of plans to address power woes

MANILA, Philippines — A group has questioned the Department of Energy (DOE) and other government agencies involved in the energy sector why they do not have plans to address recent power woes in the country despite interruptions due to a lack of supply. At the hearing of the House of Representatives committee on energy on Tuesday, Kuryente.org convener Bas Umali asked if consumers should be scared of what may happen with the country’s power...

UK summons Chinese envoy over ‘interference’, espionage

LONDON — The UK government said on Tuesday it had summoned China’s ambassador Zheng Zeguang, a day after three people were charged in the latest Beijing-linked alleged espionage case. The foreign ministry was “unequivocal in setting out that the recent pattern of behavior directed by China against the UK, including cyber-attacks, reports of espionage links and the issuing of bounties, is not acceptable”, a spokesperson said. The ministry said...

QC’s Amoranto swimming pool close until June 26

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Quezon City said on Tuesday that the Olympic-size swimming pool of the Amoranto Sports Complex has been closed temporarily. According to the official Facebook page of Quezon City, it will be closed until June 26. READ: Belmonte: Decades-old Amoranto Sport Complex to undergo makeover READ: A great place for new athletes The temporary closure was also done to maintain its facilities. Meanwhile, the...

Singapore to inaugurate new PM as Lee makes way after 20 years in charge

SINGAPORE — Singapore will inaugurate Lawrence Wong on Wednesday as its new prime minister and fourth leader since independence six decades ago, completing a carefully calibrated power transfer designed to guarantee continuity in the wealthy city-state. Wong, 51, comes from among a crop of so-called “4G” leaders, a new generation of politicians hand-picked by the long-ruling People’s […]

France backs controversial New Caledonia vote changes amid continued unrest

Plan to expand electoral roll gets go-ahead as New Caledonia rocked by worst unrest in more than 30 years.

Trump suggests Chinese migrants in US to build an ‘army’

NEW YORK — It was 7 a.m. on a recent Friday when Wang Gang, a 36-year-old Chinese immigrant, jostled for a day job in New York City’s Flushing neighborhood. When a potential employer pulled up near the street corner, home to a Chinese bakery and pharmacy, Wang and dozens of other men swarmed around the car. They were hoping to be picked for work on a construction site, at a farm, as a mover — anything that would pay. Wang had no luck, even as he...

PH gov't vows commitment to equitable international order

The Philippine government vowed to remain dedicated to a peaceful and equitable international order once elected to a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos made the commitment during the opening of the 33rd Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ33) in Vienna, Austria on May 13. “Once elected...

YouTube blocks Hong Kong protest anthem after court injunction bans song in the city

HONG KONG (AP) — YouTube has blocked access to videos of a protest song in Hong Kong, days after court approved an injunction banning the song in the city. “Glory to Hong Kong” was an anthem of anti-government protests in 2019. YouTube said that it would comply with a removal order and block access to over 32 YouTube videos of the song that were deemed to be “prohibited publications” under the injunction. Attempts to access the YouTube videos...

Marcos welcomes non-resident envoys to strengthen ties with other countries

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. welcomed on Tuesday non-resident ambassadors-designate of Belarus, Ghana, Turkmenistan, Malta, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, with the aim to strengthen the ties between the Philippines and the countries that they represent. Among those who presented their letters of credence to Marcos on Tuesday afternoon were Belarus Non-Resident Ambassador-designate Raman Ramanouski, Florence Buerki Akonor of...

Factbox-Singapore's new leader Lawrence Wong

By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Lawrence Wong, 51, will take over as prime minister of Singapore on Wednesday, becoming the fourth leader of the Asian financial hub since its independence in 1965. Wong succeeds Lee Hsien Loong, the son of the founding father of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, after two decades at the helm. BACKGROUND Wong was born on 18 December 1972 to a family he

Plan to ban sex education for children under nine

New guidance for schools in England is expected to be set out on Thursday.

US, Taiwan navies ‘hold Pacific drills’

. TAIPEI—The US and Taiwan navies conducted joint drills in the Pacific in April that, officially, did not take place, four people briefed on the matter said, as the two militaries boost cooperation amid rising Chinese military threats. Washington and Taipei have been expanding their military cooperation in recent years amid almost daily Chinese incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone and drills by Chinese forces near the...