Zamboanga City gov’t suspends firecracker distributor permit after blast

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Mayor John Dalipe suspended the business permit of Jonathan “Jojie” Chua, operator of the Next Step Fireworks Shoppe, whose stockpile of fireworks exploded on Saturday, killing five people and hurting 38 others. Chua had secured a sole proprietorship in selling, dealing, and distributing all types of pyrotechnics in this city. He also owned the old firecracker shop at Veterans Street here that caught fire and left two people...

Attempted murder charge after man seriously hurt

A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection with a disturbance on Tuesday morning.

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.

Cayetano to Binay: ‘Nabuang ka na ‘day’

MANILA, Philippines — The first day of the Senate inquiry into the construction of the New Senate Building (NSB) in Taguig City was marred by a heated debate and a walkout. Senator Peter Cayetano asked Senator Nancy Binay if she had gone crazy as she walked out from the hearing of the Senate committee on accounts on Wednesday. “Nabuang ka na, ‘day (You’ve gone crazy, lady),” Senator Cayetano said. “Tapusin natin ng maayos ito; Senado ito ng...

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.

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...

Woman found dead in Cavite hotel room

MANILA, Philippines — A woman was found dead inside a hotel room in Bacoor, Cavite on Wednesday morning, according to police. In a report on Thursday, the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batngas, Rizal, Quezon) police said a roomboy found the bloody remains of the woman, around 40 to 50 years old, at around 7 a.m. She reportedly checked into a hotel in Barangay Zapote 1 at around 1:45 a.m. with a male suspect, identified as a certain “Rommel.” The...

17 ex-GOCC, NGO officials found guilty of PDAF misuse

The Sandiganbayan has convicted 17 ex-officials of defunct government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) as well as private individuals of graft and malversation over the illegal use of around P47 million worth of pork barrel of former lawmaker Marina Clarete of Misamis Occidental from 2007 to 2009. The former officials were from the National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR), the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC), and...

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

Fingerprints of Guo’s brother also find a match

MANILA, Philippines — The fingerprints of a Chinese boy who arrived in the country in 1999 have matched those of the younger brother of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian disclosed on Wednesday. According to Gatchalian, the results of the National Bureau of Investigation’s fingerprint analysis showed that Guo Xiang Dian was the same person as Wesley Leal Guo, one of Guo’s three siblings. READ: NBI findings prove...

DR Congo soldiers sentenced to death for desertion

Twenty-five soldiers are sentenced for fleeing battles against the notorious M23 rebel group.

Hunt for 'armed' teens after police officer hurt

Officers were surrounded by a "large crowd who were hostile" towards them, says the Met Police.

Putin offers Kim Jong-un a poisoned gift

Two weeks ago, the Russian president visited North Korea. And he did not visit Kim Jong-un empty-handed. Vladimir Putin handed his North Korean counterpart a luxurious limousine: according to Reuters news agency, it was an Aurus Senat by Sollers, a "Russian Rolls Royce." The price of an entry-level Sollers model is around 500,000 euros. Imagine the two state leaders at the wheel of an imposing limousine, both with twinkling eyes. It was a...

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...

University and student in court fight over protest

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

Swedish diplomat recalls darkest moments in Iran prison

After almost 800 days in Iran's notorious Evin prison, the now-free Swedish diplomat Johan Floderus recalled the darkest moments throughout his imprisonment and how he survived them. The EU diplomat was then taken by car to the north of Tehran, where he recognised Evin prison.

Taiwan says China coast guard harasses fishing boat

TAIWAN — Taiwan accused China on Thursday of harassing one of its fishing boats in waters near the Penghu islands, a day after Beijing seized a Taiwanese vessel over alleged “illegal fishing”. The Taiwanese coast guard said it dispatched three patrol ships late Wednesday after receiving a call from a fishing boat that was “interfered with and approached by” an unspecified number of Chinese coast guard vessels. The incident occurred 60 nautical...

China denies being a 'threat' after Imee’s missile plan claims

China has denied being a "threat" to any country following the recent claims of Senator Imee Marcos that Beijing has plans to use hypersonic missiles aimed at military installations in the Philippines. “I’m not sure what the Philippine side’s source was, but I can tell you that China is committed to peaceful development and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and China does not pose a threat to any country,” said China Foreign...

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.

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.

The kidnapping case of 1-month-old Peter Weinberger from July 4, 1956

Angelo LaMarco confessed to the kidnapping and killing of infant Peter Weinberger. He abducted the baby and left a ransom note on July 4, 1956.

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...

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

Fourth arrest over child cruelty allegations at SEND school

A 50-year-old man is the fourth person to be arrested on suspicion of child cruelty at Life Wirral, police say.

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...

Marcos wants fast e-Visa for Indians to boost tourism

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the efficient issuance of electronic visa for Indians to boost Philippine tourism, Malacañang said on Thursday. "We don't have any such issues [with India]. So, I'm sure we can use their system," the President said during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council-Tourism Sector Group (PSAC-TSG) in Malacañang on Wednesday. Under current rules, Indian nationals were required to report personally to...

P5.13 million shabu seized in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Shabu with an estimated street value of P5.13 million was seized during a sting that also resulted in the arrest of two suspects in Bacolod Ciy, Negros Occidental on Wednesday. George Jayme, 49, and Dharryl Escanuela, 49, were collared after they reportedly sold shabu to an undercover agent in Barangay Singcang Airport, according to Maj. Eugene Tolentino, chief of the Bacolod police Station 8. The suspects, who...

World champion high jumper Jacques Freitag found dead in suspected murder

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.

Dangerous driving arrest after boy hit by car

The child suffers potentially serious injuries, according to the ambulance service.

Russia poses as peacemaker, stepping up attacks on Ukraine’s east

Meanwhile, Ukraine rebuffs Hungary’s ceasefire plan as an independent media outlet analyses Russian war-related deaths.

3 kids die in Iloilo fire

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Three siblings died in a fire that destroyed their house in a remote village in Maasin, Iloilo on Wednesday night. The victims were two boys aged six and one, and their five-year-old sister. The children were trapped in their house located in Barangay Dalusan. Reports said two of the victims could not walk due to polio. The victims’ elder sisters aged 12 and eight were able to run out of the house with their youngest...

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.

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...

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...

Biker in hospital with serious injuries after crash

Police are asking for witnesses or drivers with dashcam footage to get in contact.

Arrest after police cars smashed outside station

A man in his 30s is arrested after the vehicles were damaged outside Bath Police Station.

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.

US man jailed in Russia for 12 years on drug charges

Prosecutors said Robert Woodland was arrested while preparing to sell methadone - charges he denies.

Duterte possibly joking about knowing Quiboloy’s location – Padilla

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla has laughed off the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) pronouncement that they are looking at whether or not former President Rodrigo Duterte may not be held liable for obstruction of justice after claiming that he knows but won’t disclose fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy’s whereabouts. “That’s funny,” Padilla told reporters in Filipino in an ambush interview on Thursday after being asked to comment...

Former head of police watchdog on trial for rape

Michael Lockwood is charged with offences between 1979 and 1986.

Southeast Asia armed group Jemaah Islamiyah to disband: Report

Al-Qaeda-linked group orchestrated some of the deadliest attacks in Indonesia, including the 2002 Bali bombings.

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...

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,...

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...

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.

NEA activates command center

THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) officially activated its National Command Center on Thursday, which will aid in the management of electric cooperatives and its projects all over the Philippines. NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said the initiative would help the agency monitor the conditions of electric cooperatives and their projects as well as provide warnings on possible power interruptions so they can respond...

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...

Schoolgirl killed in bus crash 'was one of only children on board wearing seatbelt'

Jessica Baker died in a bus crash on her way to school while wearing a seatbelt, sparking concerns over seatbelt use and safety protocols for school commuter coaches

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.