World

Kenya starvation cult leader goes on trial on terrorism charges

The leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult went on trial on Monday on charges of terrorism over the deaths of more than 400 of his followers in a macabre case that shocked the world. He and his co-accused all pleaded not guilty to the charges of terrorism at a hearing in January.

Putin ready to end war with Trump's help

The former White House occupant claims he could quickly end the war in Ukraine if he became president. Meanwhile, according to US media, he is conducting (secret) negotiations with Putin. Republican candidate Donald Trump's plan is to "force Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin into negotiations by, on the one hand, threatening to reduce arms deliveries to Ukraine and, on the other, increasing arms deliveries to Kiev to increase pressure on...

Pampanga couple slay: 2 ex-cops held on gun raps

MABALACAT CITY, PAMPANGA, Philippines — Two former policemen tagged as “persons of interest” in the abduction and murder of beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen were arrested on Saturday for illegal possession of firearms. A police report obtained by the Inquirer on Sunday identified one of the arrested as dismissed policeman Michael Angelo Guiang, who earlier executed a sworn statement that he was the...

2 drug suspects slain, cop hurt in Tawi-Tawi shootout

CAMP SK PENDATUN, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines — Two alleged drug personalities were killed while a police officer was injured during a law enforcement operation in Bongao town of Tawi-Tawi on Friday, police said. Police Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, regional director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police, said the two suspects fired at approaching lawmen, sparking a shootout inside the Bongao public market in...

French voters deliver a win for the left, a blow for Le Pen and a hung parliament

By Juliette Jabkhiro, Layli Foroudi and Zhifan Liu PARIS (Reuters) -France faced potential political deadlock after elections on Sunday threw up a hung parliament, with a leftist alliance unexpectedly taking the top spot but no group winning a majority. Voters delivered a major setback for Marine Le Pen's nationalist, eurosceptic National Rally (RN), which opinion polls had predicted would win

Owl and pigeon shot with air gun and dumped in bin

A man is charged with animal cruelty offences after the birds were found in a wheelie bin.

Is this Australia's hottest criminal? Man's mugshot goes viral

An Aussie man whose handsome 'hot' mugshot sent social media alight has walked free from jail.

Racist graffiti investigated at five sites in Antrim

Swastikas and Combat 18 signs are sprayed across Antrim days after eight families fled their homes.

PRC releases results of electrical engineer, master electrician, social worker exams

The Professional Regulation Commission on Monday released the results of three special professional licensure examinations held last month. According to the PRC, 22 test takers out of 103 passed the exam for registered electrical engineers, while 85 out of 126 passed the registered master electricians exam, both given by the Board of Electrical Engineering at test centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Al Ahmadi, Kuwait;...

World Bank: Trunk line of Cebu BRT may be completed this August

CEBU CITY, Philippines – If things go accordingly, civil works for the trunk line of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) may be completed next month. The World Bank, in a recently disclosed report, projected that Package 1 of the P17-billion project has already achieved a progress of 64 percent, and may be “substantially completed” by August this year. Package 1 refers to the trunk line of the transportation system that connects Cebu South Bus...

New Orban-backed EU alliance says France's RN to join

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) will join a growing new alliance in the European Parliament led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary's government spokesperson said on Monday. Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO), Orban's Fidesz and the populist Czech ANO party led by Andrej Babis have joined forces in the European Parliament, citing the fight

This is where U.S. troops are stationed overseas

Two ex-policemen face murder charges for killing of beauty queen, boyfriend

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is set to file murder charges against two former policemen who are the principal suspects in the killing of beauty queen Geneva Lopez and her boyfriend, Yitzak Cohen. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday presented the two suspects -- Rommel Abuzo and Angelo Guiang. Abalos said Abuzo was dismissed in 2019 while Guiang was sacked in February 2020. A third suspect, identified as Jeffrey...

VP Sara to aspiring journalists: ‘Never assume, don’t lie’

Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Monday urged students who want to become journalists in the future not to report anything that is not the truth. During the opening ceremony of the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Carcar City, Cebu, Duterte directed the call to participants whom she described as “future award-winning journalists.” \ “Never print or post or circulate something that you know is not the...

Is Ukraine heading for defeat?

Starmer places focus on stability in Northern Ireland as he meets leaders

Sir Keir Starmer placed a focus on preserving stability in Northern Ireland as he held talks with the region's political leaders as part of his tour of the devolved regions. The Prime Minister met Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly early on Monday before holding meetings with delegations from the five main Stormont parties.

"We must end Russian air terror"

Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky has addressed the nation following a Russian attack on the city of Dnipro in broad daylight on Wednesday. In that attack, six people were killed and some 50 injured by the missiles. In addition to the usual demands to strengthen air defences, Kiev has added a more ambitious request that could be put on the table at the NATO summit in Washington: that its allies provide the country with more long-range...

Govt allots P16.1B for digital infrastructure project

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has approved a budget of P16.1 billion for the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project, through the initiative of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). This, however, is way below the P240 billion suggested by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to enhance internet infrastructure and P60 billion annual allocation for DICT to lease...

British, 18, 'accuses UK holidaymaker of raping her in Ayia Napa'

The 18-year-old woman went to Cypriot police and told them that she woke up in the bed of the man, who is reported to be 19 years old.

New Law Waives Entrance Exam Fees for Private Colleges in the Philippines

The Free College Entrance Examinations Act, now in effect in the Philippines, mandates waiving entrance exam fees in private colleges and universities for eligible students. Republic Act (RA) 12006 exempts qualified graduates and graduating students from paying fees for entrance exams to private higher education institutions (HEIs). The Act aligns with the state policy to […] The post New Law Waives Entrance Exam Fees for Private Colleges in the...

3 arrested for illegal fishing in Tañon Strait

Authorities nabbed three men for engaging in illegal fishing within the marine protected waters of Tañon Strait, the Philippine National Police - Maritime Group reported Monday. The three men were found operating an unmarked motor banca worth around P200,000 with a defaced engine number. Authorities also seized from the men various fishing paraphernalia worth around P200,000, a Garmin fish finder, and their catch of 'tuloy' fish, a kind of...

Nancy Binay files ethics rap vs Alan Cayetano: Wounds ‘have reopened’

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Nancy Binay formally filed on Monday an ethics complaint against Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for allegedly resorting to name-calling and behaving disorderly during the chamber’s proceedings. The complaint was filed days after the two senators exchanged barbs during the Senate panel on accounts’ hearing on the supposedly ballooning cost of the New Senate Building (NSB) in Taguig. During the July 3 hearing, panel head...

China says Philippine warships 'damaged' reef at atoll in South China Sea

BEIJING (Reuters) -China said on Monday "illegal" beaching of Philippine warships at the Nansha islands in the South China Sea had "gravely damaged" the coral reef ecosystem in the area, as both countries tussle over disputed territory at atolls in the vast waterway. China's Ministry of Natural Resources, in a comprehensive report, said Philippine warships have been "illegally beached" around

Japan's foreign, defense ministers pay courtesy call on Marcos

Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday in Malacañang Palace. The President welcomed the Japanese ministers as he marked this as an ''important event that our two countries have been working very hard to achieve.'' ''I’m glad that having witnessed the commencement, the [beginning] of this agreement that it has now come to fruition and...

Abalos bares P10M bounty for Quiboloy's arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday announced a P10 million bounty for the arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy who is facing a string of criminal cases in Davao City and Pasig City. Abalos said the money was raised by private individuals who wanted to help authorities capture Quiboloy. A reward of P1 million was also offered for the arrest of each of Quiboloy's five accomplices — Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada,...

Neighbour's 'entitled' parking act sparks outrage on their street

A resident has been accused of committing an 'entitled' parking act in Sydney's inner west.

Ukraine is fielding a century old machine gun and its proving quite effective

Israeli tanks storm Gaza City districts, residents report heavy fire

By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - Israeli forces pounded Gaza City early on Monday, sending columns of tanks into the heart of the city from different directions in what residents said was one of the heaviest attacks since Oct 7. The Gaza Civil Emergency Service said they believed dozens of people were killed in eastern Gaza areas but emergency teams were unable to reach them because of

More people are leaving Metro Manila. Here’s why

MANILA, Philippines—When COVID-19 landed in the Philippines, nationwide lockdowns prompted many people in the National Capital Region (NCR) to return to their provinces or places of origin outside the capital. Years into the new normal, even with restrictions lifted, people continued to leave the NCR for other regions. For decades before the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipinos from impoverished rural regions migrated to densely populated cities,...

Japan warns against use of force to change status quo in Indo-Pacific

MANILA — Japan reiterates the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and opposes “unilateral attempts to change status quo by force and coercion,” its foreign minister said on Monday. Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa made the remarks in a joint press conference following a ‘2 plus 2’ meeting between foreign and defense ministers from Japan […]

Department environment investigation 'unsurprising'

A Stormont department is being investigated by the UK’s environmental watchdog over a delayed plan.

Duterte, Go to face more complaints, says Trillanes

MANILA, Philippines — More complaints will be filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. This is what former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said that he planned to do. And he said this on Sunday, July 7, in an interview at the Kapihan sa QC. “We are preparing other complaints, so they should wait, and it seems like others will also file complaints against them,” Trillanes said in Filipino in the interview....

Healthcare workers to stage two-day strike over pay

More than 350 staff at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust are to begin striking on Tuesday.

France faces coalition puzzle after left-wing surge

By Tassilo Hummel and Elizabeth Pineau PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday asked his prime minister to stay in the role for now, pending what will be difficult negotiations to form a new government after a surprise left-wing surge in elections that delivered a hung parliament. The leftist New Popular Front (NFP) emerged as the dominant force in the National Assembly after

Philippines, Japan to discuss East China Sea, South China Sea in ‘2 plus 2’ talks

MANILA — The Philippines and Japan will discuss issues surrounding the East China Sea, South China Sea and Korean Peninsula during the ‘2 plus 2’ meeting between their foreign and defense ministers, Manila’s foreign affairs secretary said on Monday. READ: Manalo says Japan supports Manila’s position on South China Sea | Japan says keen to deepen security ties with Philippines, […]

Danger: 30 nuclear bombs threaten the world

In recent hours, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has announced that an asteroid the size of the Eiffel Tower will pass very close to Earth. This is particularly alarming news. When talking about distances in space, the data should be put in context. This asteroid, the size of the Eiffel Tower, is expected to approach our planet in 2029. According to calculations by Russian scientists, the object will pass 39,000 kilometres from Earth....

5 persons of interest in Geneva Lopez, boyfriend’s slay under custody

MANILA, Philippines — Five of the seven persons of interest in the abduction and killing of beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen are under police custody, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). “Lima na po yung nasa custody natin, tatlo arrested for different cases, dalawa po ay surrendered and gave their testimonies and dalawa lang po yung at large,” PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said in a...

Fatal India gathering organiser 'surrenders' to police

Nearly 121 people died in a crush at a religious gathering in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

ACT urges teachers, parents to report issues ahead of school opening

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Monday called on public school teachers, parents, as well as students to raise any concerns or challenges they face while preparing for the opening of School Year 2024-2025 on July 29. The teachers group made the call as it launched its “Bantay Balik-Eskwela” hotline to monitor the situation of schools nationwide which are now gearing up for another academic year. “Ang tinayo natin na hotline ay...

Man sentenced to life for killing Hong Kong worker dies after being found hanged in cell

A 32-year-old man sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a Hong Kong convenience store worker over two cans of beer worth HK$31 (US$4) in 2019 has died after he was found hanged at a maximum-security jail. Former sailor Javed Iqbal Islam was discovered by a correctional officer inside his one-person cell at Stanley Prison at 8.44pm on Sunday. A source familiar with the case said on Monday the man was checked up on about 15 minutes earlier...

4 Indian nationals arrested for kidnapping 4 Indian students

MANILA, Philippines — Four Indian nationals have been arrested for allegedly robbing and illegally detaining their fellow countrymen last week. According to the Southern Police District (SPD), the suspects are identified through their aliases Ramanathan, 22; Devesh, 22; Sanjay, 22; and Venkata, 21. They reportedly have two other cohorts – alias Lmahen and Shivarishi – who are still at large. Authorities said the four suspects were arrested for...

PM Starmer wants closer ties with EU fixing Boris Johnson's 'botched' Brexit deal

On a trip to Stormont in Northern Ireland the new PM revealed Labour is already working to build closer ties with the European Union.

Deadly landslide hits illegal gold mine in Indonesia

Rescue team deployed to remote region on Sulawesi island to search for the missing.

Ireland's Green Party elects new leader

It comes after Eamon Ryan announced last month that he was to step down from the position.

Russian daytime attack on Ukraine kills at least 20, hits children's hospital in Kyiv

By Olena Harmash and Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) -Russia launched a barrage of missiles on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in a rare daytime attack on Monday, killing at least 20 people across the country and hitting a key children's hospital, officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Russian forces fired more than 40 missiles targeting different cities and damaging infrastructure,

How catastrophic would a nuclear war be between Russia and the US?

Support for Letby surprising, says lead witness

The lead prosecution witness says supporters of Letby reported him for his role in the trial.

Hungary's Orban unexpectedly visits China, backs Xi's peace plan

By Joe Cash and Anita Komuves BEIJING/BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday to discuss a potential Ukraine peace deal, paying the unexpected visit to Beijing days after his talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin angered some European Union leaders. Orban and Xi met at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, Chinese state media

MDT or EDCA with Japan? DFA's Manalo says it depends on how situation develops

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday expressed openness to the possibility that the Philippines would have a Mutual Defense Treaty and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with Japan. At a press press conference after the Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo was asked about the matter following the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA). “I think that...

Parents in court over alleged murder of daughter, 14

Simon Vickers and Sarah Hall are remanded in custody after their 14-year-old daughter was stabbed.