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Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 854

As the war enters its 854th day, these are the main developments.

2024-06-28T01:15:30Z

‘Forceful’ BSP intervention stops peso fall

A “forceful” intervention by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) prevented the peso from hitting a new 20-month low on Thursday, demonstrating the central bank’s readiness to defend the local currency from speculative attacks. The peso closed at 58.75 against the greenback, much stronger than its previous day finish of 58.86. On Thursday, the local unit’s worst showing stood at 58.92—a few centavos away from the record-low 59 it hit in late...

2024-06-27T18:35:40Z

The strangest last meals requested on death row

Death row inmates have the right to one last meal of their choosing before they are executed. You might expect requests for childhood favorites or luxurious fare, but often, the meals they ask for are far from traditional. A man named Michael Dewayne Smith was executed on April 4, 2024, after 20 years on death row for a double murder. He was held in an Oklahoma prison that still offers prisoners a last meal of their choice the evening before their execution. The 41-year-old reportedly waived his right to request something special, and merely asked for leftovers from the prison cafeteria. Smith also chose not to say any last words. Browse through the gallery to see some of the strangest last meals ever requested by death row inmates.

2024-02-11T11:13:22Z

The space war is closer than you imagine

The news that Russia has likely launched an anti-satellite weapon has alarmed Western military analysts. According to the BBC, Russia's Roscosmos state space agency says its Soyuz-2.1b vehicle was used in the May 17, 2024, launch, adding that it was "in the interests of the defense ministry." The US believes the satellite may be capable of attacking other such probes. The announcement comes in the wake of warnings expressed by several military experts that space is likely to be the next frontier of warfare in an increasingly technology-dependent world. But are we really entering a new age of "Star Wars" where conflict in space is no longer science fiction? Click on to launch this gallery that explains more about America's celestial struggle with Russia and other countries, namely China.

2024-05-22T10:07:58Z

Xi says China planning 'major' reforms ahead of key political meeting

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that the ruling Communist Party was planning and implementing "major" reforms, ahead of a closely watched political conclave that is expected to put economic recovery high on the agenda. In a speech on Friday, Xi said policymakers "are planning and implementing major measures to further deepen reform in a comprehensive manner".

2024-06-28T04:28:07Z

Karen Read once 'admired' the Boston police boyfriend she's accused of killing

CANTON, Mass. (AP) — The woman accused of ramming her luxury SUV into her boyfriend and callously leaving him on the ground before a snowstorm had dated the Boston police officer briefly when they were in their 20s, and they reconnected after the pandemic. Long before she was charged with murder in the death of John O'Keefe, Karen Read had a successful career as a financial analyst and adjunct professor at Bentley College. Now 44, she grew up in...

2024-06-28T05:05:48Z

Meta says it may block news from Facebook in Australia

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Facebook owner Meta is considering blocking news content from the platform in Australia if the government makes it pay licensing fees, a company representative told a parliamentary hearing on Friday. Meta's regional policy director Mia Garlick told lawmakers "all options are on the table" when asked if the company would block Australians from sharing news content to avoid

2024-06-28T03:02:23Z

Baguio eyes trash cut as landfill closure looms

BAGUIO CITY — Bracing for the October shutdown of Tarlac’s biggest commercial landfill, the Baguio government has embarked on a “waste-to-reuse” program that will shred plastic and garment, profit off recyclable waste and reprocess roofing materials and metallic debris to reduce the volume of residual garbage that will be shipped to an alternative dump. Baguio has been spending between P180 million and P230 million yearly to send garbage to the...

2024-06-27T21:16:24Z

China to US: Filipinos have right to know truth behind 'anti-vax propaganda'

The Chinese Embassy is calling on the United States Embassy in the Philippines to explain the alleged secret campaign of the American military to discredit China-made vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The supposed disinformation campaign had contributed to hundreds to thousands of deaths in the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy said, adding that it also endangered the health of the general public. "The Filipino people and the international...

2024-06-28T05:02:45Z

Russian defence minister wants action to counter 'provocations' from US drones in Black Sea

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has ordered the army's General Staff to come up with proposals on how to promptly deal with "provocations" by U.S. strategic drones operating over the Black Sea, the defence ministry said on Friday. The ministry said in a statement that it had noted increased activity in the area from U.S. drones which it said were carrying out

2024-06-28T06:43:20Z

Free college entrance exam act lapses into law

MANILA, Philippines — A measure mandating private higher education institutions to waive college entrance examination fees and charges for college admission lapsed into law on June 14, Malacañang said Friday. Republic Act (RA) 12006 or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act lapsed into law without the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after it had been passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Dec. 11, 2023....

2024-06-28T04:54:01Z

Wandering cows and blaring pop: voters turn out in rural Mongolia

Bedecked in traditional Mongolian clothing, voters at a rural polling station drove up a muddy road to cast their ballot bright and early Friday morning as the nation of 3.4 million goes to the polls. Voters young and old poured into the station from the moment polls opened at 7:00 am, many wearing traditional Mongolian deel clothing.

2024-06-28T05:52:33Z

PH importing sugar in Sept to plug supply gap

MANILA, Philippines — The government intends to bring in 200,000 metric tons (MT) of imported refined sugar by September this year to stabilize retail prices and domestic supply, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters on Wednesday night the matter of importation has been on the table for six months. He said it would be timed to fill the gap before local harvest and refining....

2024-06-27T18:20:44Z

Timor Leste court approves PH extradition request vs Teves

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday announced that former Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves will soon return to the Philippines after the Timor Leste court granted the Philippines’ extradition request. “The Department of Justice confirms the grant of the extradition request made by the Philippine government. The information was relayed to us by the Attorney-General of Timor Leste. We have won,” DOJ Assistant...

2024-06-27T12:24:06Z

France is facing an election like no other. Here's how it works and what comes next

PARIS (AP) — French voters are being called to the polls on Sunday for an exceptional moment in their political history: the first round of snap parliamentary elections that could see the country’s first far-right government since the World War II Nazi occupation — or no majority emerging at all. The outcome of the vote, following the second round on July 7 and an exceptionally brief campaign, remains highly uncertain as three major political...

2024-06-28T05:24:30Z

Lab test can’t tell source of oil spill in Mindoro

CITY OF CALAPAN — Samples from a fresh oil slick that reached the shores of Pola town in Oriental Mindoro have been subjected to laboratory tests but an official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said they could not still determine its source. Capt. Airland Lapitan of the PCG station in Oriental Mindoro, in a telephone interview on Thursday, told the Inquirer that the sample subjected to laboratory test was “thin,” so its source could not be...

2024-06-27T21:16:23Z

Bolivia president denies prior intelligence of coup planning

By Monica Machicao and Lucinda Elliott LA PAZ (Reuters) -Bolivian President Luis Arce on Thursday denied any involvement or prior knowledge of a failed coup attempt led by the country's former top military commander who alleged the president had asked him to do something to boost his popularity. "We were never informed about his intentions," Arce told reporters during a press conference at

2024-06-28T02:12:35Z

‘Moonlighting’ SWAT team in hot water over party pics

Four members of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the Philippine National Police were relieved of their duties and ordered to answer allegations that they were caught moonlighting as security escorts at a private party in Pasig City in January. “They were directed to explain and relieved from their present unit pending the result of the investigation,” the Eastern Police District (EPD) said on Thursday. Interior Secretary Benhur...

2024-06-27T21:46:27Z

US raises concerns about destabilization in South China Sea with Chinese minister

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell raised concerns about China’s “destabilizing actions in the South China Sea” with the country’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu during a call on Thursday, the State Department said. “The Deputy Secretary also reiterated that U.S. commitments to the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty remain ironclad,” the readout […]

2024-06-28T04:58:28Z

Alice Guo's removal as mayor via quo warranto may come sooner - OSG | INQToday

WATCH: Alice Guo's removal as mayor of Bamban Town in Tarlac via a quo warranto case may come sooner with the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation that her fingerprints matched that of Chinese woman Guo Hua Ping.

2024-06-28T06:07:40Z

Einstein, teleportation, and the mysterious "Philadelphia Experiment"

In 1955, details emerged of a military experiment conducted by the US Navy that has endured as a bizarre Second World War conspiracy. According to an eyewitness, 12 years earlier a warship had suddenly disappeared from a Philadelphia shipyard. It reappeared several minutes later. What had just happened? It's an incredible story that involves Albert Einstein, the theory of teleportation, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Fact or fiction? You decide. Click through and relive the moment when aliens were blamed for abducting a battleship.

2024-01-09T16:07:34Z

China honours woman who died saving Japanese family

Hu Youping, a bus attendant, tried to restrain an assailant at a bus stop outside a Japanese school.

2024-06-28T05:32:25Z

China: US stoking tension in disputed SCS

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines slammed the United States for stoking tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) even though it was not a party to the disputed sea. "When diplomatic efforts are being made by China and the Philippines to manage differences, the United States stokes the situation instead of promoting peace and facilitating talks," the Chinese Embassy said in a statement late Thursday. 2024. The Chinese...

2024-06-28T03:38:50Z

China space activity spurs aviation notices

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) on Thursday issued two notices to airmen (Notams) regarding aerospace “special operations” that China will conduct on June 29. The Notams specified two areas, one northwest and one northeast of Luzon where “unburned debris” may fall. READ: Taiwan detects 35 Chinese aircraft around island The vertical limit of the fall area is from the surface upwards. READ: Warning up for Saturday flights...

2024-06-27T21:25:44Z

Peace in Taiwan Strait benefits whole world, Taiwan president says

By Fabian Hamacher and Ann Wang TAICHUNG, Taiwan (Reuters) - Peace in the Taiwan Strait benefits the whole world and the international community believes that without it, there can be neither prosperity nor security, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Friday. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up its pressure against Lai, whom it views as a "

2024-06-28T05:43:14Z

Lawmaker warns cops taking pictures of victims’ families

The chair of the House committee on human rights threatened to cite the Philippine National Police officers in contempt, if they continue to takes photos of the survivors of those slain in the deadly drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte. During the panel’s fourth hearing on Wednesday, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., the panel’s chair, scolded the police after learning that some of their men were taking photos of the drug war victims...

2024-06-27T22:01:30Z

Teachers persuade France Castro to run for senator next year

After serving in the House of Representatives for nine years, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro heeded a call by a group of retired teachers to upgrade her advocacies and run for senator in next year’s elections. The teachers’ appeal appeared spontaneous enough, with the call being made in an open letter that was read at the 42nd-anniversary celebration of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Wednesday night. In the open letter, retired...

2024-06-27T22:01:31Z

Vladimir Putin’s latest escalation has hit far too close to home

Russian hackers have caused chaos in the NHS and put patients in danger. This month, one of the most serious cyber attacks we have ever faced hit London hospitals and GP surgeries by locking pathology service providers out of their own IT systems. This has forced more than 1,100 operations to be postponed, including cancer treatments and organ tran...

2024-06-28T05:03:33Z

Swiss court convicts ‘richest family’ in UK over exploiting servants in luxury villa

Four members of the wealthy Hinduja family have been found guilty of exploiting poorly paid servants at their luxury villa in Geneva. This verdict is a significant setback for the Swiss branch of one of India’s richest and most powerful families. Ajay Hinduja, his wife Namrata, and his parents Prakash and Kamal were found guilty of paying their staff much less than Swiss law requires. Judge Sabina Mascotto stated that the servants, hired from...

2024-06-27T11:48:11Z

Water sources in Negros town tainted after Kanlaon blast

BACOLOD CITY — Residents of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, have another hurdle to face following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon early this month. The Department of Health (DOH) has found concentrations of coliform bacteria in at least 13 water sources in the town that is closest to the volcano. Dr. Adriano Suba-an, DOH regional director in Western Visayas, said they were closely monitoring the water supply in the town to prevent an outbreak of...

2024-06-27T21:16:24Z

Moment Royal Navy detonate WW2 bomb in Kent seaside town

This is the moment the Royal Navy detonated a WW2 bomb in the sea off Kent after it was caught by a fisherman.

2024-06-27T20:16:11Z

These are the 30 most corrupt countries in the world right now

Corruption, a scourge that undermines governance, stifles economic growth, and erodes the very fabric of society, is a global phenomenon that knows no borders. Its impact can be devastating, affecting not just the corridors of power but reaching deep into the daily lives of ordinary citizens. From the bustling markets of Guatemala to the oil-rich fields of Nigeria, corruption shapes the fortunes of nations and the destinies of their people. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), a tool used to measure the perceived levels of public sector corruption, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for many countries. With scores that paint a vivid picture of the state of corruption worldwide, the CPI highlights both the strugglers and the stragglers in the fight against this pervasive issue. It rates countries on a scale from 0-100, with 0 being "highly corrupt" and 100 being "very clean," according to the Transparency International website. Click through the gallery to delve deeper into the shadowy world of greed and discover which countries are most affected by corruption in 2024.

2024-02-27T11:09:08Z

Famous people Donald Trump insulted while president

As the President of the United States, Trump was in a position of immense power during a time of mass social media use, connecting his thoughts with the world in a matter of moments. More than any president in US history, he made use of that instant communication. During his presidency, The New York Times started a list of all of the people, places, and things that Trump insulted on Twitter. In four years, they recorded a total of 598 insults! Times change, presidencies end, and Twitter becomes X... But Trump is back on the ballot for the 2024 presidential election and his odds aren't looking too shabby. While we wait to see how this next phase of history unfolds, let's look back at 30 of his most bizarre attacks and favorite targets. Click through the gallery to see who (and what) felt the wrath of Trump's keyboard while he was president.

2024-01-02T14:43:06Z

Belfast Zoo's elephants ready for retirement home

Dhunja and Yhetto are joining two other elderly elephants at a retirement home in the Netherlands.

2024-06-28T06:09:21Z

Church forced to apologize after publishing concerning ad in bulletin

Ascension Catholic Church is Chesterfield, Missouri made national news this week over an alarming advertisement published in its bulletin. The parish has since retracted the ad.

2024-06-28T00:02:06Z

Keir Starmer accused of 'dog whistle racism' by Labour members

The Labour leader was criticised by would-be MPs after using Bangladesh as an example of where migrants could be returned to under the party's immigration plans.

2024-06-27T23:16:49Z

US tells China that PH support is 'ironclad' | INQToday

WATCH: A top United States official tells China that Washington's defense commitment to the Philippines is "ironclad" after a violent clash in the West Philippine Sea.

2024-06-28T06:07:40Z

US to confront Russia at UN over North Korean weapons

By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States will confront Russia at the United Nations Security Council on Friday over violating a North Korea arms embargo, and will push for China's view on growing ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, said deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood. The meeting of the 15-member council comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to

2024-06-28T04:48:09Z

China willing to work with ASEAN countries to guarantee peace in SCS —embassy

China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to enforce the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as well as to guarantee peace and stability in the region. This was according to the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy when asked for comment on the call made by United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson for China to halt its harassment of Philippine vessels in Manila's exclusive economic zone. The Chinese Embassy maintained...

2024-06-28T03:02:25Z

South Korea releases video showing North Korean missile exploding in flight

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's military on Friday released a video that it said showed a North Korean missile abnormally spiralling early in flight and exploding, a rare publicising of surveillance footage to dismiss the North's claim of a successful test. Footage filmed by a thermal observation device with South Korean frontline units showed a projectile spiralling out of control on a irregular

2024-06-28T06:23:18Z

France's far right looks headed for victory in the first round at the polls. Here's what that means

With just days to go until France's snap parliamentary election kicks off, victory for the far right looks increasingly likely in the first phase of the two-stage runoff.

2024-06-28T05:13:05Z

Police intensify monitoring of robbery groups as Palaro nears

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Police in Cebu City are intensifying their monitoring of possible robbery groups who might enter Cebu for the Palarong Pambansa 2024. The Palaro will return to Cebu City after 30 years and authorities are expecting thousands of visitors and Palaro delegates to converge in the city. Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said the recent arrest of...

2024-06-27T22:39:33Z

Melbourne mother's act of kindness reveals a heartbreaking story

Danielle Brown, from Melbourne, had been putting her groceries into the boot of her vehicle in a car park when she was asked by a stranger for some money for a bus ticket.

2024-06-28T02:32:31Z

Philippines, Japan to hold 2+2 meet in Manila

Top Philippine and Japanese foreign affairs and defense officials will hold a high-level meeting in Manila on July 8 to bolster political and military engagement in the face of China's aggressive posturing in the South China Sea. Diplomatic sources said both sides are finalizing a defense agreement, called Reciprocal Access Agreement or RAA, that will allow Japanese forces to train with Filipino counterparts and are hoping to sign it during the...

2024-06-28T05:02:44Z

China passes new rural collective law to protect farmers' land rights

By Mei Mei Chu BEIJING (Reuters) - China passed a law on Friday to better protect farmers' land rights and support the development of village collectives, aiming to bolster the country's ailing rural economy and achieve food security, state media reported. While all farmland in China is state-owned, farmers have decades-long land lease rights that are exercised on their behalf by collectives,

2024-06-28T03:02:40Z

French parties in final push for votes ahead of crunch poll

France's political forces were on Friday to make a final bid for votes in crunch legislative elections that could see the far right take control of the government in a historic first. The official campaigning period will end at midnight followed by a day off on Saturday, during which political activity is forbidden ahead of voting Sunday.

2024-06-28T05:52:51Z

Poland and Baltics demand defence line against Russia and Belarus

Poland and the Baltic states have demanded the EU strengthens its eastern border, warning of a 'looming threat' from Russia and Belarus along its 1,500-mile border with the East.

2024-06-27T20:46:33Z

South African researchers test use of nuclear technology to curb rhino poaching

MOKOPANE, South Africa (AP) — Researchers in South Africa have injected radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos as part of a research project aimed at reducing poaching. The idea is that radiation detectors already in place at national borders would detect the horns and help authorities arrest poachers and traffickers. The research, which has included the participation of veterinarians and nuclear experts, begins with the animal being...

2024-06-28T05:16:02Z

PH, US security advisers discuss latest Ayungin Shoal incident

National Security Adviser Año has discussed with his United States' counterpart the recent violent incident in Ayungin Shoal involving the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG), the National Security Council (NSC) said Friday. In a statement, the NSC said Año and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan tackled the “escalatory and violent actions against Philippine servicemen” in their conversation on Thursday. “The two NSAs also underscored the critical...

2024-06-28T06:02:53Z

Murders that changed the world

Murders are always horrific, but some are more shocking and have greater impact than others. Political leaders, famous artists, and other powerful people have been victims of homicides that may have changed the course of history. Click here to see which homicides made waves.

2024-01-26T13:19:21Z