Woman caught illegally using Edsa busway tried to bribe traffic enforcer

MANILA, Philippines — A woman wearing a Philippine Army (PA) uniform who was caught illegally using the Edsa busway attempted to bribe and even threatened to file complaints against a traffic enforcer, according to the Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (SAICT). The incident happened on Tuesday. SAICT said a traffic enforcer asked for the woman’s official receipt or certificate of registration (OR/CR). READ: 2...

Aussie dad learns his fate after he was caught with meth in Bali

Troy Andrew Smith, 49, appeared in Denpasar District Court on Thursday, where a panel of judges sentenced him.

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...

Army spox: US missile system to be removed from PH by Sept | INQToday

WATCH: The powerful US midrange missile system, which saw action in recent large-scale military exercises between Filipino and American troops, remains in the Philippines but will be "shipped out of the country" this September, according to a Philippine military official.

University and student in court fight over protest

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

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.

Is humanity ready? Unmasking the horrors of chemical warfare

The use of gas in warfare can be traced back to Antiquity. Though crude in their make up, these ancient chemical weapons proved very effective and provided new and deadly ways in which to dispatch an enemy. The widescale development of chemical weaponry began in earnest during the early years of the 20th century. In 1915, the first full-scale use of gas in war took place on the battlefields at Ypres in Belgium. By the Armistice, all sides involved in the First World War had used chemical weapons. The Chemical Weapons Convention of 1997 prohibits the large-scale use, development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of chemical weapons. And yet as recently as 2013 in Syria, chemical weapons have been deployed to devastating effect. Click through and follow this timeline of the development and use of chemical weapons.

China rejects key Western calls for human-rights reforms at U.N. meeting

By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) - China on Thursday rejected Western-led recommendations for human-rights reforms including calls for greater freedoms in Hong Kong and for Uyghurs in Xinjiang, but accepted others from allies, as it sought to defend its record at a U.N. meeting. The U.N. Human Rights Council session in Geneva caps off a review process in which Beijing has strived to fend off

Cyclist in his 70s taken to hospital after crash

Hertfordshire Police says the man has "potentially life-threatening injuries".

DR Congo soldiers sentenced to death for desertion

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

House in final stages of preparations for Sona, says Velasco

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is in the final stages of its preparations for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona), House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Wednesday. In a statement, Velasco said the House is ready to host the Sona, with the Batasang Pambansa renovations nearly complete. “We are ready to adjust to accommodate our partners from the Office of the President (OP) and...

Factbox-Who are the Americans held in Russian jails?

LONDON (Reuters) -American Robert Woodland was found guilty of drug trafficking by a Russian court on Thursday. Here are some details about him and other Americans convicted or facing trial in Russia. ROBERT ROMANOV WOODLAND A U.S. citizen adopted from Russia as a child, Woodland was detained in January on drug possession charges. A Facebook account in his name indicated he had been working as

DA: ‘Large-scale’ trial of P29/kilo rice for vulnerable sectors to launch July 5

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to launch a mass trial of the P29 per kilo rice program on July 5 at 10 locations in Metro Manila and Bulacan and is aimed at providing affordable rice to vulnerable sectors. At a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday, DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra announced that the “large-scale” trial of selling aging National Food Authority (NFA) buffer rice stock will be done simultaneously in 10...

Former head of police watchdog on trial for rape

Michael Lockwood is charged with offences between 1979 and 1986.

China took law enforcement measures in South China Sea to protect sovereignty, says foreign ministry

BEIJING— China took enforcement measures to protect its sovereignty in the South China Sea after Philippine provocations, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. The spokesperson was referring to long-standing disputes between the countries over atolls in the South China Sea and demands from the Philippines for China to return what it called […]

Philippines’ Supranational bets make waves in Poland

The Philippines’ delegates to the Miss Supranational and Mister Supranational contests, Alethea Ambrosio and Brandon Espiritu, respectively, have been making waves in Poland at the homestretch of the twin tilts concluding days apart from each other. The Filipino Supranational duo figured in the leaderboard of both the Miss Supranational and Mister Supranational competitions based on votes made online through the official voting platforms. Both...

5,855 wanted people nabbed in Calabarzon

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Up to 5,855 people wanted for various offenses have been arrested in a series of police operations in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) from January to June. The arrests were part of a campaign of the Philippine National Police dubbed “Oplan Manhunt-Charlie.” Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Calabarzon police director, said among those arrested were 1,861 most wanted persons. The...

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.

Moscow is bombing and looting its own cities in Russia

According to the Washington Post, relying on internal Ukrainian intelligence documents, Russia has accidentally dropped unguided bombs on its own territory. The independent Russian medium Astra estimates that Russia has inadvertently dropped more than 100 bombs on its own territory and in occupied territories in eastern Ukraine over the past four months, this at a time when the use of slide bombs has increased sharply. Military expert Ruslan...

No winners of the major jackpot lotto draws on Thursday, July 4

There were no winners of the Super Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The winning combination for Super Lotto 6/49 was 07-18-34-31-14-40. A bettor with the correct guess would have won the jackpot of P108,686,706.80. Meanwhile, the winning numbers for Lotto 6/42 were 35-12-16-30-17-03. The prize was P16,035,120.80. Check the other lotto results here.— RF, GMA Integrated News This article No winners of the major jackpot...

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...

Daughter, 36, admits poisoning father and stabbing mother to death

Virginia McCullough, 36, killed John, 74, and Lois, 75, (pictured together) at their home in Chelmsford, Essex, between June 17 and June 20, 2019.

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...

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.

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

Sydney Prowler is caught on CCTV AGAIN after terrifying spree

Chilling warning issued to women as the Sydney Prowler is caught on CCTV AGAIN after terrifying spree.

DRC tribunal sentences 25 soldiers to death for ‘fleeing the enemy’

Military court in Butembo set up as part of crackdown on soldiers fleeing M23 rebels as fighting rages in the east.

US citizen Woodland convicted of drug-related charges by Moscow court. He's sentenced to 12.5 years

MOSCOW (AP) — Robert Woodland, a Russia-born U.S. citizen, was convicted of drug-related charges by a Moscow court and sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison on Thursday, court officials and his lawyers said. He was found guilty of attempted trafficking of large amounts of illegal drugs as part of an organized group, according to an online statement released by court officials, and sentenced to 12 1/2 years in a maxim security penal colony. His...

Ukraine might have just destroyed a very expensive air defense system

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...

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

Ukraine confirms ‘retreat’ from district in strategic town

KYIV — Ukraine said Thursday its forces had withdrawn from a district in the key eastern town of Chasiv Yar, where Russian forces have recently claimed several advances. The fall of the small hilltop town is a worrying prospect for Ukraine because it would likely accelerate Russian advances towards large civilian hubs in the wider eastern Donetsk region. “It became impractical to hold the Kanal district, which the enemy had entered, because it...

80-year-old lotto bettor now P33.5 million richer

MANILA, Philippines — An 80-year-old man receiving a monthly pension of P2,500 claimed yesterday his P33.5-million lotto winnings at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) central office in Mandaluyong. Melquiades Robles, general manager and vice chairman of the PCSO board of directors, said the winner guessed the six-digit winning combination 07-40-25-08-30-39 in the 6/45 Mega Lotto draw on June 12. The winner, who bet on random...

Road rage driver who rammed car trying to overtake him is spared jail

A road rage driver has dodged jail after ramming a car on a dual carriageway in North Wales. Paul Woodward was before Caernarfon Crown Court charged with dangerous driving.

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...

Jay Slater could be alive 'drinking rainwater', says PI

Army reservist and private investigator Juan García, 53, claimed missing teenager Jay Slater could be alive and keeping hydrated and fed by 'drinking rainwater and eating plants'.

Galvez bats for the creation of ‘Department of Peace’

MANILA, Philippines — A ‘Department of Peace’ should be created to carry on the gains made after the forging of peace deals with rebel groups, according to Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. Galvez, chief of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), said this proposed department will replace the agency he currently heads. “We saw the best practices of other countries. They really have...

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...

Angara expected to push gov’t aid to teachers, students as DepEd chief

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sonny Angara, who is anticipated to take the helm of the Department of Education soon, is foreseen to boost government assistance to teachers and poor but deserving students. The Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), a five-member panel headed by the DepEd secretary, said they are optimistic about the expansion of initiatives for teachers and students under Angara’s leadership. PEAC is constituted to serve as...

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...

Man guilty of manslaughter after fatal pub attack

Steven Chappell is found guilty of manslaughter but cleared of the murder of Daniel Bradley, 32.

Tunisia opposition leader Lotfi Mraihi arrested

Mraihi joins a growing list of President Saied’s political opponents who are in jail or facing prosecution.

Mexico's Sheinbaum names Harfuch as security minister

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday named Omar Garcia Harfuch to be her security minister in a bid to repeat the successes in fighting crime she had as mayor of Mexico City. Sheinbaum also named Rosa Rodriguez to be her interior minister and Mario Delgado to be her education minister. Ariadna Montiel was also named incoming wellbeing minister. (Reporting

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.

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.

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...

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...

PNP warns public: Con artists pose as cops to solicit money

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on Thursday warned the public against con artists posing as its personnel to solicit money in exchange for protection and facilitation services. According to IAS inspector Gen. Brigido Dulay, his office received reports about individuals “running a protection racket involving establishments suspected of illegal activities.” READ: Scammers out to steal...

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...

Hezbollah fires 200 rockets and drones into Israel

Hezbollah launched the barrage in response to Israel's killing of one of its senior commanders.