News

US soldier held in Russia pleads guilty, RIA agency reports

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Gordon Black, a U.S. soldier being held in the Russian city of Vladivostok, has pleaded guilty to theft charges and is cooperating with investigators, Russia's RIA state news agencies reported on Thursday. "He is cooperating (with the investigation), he admitted (guilt)," RIA cited a representative of the local interior ministry as saying. Black could not be reached for

Murder investigation launched after woman's death

Three people are arrested after a woman in her 30s is found dead in east Belfast.

Russia wanted to capture a key settlement by May 9th but it failed

CHR visited NBP for probe vs. strip search — BuCor

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has visited the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) for their probe on the strip search that was conducted on families of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and political prisoners, the agency said Thursday. In a statement, the BuCor said the investigators arrived at the NBP on Monday. “The BuCor gave the investigators a briefing and simulation of the strip cavity search to give them an idea on how visitations are...

Marcos hopes for closer ties with 6 countries

MANILA, Philippines — The government is looking forward to forging deeper diplomatic relations with different countries in Asia, Europe and Central America as President Marcos received their envoys in Malacañang on Tuesday. The nonresident ambassadors from Belarus, Ghana, Turkmenistan, Malta, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua presented their credentials to Marcos who said that “distance should not get in the way of our continuing relations.”...

SC, Australia Federal Court sign MOU on judicial cooperation

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Court of Australia (FCA) on judicial cooperation. According to the SC, both courts shall undertake programs to promote a "deeper understanding of each other's legal and judicial cultures, common international legal standards, regional development and relevant emerging issues." Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Chief Justice Debra...

Police take back building from protesters at University of California, Irvine

By Daniel Trotta and Mike Blake IRVINE, California (Reuters) -Police on Wednesday took back a lecture hall from pro-Palestinian protesters who for hours occupied the building at the University of California, Irvine, then cleared a student encampment that stood for more than two weeks, witnesses said. Officers from about 10 nearby law-enforcement agencies converged on the campus after university

Hundreds arrested, roads barricaded in New Caledonia as riots continue

By Kirsty Needham and Camille Raynaud SYDNEY (Reuters) - Armed forces were protecting New Caledonia's two airports and port after a third night of violent riots that have killed four people, the Pacific Island's top French official said on Thursday morning, adding at least four alleged instigators were under house arrest. In three municipalities on the French-ruled island, gendarmes faced about

Albo responds after tenant revealed he is being evicted from PM's home

Anthony Albanese has responded to his Sydney tenant who begged the Prime Minister not to make him homeless after serving him with an eviction notice.

Indonesia's death toll rises to 67 from Sumatra floods, 20 still missing

By Aidil Ichlas TANAH DATAR, Indonesia (Reuters) -In tears, Yose Rizal, 43, placed flowers on the graves of his sister and niece, who died during the intense flooding in Indonesia's West Sumatra province. Three of Yose's relatives are still missing. Yose's family was were having a meeting when the flash floods struck on Saturday evening, he said. "The water came very sudden, it is difficult to

P30B OKd for rehab of damaged schools

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board approved on Wednesday the P30.56-billion fund for the repair and rehabilitation of school facilities outside Metro Manila that were damaged by recent calamities. In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the amount comprised funding for the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools (ISRS) project, the bulk of which was sourced from a...

Why did a Russian ambassador issue a veiled nuclear threat against a NATO nation?

Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza 'by tank fire'

The reported friendly-fire incident in Jabalia is one of the deadliest since the war began.

Comelec gets stricter: No more ‘placeholder’ ploys

MANILA, Philippines — For the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has banned the substitution of poll aspirants who withdraw from the race at the last minute to open a spot for reserve candidates. In an interview with reporters, Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said the poll body approved during Wednesday’s en banc session a resolution disallowing substitutions beyond the designated period for filing certificates of...

Iloilo under state of calamity due to El Niño

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The provincial board of Iloilo on Tuesday placed the province under a state of calamity due to damage wrought by the El Niño phenomenon on agriculture, which topped P1 billion. The declaration, which was recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), enables the provincial government, through the PDRRM Office (PDRRMO), to utilize P75.78 million in allocated funds for its El Niño...

2 China Coast Guard ships try to block ‘Atin Ito’ convoy

WEST PHILIPPINE SEA, Philippines — Two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels on Wednesday shadowed and tried to block the Filipino civilian-led convoy sailing toward Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a resource-rich area in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that was seized by China in 2012. At 6:15 p.m., a CCG ship, with body No. 4108, maneuvered to blocked FB Bing Bing, one of the four commercial fishing...

DBM’s Pangandaman approves creation of over 4,000 positions for 4Ps

MANILA, Philippines — Budget Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman has approved the creation of 4,265 positions across various Field Offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to support the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). “Supporting the 4Ps is crucial in inclusive development, empowering families, and breaking the cycle of poverty in the Philippines. With this move, we are also...

Aussies turn on tenant who blasted Anthony Albanese over eviction

Jim Flanagan, 45, has lived in one of Mr Albanese's investment properties in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Dulwich Hill for four years.

Marcos tasks LWUA to study possible management of CDO Water District

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Thursday directed the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to study the possible management of the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Water District to address water supply issues. In his speech during the distribution of assistance in CDO, Marcos said he already talked to business tycoon Manny Pangilinan, owner of Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated (COBI), about the matter. ''Pumayag po si Mr....

UN resolution to commemorate the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia sparks opposition from Serbs

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A U.N. resolution sponsored by Germany and Rwanda to establish an annual day to commemorate the 1995 genocide of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims by Bosnian Serbs has sparked protests and a strong lobbying campaign against its adoption by Serbia’s president and the Bosnian Serb leadership. The U.N. General Assembly has scheduled a debate on the resolution on the morning of May 23 to be followed by a vote in the 193-member...

MMDA deputizes 10 Metro LGUs’ enforcers to issue tickets

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday said it has already deputized traffic enforcers under 10 local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to issue violation tickets under the single-ticketing system (STS). The enforcers were from Malabon, Mandaluyong, Valenzuela, San Juan, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig and Quezon cities, as well as the municipality of Pateros, the MMDA...

Nakba to Nakba, Palestinian life 76 years post-catastrophe is worse than 75

On the 76th commemoration of the Nakba, Al Jazeera looks at the difference the last year has made to the Palestinians.

PH fishermen chants "West Philippine Sea, Atin ito!" amid the presence of shadowing Chinese vessels

Video shows Filipino fishermen shouting "West Philippine Sea, Atin ito!" on their boats while 2 Chinese coast guard vessels are seen shadowing them on their civilian supply mission on Wednesday, May 15. Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Jailed Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan appears in top court by video link

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared in the Supreme Court on Thursday by video from prison, in connection with a case he has filed against amendments to Pakistan's anti-graft laws. His video appearance was expected to be streamed live on the court's website and YouTube, making it the first publicly seen visuals of the jailed leader since his arrest in August

US says warship Mason intercepted Houthi missile, vessel Destiny untouched

DUBAI (Reuters) -The U.S. navy's destroyer the USS Mason intercepted an inbound Houthi anti-ship missile over the Red Sea on Monday, U.S. Central Command said in a statement, after Yemen's Houthis said on Wednesday that they had targeted the warship. The U.S. forces also destroyed two drones, Central Command said. On Wednesday the Houthis said they had also targeted a vessel called "Destiny" in

A Ukrainian naval drone has done hundreds of millions in damage to Russia

Abalos warns LGUs anew vs project fund ‘fixers’

MANILA, Philippines — Local government and barangay officials nationwide should beware of dealing with people who claim they can help facilitate the release of funding for their projects. “These incidents of poseurs claiming to be government agents pose serious threats to the integrity of government processes, and undermine the trust and confidence of the public in the administration of government funds,” Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said in...

Schools across Devon are forced to shut after mystery illness spreads

Schools across Devon have been forced to shut after hundreds of people were struck down by a mystery illness which was sparked by contaminated water.

Paga-sa residents 'safe' from Chinese invasion, says Defense chief

PAG-ASA island, Palawan -- Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro believes that the residents here, numbering less than 200, are safe from Chinese invasion since "no right thinking nation will attack civilians." Teodoro was asked whether the civilian residents were safe amid the constant presence of Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Chinese maritime militia ships loitering near the island. Pag-asa is the biggest among the Philippine territories within...

Three soldiers hit by car in Haifa, motive unclear - report

A car hit three soldiers who were standing on the sidewalk by the road on Moshe Dayan Street in Haifa, Israeli media reported on Thursday. According to the report, the reason and details of the incident are still unknown. However, the police have begun investigating all possibilities. The three soldiers were injured, and the car driver fled the sce...

Man arrested after disorder at Bristol pub

Police said several people suffered injuries after the disorder at The Rising Sun in Bristol.

Everything we know about the assassination attempt on the PM of Slovakia

Worry as release of Wuhan blogger remains unclear

Zhang Zhan's condition is unclear several days after her scheduled release from jail.

Philippine civilian boat convoy won't proceed to China-held reef

A Philippine boat convoy bearing supplies for Filipino fishers said they were headed back to port Thursday, ditching plans to sail to a Beijing-held reef off the Southeast Asian country after one of their boats was "constantly shadowed" by a Chinese vessel. The advance team boat, which returned to a Philippine port on Thursday morning, was "able to distribute aid despite being constantly shadowed by a Chinese Navy vessel", Hizon told AFP. A...

New ‘reclamation’ just rumors, says China; PCG sneers at denial

MANILA, Philippines — China has dismissed as “sheer rumor” the recent statements of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) that Beijing may again be building artificial islands in the country’s exclusive economic zone. The PCG over the weekend reported the discovery of piles of dead and crushed corals dumped on the sandbars around Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, taking them as fresh signs of land reclamation in the West Philippine Sea. The PCG has deployed a...

Mayor Rey Uy wants Alvarez out of the House of Representatives

Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy says he wants Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez expelled from the House of Representatives. Uy ealrier filed an ethics complaint against Alvarez, a former House Speaker. Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

China challenges aircraft of senators bound for Pag-asa Island

KALAYAAN, PALAWAN—China issued a radio challenge Thursday to a private aircraft carrying Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito before landing at Pag-asa Island. The three lawmakers visited the largest island in the Kalayaan Island Group for the groundbreaking of a new barracks inside the Emilio Liwanag Naval Station and a Super Rural Health Unit in this municipality. The same...

Padilla seeks Balikatan inquiry: Many Filipinos still not fully aware of it

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate inquiry has been sought on the recently concluded Balikatan Exercises between the Philippines and the United States to inform the public of its gains and opportunities. Held from April 22 to May 10, the annual joint military training was dubbed as the largest in recent years with over 16,000 participants. Despite its reported success, however, Senator Robin Padilla believes that “many Filipinos are still not fully...

Over 40 Chinese ships move to block PH civilian mission in Scarborough

Forty-three Chinese vessels, including a warship, moved to Scarborough Shoal to block the Filipino civilian mission, which held fishing activities in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Thursday. “China has finally moved the rest of its blockade into position,” former US Air Force official and ex-Defense Attaché Ray Powell said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening. According to him, there were one People's...

'Police might have saved my sister from husband'

Three police officers are under investigation for possible misconduct in connection the case.

Kremlin says Switzerland conference on Ukraine is futile

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said a planned summit that Switzerland hopes will pave the way for a peace process in Ukraine will be futile without the participation of Russia. "Without Russia, discussing security issues that concern us is absolutely futile," Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian newspaper Izvestia. "Most likely, it will be just empty scholasticism with no prospect

As countries tighten anti-gay laws, more and more LGBTQ+ migrants seek safety and asylum in Europe

RIETI, Italy (AP) — Ella Anthony knew it was time to leave her native Nigeria when she escaped an abusive, forced marriage only to face angry relatives who threatened to turn her in to police because she was gay. Since Nigeria criminalizes same-sex relationships, Anthony fled a possible prison term and headed with her partner to Libya in 2014 and then Italy, where they both won asylum. Their claim? That they had a well-founded fear of...

‘Salamat sa katapangan’: Civilian-led coalition heading to Panatag Shoal for resupply mission lauded

“Salamat sa katapangan.” Online Filipinos saluted the civilian convoy who sailed near Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) to deliver supplies to fishermen who ventured into the area despite the presence of Chinese militia vessels. The convoy is organized by the Atin Ito Coalition, which is composed of volunteers and some members of the following organizations: New […]

Double standards

With rising tensions over the West Philippine Sea, people have been wary about infiltration by foreign nationals. We have seen the Senate hearings with Bamban Mayor Alice Guo who apparently secured an elected government post without much of a background to speak of. We have heard public concerns over the supposed influx of Chinese students in a university in Cagayan. News reports have shown arrests of Chinese nationals found with weapons in...

Russia's Putin arrives in China for state visit in a show of unity between the authoritarian allies

China’s leader Xi Jinping welcomed Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Thursday as he began a two-day state visit, in a show of unity between the authoritarian allies as Moscow presses forward with a new offensive in Ukraine. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/16/russia-s-putin-arrives-in-china-for-state-visit-in-a-show-of-unity-between-the-authoritarian-allies

Solon: Marawi board needs P5 billion annually to cover all claims

The Marawi Compensation Board, which is mandated to provide financial remuneration to the victims of Marawi Siege, needs P5 billion annually for five years to cover the victims’ claims, House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Adiong said on Thursday. Adiong, in a press conference, said that the MCB’s 2024 budget of P2 billion is not enough given that 24 barangays of Marawi were ravaged when the terrorist group Maute in May 2017 occupied the Islamic...

Worshippers locked in Nigeria mosque and set on fire

A suspected arsonist sprays a mosque with petrol and sets it on fire over a family dispute, police say.

European Court upholds Belgium's school head scarf ban

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday upheld a head scarf ban at secondary schools in Flanders, Belgium's northern region. Students at Flemish secondary schools are allowed to wear head scarves during religion classes but have to remove them during other classes. The ban had been challenged by three young Muslim women but the court stated the Flemish

Improving education in PH is Marcos' top priority

Improving the quality of education in the country is a top priority, President Marcos said, stressing that it is the "most important service" the government must provide. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/improving-education-in-ph-is-marcos-top-priority Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletinTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews

Rift in Israel war cabinet as defence chief opposes ‘military rule’ in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Gallant challenges PM Netanyahu over failure to address issue of post-war plan for Gaza.