Lawmaker: Some Chinese tourists converting to student visa to extend stay in PH

Surigao del Norte lawmaker Ace Barbers on Wednesday expressed alarm over reports that some Chinese individuals are converting their tourist visas to student visas to extend their stay in the country. “We received reports that Chinese tourists, when their tourist visa is about to expire, enroll in universities to secure a student visa. They do not attend classes, though,” Barbers said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. Barbers said these...

Underground clinic raided in Pasay allegedly involved in abortion practices — BI

The recently raided underground clinic in Pasay City was also allegedly involved in abortion practices, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday. “Reports that the PAOCC (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission) and the BI received were medyo scary already because they were allegedly involved in abortion practices,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said during Kapihan sa Manila Bay. (Reports that the PAOCC and the BI received...

IRR for amnesty proclamations released

The National Amnesty Commission (NAC) has released the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for amnesty applications. The IRR states that individuals seeking amnesty must file their applications with any Local Amnesty Board (LAB), where initial eligibility assessments will be conducted. Further, the LAB will forward its recommendations to the NAC, which will then review and pass on its suggestions to President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos...

DOH lauds P5B allotment for active transport

MANILA, Philippines — Biking and walking have gained another ally in government with the Department of Health (DOH) expressing its support for these and other modes of active transport because of their positive effects on one’s health and the environment. “The appropriation and investment of more than P5 billion in the planning and implementation of active transport infrastructure is welcome progress, as active transport can mitigate the...

Woman aged in 30s shot in the leg

The woman is treated at the scene and taken to an east London hospital.

Win for workers who refuse to get Covid vaccine as mandate is scrapped

In March NSW Health said it was reviewing the rule and it has now been revealed that it will be removed for existing personnel and for new recruits from Thursday.

PM Sunak warns UK must boost food production

LONDON, United Kingdom — The UK needs to reduce its reliance on imports of fruit and vegetables, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told farmers on Tuesday, as he sought to make food security a top priority against climate and geopolitical threats. Sunak hosted some 70 farmers and other growers at his Downing Street office and residence in central London, telling them they were “vital to the security and the fabric of our country”. The “farm to fork”...

‘Hope for best, prepared for worst’: Scarborough civilian convoy starts

MASINLOC, Zambales — The civilian convoy for the West Philippine Sea officially embarked on a voyage to Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal early Wednesday morning in a mission that may witness another attempt from China to disrupt the activity. Over a hundred fisherfolk, along with Atin Ito coalition volunteers, journalists, and foreign observers all clad with life jackets started to depart from the port here at Barangay Matalvis at 7:26 a.m. READ:...

Taiwan says WHO should let it attend all its meetings

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu called on the World Health Organization on Wednesday to allow the island to attend all its meetings if it is serious about its goal of "Health for All", ahead of a key summit Taipei wants to take part in. Taiwan is excluded from most international organisations because of objections by China, which considers the democratically governed island

Task force urges arrested suspect in Kidapawan broadcaster's slay to confess

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has called on the arrested suspect in the 2019 murder of broadcaster Eduardo "Ed" Dizon in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato to cooperate with authorities and admit to shooting the victim. Paul Gutierrez, executive director of the PTFoMS, said Wednesday that the suspect, Junell Jane Andagkit Poten or "Junell Gerozaga," only has two choices: cooperate through confession in exchange for a...

'Calling from humanity': Indonesia rescuers search for flood missing

Along debris-filled rivers and mud-caked roads, rescuers dig with tools and their bare hands through the wreckage after frightening flash floods and volcanic debris deluged areas near one of Indonesia's most active volcanos. Rescuers were also worried about another flash flood or cold lava flow known as a lahar, where volcanic material is swept down from a volcano's slopes by heavy rains.

Dine and dash couple hit my pizzeria, says owner

A restaurant owner says two fraudsters could have been stopped sooner after spotting them on CCTV.

CCTV signage brings 'welcomed' reduction in crime

Ipswich CCTV has been credited in helping convict defendants in the murder of a local teenager.

Australian colonial statue toppled before historic ruling

The statue of William Crowther - who mutilated an Aboriginal man's body - will now be officially removed.

Peru police report 13 dead in Andean highway crash

LIMA (Reuters) -Police in Peru reported 13 people killed in a crash on a highway in the South American country's Andean region, according to a radio announcement on Tuesday, marking the latest fatal incident in a place where such accidents are frequent. The crash involving a vehicle belonging to the Interprovincial Civa transport company took place at 6:30 a.m. (1130 GMT) near Vinchos as the bus

New Caledonia riots rage on after Paris approves voting change

By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Gunshots could be heard and schools remained shut in New Caledonia's capital Noumea on Wednesday morning after a night of rioting despite a curfew, as France's National Assembly approved changes to voting rules in the Pacific island. Lawmakers in Paris voted 351 to 153 in favour of the bill to allow French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10

72 suspended NFA officers reinstated

MANILA, Philippines — Another batch of suspended National Food Authority (NFA) officers assigned to various regional warehouses has been ordered reinstated by the Office of the Ombudsman after it found “insufficient ground to believe their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the cases filed against them.” In a May 10 order released only on Tuesday, Ombudsman Samuel Martires directed the lifting of the six-month suspension...

Mega Millions winning numbers for May 14 drawing: Jackpot rises to $363 million

Mega Millions players, are you feeling lucky? The winning numbers are in for the May 14 drawing.

'Living in fear' in relentless battle for east DR Congo

Innocent Kasereka sits in a rundown hospital in the war-torn east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), his neck bandaged where he was brutally slashed with a knife. "Impunity is what makes things not work in our Republic," Kasereka despaired.

Singapore to inaugurate new PM as Lee makes way after 20 years in charge

By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Singapore will inaugurate Lawrence Wong on Wednesday as its new prime minister and fourth leader since independence six decades ago, completing a carefully calibrated power transfer designed to guarantee continuity in the wealthy city-state. Wong, 51, comes from among a crop of so-called "4G" leaders, a new generation of politicians hand-picked by the

'Corrupt ship inspectors demand our food and cargo'

Seafarers tell the BBC port officials routinely demand bribes before allowing ships through.

PCG sends more ships as Chinese vessels seen amid PH WPS civilian mission

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday deployed two additional ships to monitor the safety of the civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This is following reports that around 30 Chinese vessels including a warship were spotted around Scarborough Shoal. “We are also considering the possibility of deploying additional Philippine Coast Guard vessels ngayong umaga (this morning). So right...

PCG supports expulsion of Chinese diplomats over alleged wiretapping

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday echoed calls to expel Chinese diplomats allegedly involved in the recording of a supposed conversation on a “new model” deal over Ayungin Shoal. “I stand by the recommendation and the call of [Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.] and [National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año],” PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a presser. “Kung mapapatunayan na meron...

Baby found dead at scrapyard 'not forgotten'

The baby - known as Baby S - still remains unidentified four years after her body was discovered.

Factbox-Singapore's new leader Lawrence Wong

By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Lawrence Wong, 51, will take over as prime minister of Singapore on Wednesday, becoming the fourth leader of the Asian financial hub since its independence in 1965. Wong succeeds Lee Hsien Loong, the son of the founding father of modern Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, after two decades at the helm. BACKGROUND Wong was born on 18 December 1972 to a family he

Ukraine's Zelenskiy cancels visit to Spain and Portugal

MADRID (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has cancelled a visit to Spain and Portugal, authorities said on Wednesday, with CNN Portugal and other media reporting it was because of renewed fighting in his country. King Felipe of Spain has been due to hold a reception for Zelenskiy on May 17 and host a meal in his honour. Zelenskiy had also been expected to sign a bilateral

Child, 3, in car driven at 150mph to escape police

The child was seen sitting on the knee of a passenger as an Audi A3 sped away, police say.

Iloilo Province under state of calamity due to El Niño

The Province of Iloilo is placed under a state of calamity on May 14, 2024 because of the El Niño phenomenon. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) approved Resolution No. 6, Series of 2024, based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and lloilo Provincial Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. on April 29, 2024 to put the province under a state of calamity because of the ill effects...

Comelec bans candidate substitution due to withdrawal after Oct. 8, 2024

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc on Wednesday banned the substitution of candidates after the last day of filing certificates of candidacies if the substitution will be made due to the withdrawal of the candidate, Comelec chairman George Garcia said. “Unanimous po, pumayag ang ating Commission En Banc sa naging proposal ng inyong lingkod na wala nang substitution after ng last day ng filing ng candidacy, which is October 8 [2024],...

Exhibition tells history of town's Polish soldiers

The exhibition tells the stories of Polish soldiers who arrived in Leek nearly 80 years ago.

UK law to ban live animal exports clears parliament

LONDON, United Kingdom — A UK bill banning the export of livestock for slaughter cleared parliament on Tuesday, with campaigners hailing it as a landmark moment for animal welfare. Activists have been calling for the ban for decades. One campaigner was crushed to death under a lorry as she protested against the export of live calves for veal in 1995. Britain’s ruling Conservatives first proposed the ban in 2017 and touted it as a benefit of...

Gallant tells IDF to block Al Jazeera in West Bank - report

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant instructed the military to block the Qatari news outlet Al Jazeera in the West Bank, the military radio reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the IDF has already begun carrying out Gallant's instructions. Gallant's directives come after the cabinet voted to shut down Al Jazeera in early May.

Hunger striking democracy and royal reform activist dies in Thai prison

Netiporn Sanesangkhom had been in jail since her arrest in January under Thailand’s strict royal defamation laws.

Midterm battle begins

Since March of this year, when I last reported on the political numbers in this space, the different “aggrupations” as we Filipinos uniquely put it, have changed yet again. Of the two traditional parties, the PDP (formerly PDP-Laban until “Laban” was dropped last April) actually regained some seats in the House of Representatives (from five to 10) but Lakas-CMD also gained (from 92 to 100). For the parties that are essentially commercial...

Political repression and online nationalist campaigns: a second cultural revolution in China?

Bailiff letters issued over CAZ charge typo

Bryce Jennings' fines are waived after it was discovered there was a typo on his form.

PH civilian convoy heads to disputed reef

MANILA, Philippines — Civilians on board Philippine fishing boats sailed Wednesday toward a China-controlled reef off the Southeast Asian country to distribute provisions to Filipino fishermen and assert their rights to the disputed waterway. The trip to the waters around Scarborough Shoal comes two weeks after China Coast Guard vessels fired water cannons at two Philippine government boats in the same area, in the latest maritime incident...

Notable People who died in 2024

In Wales, Europe's first Black national leader sees racism resurging

By Layli Foroudi and Ben Makori CARDIFF, Wales (Reuters) - When he took office as First Minister of Wales in March, Vaughan Gething became the first Black head of government in Europe - yet he believes UK society is more overtly racist than a decade ago. "On virtually every piece of social media that went out for my campaign, there'd be a stream of messages underneath it that were questioning my

Ship lost power several times before hitting Maryland bridge, investigators say

By David Shepardson and Lisa Baertlein WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Dali cargo ship lost electrical power several times before it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, killing six people, federal investigators said on Tuesday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a preliminary report that about 10 hours before leaving Baltimore the Dali experienced a blackout during

Filipino activists and fishermen sail in 100-boat flotilla to disputed shoal guarded by China

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A flotilla of about 100 mostly small fishing boats led by Filipino activists sailed Wednesday to a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s coast guard and suspected militia ships have used powerful water cannons to ward off what they regard as intruders. The Philippine coast guard and navy deployed one patrol ship each to keep watch from a distance on the activists and fishermen, who set off on wooden...

India's parliament has fewer Muslims as strength of Modi's party grows

MALAPPURAM, India (AP) — Preventing Muslim migrants from gaining citizenship. Revoking the semi-autonomy of the country’s only Muslim-majority region. Building a Hindu temple where a violent mob razed a mosque. These were political triumphs for Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade, burnishing his reputation as a leader who prioritizes the interests India's Hindu majority. For India's 200 million Muslims, they highlight their waning...

Who France's escaped prisoner Mohamed Amra?

Mohamed Amra, nicknamed "The Fly", is reported to be a criminal with links to the French drugs trade.

Comelec no jurisdiction over embattled mayor's citizenship

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has no jurisdiction over questions on the allegations that embattled Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo is not a Filipino citizen but a Chinese as she has been proclaimed and assumed office. But Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday that the Commission supported a move to amend the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) that would authorize the poll body to impose additional requirements...

DILG asked to recall ban on 3-wheelers on nat’l roads

MANILA, Philippines — A ranking House lawmaker on Tuesday asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to rescind its policy banning three-wheeled vehicles on national highways. During a hearing by the House committee on ways and means, panel chair and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda questioned what authority gave the DILG the power to issue Memorandum Circular No. 2020-36, which prohibits three-wheeled vehicles like tricycles and...

'Predatory' rapist jailed after attacking two women

Sean Spooner, 33, is given a lengthy prison sentence for targeting two women in one night.

$587M worth of drugs seized in first 2 years of Marcos admin — Abalos

Some US$587 million worth of illegal drugs have been seized during the Marcos administration's first two years, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos. Abalos made the remark during the opening of the 33rd Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ33) in Vienna, Austria on May 13. Abalos said the figure—about P33.9 billion based on Tuesday's exchange rate—was a 700%...

Nursery left homeless after rent dispute with church

Pre-school boss Emma Martin says families are "devastated" about any possibility of it closing.

BARMM parliament appoints ceremonial head of gov’t

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — At past 1 p.m. on Tuesday, amid the gathering of 80 members of parliament of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), Sheikh Muslim Guiamaden beat the gong to signify the official start of the interim body’s third regular session. A day earlier, in a special session by the BTA on Monday presided by Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Sema, the parliament approved a resolution appointing Guiamaden, 59, as the “Wali”...

After DFA, DOJ also probing foreign envoys’ illegal acts

MANILA, Philippines — Diplomatic immunity is “never absolute,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday, as he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to launch an in-depth probe of supposedly illegal and unlawful activities committed by foreign diplomats. “Diplomatic immunity should never be used as a license to exploit our country’s peace and harmony for selfish motives, this privilege does not shield anyone from the...