National

Marcos: I won’t allow destabilization, division in our nation

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday stressed that he would fend off any destabilization plot against his administration. “We will also not allow agents within the country to destabilize our government and create division within our nation,” Marcos said during his Talk to Troops at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City. “So, I urge all of you to continue to [demonstrate] your loyalty, patriotism, and service to your...

Controlled explosion 'at back of pre-school'

Met Police are now leading the investigation and a man is held under the Terrorism Act.

Woman killed, placed in icebox after trying to collect debt —police

A woman was killed and placed inside an icebox after allegedly trying to collect a debt from the suspect in Trece Martires City, Cavite, according to the police on Thursday. According to a report from the Philippine National Police's Police Regional Office 4A (PRO 4A), authorities received a phone call reporting that a dead body had been found inside an icebox in Barangay Hugo Perez on Wednesday. The victim was identified as Mari Joy Singayan....

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...

Chinese ships block convoy’s mother boat from reaching Scarborough

ABOARD FBCA BING BING — The mother boat of a civilian convoy aiming to bring supplies to Filipino fishermen could not reach Scarborough Shoal due to shadowing by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels. “It is not advisable to proceed because it is already risky,” Ariel Bustillos, the captain of Fbca Bing Bing, told INQUIRER.net here in the West Philippine Sea. According to Bustillos, the Atin Ito coalition’s mother boat was about 50 nautical miles away...

French LGBTQ groups 'extremely concerned' over increase in attacks

France saw a sharp rise in anti-LGBTQ incidents in 2023, according to a report published by the French interior ministry on Thursday, an increase activists warn marks a worrying trend in the country. The number of anti-LGBTQ incidents has risen sharply -- about 17 percent on average each year for crimes and misdemeanours –- since 2016, according to the interior ministry.

Ukraine says it has checked Russia's offensive in a key town, but Moscow says it will keep pushing

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian units locked in street battles with the Kremlin’s forces in a key northeastern Ukraine town have halted the Russian advance, military officials in Kyiv claimed Thursday, though a senior Moscow official said the frontline push had enough resources to keep going. Russian attempts to establish a foothold in the town of Vovchansk, which is among the largest towns in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region with a prewar...

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...

Singapore wakes up to first new leader in 20 years

By Xinghui Kok SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's first prime minister in 20 years held an initial cabinet meeting on Thursday after taking office with a pledge to sustain what he called the miracle of the wealthy city state amid an uncertain global environment. After being sworn in on Wednesday night, attending a party and receiving congratulations from world leaders, Lawrence Wong posted on

France sends more police in bid to restore calm in New Caledonia

By Kirsty Needham, Juliette Jabkhiro and Augustin Turpin SYDNEY/PARIS (Reuters) -The French government sent more police to the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Thursday and said it would crack down on rioters, scrambling to restore order after three nights of upheaval that have killed four people. Rioters angry with an electoral reform have burnt businesses, torched cars, looted shops, and set

House panel to probe killings in Duterte war on drugs

The House Committee on Human Rights will investigate the deaths attributed to the war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, committee chairman Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante said on Thursday. Abante said a hearing on the matter has been set on May 22. Invited to the inquiry are relatives of the victims of the war on drugs, police officers, and former Cabinet officials. “Why are we conducting an inquiry into the...

PNP releases P7.6 billion for 2024 mid-year bonus of police force

MANILA, Philippines — A total of P7.6 billion mid-year bonus for 228,893 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel was released on Wednesday, according to the PNP-Public Information Office (PIO). PNP-PIO said the bonus funds came from the 2024 national budget’s appropriations for the police force. READ: PNP releases mid-year bonus for its personnel “A total allocation of P7,629,893,993, as specified in the 2024 General Appropriations Act, has...

Man jailed for bomb threat to doctor's surgery

Christopher Scarr's threat led to about 60 people being evacuated from their homes in April last year.

Tunisia president blasts foreign criticism of arrests

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Thursday criticised foreign "interference" after an international backlash over recent arrests of journalists, political commentators, and lawyers, which he defended as lawful. - Saied defends arrests - But Saied said Thursday that "the bar association is located on Tunisian soil and is not subject to an extraterritorial regime so that anyone can hide there", referring to the two lawyers who had sought refuge...

Bus driver charged after man, 73, killed crossing road

A bus driver has been arrested after a man was killed in a collision in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.

Jordan's king wants neighbours to confront groups smuggling drugs, arms

DUBAI (Reuters) -Jordan's King Abdullah on Thursday called on Arab states to confront what the U.S. ally has called an alarming rise in incursions of drugs and weapons smugglers linked to Iranian militias operating in southern Syria. Jordanian officials, like their Western allies, say the operations are controlled by Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and other pro-Iranian militias who

Marcos says MVP allowed restoration of water supply in CDO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that Manuel V. Pangilinan has allowed the restoration of normal water supply in Cagayan de Oro. According to the chief executive, he spoke with the business tycoon regarding plans of Cagayan de Oro Bulkwater Inc. (Cobi) to stop its service to the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) over failure to settle a debt amounting to P470 million. “Nakipag-usap tayo kay Mr. Manny...

Explainer-What is South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the ICJ?

By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE (Reuters) - The International Court of Justice is holding hearings this week in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza war and seeking an emergency halt to its Rafah offensive. WHAT IS THE ICJ? The ICJ, also called the World Court, is the highest United Nations legal body, established in 1945 to deal with disputes between

Bone found during missing Japan steel worker search

Police say DNA tests will be carried out to see if the remains are those of the 30-year-old employee.

Marcos wants stricter PH visa rules to address abuses

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Thursday that he wants stricter enforcement of visa rules in the Philippines due to reports of abuses. In an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro City, Marcos was asked if there is a need to impose stricter visa restrictions on Chinese nationals who enter the country. He expressed belief that this matter is not being strictly monitored as some foreigners were able to obtain fake documents to enter...

Mauritania ex-leader among eight to file candidacy for president

Eight men have submitted their candidacies for Mauritania's June 29 presidential election, including incumbent Mohamed Ould Ghazouani and his jailed predecessor Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who was previously ruled out of the race, according to an AFP count. The 66-year-old fell into disgrace under his successor and current President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

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...

Senate starts review of Baguio charter

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday began correcting flaws in the modern Baguio City Charter (Republic Act No. 11689), which had upset sectors here for technically downgrading the city’s status as an independent, highly urbanized local government and for granting another agency power in the titling of city properties. The upper chamber is reviewing House Bill No. 7406 that was recently passed by the Lower House to amend erroneous...

Co-convict in Vhong Navarro case surrenders to NBI

A person convicted for the illegal detention of TV host and actor Vhong Navarro in 2014 has surrendered to authorities. Ferdinand Guerrero surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, according to GMA Integrated News' John Consulta. According to Consulta's video posted on Facebook, Guerrero was brought to the NBI's office in Quezon City accompanied by his lawyer. The video also showed NBI agents reading Guerrero the...

'Cataclysm prepper' charged over explosives stash

Ralph Caldwell and his wife Maria face multiple charges over items including suspected firearms.

Welsh Labour leader Vaughan Gething SACKS minister for Covid leak

Mr Gething said he had 'no alternative' but to fire Hannah Blythyn, Minister for Social Partnership, accusing her of leaks to the media following a 'recent disclosure of communication'.

Violence rages in New Caledonia as France rushes emergency reinforcements to its Pacific territory

Violence raged across New Caledonia for the third consecutive day Thursday hours after France imposed a state of emergency in the French Pacific territory, boosting security forces’ powers to quell deadly unrest in the archipelago where some residents have long sought to break free from France. French authorities in New Caledonia and the interior ministry in Paris reported four people, including a police officer, have been killed in the violence...

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...

Amid ethics charge vs Alvarez, Abante asks solons: Be careful with words

MANILA, Philippines — Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. has advised lawmakers to be more careful with their words since they are public officials. His statement comes as a House of Representatives panel is set to hear again a complaint against former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. In a press briefing on Thursday, Abante said he has no idea as to what will happen at the House committee on ethics and privileges hearing on the complaints...

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

Turkey sentences pro-Kurdish politicians to lengthy prison terms over deadly 2014 riots

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A Turkish court on Thursday sentenced dozens pro-Kurdish politicians to between nine and 30 years in prison over deadly riots in 2014 by Kurds who were angered by what they perceived to be government inaction against Islamic State group militants who had besieged the Syrian border town of Kobani. The three days of clashes that broke out in October 2014 resulted in 37 deaths and left hundreds of others — police and civilians...

Boy, 15, left with broken arm in hit-and-run

Police say a boy was left with a broken arm in a hit-and-run in Blackburn.

Man jailed for second controlling behaviour offence

Marc Masterton subjected his former girlfriend to two years of "horrific" abuse, a court hears.

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...

Delivery driver helps police find £87K cannabis farm

The driver called police because he could smell cannabis at a property with covered-up windows.

Malabon LGU: Expect traffic in areas due to Grand Sagalahan on May 18

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Malabon City advised motorists that heavy traffic may occur on some of its roads on May 18. According to a Facebook post by the city, this is due to the Grand Sagalahan, which will be celebrated along with the city’s 435th founding anniversary. READ: MMDA deputizes 10 Metro LGUs’ enforcers to issue tickets The event will be conducted from 5:00 p.m. at the Malabon Sports Center to the Diocesan Shrine...

Putin ally warns of global war and 'tragedy for all of humanity'

His comments come as Russian troops continue to seize territory in eastern Ukraine, forcing thousands in Kharkiv to flee their homes after Moscow launched another ground invasion in the region

Is Ukraine losing the war?

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.”...

Muriel McKay: Fresh search for her remains announced

Her grandson says he is "elated" police will carry out another search of the Hertfordshire farm where she was held to ransom for £1m.

Xi and Putin condemn U.S., pledge closer ties as Russia advances in Ukraine

By Bernard Orr and Guy Faulconbridge BEIJING/MOSCOW (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned what they cast as increasingly aggressive U.S. behaviour on Thursday and pledged to deepen their countries' already close defence and military ties. In a clear snub to Washington, whose top diplomat flew into China last month to try to persuade Beijing to

Suspended Cebu City mayor Rama gets support from other mayors

CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least three mayors who are members of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) have voiced their support for suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. In separate statements, Mayors Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte (Quezon City), Carmen Geraldine Rosal (Legazpi City), and Baby Armi Alvarez (Muñoz City) expressed their support for Rama, who was the LCP president. “We write to express our support to Mayor Michael L. Rama...

Prolific and 'aggressive' beggar jailed

Earl Allen, 52, from Peterborough, is jailed for four weeks after admitting breaching a court order.

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...

Who is Alice Guo? No Tarlac politician knows her, says Marcos

Bamban Mayor Alice Guo had been the subject of investigation for some time, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Thursday. In an interview with reporters, Marcos said he knew most of the politicians in Tarlac and none of them knew the mayor of Bamban. ''Well, matagal na naming inimbestigahan ‘yan, kaya naman nahuli ‘yan eh," Marcos said in an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro City. (We've been investigating her for a long time;...

Cyclist in 70s dies in crash near railway station

Kent Police is looking for witnesses to the fatal crash on Tuesday.

Putin and Xi reaffirm Russia-China friendship in a Beijing state visit

Further arrest in prison drug supply investigation

It comes after three other arrests in March relating to drugs in the Parc prison area.

Russian forces are trying to take Ukrainian village 30km from Kharkiv, says RIA

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian forces are preparing to try to take a village called Lyptsi located about 30 km (19 miles) north of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, according to a Russian-installed official quoted by Russia's RIA state news agency. Russia last week opened a new front in the Ukraine war by pushing swiftly over the border into the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine with small

Chinese vessels seen near Pagasa during PH Navy barracks groundbreaking

PAGASA ISLAND, West Philippine Sea — Twenty two Chinese vessels were seen loitering three to four nautical miles from Pagasa Island during the groundbreaking ceremony of a Philippine Navy barracks and a Super Rural Health Unit here, a Philippine Coast Guard official said Thursday. “There are 22 Chinese militia vessels [including] Chinese Coast Guard ships,” Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said when he was briefing Senate President...