News

562 BuCor inmates freed in June

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 562 inmates from all the prisons and penal farms in the country were released in June, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) reported. In a statement, BuCor said 121 of those released were acquitted, 321 had served their maximum sentence, 98 were granted parole, 21 were granted probation and one was granted executive clemency. BuCor director Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the bureau has already released a total of...

She accused Assange of sexual assault, but is glad he’s now free

Anna Ardin accused Julian Assange of sexual assault - but is pleased he has been freed from jail.

'Beautiful and caring' teen tragically killed in bus crash in small village

The family of teenager Jonathan Debnam, 14, have paid tribute to the youngster after he was tragically killed in a collision with a bus in the quaint village of Shortstown

Lawyers in ICC ‘drug war’ raps cite latest Duterte threat vs court

Lawyers representing the victims of the drug war waged by the previous administration have brought up before the International Criminal Court (ICC) the latest threatening remarks uttered by former President Rodrigo Duterte against The Hague-based tribunal. ICC-accredited lawyer Kristina Conti said the threats made by Duterte early this week could be considered a violation of the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding document. She was referring to...

Dire warning an unstoppable contagion is about to take off

Health authorities have warned an unstoppable contagion could spread in one Aussie state in a matter of days, and revealed how residents can remain safe.

Nine foreigners murdered, dumped in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — Nine foreigners, most of them Chinese nationals, have been killed and their bodies dumped in different areas in Pampanga. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is coordinating with the Pampanga police to get more details about the foreigners, three of whom were found in Porac, Pampanga where an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub, Lucky South 99, was raided for alleged human trafficking...

The far right is close to power in France. Will the rest of Europe follow?

Whatever the result of France's election, its impact will be seismic, says Europe editor Katya Adler.

Police hunt cat killer as four pets fatally poisoned

Each feline has died in similar circumstances in or around Ramsons Close in Malvern, Worcestershire, in recent weeks.

Anti-tourism protestors rally against foreign visitors in Barcelona

Protesters carried signs reading 'Barcelona is not for sale,' and, 'Tourists go home,' before some used water guns on tourists eating outdoors at restaurants in hotspots

Fears for missing man, 23, after the boat he was on capsized

A rescue operation was launched for a 23-year-old man who disappeared after the boat he was on sank in the Swansea Channel, south of Newcastle, in NSW, just before 8pm on Saturday.

DENR lauds Cotabato farmer for saving serpent eagle

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Environment officials lauded a farmer in Cotabato province for saving a juvenile Philippine serpent eagle (Spilornis holospilus) which was released back to the wild on Wednesday. Forester Abdulnagib T. Ringia, community environment and natural resources officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) based in Matalam town, said the acts of Jimmy Icdang should set an example to all on how...

China ship taunts PH vessel in Escoda Shoal

CHINA Coast Guard's (CCG) "monster" ship is inching closer to a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel that has been maintaining its presence in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea for more than two months now — a move that has left authorities in Manila puzzled. Considered the world's largest coast guard ship, CCG 5901 is only 2,400 feet away from BRP Teresa Magbanua, PCG spokesman for West Philippine Sea Commo. Jay Tarriela said in a...

Army clarifies US missile system not yet leaving PH

The US midrange missile system that was brought into the country in April — and cited by Russian President Vladimir Putin last week — is not leaving the Philippines just yet. Col. Louie Dema-ala, the Philippine Army spokesperson, said the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system, which was used in recent “Balikatan” war games between Filipino and American troops, was still being used for “Salaknib,” another set of exercises that is still ongoing. This...

French far right seeks vote win but deadlock looms

France votes in one of its most crucial elections in years, with the far right hoping for victory.

Company manager shot dead in Isabela

DELFIN ALBANO, Isabela — A 49-year-old private company manager was shot and killed in San Juan village here by two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on Friday afternoon. Delfin Albano police said in a report Saturday, July 6, that victim Pablo Ubal Jr. was was sitting on the terrace of their house with his father around 4:35 p.m. when the suspects entered their yard to ask for directions to the town of Santo Tomas. READ: 2 linemen shot dead...

Men charged after woman's body was found in bungalow

A woman's body was found in a property on Radiant Road, Thurncourt, on Thursday morning, according to Leicestershire Police.

Toledo City police hunt 2 men who attacked ‘arrogant’ neighbor

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Policemen in Toledo City, Cebu are after two men who are believed to be responsible for punching and shooting a neighbor in Sitio Buswang in Brgy. Cambang-ug on Thursday, July 4. The incident happened at around 8 p.m. near a river in Sitio Buswang. In a report, Toledo police said that the suspects who were identified as Johnny Largo, 30, and a certain Jaybe, allegedly told Roy Abarquez Isidro “You are so very arrogant,”...

Wildfire in California blazes across 5,000 acres, sparking evacuations

Officials have issued evacuation warnings after a forest fire in the Los Padres National Forest spread to nearly 5,000 acres in the span of a day.

Escudero defends Binay, Cayetano over recent Senate building row

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has appealed to the public on Saturday for understanding on the recent behavior of some of his fellow senators during session. According to Escudero, senators have emotions, too. “Perhaps, this is part of the humanity of the members of the Senate—your senators are not emotionless robots,” Escudero said in a radio interview on DWIZ 882. READ: Binay, Cayetano trade barbs at Senate...

A donner kebab pie, sweets and a nervous wait - an MP's election diary

Graeme Downie, newly-elected MP for Dunfermline and Dollar, recounts his hectic last 24 hours in a months-long campaign.

France is voting in key elections that could see a historic far-right win or a hung parliament

PARIS (AP) — France will vote Sunday in pivotal runoff elections that could hand a historic victory to Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally and its inward-looking, anti-immigrant vision — or produce a hung parliament and years of political deadlock. Sunday’s snap elections in this nuclear-armed nation have potential impact on the war in Ukraine, global diplomacy and Europe’s economic stability. And they’re almost certain to undercut...

Marcos to AFP: Remain vigilant

(UPDATES) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to remain vigilant amid the emerging regional threats, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). During his visit to the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Division in Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu, on Friday, the President said the government carried out organizational change, especially creating a task force with a maritime group and the navy to...

Police launch new search in headless torso case

Body parts belonging to Stuart Everett, 67, were first discovered at the Kersal Dale beauty spot on April 4, and have subsequently been found at four other sites around Salford.

Starmer appoints two figures from Blair and Brown era as ministers

Jacqui Smith and Douglas Alexander are given junior ministerial roles from the new prime minister.

Unintimidated PCG constantly radio challenging China ‘monster ship’

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was not intimidated by the presence of the China Coast Guard (CCG) ship 5901, the world's largest coast guard ship known as "The Monster," in the Escoda Shoal as the PCG was constantly sending radio challenges. “The Philippine Coast Guard will not be intimidated or not going to pull back and direct the [BRP] Teresa Magbanua to go back to Palawan," said PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore...

Tories fear leadership contest will be overshadowed by Farage

Shellshocked Conservatives are calling for a delay to the party leadership contest to avoid it being overshadowed by a 'summer of Nigel Farage'.

Marcos revokes civil service privileges to NDCP graduates

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has revoked the granting of career executive service (CES) officer eligibility and ranks to graduates of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). In Executive Order (EO) No. 63, the President approved the Career Executive Service Board’s recommendation to rescind an earlier policy that gave CES eligibility and rank to NDCP graduates of its Master in National Security...

Israeli strike kills 16 at Gaza school, military says it targeted gunmen

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ramadan Abed CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -At least 16 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinian families in central Gaza on Saturday, the Palestinian health ministry said, in an attack Israel said had targeted militants. The health ministry said the attack on the school in Al-Nuseirat killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 50.

Vatican expels ex-ambassador to US, declares him guilty of schism

ROME — The Vatican on Friday excommunicated its former ambassador to Washington after finding him guilty of schism, an inevitable outcome for Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. The conservative had become one of Pope Francis ‘ most ardent critics and a symbol of the polarized Catholic Church in the United States and beyond. While once enjoying support in the Vatican and United States church hierarchies, the Italian archbishop alienated many as he...

DND, Thai Navy discuss defense cooperation

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy discussed measures to boost military cooperation when Thai Navy officials visited Manila last week. Undersecretary Angelito De Leon and Admiral Adoong Pan-Inam met as the Philippines and Thailand commemorated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. De Leon conveyed possible areas of...

PH congratulates new UK gov’t

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday congratulated new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party for their landslide victory in the parliamentary election on July 5. READ: UK’s Labour on course for landslide election win – exit polls “We wish the new government success and look forward to further strengthening our deep and longstanding ties,” the President posted on X. The President made the remarks after...

UK seeks balanced position on Israel and Gaza, says new foreign minister Lammy

By Andreas Rinke BERLIN (Reuters) - Britain wants a balanced position on the war in the Middle East and will use diplomatic efforts to ensure a ceasefire is reached and hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas are released, its new foreign minister David Lammy told Reuters. Lammy is on a visit to Germany, his first international trip following the Labour Party's thumping victory in

Why Wes Streeting is set for war with the health service

The history of the NHS is littered with attempts by ministers to reform the institution for the benefit of patients. When Wes Streeting, the new Health Secretary, described the NHS as “broken”, and said it was now the policy of the Department of Health to treat it as such, he was laying down a marker for the scale of the challenge ahead of him. But...

Lawmaker pushes bill adding PH history subject in high school

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro called on the leadership of the House of Representatives to expedite the passage of House Bill 207 which seeks to include Philippine history as a separate subject in high school. She made the call following the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to incoming Education secretary Sonny Angara to improve the teaching of Philippine history....

‘Guo as state witness? Only if she tags someone higher’

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac might be considered a state witness if she would spill the beans on those higher than her in the heirarchy of the illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in her hometown. Winston John Casio, spokesman for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), made the statement yesterday as he stressed that any state witness should be the least guilty in the...

SPD deploys 821 cops to secure SONA

MANILA, Philippines — The Southern Police District will deploy 821 police officers to ensure peace and order during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos on July 22. In a statement on Friday, the SPD said police personnel underwent a two-day refresher course on civil-disturbance management (CDM) operations, aimed at enhancing their knowledge and skills in handling civil disturbances. Police officers have also been...

Former MP quits Tory party saying 'it's dead'

The former minister said the party was not electable in its current make-up in parliament.

Renowned oceanographer visits PH to advocate Verde Island Passage protection

MANILA, Philippines — Renowned oceanographer and conservationist Dr. Sylvia Earle visited the Philippines last month to advocate the protection of the Verde Island Passage (VIP)—the world’s “center of the center” of marine shore fish biodiversity. In a statement on Saturday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that Earle personally dived into the VIP alongside other marine experts to observe the condition of the...

Multi-storey building collapses in Gujarat's Surat, many feared trapped, rescue operations on

The incident took place in Surat's Sachin GIDC area. Police and fire department teams have arrived at the stop and rescue operations are underway. The building that suddenly collapsed housed a family who were living there as tenants.

Park searched in torso murder probe

Greater Manchester Police say the latest operation was based on analysis of CCTV evidence.

NBI to search upper floors of raided illegal clinic catering to POGO workers

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sunday said it will search the other floors of a three-storey building in Makati City that houses an illegal clinic catering to workers at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). NBI Director Jaime Santiago said that they only had a search warrant for the ground floor of the building where they found an operating clinic that catered to Chinese and Vietnamese patients, when it was only registered...

Sir Keir Starmer's dilemma over which mansion to give Angela Rayner

Dorneywood, an 18th century house in Buckinghamshire, is traditionally used by the Chancellor, but one option could be for Rachel Reeves to share the estate with Angela Rayner.

Starmer turns to key Blair ally to drive through NHS reform

Labour are set to bring back Sir Tony Blair’s health secretary Alan Milburn to help reform the NHS, in a sign that the private sector and consumer choice will be at the heart of their plans. It comes after the Prime Minister said in his first press conference that the NHS was “broken”. Mr Milburn’s exact role is yet to be decided, and talks are sti...

6 Bantay Dagat members arrested in Bataan

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer and five members of the sea patrol force Bantay Dagat were arrested for allegedly threatening the Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP-MARIG) personnel in Bataan province on Friday. Brig. Gen. Jonathan Cabal, MARIG director, said their personnel were on seaborne patrol operations off Pilar town and Balanga City when the Bantay Dagat group approached them from another boat. One of the Bantay Dagat...

A Ukrainian ally secretly shipped much needed weapons to the country

Work begins sealing breach at China's second-largest freshwater lake

SHENZHEN, China (Reuters) -Rescue personnel began sealing a breached dike at China's second-largest freshwater lake in the south of the country on Saturday afternoon after water levels stabilised on both side of the burst, Chinese state media said. A day earlier the 226-metre (740-foot) stretch of dike breached at Dongting Lake in Hunan province, with 5,700 residents relocated, China Central

Bodies discovered at a popular beach

A 'concern for welfare' call was received by emergency services in Little Beach in Sydney 's eastern suburbs about 11am on Sunday, a police spokesperson said.

BI re-arrests Chinese national for overstaying

The Bureau of Immigration nabbed an overstaying Chinese national who had previously been detained by the Philippine National Police. According to a Saturday BI statement, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group had arrested 32-year-old Liu Yuhang in May for illegal possession of firearms and suspected hacking equipment. “The discovery of such equipment raised significant concerns about potential security threats,” the statement read. The...

Marcos creates special economic zone in Victoria, Tarlac

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared the creation and designation of several parcels of land located at Barangay Baculong in Victoria, Tarlac as a special economic zone. Based on Proclamation No. 623 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 4, the 297,719-square meter property will be known as the Victoria Industrial Park. Marcos made the move pursuant to Republic Act No. 7916 or the Special Economic Zone Act of...

Attempted murder arrest after four men hit by car

Two of the men are taken to hospital with serious injuries, say police.