Streamlined process for infra permits gains ground

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) on Monday said the implementing rules and regulations for the presidential order aimed at streamlining the permitting process for the government’s priority infrastructure projects are expected to be completed by June 10. Arta Secretary Ernesto Perez gave this timeline, saying that the concerned government agencies have been meeting regularly to comply with the 30-day deadline as given in...

Comelec breaches 3 million target of new voter registrants

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections on Monday breached its three million target of new voter registrants, according to poll body chairman George Erwin Garcia. Garcia said that a total of 3,020,999 voters were registered as of Monday, including 1,462,493 for males and 1,558,506 for females. Most of the voter registrants came from Metro Manila at 440,857. READ: No extension of voters’ registration after Sept. 30, 2024 — Comelec While...

Teen murderer who bought 79 blades online named

The BBC is given legal permission to name Rayis Nibeel as the teenager who murdered Omar Khan.

Taiwan’s New President Calls Out Beijing’s Intimidation

Taiwan parliament erupts in arguments at start of Lai's presidency

Taiwanese lawmakers shouted each other down Tuesday in a rambunctious parliamentary session, indicating the troubles ahead for newly appointed President Lai Ching-te. After a brawl broke out in parliament on Friday between lawmakers over the matter, the session resumed Tuesday with DPP members unveiling a giant banner reading "No to power expansion".

China embassy in South Korea says it opposes lawmakers visiting Taiwan

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's embassy in South Korea on Tuesday said it resolutely opposes and condemns South Korean lawmakers visiting Taiwan to attend the so-called "inauguration ceremony of the leader". A spokesperson for the embassy said the move runs counter to the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership. Lai Ching-te was sworn in as Taiwan's new president on Monday, in footage

Man jailed after 100mph police chase

Daniel Usher is jailed after what police describe as "incredibly dangerous" driving.

Netanyahu says ICC prosecutor's move absurd, comparison to Hamas shameful

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the decision of the ICC prosecutor on Monday to seek arrest warrants against him and his defense minister was absurd and that the move was meant to target all of Israel. "I reject with disgust the comparison of the prosecutor in the Hague between democratic Israel and the mass murderers of Hamas," Netanyahu said. "With what

DILG orders Napolcom to start revoking Bamban mayor’s power over cops

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Monday that he has ordered the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to start the proceedings to revoke Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s control and supervision over the police force in her town. Local chief executives have control over the Philippine National Police units within their jurisdiction. “I have instructed the Napolcom to initiate proceedings for the withdrawal of...

Vigilance urged in BARMM after attack on Cotabato chapel

Presidential peace adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday urged residents of Cotabato City and other areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to "remain vigilant" following Sunday's grenade attack on a chapel. "We urge everyone in Cotabato City and across the region to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the proper authorities," Galvez said in a statement. "Let us all work together to...

Woman imported bedbug poison which killed girl, 11

Jesmin Akter, 33, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter after a girl aged 11 died.

This Scottish family allegedly killed over 1,000 people

According to Scottish legend, a man named Sawney Bean and his clan murdered over 1,000 people in 25 years. The inbred family, who lived in a cave, not only killed their victims to rob them, but also fed on them. The story is so gruesome that it inspired horror films such as 'The Hills Have Eyes' (1977). But how much do we know really about this piece of Scottish folklore? Click through the following gallery to find out.

Labour leader responds to damning Infected Blood scandal report

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer responded in the Commons after the Infected Blood Inquiry identified a 'catalogue of systemic, collective and individual failures' that amounted to a 'calamity'.

Faye the puppy was trapped inside a wall in California. Watch how firefighters freed her.

Firefighters used a sledgehammer to rescue a vulnerable puppy trapped inside a wall in Southern California.

‘Lone wolf’ or JI?: Jemaah Islamiyah confusion after Malaysia attack

Hardline group launched wave of devastating attacks in Indonesia in the 2000s before regional governments cracked down.

SNP support at lowest point in a decade, new bombshell poll finds

Support for the SNP has plunged to its lowest in a decade as it faces the threat of unprecedented losses in the general election.

‘We love Taiwan’: Domestic workers hope for more from new President Lai

Thousands of Southeast Asians care for Taiwan’s elderly and would like to see more flexibility in their contracts.

Price freeze up in 3 Negros localities

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — A price freeze on basic commodities is in place in three local governments in Negros Occidental that have declared states of calamity because of the damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon. The price freeze in Kabankalan City and the towns of San Enrique and Valladolid would last for 60 days from the time their respective local governments declared a state of calamity, said Department of Trade and...

South Korea bans viral hit 'idolising' Kim Jong Un

The boppy propaganda tune extols Kim Jong Un as a "friendly father" and "great leader".

Investigate the strangest unsolved mystery in each US state

The world is filled with unexplained mysteries, and the United States are no different (quite the opposite actually!). Did you know that in Missouri, a teenager passed away due to complications related to AIDS nearly ten years before the disease was discovered? And in Minnesota, a woman miraculously survived after being found frozen. This gallery comprises renowned unsolved mysteries from each state, ranging from disappearances to UFOs. Click on to delve into America's unexplained underbelly.

Marcos backs new Senate leadership

MANILA, Philippines -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday extended his support to Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who has taken over the post as the country's new Senate President. Escudero replaced Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, who resigned from the position over his supposed failure to follow instructions from "powerful" blocs in the Senate. "I extend my support to the new Senate President, Chiz Escudero. His legislative record and...

Notable People who died in 2024

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, hardline ally of Khamenei, killed in helicopter crash

By Parisa Hafezi and Yomna Ehab DUBAI (Reuters) -Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed when his helicopter crashed in poor weather in mountains near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said on Monday. The charred wreckage of the helicopter which crashed on Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign

Will King Charles III abdicate? The shocking predictions of Nostradamus

Nostradamus was a French astrologer born at the beginning of the 16th century. He worked as a physician, but he is famed for his supposed ability to predict the future and is credited with foreseeing many major world events. Most of his predictions were written in the form of short cryptic poems, collected in his famous 1555 book, ‘Les Prophéties.' His artistic musings have exasperated historians, and many of them could be interpreted to apply to a number of events. Naturally, his claims are met with a great deal of skepticism, but many of his predictions contain very specific details that came true. In fact, some of his poems predicted the most important and devastating events of the last century, from the rise of Hitler to the invention of the atomic bomb, and the 9/11 terror attacks. Experts who have studied his work are now saying that he predicted the death of Queen Elizabeth at the right age, and that his vision for Charles's future as King is not very hopeful. Curious to know more? Click through this gallery to discover what Nostradamus wrote about the fate of the British royal family, and which of his other prophecies have already been fulfilled.

DA: Onion import ban extended to July

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is extending the ban on onion importations “maybe until July” as the country is assured of a stable supply and prices, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Monday. “We will extend the ban on onion importation. Cold storage facilities in onion-producing areas are full and prices in retail markets are low. There’s no reason to import,” Tiu Laurel said. According to him, an...

Hong Kong hits back at UK-based pressure group for ‘despicable’ manoeuvres against city officials

Hong Kong has hit back at a UK-based pressure group for its “despicable political manipulation to intimidate” city officials by calling for sanctions against the chief executive and five ministers over the newly enacted domestic national security law. In a statement issued on Monday night, the government slammed Hong Kong Watch as an “anti-China organisation”, accusing many of its members of being “destabilising forces in the front line” and...

Mayor calls for corporate manslaughter in blood contamination scandal

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has demanded for accountability, for the blood contamination scandal, calling for full consideration of prosecutions, including potential corporate manslaughter charges against Whitehall departments.

Body of man is found washed up on Stanwell Park beach, south of Sydney

NSW Police were called to Stanwell Park beach before 7.30am on Tuesday following reports a body had been found.

Zubiri paints dim picture of Senate’s Cha-cha drive

MANILA, Philippines — “Wala na, good bye Cha-cha!” Former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri had this to say when he was asked on Monday to comment on the fate of the Senate’ Charter change (Cha-cha) bid now that there had been a change of leadership. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Zubiri said Cha-cha talks in the Senate initially scheduled within the week will no longer push through. “Wala na, good bye Cha-cha. Nag resign na si...

Jeepney drivers rally at House vs transport modernization program

MANILA, Philippines -- Despite charges filed against the key officers of the transport group, Manibela, over 200 jeepney drivers and operators rallied in front of the House of the Representatives in Quezon City on Tuesday. A desk officer at the Batasan Hills Police Station 6 told The Manila Times that the protesters gathered along IBP Road at 9 a.m. while chanting against the government's transport modernization program. He said police personnel...

3 male students allegedly hit, cursed by teacher in Lubao, Pampanga

A complaint has been filed against a teacher in Lubao, Pampanga for allegedly hitting and cursed three male students, according to the report of GMA Regional TV One North Centra Luzon's CJ Torrida on "Saksi." A video that has gone viral showed a teacher slapping, pulling the hair and cursing at three male Grade 9 students while taking the exams. "Itong ating adviser, subject adviser and teacher ay na-outrage kasi itong mga estudyante, itong mga...

Alice and the ‘crime wonderland’

The Philippines, like the moon, finds itself perpetually in the gravitational pull of a larger China. Under President Marcos, the Philippines has tried to counter China’s influence by strengthening ties with the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. However, China’s response has been a seemingly relentless escalation of its presence in Philippine affairs. Newspapers overflow with tales of China’s growing footprint: The West Philippine Sea...

‘Nowhere To Go’: Rohingya face arson attacks in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Rohingya, targeted by the military in 2017, are caught in middle as Arakan Army and military battle in country’s west.

Why is France trying top Syrian former officials for alleged torture and killing of father and son?

PARIS (AP) — The Syrian soldiers came first, at night, for the son, Patrick, a 20-year-old psychology student at Damascus University, and said they were taking him away for questioning. They came back the next night for his father, Mazen. Five years later, in 2018, death certificates from Syrian authorities confirmed to the Dabbagh family that the French-Syrian father and son would never come home again. In a landmark trial, a Paris court will...

History's botched executions: people who just wouldn't die

An execution is not supposed to be torture. Capital punishment is death, and throughout history, there have been many methods employed to achieve this. Sometimes, however, executions do not go as planned, often ending in the prolonged suffering of their victims. From miscalculated hangings to electric chairs gone haywire, in this gallery you'll get to learn about some of history's most infamous botched executions. Click on for more.

Manalo says no instruction from Marcos yet on alleged wiretapping

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Tuesday said there is no instruction yet from President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. regarding the probe into the alleged wiretapping of Chinese Embassy personnel of a conversation about the supposed “new model” deal on the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. ''No, no, no... I have not received any instruction. If we find any evidence, obviously we will take whatever action considered...

Could Hitler have faked his own death and fled to South America?

This conspiracy theory, which many believe to be true, is based on the belief that Adolf Hitler was able to flee the city of Berlin in 1945 with the help of his wife, Eva Braun. Although not taken seriously by historians, this theory has only gained traction since the advent of the internet, a breeding ground for speculation and suspicion. In this gallery, you'll get to know the theory in detail. Click through and dive in.

Haiti airport reopens after weeks of gang violence

A single commercial flight left the capital Port-au-Prince on Monday and later landed in Florida.

McDonald's Australia worker called out over 'filthy' act

Many Australians were disgusted after a McDonald's employee was caught committing a food hygiene violation on camera - here's what happened when bosses found out

Ukraine President Zelenskiy speaks to Reuters in exclusive interview

KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Reuters in an exclusive interview in Kyiv on Monday that Ukraine's Western allies were taking too long to make decisions on military support for his country. Following are key quotes from the interview: ON THE BATTLEFIELD "Currently the situation at the front is one of the most difficult because a new... Russian offensive has begun in the

Ignore ‘scare tactics’ by Chinese, fishers urged

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fishermen should continue fishing in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and not be mindful of China’s “scare tactics,” the government said, amid reports of continued Chinese harassment there. “We do not want to give this too much attention because we know that these are all scare tactics, and the moment we raise this officially to the Chinese government, it… sort of [grants] acquiescence or recognition that they have...

Sunak issues 'wholehearted and unequivocal' apology to infected blood victims

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologised to the victims of the infected blood scandal and their families in a statement to the House of Commons, saying: "I want to make a whole-hearted and unequivocal apology for this terrible injustice."

2 people injured as Cessna 172 flips in crash

MANILA, Philippines -- Two people aboard a Cessna 172 sustained injuries when their aircraft crashed into the waters of La Union, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported on Tuesday. Initial investigation revealed that shortly after RP-C6923 took off at 8:23 a.m. from San Fernando Airport Runway 19, the pilot-in-command radioed the San Fernando Tower to declare an emergency. The four-seater single-engine plane, operated by...

Marcos sends condolences to Iran over president's passing

MANILA, Philippines -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his condolences to the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the recent passing of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. Raising, Amirabdollahian, and several other officials perished in a helicopter crash over the weekend. "We offer our deepest condolences to the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially to the...

Australia and New Zealand sending planes to evacuate nationals from New Caledonia's unrest

SYDNEY (AP) — The Australian and New Zealand governments announced Tuesday they were sending planes to evacuate their nationals from violence-wracked New Caledonia. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed Australia had received clearance from French authorities for two flights to evacuate citizens and other tourists from New Caledonia amid violent unrest that has beset the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long...

Greek trial of one of Med's worst migrant tragedies opens

The trial of nine accused smugglers opens on Tuesday, nearly a year after a derelict migrant trawler with hundreds on board sank off the coast of Greece in one of Europe's deadliest shipwrecks. The sinking of the rusty and overloaded trawler Adriana on the night of June 13 to 14, 2023 off the coast of Greece, has left many unanswered questions as to whether the tragedy could have been averted.

After Chernobyl: meet the Ukrainian ghost city of Pripyat

The city of Pripyat was stopped in time after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and today is considered a fascinating yet terrifying portrait of the old Soviet Union. The abandoned city has been overrun by nature, which has been thriving for more than 35 years despite the high radiation levels. Intrigued? Check out these pictures of this eerie Ukrainian city.

Weathering multiple storms (1)

Cotabato City—In November 2022, the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs released a global assessment of the intersectionality of gender and climate in areas prone to both violent conflicts and extreme weather events associated with climate change. The report summarized findings from different parts of the world characterized by these two adverse phenomena. The report, “Weathering Two Storms: Gender and Climate in...

Revisiting the attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. The unprovoked strike was met with outrage and disbelief, and prompted the United States, up until then a neutral country, to declare war on Japan the next day and thus enter the Second World War. The event is commemorated every year by National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, but several films and television shows made over the years have also helped keep the attack in the minds of the public. Click through the following gallery and be reminded of what took place at Pearl Harbor, and its place in popular culture.

President Biden criticises International Criminal Court's request for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders

President Joe Biden has condemned a request by the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for Israeli leaders in connection with the seven-month war in Gaza. Speaking at a White House event to mark Jewis American Heritage Month, Mr Biden rejected allegations that Israel's actions in Gaza amounted to genocide.