World

YouTube to block Hong Kong protest anthem videos after court order

By Jeffrey Dastin and James Pomfret MOUNTAIN VIEW/HONG KONG (Reuters) -Alphabet's YouTube on Tuesday said it would comply with a court decision and block access inside Hong Kong to 32 video links deemed prohibited content, in what critics say is a blow to freedoms in the financial hub amid a security clampdown. The action follows a government application granted by Hong Kong's Court of Appeal

SC asks DOTr, LTFRB to comment on PUV modernization TRO plea

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC), which has yet to issue a restraining order on the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), has instead ordered respondents– Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to comment on the supplemental petition filed by transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) as...

Acting Mayor Garcia gets support of some Cebu City Councilors

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Some members of the Cebu City Council showed up at the flag raiding ceremony at Plaza Sugbu on Monday to show their support for acting mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia. Monday, May 13, was Garcia’s first day at City Hall as the acting mayor, a position that he will occupy for six months. He received his appointment papers late on Friday afternoon, May 11. Those present were Councilors Joel Garganera, Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella...

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...

QC’s Amoranto swimming pool close until June 26

MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Quezon City said on Tuesday that the Olympic-size swimming pool of the Amoranto Sports Complex has been closed temporarily. According to the official Facebook page of Quezon City, it will be closed until June 26. READ: Belmonte: Decades-old Amoranto Sport Complex to undergo makeover READ: A great place for new athletes The temporary closure was also done to maintain its facilities. Meanwhile, the...

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

El Niño, rabies victims can borrow from GSIS

MANILA, Philippines — The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has set aside P1.7 billion to provide emergency loans to members and pensioners in 13 areas nationwide that are affected by the El Niño weather phenomenon and rabies — a common health concern during the dry season. In a statement on Tuesday, the pension fund for government workers said over 77,000 members and pensioners would benefit from the program, which features credit with...

Marcos welcomes non-resident envoys to strengthen ties with other countries

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. welcomed on Tuesday non-resident ambassadors-designate of Belarus, Ghana, Turkmenistan, Malta, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, with the aim to strengthen the ties between the Philippines and the countries that they represent. Among those who presented their letters of credence to Marcos on Tuesday afternoon were Belarus Non-Resident Ambassador-designate Raman Ramanouski, Florence Buerki Akonor of...

Storytelling as real communication

A few weeks ago, I was part of the “We Can Do It: Empowering Women in Agriculture Forum,” organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture and the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture. The event gathered groups from different agriculture-related sectors for discussions, which, the organizers said, could help empower women. In particular, I would be a part of “Science Communication 101...

Photographs mark 10 years of hospital building

Students photograph hospital staff at work to mark a decade since their building opened.

Exhibition tells history of town's Polish soldiers

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

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...

Defying West, Russia's Putin set to meet Xi Jinping in Beijing

By Greg Torode and Guy Faulconbridge HONG KONG/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's Beijing visit on Thursday is likely to be light on hard deals but will mark the start of his new presidential term with a show of support from his most powerful political partner, Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Putin's two-day mission is expected to highlight the pair's vaunted "no limits"

UK summons Chinese envoy over ‘interference’, espionage

LONDON — The UK government said on Tuesday it had summoned China’s ambassador Zheng Zeguang, a day after three people were charged in the latest Beijing-linked alleged espionage case. The foreign ministry was “unequivocal in setting out that the recent pattern of behavior directed by China against the UK, including cyber-attacks, reports of espionage links and the issuing of bounties, is not acceptable”, a spokesperson said. The ministry said...

PS-DBM to open online supply store

MANILA, Philippines — The Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) announced on Tuesday that it was setting up an online store for all supplies to enhance the system of government purchases. At a news briefing in Malacañang, PS-DBM executive director Dennis Santiago said the e-Marketplace (electronic marketplace) digital platform would cut short the procurement process for vehicles, heavy equipment and common-use...

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...

Garin urges Senate panel: Assess ‘PDEA leaks’ evidence first

MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin has urged the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs to pause and take steps back to assess the evidence gathered during hearings on the allegedly leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents. Garin on Tuesday stressed that since congressional hearings are funded by taxpayers’ money, the inquiry should answer specific questions — like what benefit it would...

Why Albanese government's latest budget could fuel inflation

While the federal government says its budget will lower inflation, analysts counter that broad cost-of-living relief, such as energy rebates and tax cuts, could make things worse.

'Atin Ito' Coalition successfully installs markers in West Philippine Sea

An advocate group which embarked on a daring journey to establish civilian presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite an intimidating armada of Chinese vessels successfully reached their first goal of installing floating markers in the disputed waters on Wednesday, May 15. The symbolic buoys bearing the words "WPS, Atin Ito!" (WPS, This is Ours!) were deployed 14 nautical miles off Palauig Point in Zambales within the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone just as the convoy -- composed of five main fishing boats and 100 more deep-sea fishing vessels -- were on their way to Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal). READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/14/atin-ito-coalition-successfully-installs-markers-in-west-philippine-sea

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

SINGAPORE — 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 long-ruling People’s […]

Putin signs decrees appointing government ministers

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees on Tuesday appointing all members of the government and planned a late-evening meeting with his new cabinet line-up, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. The single announcement on the cabinet took the form of a list of all the appointees without commentary, indicating that Putin had signed the

Ex-Marine charged with 'spying for Hong Kong' fought Somali pirates

Matthew Trickett, 37, is accused of carrying out surveillance and hostile reconnaissance on pro-democracy activists in the UK for the Hong Kong intelligence service.

Dublin canal barriers 'architectural vandalism'

Steel barriers along popular Dublin walking route is described as "architectural vandalism".

Senators slam DOE, ERC over power alerts

MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Tuesday dressed down energy regulators for their failure to physically inspect power plants and act on applications for new energy facilities that would have averted the power outages in several areas across the country. They took to task the senior officials of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) after they admitted that they were only conducting “desk monitoring” of power...

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...

‘Aggressive vs Diplomatic’: Acting Mayor Garcia takes different approach from Rama

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said he will adopt a more diplomatic approach to problems at Cebu City Hall during his six-month tenure. Garcia said that one of his goals during his 6-month assumption as acting mayor would be to address specific issues with agencies where the government has ongoing friction, such as the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), and the Cebu Bus Rapid...

Marcos declares July PH Agriculturists Month

MANILA, Philippines — Citing agriculture’s vital role in food security, environmental protection and development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared every July as Philippine Agriculturists Month. In Proclamation 544 signed on May 10, Marcos said that professional agriculturists must be honored for their dedication in improving agricultural productivity and competitiveness. “Agriculture plays a significant role in ensuring food security,...

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.

Bailiff letters issued over CAZ charge typo

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

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...

Utah judge to decide if author of children's book on grief will face trial in her husband's death

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — A Utah woman who authorities say fatally poisoned her husband, then published a children’s book about coping with grief, will appear in court Wednesday for a hearing that will determine whether state prosecutors have enough evidence against her to proceed with a trial. Kouri Richins, 33, faces several felony charges for allegedly killing her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022 at their home in a small...

Putin backs China's Ukraine peace plan, says Beijing understands the conflict

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview published early on Wednesday, said he backed China's plan for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, saying Beijing had a full understanding of what lay behind the crisis. Putin, speaking to China's Xinhua news agency ahead of his visit to Beijing this week, said Russia remained open to dialogue and talks to solve the more than

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.

Thai activist charged with royal insult dies in pre-trial detention

(Corrects spelling of "pre-trial" in headline) BANGKOK (Reuters) -A Thai political activist died in custody on Tuesday, the department of corrections said, and a legal aid group said she had been on a partial hunger strike during her pre-trial detention on charges including insulting the country's monarchy. Netiporn "Bung" Sanesangkhom, 28, was part of a small anti-monarchy group called "

Tolentino notes possible 25-strong PH Olympic team

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino scribbled in his notebook the list of Filipino athletes who could possibly join the country’s delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The local Olympic chief found out that several hopefuls could still make it, more than his projected expectation. “I wrote down 25 athletes from various sports. But it seems, that number is bound to increase going into the final stretch of [Olympic]...

Plan to ban sex education for children under nine

New guidance for schools in England is expected to be set out on Thursday.

Notable People who died in 2024

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 811

As the war enters its 811th day, these are the main developments.

'Someone comparing their life to those living in J&K,' says S Jaishankar on PoK unrest

He mentioned that people in PoK are comparing their situation to Jammu and Kashmir where progress is evident. He further highlighted the complexity of the situation analysis in PoK.

Trillanes sues Duterte supporters

MANILA, Philippines — Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV filed libel and cyberlibel cases on Tuesday against “pro-Duterte” personalities and social media account holders due to “persistent online attacks and the dissemination of false accusations.” The separate complaints for libel and cyberlibel were filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI)...

Investigators say cargo ship that hit Maryland bridge lost electric power several times before incident

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal investigators said on Tuesday the Dali cargo ship lost electrical power several times including the day before it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six people. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a preliminary report that about 10 hours before leaving Baltimore, the Dali experienced a blackout during in-port

Lawmakers say P3,000 food aid not enough, but it’s a good start

MANILA, Philippines — While several lawmakers have admitted that the P3,000 monthly assistance for the government’s food stamp program is not enough, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin said the measure is a good start. Garin herself, during a press briefing on Tuesday, noted that P3,000 aid under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is not enough to cover poor Filipinos’ food needs for a month. However, she stressed that the program is...

PH-US tie-up on space tech to help monitor EEZ

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States have agreed to further cooperation on space technology, including its use for maritime domain surveillance of Manila’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Both sides held the inaugural bilateral space dialogue in Washington on May 2, aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation on outer space innovation, “including the use of space-based Earth observation satellite data...

Indonesia searches for 35 still missing in deadly Sumatra floods

JAKARTA (Reuters) - The search for 35 people who are still missing from flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia's West Sumatra province continued on Wednesday, authorities said, as the death toll from the weekend disaster rose to 58. Heavy rain on Saturday evening triggered flash floods, landslides, and cold lava flow - a mud-like mixture of volcanic ash, rock debris and water - in three

Baybayin tattoo exhibit in San Francisco explores Filipino heritage

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is hosting a one-of-a-kind exhibit that shines the spotlight on the ancient Filipino practice of tattooing and the revival of baybayin, an indigenous form of writing in the Philippines. In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the Consulate – through Sentro Rizal San Francisco – has opened the “Bagong Liwanag 2: Baybayin...

Naia undergoes power maintenance

MANILA, Philippines — Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is currently undergoing power maintenance activities as part of an electrical systems upgrade of the facility since last year, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said. According to the agency, the power maintenance at the country’s gateway, which began on Monday and will last until May 28, involves the replacement of deteriorated medium voltage...

Councillors back ship getting Freedom of the City

HMS Protector is a wave closer to being given freedom of a landlocked city.

DOJ chief orders probe into possible wiretapping of Chinese diplomats

MANILA CITY, Philippines— Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an in-depth investigation into the reported illegal and unlawful activities of Chinese diplomats. Remulla issued the order after the Chinese Embassy mentioned a recorded conversation between its diplomat and an official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command on a “new model” regarding...

'Ang daming inabalang tao': Lacson, Trillanes slam Senate 'PDEA leaks' probe

Suffice it to say that former senators Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV aren't impressed with the way the "PDEA leaks" probe has been carried out in the Senate. READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/14/ang-daming-inabalang-tao-lacson-trillanes-slam-senate-pdea-leaks-probe

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 years