News

‘They point guns at us’: Panatag fisher recounts encounter with China

ABOARD FBCA PING PING — “Hindi ka duduruin ng kamay, baril ang iduduro sa’yo.” A fisherfolk who recently returned from Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal had this to say of China Coast Guard personnel as he recounted his group’s encounter with them in the sandbank’s vicinity waters. JR Sarmiento Hilig, 37, shared this story with INQUIRER.net as he boarded this vessel to receive the aid given by the Atin Ito coalition as part of its civilian resupply...

Private sector boosts sustainability efforts to combat climate change

The private sector is pushing to strengthen sustainability efforts or acts that would not be detrimental to the environment to combat climate change. “This initiative is really to help out the bigger companies to complete their greenhouse gas emissions by educating, creating awareness, and capacity building for our suppliers or our chain,” said Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) chairperson Victoria Tan in a Saksi report on Wednesday. The...

Warning after dancer fatally choked during sex

Georgia Brooke, 26, was strangled by Luke Cannon, who was himself found dead the following day.

California university will heed student call to boycott Israel institutions

Calls to boycott Israeli academic institutions have been a consistent demand of protesters against Israel’s war in Gaza.

Dela Rosa’s plea to peers: Respect my Senate panel chairmanship

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Wednesday appealed to fellow lawmakers to respect his committee chairmanship and the freedom to decide when to stop its investigations. As head of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, Dela Rosa is leading the probe into the alleged leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents that supposedly linked certain personalities to illegal drugs. His...

PH has no plan to militarize West Philippine Sea – PCG spokesman

The national government will not militarize the West Philippine Sea (WPS) even as a civilian group launched a mission to establish their presence in the disputed waters of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) on Wednesday, May 15. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/ph-has-no-plan-to-militarize-west-philippine-sea-pcg-spokesman Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews

PCSO Lotto Draw Results, May 15, 2024 | Grand Lotto 6/55, Mega Lotto 6/45, 4D, 3D, and 2D

Here are the winning lotto combinations of the lotto draw results for the 9 p.m. draw on Wednesday, May 15.

Zubiri leads group to Pag-asa Island

PAG-ASA island, Palawan -- The construction of military barracks in Pag-asa Island in Palawan will boost the presence of the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and prevent the illegal incursions of China into Philippine territory, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Thirsday. Zubiri flew here to lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the PN barracks and a health unit in the island that he himself fought for during the budget...

Magnitude 4.1 quake strikes off Isabela

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude-4.1 earthquake struck the waters of Divilacan, Isabela, on Wednesday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. It was recorded at 6:06 p.m. some 34 kilometers (km) northeast of Divilacan. The shallow tremor had a depth of focus of one kilometer and was tectonic in origin. It was felt at Intensity II in Divilacan and Maconacon in Isabela. Phivolcs added that no aftershock or...

UK developing new weapon that can blast drones out of sky with radio waves

UK developing new weapon that can blast drones out of sky with radio waves - It can be used across land, air and sea and has a range of up to 1km, which could be extended in the future

BIR confiscates untaxed cigarettes in Palawan

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said there is no room for illegal vape and cigarettes in the country. With a nationwide crackdown underway, Lumagui said the BIR is actively pursuing all individuals involved in the illicit sale of these products. President Marcos Jr. earlier directed the Bureau of Customs and the BIR to strengthen their anti-smuggling measures targeting illegal tobacco and vape products. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/bir-confiscates-untaxed-cigarettes-in-palawan Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Over 40 Chinese ships move to block PH civilian mission in Scarborough

Forty-three Chinese vessels, including a warship, moved to Scarborough Shoal to block the Filipino civilian mission, which held fishing activities in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Thursday. “China has finally moved the rest of its blockade into position,” former US Air Force official and ex-Defense Attaché Ray Powell said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening. According to him, there were one People's...

State of emergency takes effect in New Caledonia after four killed in riots

Local authorities say five suspects under house arrest as they move to try and restore calm.

South Korean shipbuilder to lease part of Philippine Subic Bay shipyard

MANILA — U.S. private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management said it has agreed to lease part of its Philippine shipyard in Subic Bay to HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering, which plans to build a facility there to manufacture offshore wind platforms. Cerberus said on Wednesday it has signed a multi-year agreement with HD KSOE to lease part […]

UK ships aid to Gaza with 100 tonnes of plastic sheeting for shelters

Rishi Sunak heralded the UK's contribution to the maritime corridor and construction of the pier off Gaza's coastline. The UK has also committed £9,7million towards aid, including 900 family tents.

Notable People who died in 2024

Pagcor told to tighten up on POGOs

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Wednesday told the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to step up its regulatory powers and monitoring of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). PAOCC Spokesperson Winston Casio said this after the agency shut down an illegal hospital in Pasay City, allegedly catering to POGO workers. “Really the bottom-line is the Philippine Amusement Gaming...

The moment gunman shoots Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico

Robert Fico, 59, was wheeled into hospital after the assassination attempt in Handlova, northeast of capital Bratislava, while speaking to people outside of the building.

PH boat convoy won't proceed to Scarborough Shoal – organizers

MANILA, Philippines – A convoy of boats carrying Philippine civilians bearing fuel and food for Filipino fishermen has abandoned plans to sail closer to a China-held reef off the Southeast Asian country, organizers said Thursday. "Atin Ito will now proceed to conduct the final leg of supply distribution in the current area, as there are no more Filipino fishers in BdM after they were reportedly sent away by various Chinese vessels," the...

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.”...

The race to raise blood money to halt an execution

A Kenyan mother's desperate attempts to save her son who is on death row in Saudi Arabia.

Junior doctors and government agree to talks

Members of the British Medical Association union have been staging walkouts for more than a year.

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...

Idaho inmate pleads guilty to escaping hospital after correctional officers are attacked

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho inmate who slipped custody from a hospital in March after a violent attack on corrections officers has pleaded guilty to escape, while still facing the possibility of two felony enhancements that could add to his sentence. Skylar Meade entered the plea in 4th District Court on Wednesday. He could face up to life in prison when sentenced in July. Violence erupted March 20 at a Boise hospital as Idaho Department of...

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...

Ministers 'not planning to intervene' in Royal Mail takeover

In a move that sent shockwaves through the City and Westminster, the board of its parent company backed a £3.5billion takeover offer from a billionaire dubbed the 'Czech Sphinx'.

Recto: BSP likely to keep rate at 6.5%

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) would likely keep its ultra-tight monetary policy settings unchanged today as inflation is expected to remain “sticky,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said. Recto, who represents the Cabinet of President Marcos in the seven-member Monetary Board (MB), told reporters that it was not yet time to slash the key rate from a 17-year high of 6.5 percent. “Well, number one, we’ll take a look at...

Police called in as protesters take building at University of California, Irvine

(Reuters) - Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied a building at the University of California, Irvine, on Wednesday, leading university officials to call in multiple police agencies, cancel classes and advise people on campus to shelter in place, a university spokesperson said. No arrests or injuries were reported as several law-enforcement agencies from Orange County including Irvine police

Robin Padilla seeks gov’t info drive on El Niño, La Niña

Senator Robin Padilla has filed a resolution seeking a comprehensive public information dissemination campaign to help the nation prepare for various “environmental shocks” such as El Niño and La Niña. Senate Resolution 1025 directs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, which Padilla chairs, to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the matter. The lawmaker said that Filipinos must be informed about necessary...

Putin arrives in China to deepen strategic ties with Xi

By Guy Faulconbridge and Bernard Orr MOSCOW/BEIJING (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing early on Thursday for talks with counterpart Xi Jinping that the Kremlin hopes will deepen a strategic partnership between the two most powerful geopolitical rivals of the United States. China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing

Indonesia's death toll rises to 67 from Sumatra floods, 20 still missing

JAKARTA (Reuters) - The number of people killed by weekend flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia's West Sumatra province has risen to 67 and 20 are still missing, authorities said on Thursday, as the government plans to relocate survivors to safer areas. Five of the 25 previously missing were found dead, increasing the death toll from 62 reported on Wednesday, the national disaster management

Campaigners hail new law to punish killer cyclists as 'fantastic'

Matt Briggs has campaigned for dangerous cyclists to be given harsher prison sentences after his wife Kim, 44, was killed by a rider. He said the new law offers a 'clear process to prosecution'.

Court averts water cut in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A local court has temporarily eased the worries of some 40,000 households here whose taps could run dry due to an unresolved dispute between the water district and its bulk supplier. On Tuesday night, Mayor Rolando Uy announced that Regional Trial Court Branch 17 Judge Ana Candida Casiño issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Cagayan de Oro Bulkwater Inc. (Cobi) and Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc....

Cebu City Council OKs release of unpaid salaries for 4 employees

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City Council recently approved the release of the remaining unpaid salaries of four City Hall employees a month after they reported their plight to the local press. The Cebu City Council approved today, May 15, the release of the remaining six months’ worth of salaries for four employees, who initially reported that they had not been paid since July 2023 or 10 months ago. The resolution was authored by City...

House approves divorce bill on 2nd reading

MANILA, Philippines — House Bill No. 9348, a proposal seeking to reinstate divorce in the country as a means of dissolving marriages, was approved by the House of Representatives on second reading on Wednesday. During the plenary session, the proposal was approved via viva voce or voice voting. The bill was approved two months after it was referred to the plenary by the House committee on population and family relations. Under HB No. 9349 or the...

Worrisome presence

Better late than never. That best describes the decision of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to implement stricter rules on the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals in the wake of reports that fraudulently-obtained passports and visas had resulted in their illicit entry and overstay. Its action is long overdue in light of the crimes of human trafficking, forcible abduction, robbery extortion, and homicide that had earlier been...

US aid pier for Gaza floats into wartime reality

By Jonathan Landay and Michelle Nichols WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States aims to have a floating pier in place off the Gaza Strip coast in the coming days to boost aid deliveries, but Washington is facing the same challenges that have beset the United Nations and relief groups for months when it comes to distributing assistance to the war-torn enclave. These include

Our Mexican connection

We have been taught that Philippine society has largely been defined by the influences of two colonial powers that ruled our islands. Referring to our occupation by Spain and the United States, we are said to have spent 300 years in the convent and almost 50 years in Hollywood. It turns out that there was a third foreign land that deeply influenced our way of life for 250 years. That country is Mexico. This was my takeaway from the exhibition...

Embattled Tarlac mayor denies POGO link, insists fund used in 2022 polls from family business

Amid ongoing investigation that raised doubts on her citizenship and her eligibility to seek public office, embattled Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has expressed confidence that she would be able to clear her name on the issues hounding her. READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/15/embattled-tarlac-mayor-denies-pogo-link-insists-fund-used-in-2022-polls-from-family-business Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin Visit our website at http://mb.com.phFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletinInstagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletinTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin #ManilaBulletinOnline#ManilaBulletin#LatestNews

What to know about Vladimir Putin's visit to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China starting Thursday underlines an increasingly close partnership between the two allies who oppose the U.S.-led democratic order. China, led by President Xi Jinping, has offered robust diplomatic support to Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine and has emerged as a top export market for Russian oil and gas, helping fill the Kremlin's war coffers. Russia also has relied on China as the main source of...

Labour accused of setting 'unrealistic' short-term climate goals

The Tony Blair Institute said politicians must focus on infrastructure and technological innovation instead of arbitrary dates.

Man told he is not British after 42 years in UK

Nelson Shardey now faces a 10-year wait for "settlement" and a bill running into thousands of pounds.

Meta restores Facebook posts by Malaysian media on PM Anwar's meeting with Hamas

By Danial Azhar KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Meta Platforms has restored Facebook posts by Malaysian media covering Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's meeting this week with a Hamas leader, saying they were removed in error. The removal had drawn complaints from Malaysia's government, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and which has warned that firm action could be taken against Meta and other

Family of Lewiston shooter to testify before commission investigating tragedy

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — An independent commission investigating the mass shooting that left 18 people dead in Maine is preparing to hear from the shooter's family for the first time. An Army reservist with a history of mental health troubles committed the deadliest shooting in Maine history, opening fire with an assault rifle inside a bowling alley and a bar and grill in Lewiston in October. The commission has been meeting for months, hearing from...

Albo responds after tenant revealed he is being evicted from PM's home

Anthony Albanese has responded to his Sydney tenant who begged the Prime Minister not to make him homeless after serving him with an eviction notice.

Double standards

With rising tensions over the West Philippine Sea, people have been wary about infiltration by foreign nationals. We have seen the Senate hearings with Bamban Mayor Alice Guo who apparently secured an elected government post without much of a background to speak of. We have heard public concerns over the supposed influx of Chinese students in a university in Cagayan. News reports have shown arrests of Chinese nationals found with weapons in...

US brothers allegedly stole $25m in 12 seconds

Officials say the crypto heist, supposedly pulled off by two MIT-educated men, is first of its kind.

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 812

As the war enters its 812th day, these are the main developments.

US removes Cuba from list of countries not cooperating fully against terrorism

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday removed Cuba from a short list of countries the United States alleges are "not cooperating fully" in its fight against terrorism, a State Department official said. "The department determined that the circumstances for Cuba’s certification as a 'not fully cooperating country' have changed from 2022 t...

Venezuela's barred opposition candidate is now the fiery surrogate of her lesser-known replacement

SABANA DE MENDOZA, Venezuela (AP) — At an intersection packed in four directions, rallygoers scream and light up cellphones in the evening as Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado climbs onto a flatbed truck like a presidential candidate. She has been barred from the July 28 election. Still, she crisscrosses the country, shaking hands, taking selfies, blowing kisses and promising the defeat of President Nicolás Maduro — all as a...