General

Manila: The top diplomats of the Group of Seven (G7) have condemned China’s ‘illicit, provocative, coercive, and dangerous actions’ in the Indo-Pacific as they aired their concern over the harassment against Filipino vessels in the South China Sea (SCS). According to Philippines News Agency, a statement released by the US Embassy in Manila on Saturday said the G7 expressed concern over the situation in the South China Sea, including the ‘increasing use’ of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine vessels. The G7 foreign ministers, who held a meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec in Canada on March 12-14, also hit ‘efforts

Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the arrest of a Japanese woman suspected of being a member of the infamous “Luffy” gang, linked to theft and fraud in Japan. According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado announced in a press release that the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) apprehended 33-year-old Natsuki Kimura along Ayala Avenue in Makati City on Friday. Her arrest was based on a deportation order issued in March 2023. Kimura is among several ‘Luffy’ gang members who have been apprehended by the bureau following reports from the Japanese government about their presence in the

Washington: The White House believes that Thursday’s discussions on resolving the crisis in Ukraine were productive and, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the international community has never been so close to achieving peace in Ukraine. “Yesterday was a productive day for the United States of America and for the world in terms of peace. We have never been this close to peace,” she said. According to Philippines News Agency, US President Donald Trump wrote on the Truth Social network on March 14 that a “very good and productive” conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin took place on

Manila: The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will resume its Legazpi-Naga and vice versa train services on Sunday after an inspection train was derailed by a tanker truck collision at Paloyon Crossing in Nabua, Camarines Sur on Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, the Legazpi-Naga (4:49 a.m.) and Naga-Legazpi (5:30 p.m.) routes will become operational again. In a statement released by the Department of Transportation, PNR emphasized the urgency of reopening the Legazpi to Naga route due to its high connectivity demand. Notably, the Calamba to Lucena (5:45 p.m.), Naga to Sipocot (3:30 p.m.), and Sipocot to Naga (5 p.m.) routes

Manila: The Philippine government will not intervene as the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte begins preparing for his defense against charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC), Malaca±ang stated. This decision comes as the ICC has scheduled the confirmation of charges hearing on September 23, allowing Duterte and all involved parties to prepare for the pre-trial while acknowledging his right to a timely trial. According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that this period is crucial for Duterte to organize his defense, potentially summoning witnesses and