China hits US, Philippines over ‘false’ accusationsA US soldier fires a Javelin anti-tank missile during a live-fire exercise at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija as part of the annual Balikatan yesterday. “The joint statement of the US and the Philippines misrepresents and discredits the legitimate and lawful maritime law enforcement activities of the Chinese side and even makes false accusations against China. He also reassured Manila of US commitment to defend the Philippines against any armed attack under the Mutual Defense Treaty. We’ve seen a troubling increase in coercion and dangerous operational behavior, including in the South China Sea. And I have mentioned on several occasions that the importance of our Philippine-US defense cooperation in the region, especially at this time when significant challenges are becoming increasing complex and evolving,” he said.

McDonald's releases BT21 meal, converts party areas into night study halls for studentsMANILA, Philippines — Recognizing the importance of education, fast food chain McDonald's recently went beyond giving jobs to working students. With the Night Classroom, students can now have a convenient and comfortable location to complete their academic tasks, allowing them to maximize their productivity. Starting April 15, the Chicken McNuggets Meal will come with a BT21 surprise. One order of the Chicken McNuggets Meal Meets BT21 is priced at P550 and already includes the complete meal, as well as a BT21 collectible you can choose from. From the “My Deals” tab, click the exclusive McNuggets Meal Meets BT21 deal banner.

700 Bilibid guards replaced as part of prison reformRetired Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr., director general of the Bureau of Corrections, leads the changing of prison guards at the New Bilibid Prison's Maximum Security Compound on April 12, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. has replaced the guards manning the New Bilibid Prison’s Maximum Security Compound after he received reports of misdeameanors while on duty. In his speech during the ceremonies on Wednesday morning, Catapang said that the 700 prison guards who were replaced will undergo re-training and will be assigned to other prison and penal farms. Replacing them are 300 prison guards who will be provided with bodycams. Despite the smaller number of new prison guards to man the MaxSeCom, Catapang said he is confident this is enough since their work will be augmented by technology such as monitoring through CCTV.

MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is now raised over 11 provinces, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Wednesday (April 12) afternoon, as Tropical Depression Amang traverses the coastal waters of Caramoan in Camarines Sur province. “Considering the weak and disorganized nature of this depression, considerable changes in the track forecast of succeeding bulletins are not ruled out,” it added. “Mariners of small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” it said. Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense-National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) activated its Emergency Preparedness and Response protocols in areas under Signal No.

Two mainlanders, a 53-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, were arrested on Tuesday for their involvement in a sex offer turned gold-necklace robbery ploy. Police’s investigation revealed that the woman previously approached the victim on San Hong Street in Sheung Shui and attempted to lure him by offering sexual services. The male victim was brought to a residential unit on San Shing Avenue, with the 44-year-old man stealing his gold necklace when he was unaware. Officers found the stolen gold necklace following the arrest, seizing HK$20,000 from the duo at the time of the arrest. Read more: Two more women arrested for gold necklace robbery in Sham Shui Po

Kayla (left), the five-year-old daughter of women's team captain Adrienne Li, and Li's husband (right). Previous NextHong Kong women’s ice hockey team received overwhelming support and welcome at the airport on Tuesday as they returned to the SAR from Romania after having crowned champion for the first time in the group A event of the Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division III. “Please don’t affect our athletes, because they have been working really, really hard,” Kwan added. Her husband called on the government to provide the ice hockey sector with more support and resources following this outstanding achievement by the women’s team. She added today is a happy day for all ice hockey teams in Hong Kong and shouldn’t be discussing bad news.

A 35-year-old woman arriving in Hong Kong from Africa was arrested by customs on Sunday for smuggling 67 cocaine pills weighing about 1 kg inside her body. Officers’ suspicion was raised after they found the hotel the tourist claimed to be staying at didn’t exist, and the reservation information didn’t match with the length of her stay. The woman, reportedly an information technology manager, was then taken to a hospital, where an ejection process was carried out and 67 cocaine pills – weighing around 1 kg and worth about HK$900,000 – were recovered. The case was handled by customs’ drug investigation group. A doctor believed there were more drugs kept inside her body and the woman stayed in the hospital for further medical surveillance.

Two women accused of luring two Thai women to come to Hong Kong to prostitute saw their hearing adjourned to July 4. They didn’t apply for bail and will be remanded in custody until then. Jobless Yan Xizhen, 50, and retiree So Yin-mui, 69, face a count of trafficking in people to Hong Kong. The defense did not object to the postponement and didn’t apply for the duo to be released on bail. Read more: Police arrest 50-year-old woman for false imprisonment and attempted prostitution of two Thai women

Drake's new song features Kim Kardashian talking about Kanye West divorceComposite image of Drake, Kim Kardashian, and Ye (formerly known as Kanye West)MANILA, Philippines — Drake has apparently fired more shots at his fellow rapper Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, after sampling an audio of the latter's ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, talking about their divorce. The track uses audio from the series finale of reality show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," where Kim discussed her divorce from Ye with her mother Kris Jenner. Drake revisits Kanye West & Kim Kardashian divorce in new music preview ??? In 2021, Drake hit at Ye in the collab song "Betrayal," and in response, Ye publicized Drake's home address on social media. In October 2022, Ye acknowledged Drake's approval of one of his Instagram posts.

Bill creating Philippine 'disaster map' passes first reading in CongressCombined hazard map layers showing the areas at risk of volcanic tsunami, base surge and ballistic projectiles from Taal Volcano's hazardous eruption. MANILA, Philippines — A bill mandating the issuing of a national disaster map of the Philippines has passed the first reading at the House of Representatives. 7278 or the National Hazard Mapping Act directs several departments to work together in creating a national disaster map that would eventually be helpful in preventing the loss of lives and properties during calamities. “This information provided by a national disaster map will help people all around our country, which we know is vulnerable to disasters. A national disaster map can prevent all these.”

More than 64,000 passengers flock to ports on Good FridayMANILA, Philippines — More than 64,000 passengers were monitoring flocked to ports around the country on the morning of Good Friday, April 7. The Philippine Coast Guard in a 6 a.m. advisory reported that 34,884 outbound passengers and 29,272 inbound passengers were monitored in the first few hours of the day. Inspecting vessels in 15 coast guard districts and managing the flow of passengers were more than 2,600 deployed frontline personnel. More than 5,000 tourists, meanwhile, were monitored on Boracay Island this week. Members of the Coast Guard's Auxiliary 609th Squadron, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection are "on alert to ensure the order and safety of residents and tourists on the island," according to a Coast Guard report.

SAN JUAN, Philippines — Catholic zealots were nailed to wooden crosses while others whipped their backs bloody and raw in gruesome displays of religious devotion on Good Friday in the Philippines. In San Juan village, north of Manila, hundreds of residents and tourists watched a blood-soaked re-enactment of Jesus Christ's last moments. Blood ran down their backs, soaking the top of their trousers and splattering spectators crowded in front of shops and houses. Some flagellants stopped to prostrate on the ground so they could be beaten with flip-flops and pieces of wood. The spectacle has been performed in villages around San Fernando city for decades, but the crucifixions were cancelled for the past three years due to Covid-19.

Opposition lawmakers carry Indian flags during a protest march from parliament in the capital New Delhi on Thursday, April 6, 2023. AP PHOTO Opposition lawmakers carry Indian flags during a protest march from parliament in the capital New Delhi on Thursday, April 6, 2023. AP PHOTONEW DELHI: More than 100 Indian opposition lawmakers, including members of the Indian National Congress party, staged an antigovernment march on Thursday after a parliamentary budget session that was marred by shouting and disruptions to proceedings amid a standoff with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. They accused Modi's government of "misusing" state-run investigation agencies to intimidate opposition leaders. The opposition leaders from more than a dozen parties ended the protest with a news conference.

Governors split on hosting of new EDCA sitesCagayan Gov. MANILA, Philippines — Governors are split on the planned areas under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that the United States will be allowed to use in their provinces. Malacañang earlier this week named four locations that it deemed “suitable and mutually beneficial” for EDCA sites that would be accessible to US troops. Protect fishermenGalvez said the new EDCA sites are expected to boost the AFP’s confidence in more effectively protecting the rights of Filipino fishermen in the country’s western and eastern seaboards. Brosas also said the designation of four new EDCA sites only means spending “more funds for militarism.”She said economic activities may be boosted in these military sites, but this will cause the Filipinos more taxes.

UST’s Eya Laure UAAP PHOTOCanino proved to be unstoppable, especially in the scoring department, being that major driving force of the Lady Spikers sweep of the first round. But after a few more games in the second round, a new candidate has emerged in the discussion, the Eya Laure for MVP is gaining traction, too. Furthering Laure's MVP case, she's also at the top of 10 of the departments where Canino is outside — blocking, serving and digging. Canino edged Laure in receiving, though, as she is fifth in the said department with a 37.84-percent efficiency. But they aren't the only players running for the MVP plum, reigning MVP Belen, Canino's teammate Jolina de la Cruz and Adamson super rookie Trisha Tubu have their respective good cases as well, especially if they finish strong in the second round.