House passes anti-spying bill amid civil rights concerns

Inquirer.net - Sep 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Thursday passed on final reading a bill modernizing the country’s anti-espionage laws, despite concerns from some lawmakers that its broad definition of spying could be used to crack down on dissent. With 224 lawmakers voting for House Bill No. 9642 and 10 against, the lower chamber approved

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Google ordered to overhaul global ad empire after judge finds it abused illegal monopoly

Sep 17, 2026

Google ordered to overhaul global ad empire after judge finds it abused illegal monopoly

The judge said the remedies she laid out would be 'sufficient to effectively pry open to competition the ad tech markets that were injured by Google's unlawful conduct.'

Coronation Street fans think they know Summer Spellman's new love interest's true identity

Sep 17, 2026

Coronation Street fans think they know Summer Spellman's new love interest's true identity

Corrie viewers don't quite trust Marco just yet as he was seen rushing away from his date with Summer Spellman

'Vatican sniper' who shot random women 'just for fun' turns himself in to police

Sep 17, 2026

'Vatican sniper' who shot random women 'just for fun' turns himself in to police

The shooter had become a major nuisance for residents in the affluent Prati neighbourhood of Rome, on the doorstep of the Holy See.

Trump's DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin shares Washington 'crash pad' with best friend congressman in unusual arrangement: 'It's strange'

Sep 17, 2026

Trump's DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin shares Washington 'crash pad' with best friend congressman in unusual arrangement: 'It's strange'

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin still prefers a shared living arrangement akin to a 'college dorm' in the nation's capital, according to insiders.

Alan Carr's plans to develop £3.2million Scottish castle could be scuppered after roosting bats found on site

Sep 17, 2026

Alan Carr's plans to develop £3.2million Scottish castle could be scuppered after roosting bats found on site

The Celebrity Traitors winner has been renovating Ayton Castle since buying the sprawling property for £3.25million earlier this year.

Major missing investigation LIVE updates as search for Lillia, 13, from Bolton continues and heartbroken mum appears on camera

Sep 17, 2026

Major missing investigation LIVE updates as search for Lillia, 13, from Bolton continues and heartbroken mum appears on camera

An urgent appeal has again been issued

Dusk rechargeable £25 lamp is 'so lovely and warm' for autumn 'shoppers buy two'

Sep 17, 2026

Dusk rechargeable £25 lamp is 'so lovely and warm' for autumn 'shoppers buy two'

"It gives off a warm, soft light that creates a welcoming atmosphere, especially in the evenings. It's both functional and stylish, and I've already had compliments on it from visitors."

'Delusional' Mairi McAllan defends dismal Pisa results saying success 'should not be judged' on school test results

Sep 17, 2026

'Delusional' Mairi McAllan defends dismal Pisa results saying success 'should not be judged' on school test results

A senior SNP minister has been branded 'delusional' for claiming schools should not be judged on the performance of 15-year-olds in an international study.

Parents hold protest over strict new rules

Sep 17, 2026

Parents hold protest over strict new rules

A school has seen a parent protest this evening after it hit back at critics of new rules, saying “some people struggle with change”.

Teenager caught carrying ‘potentially lethal’ knife at railway station

Sep 17, 2026

Teenager caught carrying ‘potentially lethal’ knife at railway station

A teen has been sent back to prison after being caught carrying a “potentially lethal” six-inch knife just months after being released on licence.

Marcoleta’s press conference inside Sandiganbayan is allowed – BJMP

Sep 17, 2026

Marcoleta’s press conference inside Sandiganbayan is allowed – BJMP

[Updated Sept. 17, 2026, 8:04 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s press conference on Thursday was well within what is being allowed by the Sandiganbayan. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the forum between the senator and reporters today inside the premises of the anti-graft court was alright with the justices.

WATCH: Romualdez’s co-accused in plunder case, out of country | INQToday

Sep 17, 2026

WATCH: Romualdez’s co-accused in plunder case, out of country | INQToday

MANILA, Philippines – Here are INQToday’s top stories this evening: A former staff member of ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is also a co-accused in the P7.4-billion plunder case, is out of the country; a witness says Sen. Rodante Marcoleta allegedly solicited money from a donor linked to his P75-million plunder case; and a House

Yuchengco urges SEC to withdraw broker-director term limits

Sep 17, 2026

Yuchengco urges SEC to withdraw broker-director term limits

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Stock Exchange director Ma. Vivian Yuchengco urged the Securities and Exchange Commisison (SEC) to revoke term-limit rules for broker-directors, asserting that shareholders should determine the tenure of their elected representatives on the board. In a statement, Yuchengco reiterated her opposition to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 17, Series of 2026, which caps broker-directors’

Brit grandad killed in Swiss Alps plane crash named and pictured

Sep 17, 2026

Brit grandad killed in Swiss Alps plane crash named and pictured

Owain Davies was managing director of engineering firm Amcanu

Nine women are found dead near Johannesburg - sparking fears serial killer is on the loose

Sep 17, 2026

Nine women are found dead near Johannesburg - sparking fears serial killer is on the loose

All nine bodies were found in the Ekurhuleni municipality over the last two months, raising concerns that they were carried out by the same person or people.

Democrats' celebrity provocateur Hasan Piker hurls ugly claim America has killed more than al-Qaeda

Sep 17, 2026

Democrats' celebrity provocateur Hasan Piker hurls ugly claim America has killed more than al-Qaeda

A Democratic entertainer with a history of incendiary comments now alleges that America has carried out more terrorism globally than the group that planned the 9/11 attacks.

Deadly disease hits Berkeley homeless encampment after vagrants decided to breed RATS and woke activists sued to stop city from clearing the squalor away

Sep 17, 2026

Deadly disease hits Berkeley homeless encampment after vagrants decided to breed RATS and woke activists sued to stop city from clearing the squalor away

Nearly two dozen homeless people living among makeshift shelters and garbage on 8th and Harrison streets in Berkeley, California , were ordered to vacate the block on Tuesday.

STEPHEN DAISLEY: Findlay's voice rasped with disgust at the First Minister and his new allies: Swinn Fein

Sep 17, 2026

STEPHEN DAISLEY: Findlay's voice rasped with disgust at the First Minister and his new allies: Swinn Fein

Banished to the back corner of the chamber in May's Holyrood elections, the Scottish Tories have been searching for an issue to get themselves front and centre again.

Lego fans race to buy £25 Batmobile sets ahead of Batman Day this Saturday

Sep 17, 2026

Lego fans race to buy £25 Batmobile sets ahead of Batman Day this Saturday

National Batman Day is just around the corner, and there's a Lego set for all fans - from budget-friendly to more extravagant sets

NGCP boosts grid capacity with P23.5-B transmission project

Sep 17, 2026

NGCP boosts grid capacity with P23.5-B transmission project

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is on track to activate P23.5 billion worth of transmission projects this year as it works to strengthen the country’s grid network further. Breaking it down, NGCP assistant vice president Leonor Felipa Cynthia Alabanza said the grid operator is spending around P11 billion to finish

Revealed: Shower row behind mystery 'incident' at women's-only swimming event that went viral around the world and ended in cops being called

Sep 17, 2026

Revealed: Shower row behind mystery 'incident' at women's-only swimming event that went viral around the world and ended in cops being called

Find out why a cancelled women's-only swimming session at a public pool in Melbourne has became the subject of a global social media obsession.

I was branded America's worst mother... now another woman has suffered the same fate. But this is why I'm standing my ground and calling out the REAL danger threatening our children

Sep 17, 2026

I was branded America's worst mother... now another woman has suffered the same fate. But this is why I'm standing my ground and calling out the REAL danger threatening our children

Danielle Meitiv's phone was blowing up. Her friends were sending news articles, alerting her that her story was in the papers again. But the headlines were about a different mother.

JONATHAN BROCKLEBANK: A 'Scooby-Doo' law on balaclavas? It still won't stop that pesky wool being pulled over the police's eyes...

Sep 17, 2026

JONATHAN BROCKLEBANK: A 'Scooby-Doo' law on balaclavas? It still won't stop that pesky wool being pulled over the police's eyes...

When I was growing up in the last century three groups of people wore balaclavas. Only one had legitimate reasons.

Only in Florida! Terrifying moment crab armed with a BLADE swipes at homeowner and his dog

Sep 17, 2026

Only in Florida! Terrifying moment crab armed with a BLADE swipes at homeowner and his dog

Eduardo Alvarez shared a video of the bizarre encounter to Instagram with the caption 'Florida is getting out of hand.'

Piddington migrant camp dealt another blow after discovery of one of world's rarest bats at planned asylum site

Sep 17, 2026

Piddington migrant camp dealt another blow after discovery of one of world's rarest bats at planned asylum site

Barbastelle bats, a rare species of bats whose numbers are thought to have declined across Europe, have been detected by wildlife experts.

Debt ratio seen rising to 70.7% by 2027 in severe conditions

Sep 17, 2026

Debt ratio seen rising to 70.7% by 2027 in severe conditions

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine debt could climb to as much as 70.7 percent of gross domestic product by 2027 under a severe downside economic scenario, according to a sensitivity test that flagged the government’s growth assumptions as still too optimistic. The estimate is not a forecast but forms part of the alternative growth scenarios developed by

Former Indian restaurant could become microbrewery and pub

Sep 17, 2026

Former Indian restaurant could become microbrewery and pub

A closed restaurant could become a new nanobrewery, serving beers from locally produced ingredients, after plans were submitted.

‘It's devastating’: Family’s heartbreak at death of much-loved mum-of-three aged 30

Sep 17, 2026

‘It's devastating’: Family’s heartbreak at death of much-loved mum-of-three aged 30

A family have been left devastated by the death of a much-loved mum-of-three aged just 30.

Tourist is hit with 7 euro surcharge for background music at café in Venice's St Mark's Square

Sep 17, 2026

Tourist is hit with 7 euro surcharge for background music at café in Venice's St Mark's Square

An Italian tourist who dined at a café in Venice's famous St Mark's Square was forced to pay extra for background ambient music.

PH to unveil integrated trade-climate strategy by November

Sep 17, 2026

PH to unveil integrated trade-climate strategy by November

GENEVA, Switzerland — The Philippines will unveil an integrated Trade-Climate Strategy by November, outlining a framework to align domestic policies, boost trade competitiveness, and ensure key sectors are regulatory-ready. The Philippine Mission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) told the Inquirer that it will launch the integrated Trade-Climate Strategy at the United Nations Climate Change Conference

Army: Civilian tips thwart NPA bid to establish foothold in Agusan

Sep 17, 2026

Army: Civilian tips thwart NPA bid to establish foothold in Agusan

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said information from residents helped government forces respond to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA), leading to encounters in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, last Sept. 10. The Joint Task Force Diamond and the 4ID said the incident highlighted

Eyeliner 'so easy to blend' on mature skin shoppers in their 60s and 70s love it gets new Christmas party shades

Sep 17, 2026

Eyeliner 'so easy to blend' on mature skin shoppers in their 60s and 70s love it gets new Christmas party shades

In total, there's 11 beautiful shades to choose from across matte, jewel and shimmer shades

RNLI temporarily suspends services in Portsmouth after its volunteers were abused by anti-migrant protesters

Sep 17, 2026

RNLI temporarily suspends services in Portsmouth after its volunteers were abused by anti-migrant protesters

The station in Eastney, Portsmouth, has now not been in active use since September 10, it has emerged. The RNLI said it has taken measures to ensure the safety of the city's waters.

John Swinney warned 'SNP failure' is costing lives after a woman died following 'unacceptable' ambulance delay

Sep 17, 2026

John Swinney warned 'SNP failure' is costing lives after a woman died following 'unacceptable' ambulance delay

John Swinney has been warned of the 'human cost of SNP failure' after a 55-year-old woman died while waiting for hours for an ambulance.

Archbishop of Canterbury forced to withdraw controversial award given on anniversary of 9/11 to Muslim cleric who praised Bin Laden

Sep 17, 2026

Archbishop of Canterbury forced to withdraw controversial award given on anniversary of 9/11 to Muslim cleric who praised Bin Laden

In a major embarrassment for the Church of England, the Most Rev Sarah Mullally has withdrawn an interfaith award she gave to Tahir Ashrafi after a backlash over his praise for Osama Bin Laden.

'He didn't deserve it' heartbroken family say after man found dead and police arrest four

Sep 17, 2026

'He didn't deserve it' heartbroken family say after man found dead and police arrest four

A man was found with 'multiple injuries' at a property

Overcast skies, rains to prevail over PH due to LPA

Sep 17, 2026

Overcast skies, rains to prevail over PH due to LPA

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area (LPA) off Palawan is forecast to continue bringing rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao until Friday, Sept. 18, the state weather bureau said. In its weather advisory issued at 4 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that gloomy skies with scattered rains and

Trump yanks ICE pick after fears of Republican resistance in latest DHS shake-up

Sep 17, 2026

Trump yanks ICE pick after fears of Republican resistance in latest DHS shake-up

Donald Trump has withdrawn his nomination of a former Oklahoma state trooper to become the next director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Labour accused of 'sidelining dinner ladies' in 'disgusting' move as it announces cash for teachers' pay rise

Sep 17, 2026

Labour accused of 'sidelining dinner ladies' in 'disgusting' move as it announces cash for teachers' pay rise

The GMB union is furious that a saving made from the school support staff pension scheme is being diverted away - despite individual pensions remaining unaffected.

DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

Sep 17, 2026

DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) targets installing 7,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points before 2028, a DOE official told the Senate finance subcommittee on Thursday. The agency’s goal is in line with its commitment to expand and promote the adoption of EVs in the Philippines, reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, and

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