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China warns Taiwan over independence after Trump call

BEIJING, China (AFP) — China warned Taiwan that declaring independence would be a “dead end”, state media said Wednesday, after the island’s democratically elected president phoned Donald Trump in a precedent-breaking move. Beijing’s stance of opposing and blocking “Taiwan independence splittism” is “firm and unmovable”, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman An Fengshan said at a briefing Wednesday, according to state-owned China News. “We have unshakable willpower, ample confidence, and sufficient capability,” he said. “Facts will show […]

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Harnessing ASEAN strength, key point for Duterte visit in Cambodia, Singapore

  (Eagle News) — Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte stressed the importance of harnessing the economic strengths of Southeast Asian Nations as an agenda that he would push with his state visits to Cambodia and Singapore. He would also raise cooperation in economic development and defense as important points in his state visits to the two countries. The President arrived in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Tuesday, December 13, particularly at the Phnom Penh […]

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Miss Universe criticized for whale shark swim in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines  (AFP) —  Environmentalists have hit out at organisers of the Miss Universe beauty pageant in the Philippines, calling them “irresponsible” for letting contestants swim with endangered whale sharks. A group of bikini-clad Miss Universe candidates were photographed smiling and waving from boats on their way to swim with the world’s largest living fish in waters off the island of Cebu on Tuesday, ahead of January’s contest. Tourists swimming with the creatures is strongly discouraged […]

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Syria rebels to leave Aleppo under evacuation deal

by Rim Haddad Agence France Presse ALEPPO, Syria (AFP) — Civilians and rebel fighters were to start evacuating from Syria’s Aleppo Wednesday under a deal that would end years of opposition resistance in the city. The evacuations which were expected to begin at 0300 GMT, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor, had yet to commence more than half an hour after the time had passed, an AFP correspondent in the city said. […]

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China offers Philippines weapons for drug war, anti-terrorism campaign

  China is ready to give the Philippines weapons to help President Rodrigo Duterte wage his controversial war on drugs and to fight terrorism, the Chinese ambassador to Manila said. Ambassador Zhao Jianhua, in remarks late Monday, confirmed China was ready to supply the Philippines with weapons. “We’re exploring the possibilities of providing arms, light arms,” Zhao told reporters. “Arms for fighting against terrorism, (for the) anti-drug campaign.” Beijing has previously said it supports Duterte’s […]

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Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao meets with Cambodian tourism minister

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Reuters) —  Filipino boxer and senator Manny Pacquiao met with Cambodian tourism minister Thoang Khon on Wednesday (December 14) and several local boxers in Phnom Penh. Pacquiao is visiting Cambodia in efforts to better ties with the Philippines along with President Rodrigo Duterte is also making a state visit to the country as well. Pacquiao, a professional boxer who in November won the World Boxing Organization’s welterweight title in Las Vegas, is […]

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President Duterte meets with ASEAN Secretary General in Malacanang

  (Eagle News) — In preparation for the hosting next year by the Philippines of the ASEAN Summit, President Rodrigo Duterte received the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Le Luong Minh and other ASEAN delegates in a courtesy call in Malacañan Palace. ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Deputy Secretary-General V P Hirubalan, ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Deputy Secretary-General Lim Hong Hin, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Deputy Secretary-General Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Director Pratap Parameswaran, Director Julia […]

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DOJ ‘s Aguirre sacks BI intel chief Calima, insists on removal of 2 BI commissioners

  (Eagle News) — Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre on Wednesday (December 14) sacked the acting chief of the Bureau of Immigration’s Intelligence Division chief Charles Calima Jr. Aguirre removed Calima after two Immigration deputy commissioners had claimed that Calima also got money from Chinese businessman and online gaming operator Jack Lam. The Department of Justice chief also said he would not change his recommendation to immediately remove from government service the two BI deputy commissioners […]

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DOE intensifies gasoline station inspection for consumer protection

TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — Responding to concerns over methanol blends, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi directed DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos to conduct inspections and sampling of liquid petroleum products in various gasoline stations/retail outlets nationwide for compliance with existing Philippine National Standards for fuels, especially focusing on the presence of methanol in their liquid petroleum products. Usec. Marcos and DOE-OIMB OIC-Director Melita V. Obillo personally led the inspection of fuel quantity […]

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DILG assures security plans for Miss Universe event next year are in place

MANILA, Dec. 14 – The Department of the Interior and Local Government assured the public that security plans for the forthcoming Miss Universe pageant which will be held in Manila in January 2017 are already in place. DILG Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison and Special Concerns Emily Padilla, also the designated point person for the security preparation of Miss Universe 2017, said the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the cooperation of the Department of […]

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Wait nearly over for Star Wars fans as ‘Rogue One’ opens

by Sophie LAUBIE / Fiachra GIBBONS Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP ) – The waiting is almost over. Hundreds of thousands of fans will finally get to see the new Star Wars spin-off film Wednesday as it opens in cinemas across Europe. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” has already notched up the highest first day pre-sales ever in the US after last year’s “The Force Awakens”. The story, about a maverick Rebel force who […]

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Aleppo’s famed Old City left ‘unrecognisable’ by war

by Rim Haddad Agence France Presse ALEPPO, Syria (AFP) – Once renowned for its bustling souks, grand citadel and historic gates, Aleppo’s Old City has been rendered virtually unrecognisable by some of the worst violence of Syria’s war. For centuries, Aleppo was Syria’s economic and cultural powerhouse, attracting tourists from around the world to its celebrated heritage sites. But now, only gaunt stray cats roam the rubble-strewn alleyways of its Old City, a UNESCO World […]

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