Featured News

Austrian government in shock as far-right triumphs

https://youtu.be/t5qqc0TSDBU   by Simon Sturdee VIENNA, Austria (AFP) — Austria’s government was licking its wounds Monday after a historic debacle that saw the opposition anti-immigrant far-right triumph in a presidential ballot two years before the next scheduled general election. According to preliminary results, Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party (FPOe) came a clear first with 36 percent of the vote, while candidates from the two governing parties failed to even make it into a runoff on […]

Philippine presidential favourite talks tough in final debate

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — A tough-talking Philippine presidential candidate vowed to kill his children if they ever took drugs during a televised debate Sunday, as analysts warned his scandalous remarks about raping a missionary could hurt his chances. Rodrigo Duterte has become the surprise favourite to succeed President Benigno Aquino after making a name for himself in a southern Philippine city infamous for vigilante death squads. The 71-year-old mayor of Davao has promised to crack down […]

Filipino presidential candidates face off in last televised debate ahead of the poll

  (REUTERS) — Five Filipino presidential candidates took the stage and answered a range of questions on issues, including the South China Sea, in the last of a three-part televised debate on Sunday (April 24) ahead of May 9 presidential elections. Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Miriam Santiago, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe and Interior Minister Manuel Roxas were asked about their platforms on poverty, corruption, health and territorial disputes with China. […]

INC’s International Aid for Humanity and SCAN international help earthquake-hit Kumamoto, Japan

Photo credits: Rueda Rey and SCAN International (Eagle News) – In response to the recent earthquakes that hit Japan, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has extended its assistance to the quake-affected regions, particularly in the island of Kysuhu. “Aid to Humanity” or “Lingap sa Mamamayan” activities were held in Kumamoto City in Kyushu where INC volunteers distributed emergency relief packages consisting of bottled water, canned goods, noodles, cookies, coffee, tea, toiletries and diapers. INC Executive Minister […]

Obama sharpens Brexit warning in parting shot

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — US President Barack Obama has sharpened his warnings about Britain’s reduced global influence should it quit the EU, warning it could take 10 years to reach a UK-US trade deal. Obama said Britain would have “less influence globally” if it votes to leave the European Union in the June 23 referendum on membership of the 28-country bloc. The president was speaking in a BBC television interview broadcast on Sunday, the final […]

From Stageplay to Indie Film: International Pinoy Indie actor making a name for himself

by MJ Racadio (Eagle News Entertainment) QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Tall, dark and handsome with great charisma. One Friday eve, I sat down with John Stevenson Tabangay, who recently gained fame for being the lead actor in the indie film, “Walang Take Two” directed by Carlo Jay Ortega Cuevas who won as best director for this film entry at the 2016 International Filmmaker Festival (IFF) of World Cinema in London. John Stevenson Tabangay was ecstatic with […]

China blaze put out after 16 hours

Beijing, China (AFP)—A fire caused by an explosion at a facility storing chemicals and fuel that rocked the Chinese city of Jingjiang was finally put out on Saturday, 16 hours after it started, state media said. The initial blast, which took place Friday morning, recalled huge explosions caused by improper storage of chemicals in the northern city of Tianjin last August, when at least 165 people were killed and fears were raised of toxic contamination. […]

Tensions over migrant deal as Merkel, EU officials head to Turkey on Saturday

Istanbul, Turkey (AFP)— Angela Merkel and top European Union officials travel to Turkey on Saturday for a high-stakes visit which will see them walk a diplomatic tightrope between keeping Ankara sweet over a crucial migrant deal and taking a stand on European values. European Council head Donald Tusk, European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans and the German chancellor will visit a refugee camp at 1100 GMT in Gaziantep on the Turkish-Syrian border. They hope to […]

Interview with Thailand Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Thanatip Upatising

In this episode of ASEAN in focus weekened aired on April 9, the program is honored to have interviewed no less than the ambassador of the kingdom of Thailand, his Excellency,  Mr. Thanatip Upatising. Our resident ASEAN resource person, Dr. Carlos Tabunda Jr., of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), interviewed Ambassador Upatising at his residence where he gave his views about the ASEAN region and the relationship of Thailand to ASEAN and to the Philippines. […]

China, US join record UN signing of Paris climate deal

    by Carole Landry UNITED Nations, United States (AFP) — A record 175 countries, including the world’s top polluters China and the United States, signed the Paris climate deal Friday, boosting hopes of quick action on combating global warming. French President Francois Hollande was the first leader to put his signature to the accord during a ceremony at the United Nations, followed by leaders from island-states hardest hit by climate change. US Secretary of State […]

Quake toll reaches more than 600 as aftershocks spook Ecuador

The death toll from Ecuador’s devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake rose to 602 people on Friday, as dozens of aftershocks shook cities and towns around the country, spooking residents but causing no further damage. Saturday’s quake, the worst in nearly seven decades, injured 12,492 people and left 130 missing, emergency management authorities said in a bulletin. Survivors were shaken again late on Thursday night when a powerful 6.0 magnitude quake struck off Ecuador’s coast about 100 […]