Life

Sri Lanka rescues 120 whales after mass stranding

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AFP) — Sri Lanka’s navy and volunteers rescued 120 pilot whales stranded in the country’s biggest mass beaching, but at least two injured animals were found dead, officials said. Sailors from the navy and the coastguard along with local volunteers pushed back at least 120 whales by dawn Tuesday after a gruelling overnight rescue, navy spokesman Indika de Silva said. The school of short-finned pilot whales washed ashore at Panadura, 25 kilometres […]

UK says US ties will go ‘from strength to strength’ whoever wins

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain on Wednesday insisted its close partnership with the United States was in safe hands whoever comes out on top of the tumultuous presidential election, while noting disaccord over the Paris climate pact. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a populist ally of President Donald Trump, stayed up into the night to follow the results coming in, according to a Downing Street spokesman. But Johnson refused to be drawn in parliament when […]

US formally quits Paris agreement as election hangs in balance

by Issam AHMED Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON D.C., United States (AFP) — The United States left the Paris accord on Wednesday, becoming the first country to ever withdraw from an international climate change pact as the fate of its presidential election hangs in the balance. It may prove to be a temporary blip before a Joe Biden administration rejoins the agreement. Otherwise, the global effort to rein in the Earth’s warming will have to proceed without […]

Canada reports rare strain of swine flu found in a human

  MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Canadian health authorities on Wednesday reported the country’s first case of a human infected with the H1N2 virus, a rare strain of swine flu. The case, detected in the western province of Alberta in mid-October, appears to be isolated “and there is no increased risk to Albertans at this time,” local health officials said in a statement. “This is the only influenza case reported in Alberta so far this flu […]

Belarus launches nuclear plant despite Baltic outcry

MINSK, Belarus (AFP) — Belarus on Tuesday launched its controversial Russia-built nuclear power station despite safety concerns from neighbouring Baltic states three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. A string of incidents during construction of the nuclear power station has raised questions over its safety among EU countries, particularly neighbouring Lithuania. The launch comes as Belarus strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko faces historic protests over his claim to victory in August presidential polls which Western leaders […]

EBC inaugurates new stations in Tagum, Davao and Naga; relaunches Radyo Agila Davao, Radyo Bicolandia (PBC)

  (Eagle News) – Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) inaugurated its new stations in Tagum City and Naga City on Saturday, Oct. 31, which also served as the formal relaunch of Radyo Agila DXED 1224 in the Davao Region and Radyo Agila DZLW in Naga operated under the Penafrancia Broadcasting Corporation. This is part of EBC’s efforts to strengthen its reach to further serve more communities even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. DZLW 711 […]

Iglesia Ni Cristo Worldwide Lingap sa Mamamayan set on Oct 31

    (Eagle News) – The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ or INC) has set a Worldwide Aid to Humanity or “Lingap sa Mamamayan” to mark the birthday of the Church’s Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo this Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. The Lingap sa Mamamayan (Aid To Humanity) is set in various locations in the Philippines and in other countries where the Church Of Christ has established its presence. The INC has been […]

Last major Aussie bank ditches coal, in fresh blow to sector

by Andrew BEATTY / with Holly Robertson in Brisbane Agence France-Presse SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s ANZ became the country’s last major bank to walk away from thermal coal investments Thursday, delivering a fresh blow to a sector facing export market upheaval and widespread public hostility. The bank said that from 2030 it would no longer finance thermal coal mines or coal-fired power stations, joining Australia’s other “big four” banks who have already made similar […]

Indonesian activists slam ‘Jurassic Park’ plan for Komodo dragon habitat

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesian conservationists have slammed plans to turn the home of endangered Komodo dragons into a Jurassic Park-style attraction, after a viral photo showing one of the giant reptiles sparked an online backlash over the development. Nearly 3,000 of the world’s biggest lizard species live on a cluster of islands east of Bali, where they grow to around three metres (10 feet) in length and weigh up to 90 kilograms (200 pounds). Authorities […]

Giant metallic ‘steed’ traverses Iceland’s threatened glacier

by Jeremie Richard Agence France-Presse LANGJOKULL, Glacier, Iceland (AFP) — Instead of a slow slog on snowshoes, a giant bus sweeps passengers at up to 60 kilometres an hour across Iceland’s second largest glacier, which scientists predict will likely be nearly gone by the end of the century. The red glacier mega bus is 15 metres (50-foot) long and fitted with massive tyres for traction across the powder snow of western Iceland’s vast Langjokull ice […]

Doubts about safety of Flint’s water 6 years after crisis

by John BIERS Agence France-Presse FLINT, Michigan (AFP) — Authorities say Flint’s water meets federal safety guidelines, outperforming comparable cities. Residents remain unconvinced. On a Tuesday morning this month, blocks and blocks of cars waited near a church in the eastern part of the Midewestern city to receive value packs of bottled water. These giveaways still happen three days a week, some six years after residents began complaining that a decision to supply the city […]

Moon richer in water than once thought

by Juliette Collen and Kelly Macnamara PARIS, France (AFP) — There may be far more water on the Moon than previously thought, according to two studies published Monday raising the tantalizing prospect that astronauts on future space missions could find refreshment — and maybe even fuel — on the lunar surface. The Moon was believed to be bone dry until around a decade ago, when a series of findings suggested that our nearest celestial neighbor […]