Other News

Merkel urges Delhi to go green amid smog emergency

by Aishwarya Kumar NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel urged greater efforts to clean up New Delhi’s toxic air as she pledged one billion euros to help Indian cities switch to green transport. Merkel became a rare foreign leader to speak out on India’s smog crisis after being exposed to the capital’s air on Friday, when authorities said the pollution had reached “emergency” levels. Schools were ordered closed until Tuesday and all […]

Thousands defy police in latest Hong Kong march

  by Su Xinqi and Catherine Lai HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Thousands of protesters hit the streets of Hong Kong on Saturday, defying police with an unsanctioned march as the democracy movement shows no signs of abating after nearly five months. Crowds of black-clad protesters, many wearing face masks despite a recent ban, filled Causeway Bay, a popular shopping district, as tensions built with riot police who had flooded the area. The march came […]

Three bodies found after S. Korean helicopter crash near disputed islets

  SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korean rescuers located three bodies believed to be among seven who went missing after their chopper crashed into the sea shortly after taking off from islets disputed with Japan, officials said Saturday. The helicopter had just picked an injured fisherman up from Dokdo, which is known as Takeshima in Japan, when it went down on Thursday night. One body was found inside the chopper located at a depth […]

Malaysia rejects ‘less than $2bn’ Goldman offer over 1MDB

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) — Malaysia rejected a compensation offer of “less than $2 billion” from Goldman Sachs for the role of its subsidiaries in the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal, an aide to the country’s prime minister said Saturday. Huge sums were stolen from Malaysian state fund 1MDB in a fraud allegedly involving former prime minister Najib Razak and his cronies, and spent on everything from high-end real estate to a luxury super-yacht. Goldman’s role has […]

China, US hold ‘constructive’ call on trade mini-deal

  by Douglas Gillison with Jing Xuan Teng in Beijing WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Senior Chinese and US officials again sent positive signals on Friday about their efforts to formalize the partial trade bargain announced last month, with President Donald Trump saying he may meet with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in the state of Iowa. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Friday spoke by telephone with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary […]

Thunderstorm advisory hoisted over M. Manila, other areas

(Eagle News)–A thunderstorm advisory has been hoisted over Metro Manila and other areas. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said moderate to heavy rainshowers with lightning and strong winds are also expected over Batangas within the next two hours. These conditions are being experienced in Tagkawayan in Quezon which may persist within 2 hours and may affect nearby areas. “All are advised to take precautionary measures against the impacts associated with these hazards […]

New California fire grows as crews make headway on other blazes

by Jocelyne Zablit  LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — A new wildfire in California grew to nearly 9,000 acres (3,700 hectares) on Friday, sending thousands of people fleeing and further stretching resources in a state struggling with a spate of wildfires this season. The so-called Maria Fire erupted Thursday evening in Ventura County, 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, and burned out of control through the night, driven by high winds and threatening […]

Jane Fonda under arrest again, in US climate protest

by Cyril Julien  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Hollywood legend and activist Jane Fonda was arrested Friday in Washington protesting politicians’ failure to address climate change. “This time, I may be detained overnight and that’s fine for one night, big deal!” Fonda joked to reporters, noting that this was not her first arrest as police put plastic wire around her wrists. Along with several dozen activists including actresses Rosanna Arquette and Catherine Keener, Fonda sat […]

Brazil in ‘civil war,’ says head of Congress’ pro-gun faction

by Jordi Miro with Pascale Trouillaud  BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil is caught in a “civil war” of crime and violence, the head of Congress’ pro-gun faction says, warning that ordinary Brazilians need to be armed and ready to fight back. Wearing an electric blue suit with matching glasses, and a heavy gold ring with the seal of Congress on his finger, Jose Augusto Rosa is both a high-profile lawmaker and a reserve captain in […]

Iglesia Ni Cristo in Taiwan holds “Lingap for OFWs”

(Eagle News) — The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) recently held an outreach activity to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan. During the “Lingap for OFWs” in Taiwan, hundreds of goodwill bags were distributed to OFWs there. The Lingap for OFWs is a project of the INC Executive MInister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo to help Filipinos working abroad. The INC activity there, held after a worship service officiated by the INC Executive Minister, […]

Thousands protest to maintain pressure on Chile government

SANTIAGO, Chile (AFP) — Dressed in black, marching silently and raising one fist, around a thousand women on Friday demanded justice for those killed and injured during the last two weeks of social unrest in Chile. Their march started off a day of demonstrations on a long weekend in the country, expanding later as tens of thousands answered social media calls to match last Friday’s huge protest that attracted more than a million people. Santiago […]

Nigerian contemporary art booms and prices soar

by Célia Lebur  LAGOS, Nigeria (AFP) — First there was Tutu, the “African Mona Lisa” sold last year for 1.5 million dollars. Then a second portrait by revered Nigerian painter Ben Enwonwu, called Christine, sold in mid-October, for 1.4 million dollars. Both record sales of famous works by the late “father of African modernism”, captured the emergence of Nigeria’s art market. A decade ago, major African artists were largely absent from international auctions. But the […]