TIMIKA, Indonesia (AFP) — An Indonesian cargo plane with four people on board lost contact with air traffic control on Wednesday, an official said, the latest incident to hit the country’s poor aviation record. The Twin Otter DHC6-400, set off from the city of Timika on Monday at 10:39 am (0239 GMT) and was headed to Ilaga, a mountainous region in the remote eastern province of Papua and was scheduled to arrive 50 minutes after […]
Other News
US eyes UN action over Saudi blasts
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States hopes that the UN Security Council takes up the attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure for which Washington blames Iran, a senior US official said Tuesday. The official said that Saudi Arabia, as the target of the weekend blasts, needed to take the lead in seeking action by the Security Council but that the United States first needed to prepare information for release. “We do see a […]
China auctions pork reserve as swine fever hits industry
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China will auction 10,000 tonnes of reserve pork this week, the commerce ministry said, in a bid to control the fallout from an outbreak of African swine fever that has sent prices soaring and hit supplies of the meat ahead of a key holiday. Beijing has been struggling to control the disease, which has ripped through its massive pig-farming industry, leading to the culling of more than a million of the animals. […]
LPA in Tarlac expected to merge with Tropical Depression “Nimfa” within 48 hours
(Eagle News)–The low pressure area in the vicinity of Tarlac is expected to merge with the trough of Tropical Depression “Nimfa” within 48 hours. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 10 a.m., the LPA over Central Luzon was estimated in the vicinity of Mayantoc. “Nimfa,” on the other hand, it said, was located 685 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour […]
Guevarra to Bantag: Clean up GCTA law mess, implement full computerization, stop illegal drug trade in prison
(Eagle News)–Clean up the Good Conduct Time Allowance law mess, implement full computerization, and stop the illegal drug trade in prison. These were the marching orders, in order of priority, of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to newly appointed Bureau of Corrections director-general Gerald Bantag, whom he met for the first time on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The meeting took place a day after Bantag was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to the post left vacated by […]
Angara urges gov’t to tap into Quick Response Funds to stop spread of ASF
(Eagle News)–Senator Sonny Angara on Wednesday, Sept. 18, urged the government to tap into the Department of Agriculture’s P1 billion in Quick Response Funds to stop the spread of the African Swine Fever. Angara, chair of the Senate finance panel, said the QRF were under the P20 billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, more commonly known as the Calamity Fund, in the General Appropriations Act for 2020. “This ASF is by all accounts […]
UPDATED: Cancelled flights on Wednesday, Sept. 18
(Eagle News)–Several flights on Wednesday, Sept. 18, were cancelled due to bad weather. Below is a list: Cebu Pacific (5J) 5J 196-Manila to Cauayan 5J 197-Cauayan to Manila Skyjet (M8) M8 711- Manila to Busuanga M8 712 – Busuanga to Manila Cebgo (DG) DG 6057- Manila to Busuanga DG 6058-Busuanga to Manila The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said until this evening, frequent light to moderate rains with occasional heavy rain showers during […]
Manila court finds 8 PCG personnel guilty of homicide over 2013 Balintang Channel incident
Orders them to pay a P100,000 fine each (Eagle News)–A Manila court has found eight members of the Philippine Coast Guard guilty of homicide in connection with an encounter between them and Taiwanese fishermen off Balintang channel in Batanes in 2013. Commanding officer Arnold Enriquez dela Cruz, Seaman 1st Class (SN1) Edrando Aguila, SN1 Mhelvin Bendo II, SN1 Andy Gibb Golfo, SN1 Sunny Masangcay,SN1 Henry Solomon, SN2 Nicky Renold Aurello and Petty Officer Richard Fernandez Corpuz […]
Palace defends Bantag appointment; Case vs him not an issue, Panelo says
(Eagle News)–The Palace on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointment of Gerald Bantag as the new Bureau of Corrections director-general even if he is facing criminal charges. In an interview over GMA-7’s Unang Balita, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the charges against Bantag over the death of 10 inmates in an explosion at the Parañaque City Jail in August 2016 were a non-issue since he has not been convicted. The explosion took place […]
Gantz calls for broad unity government after Israeli election
TEL AVIV, Israel (AFP) — Benny Gantz, the main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the country’s general election, called for a broad unity government early Wednesday as exit surveys showed a tight race. “We will act to form a broad unity government that will express the will of the people,” Gantz told supporters at a post-election rally in Tel Aviv. He however cautioned that he was waiting for final results. “We will […]
Tourist boat capsizes in Senegal, killing four
DAKAR, Senegal (AFP) — Four people died after a boat carrying dozens of tourists capsized during heavy storms in Senegal, authorities and emergency services said Tuesday. The death toll could rise as three passengers were said to be missing after the accident. The boat was carrying several Senegalese nationals, six French people, two Germans, two Swedes and one person from Guinea-Bissau, when it turned over Monday in driving rain and a heavy swell, fire department […]
Pompeo heads to Saudi Arabia after US blames Iran
by Sebastian Smith WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to fly to Saudi Arabia Tuesday to discuss possible retaliation after Washington said it had proof that attacks on Saudi oil installations originated in Iran. Vice President Mike Pence announced that Pompeo was on his way to Saudi Arabia to “discuss our response.” “As the president said, we don’t want war with anybody but the United States is prepared,” Pence […]
