Other News

Guevarra: Approval of SOJ required before convicts sentenced to life in prison, reclusion perpetua are released

(Eagle News)–The approval of the Justice Secretary is required before an inmate who was  sentenced to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua and who has served his sentence can be released. According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, this is according to a department order issued by then-Justice Secretary Alfredo Caguioa in 2015. Caguioa is now a Supreme Court justice. According to Guevarra, the department order also affirmed the authority of the Bureau of Corrections director general  […]

Darth Vader helmet among Hollywood treasures in $10 million auction

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Darth Vader’s helmet from “The Empire Strikes Back” is among a vast collection of coveted Hollywood treasures going under the hammer next month, with experts predicting it could fetch nearly $500,000. The mask and helmet is one of only a handful worn by actor David Prowse, who played Luke Skywalker’s nemesis and — spoiler alert — father on-screen in the 1980 “Star Wars” blockbuster, making them the “holy grail” […]

Toll rises to 28 in Mexico bar fire attack

by Ignacio Carvajal COATZACOALCOS, Mexico (AFP) — Gunmen burst into a Mexican strip club in a hail of bullets and killed at least 28 people as they trapped revelers inside and started a raging fire, officials said Wednesday. Many of the dead were dancers who worked there, according to managers. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the “shameful” attack in the city of Coatzacoalcos, and said federal authorities would investigate evidence it may have stemmed […]

Locsin says he “merely noted” apology of owner of Chinese vessel in Recto Bank incident

(Eagle News)–Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin said he “merely noted” the apology issued by the owner of a Chinese vessel that rammed a Filipino fishing vessel  in Recto Bank and abandoned the Filipino crew at sea. Locsin made the comment in a Tweet on Wednesday night, after the Palace said it “accept(s)  the recent apology extended by the owner of the Chinese vessel to our fishermen affected by the incident.” The apology was contained in […]

Federer in favor of prize money boost in ‘lower ranks’

by Martyn WOOD NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Roger Federer added his voice to growing calls for increased prize money for players “in the lower ranks” after battling into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday. A sizeable number of top men’s players are backing a petition seeking a larger slice of tournament revenues at Grand Slams and other events, with those outside the top 100 struggling to make money or break […]

Thunderstorm advisory hoisted over Zambales, Bataan

(Eagle News)–A thunderstorm advisory has been raised over Zambales and Bataan. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said moderate to heavy rainshowers with lightning and strong winds are expected over the two provinces within the next 2 hours. PAGASA advised residents to  take precautionary measures against the impacts associated with hazards that include flash floods and landslides. “Keep monitoring for updates,” PAGASA said.

Bolivia lost 1.2 million hectares to fires this year, govt says

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AFP) — Fires have destroyed 1.2 million hectares (3.2 million acres) of forest and grasslands in Bolivia this year, the government said on Wednesday, though environmentalists claim the true figure is much greater. The news comes after leftist President Evo Morales suspended his re-election campaign on Monday to direct the government’s response to a growing environmental disaster in the Bolivian portion of the Amazon rainforest, where wildfires have been raging since May. […]

3.2-magnitude quake hits N. Samar

(Eagle News)–A 3.2-magnitude earthquake struck Northern Samar on Thursday, Aug. 29. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake, of tectonic origin, hit 16 kilometers northeast of Mapanas at 7:25 a.m. Depth of focus of the quake was 15 kilometers. No damage to property nor aftershocks were recorded.

Italy’s Stromboli volcano erupts, sparking huge ash cloud

ROME, Italy (AFP) — Italy’s Stromboli volcano off the coast of Sicily erupted Wednesday, according to fire fighters who rushed to put out wildfires sparked by lava flows. Emergency services scrambled to launch motorboats and helicopters after the “strong explosion” in the south-central slope of the crater shook the island, but no-one was hurt, the fire service said on Twitter. Falling ash from a vast mushrooming cloud covered the rooves of houses in the tiny […]

UK’s Johnson sparks outrage after forcing suspension of parliament

by Robin MILLARD LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain’s EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a “coup” and a “declaration of war” but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a “bold and ambitious” new domestic agenda. It came a day […]

Brazil’s Bolsonaro fuels spat with Macron over Amazon fires

by Jordi Miro, with Allison Jackson in Rio de Janeiro PORTO VELHO, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday repeated a demand for French leader Emmanuel Macron to withdraw recent remarks, as he accused France and Germany of “buying” the Latin American country’s sovereignty with Amazon fire aid. Bolsonaro’s latest comments come amid an escalating diplomatic spat between Brazil and Europe that threatens to torpedo a major trade deal. They also throw into […]