Other News
7.1-magnitude quake hits Indonesia’s Banda Sea
JAKARTA, Nov 8, 2023 (AFP) – A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Banda Sea on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey said, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties. No tsunami warning was issued for the quake — initially reported as a magnitude 6.9 — which hit at 11:53 am local time (0453 GMT), according to the USGS. The tremor was felt moderately in the town of Saumlaki in the archipelago’s Tanimbar Islands, according to […]
PAGASA monitoring LPA off Zamboanga del Norte
(Eagle News)–The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is monitoring a low pressure area off Zamboanga del Norte. According to PAGASA, the LPA was so far located 185 kilometers west of Dipolog City. The northeast monsoon is also so far affecting extreme Northern Luzon. As a result, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Palawan, Negros Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte will have cloudy skies with scattered […]
Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta arrives in PHL for official visit
(Eagle News) — Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta arrived in the country on Wednesday, Nov. 8, for his official visit. According to the Presidential Communications Office, he was warmly welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Belinda Ante and Manila International Airport Authority Assistant General Manager Manuel Gonzales upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) around 2 p.m. The PCO said Ramos-Horta will meet President Bongbong Marcos on Friday, November […]
China ready to improve ties with US ‘at all levels’: VP
SINGAPORE, Nov 8, 2023 (AFP) – Beijing is ready to hold talks with the United States at “all levels”, China’s vice president said Wednesday ahead of an expected summit in San Francisco between leaders Xi Jinping and Joe Biden next week. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said recent high-level meetings between Beijing and Washington were sending “positive signals” that relations were improving. “We’re ready to strengthen […]
Elvis’ cousin in heartbreak hotel after conceding Mississippi election
WASHINGTON, Nov 8, 2023 (AFP) – A distant cousin of rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley failed to shake up the race for governor in the US state of Mississippi on Tuesday, conceding the election to his Republican rival, US media reported. Democrat Brandon Presley had spent six years as mayor of Nettleton — a small town in northeastern Mississippi just a few miles from the birthplace of the King — before running for governor. His prospects […]
‘In front of death’: Bangladesh’s deadliest executioner
By Mohammad MAZED and Shafiqul ALAM KERANIGANJ, Bangladesh, Nov 8, 2023 (AFP) – When he first went to prison, Shahjahan Bouya was accused of killing only one man. By the time he was released decades later, he had put dozens more to death as Bangladesh’s most prolific hangman ever. Each execution was rewarded with a special meal including beef, chicken and scented pilau rice, and a reduction of several months in his 42-year sentence for […]
Nintendo announces new ‘Zelda’ movie
LOS ANGELES, Nov 8, 2023 (AFP) – Nintendo is developing a film based on its hugely popular “The Legend of Zelda” franchise, the Japanese gaming giant announced, as it bids to capitalize on the blockbuster success of its recent “Mario” movie. The new, live-action “Zelda” movie will be directed by Wes Ball, who made the “Maze Runner” trilogy, and co-produced by Avid Arad, who has overseen several major “Spider-Man” films. Legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto, […]
US officials warn of dramatic rise in infant syphilis
Cases of syphilis among newborns have grown tenfold in the United States over the past 10 years, health officials warned Tuesday, part of a broader rise in sexually transmitted diseases in America. Over 3,700 infants were born with congenital syphilis in 2022, more than 10 times the number in 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement. However, in nine out of 10 cases the disease could have been prevented with […]
Israel falls silent to mark one month since Hamas attacks
By Anuj Chopra and Caroline Taix Quiet sobs during memorial speeches, mourning crowds lighting candles… Israel fell silent briefly on Tuesday, marking one month since the deadly Hamas attacks of October 7 plunged it into war. At Jerusalem’s Hebrew University around 1,000 people observed a minute of silence and recited prayers for the 1,400 killed, mostly civilians, in the worst attack on Israel since its founding in 1948. “The atrocities left a horrible mark,” said […]
PBBM: 40 Filipinos have left Gaza through Rafah Crossing
(Eagle News)–Forty Filipinos have left Gaza through Rafah Crossing in Egypt, President Bongbong Marcos announced on Wednesday, Nov. 8. According to the President, they are now on their way to Cairo, from where they shall depart for the Philippines. The President said the successful passage of the Filipinos was made possible through the coordination of the DFA with the embassies in Israel, Jordan and Egypt. “Nagpapasalamat din tayo sa mga pamahalaan ng Israel at Egypt […]
Major outage hits Australian telecoms giant
SYDNEY, Nov 8, 2023 (AFP) – Nationwide outages hit a major Australian communications company Wednesday, disrupting phone lines, crashing payment systems and impacting millions of customers. Optus said it was scrambling to restore its mobile and internet services to more than 10 million customers across Australia. Company chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin told national broadcaster ABC there was “no indication” the outage was the result of hacking or a cyber attack — but that engineers […]
