Other News

Callamard thanks UN human rights council for adopting resolution pushing review and report on PHL drug war

  (Eagle News) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur for extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions thanked the United Nations Human Rights Council for adopting the resolution seeking a comprehensive written report into Philippone government’s drug war. In her tweet, UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard said that she was also thanking the UN human rights body “on behalf of the thousands of victims of a senseless war on drugs, the dozens of murdered defenders, lawyers, farmers […]

Storm Barry takes aim at Louisiana, could roar ashore as hurricane

  by Michael Mathes Agence France Presse PORT SULPHUR, United States (AFP) — Millions of residents in Louisiana on Friday braced for impact from Tropical Storm Barry, which is threatening the southern US state and its largest city New Orleans with potentially disastrous rainfall and flooding. Authorities ramped up evacuations, airlines cancelled flights and flood gates slammed shut as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast the strengthening storm would reach hurricane status Saturday and roar […]

Trump declares state of emergency as storm bears down on New Orleans

  NEW ORLEANS, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Barry bears down on New Orleans, as the southern city braces for extreme winds over the weekend. The weather system is expected to reach hurricane strength Friday or early Saturday when it nears Louisiana’s coast, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), and has already caused major flooding in the low-lying city. Trump on Thursday […]

Japan firm says $32 mn missing in cryptocurrency hack

  TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Tokyo-based cryptocurrency exchange said Friday it had halted all services after losing cryptocurrency worth more than $32 million in the latest apparent hack involving virtual money. Remixpoint said its subsidiary BITPoint Japan discovered overnight that about 3.5 billion yen ($32.3 million) in various digital currencies had gone missing from its management. The apparent hack was discovered after an error appeared in the firm’s outgoing funds transfer system on Thursday […]

“Surrender if you value your lives,” Manila Mayor tells those behind daring Metrobank robbery in Binondo

Mayor Moreno reiterates P1 million reward for anyone who would give info on bank robbers (Eagle News) – Manila City mayor Isko Moreno on Friday, July 12, called on the perpetrators of a daring daylight bank robbery in Manila to surrender as he would make sure that they would be hunted down by the authorities. “Sumuko na kayo, kung mahal ninyo ang inyong sarili, sumuko na kayo (Surrender if your value your lives),” Moreno announced […]

Malacanang denounces killing of radio commentator in Kidapawan City

  (Eagle News) – Malacanang has denounced the killing of a radio station anchor and commentator in Kidapawan City in Cotabato. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said it was “deeply saddened by the by the cowardly killing” of Brigada News FM – Kidapawan commentator Eduardo Sanchez Dizon. Dizon is the husband of Brigada News FM Kidapawan station manager Madonna Dizon. He was driving his white Mitsubishi sedan and was to turn right […]

R. Kelly arrested on child pornography charges: report

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — R. Kelly has been arrested on child pornography and other charges, the New York Times reported, in the latest criminal investigation into the R&B superstar dogged by allegations of sexual misconduct. The 52-year-old, whose legal name is Robert Kelly, was taken into custody by federal agents in Chicago late Thursday, the newspaper said. Federal prosecutors have issued a 13-count indictment against the singer, which also includes enticement of a […]

President Duterte to review UN Human Rights Council’s purpose before allowing drug war review

  (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte said he would require the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to state its purpose before allowing any of its investigators to come to the country. “Let them state their purpose and I will review it,” Duterte told reporters on Thursday. This was before the 47-member council voted on the controversial Iceland authored resolution pushing for a comprehensive review and report on the Philippine drug war. He said […]

Full text of Locsin’s statement after UNHRC adoption of resolution pushing comprehensive report on Duterte drug war

Foreign affairs chief says PHL will be “Friend to friends, enemy to enemies, and a worse enemy to false friends.” (Here is the full text of the statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., on the adoption by the United Nations Human Rights Council of the Iceland resolution pushing a comprehensive review and report of the drug war under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.) In 1945, the Philippines, along with 50 other states, […]

Climate change threatens Greenland’s archeological sites: study

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AFP) — In Greenland, climate change isn’t just a danger to ecosystems but also a threat to history, as global warming is affecting archeological remains, according to a study published Thursday. There are more than 180,000 archaeological sites across the Arctic, some dating back thousands of years, and previously these were protected by the characteristics of the soil. “Because the degradation rate is directly controlled by the soil temperature and moisture content, rising […]

Amazon to offer job skill training to 100,000 US workers

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Amazon announced plans Thursday to offer job training to around one-third of its US workforce to help them gain skills to adapt to new technologies. The US tech giant said it would spend $700 million for its Upskilling 2025 program to train 100,000 employes to help them move into more skilled roles within or outside of Amazon. The move comes amid growing concerns that automation and robots are killing low-skilled […]

Thunder to deal Westbrook to Houston for Paul, picks: reports

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Russell Westbrook will be traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and two first-round NBA draft picks, according to multiple reports Thursday. The Houston Chronicle and ESPN, each citing unnamed sources, reported the deal, which becomes the latest blockbuster move in an off-season of major changes for NBA stars and clubs. Eight-time All-Star Westbrook, the 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player, will be reunited […]