TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said Thursday it had shot down a US “spy drone” over its territory after it violated Iranian airspace, according to Iranian state television. “The US-made Global Hawk surveillance drone was brought down by its Air Force” in the country’s southern coastal province of Hormozgan, the Revolutionary Guard added, according to the English-language Press TV. © Agence France-Presse
Other News
SC denies with finality MRs; upholds constitutionality of martial law in Mindanao last year
(Eagle News) — The Supreme Court en banc has denied with finality the appeals by a group for the High Court to reconsider its earlier decision that upheld the constitutionality of the imposition of martial law in Mindanao last year. In junking the motion for reconsideration and urgent motion for reconsideration filed by the group of Rep. Edcel Lagman in February last year, the SC said the “issue on the sufficiency of the legal basis” […]
PHL, Japan ink $202-million loan pact for construction, improvement of roads in Mindanao conflict-affected areas
(Eagle News) — The Philippines has signed a $202.04-million loan agreement with Japan for the financing of the construction and improvement of roads in Mindanao’s conflict-affected areas, including the war-torn city of Marawi. According to the Department of Finance, quoting the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the amount includes funding for consulting services and civil works covering 176.6 kilometers of access roads, including 19.8 km of the Marawi Ring Road and 23 km of the Marawi […]
Skin deep: Japan’s ‘washi’ paper torn by modern life
by Natsuko FUKUE HIDAKA, Japan (AFP) — Once an indispensable part of daily life in Japan, ultra-thin washi paper was used for everything from writing and painting to lampshades, umbrellas, and sliding doors, but demand has plunged as lifestyles have become more westernized. Despite its 1,300-year history and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, washi paper is struggling to attract consumers and the market value has dropped by more than 50 percent in the past two […]
Dollar extends losses, Asia markets rally after Fed’s dovish tilt
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — The dollar extended losses and Asian markets enjoyed another day of gains Thursday after the Federal Reserve indicated it could soon cut interest rates. The softer slant from the US central bank provided more support to global investors, who were already in buoyant mood after Donald Trump flagged positive talks with China’s Xi Jinping and raised hopes of a trade deal between the economic giants. After a much-anticipated meeting, Fed […]
President Duterte honors soldiers killed, injured in clashes with NPA in Samar
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, June 19, honored those who were killed and were injured in separate clashes with the New People’s Army in Samar. The President awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu to the dependents of Corporal Robert Bueno, Corporal Alix Saliwan, Private First Class Arthur Garcia, Private First Class Danilo Constantino Jr., and Private Elben Lagrimas in Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan. Also conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of […]
Xi arrives in North Korea to meet Kim ahead of Trump talks
by Sebastien Berger with Poornima Weerasekara in Beijing PYONGYANG, North Korea (AFP) — President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday on a historic trip to reboot a troubled alliance, as he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un face their own challenges with US President Donald Trump. Xi is the first Chinese president to visit North Korea in 14 years after relations between the Cold War era allies deteriorated over Pyongyang’s nuclear provocations and […]
Gordon to gov’t officials: Leave the talking about the Recto Bank incident to DFA, DND
(Eagle News) — Leave the talking to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense. Senator Richard Gordon had this to say to government officials, after a Chinese vessel and a Filipino fishing boat figured in an allision near Recto Bank on June 13, and the 22 Filipino crew members, mostly fishermen, abandoned at sea. According to Gordon, too many officials speaking, especially if they are not in sync with one another, […]
Glitch mars MRT-3 operations anew
(Eagle News) — A glitch marred the operations of the Metro Rail Transit 3 anew on Thursday, June 20, inconveniencing MRT-3 passengers. In an advisory, the MRT-3 management said the glitch took place at 6:08 a.m. The management did not specify the glitch but said control center reported there was a “problem” on the southbound tracks at the interstation of Guadalupe and Buendia station. “The said matter was immediately coordinated with Tracks personnel for intervention,” […]
Red, yellow alerts in effect over Luzon grid today, June 20
(Eagle News)– Red and yellow alerts are in effect over Luzon grid today, June 20. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said the red alert, which means there is a generation deficiency, will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It said a yellow alert, which means reserves do not meet the minimum requirements, is hoisted from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., from 11 a.m. […]
‘I feel well,’ says Merkel a day after health scare
BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel sought to assure journalists and citizens Wednesday she was well, a day after sparking concern by visibly trembling at an official ceremony. “I feel well,” she told school students during a visit to Goslar in the Harz mountains after Tuesday’s health scare blamed on dehydration on a hot summer’s day. Merkel, 64, had a glass of water nearby and said that, with scorching temperatures, one “should not […]
Duterte to soldiers: When in dire straits in combat vs the Abu Sayyaf, do not surrender
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, June 19, told soldiers not to surrender to the Abu Sayyaf if they find themselves in dire straits in combat. Duterte said he has seen, after all, how some soldiers who gave themselves up would be decapitated by the kidnap-for-ransom group and would “only be treated like dogs” in the group’s camp. “So do not ever surrender, especially that part of the warzone sa Jolo. Kasi ho […]
