Other News

Taiwan’s defense minister warns of increased ‘military intimidation’ by China

TAIPEI, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Taiwan’s defence minister said Thursday China has stepped up “military intimidation” this year by flying an increased number of warplanes around the island as well as accelerating the deployment of ballistic missiles. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory to be seized one day — by force if necessary — and has ramped up pressure on the island in recent years, staging at least two rounds of […]

Pres. Biden slams Trump for calling Hezbollah ‘smart’

WASHINGTON, Oct 13, 2023 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden condemned Donald Trump on Thursday for describing Hezbollah as “very smart” even as the Lebanese militant group exchanges fire with Israel following the Hamas attack on the US ally. During a campaign speech in Florida, Trump also falsely accused the Biden administration of bankrolling the Hamas assault as a result of a prisoner exchange deal with Iran, which has historically funded Hamas and Hezbollah. Biden […]

A ‘new front’ in Hamas war depends on Israel’s actions, says Iran

BAGHDAD, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Iran’s foreign minister, whose government supports Hamas and other Middle East militant groups, said on Thursday opening a “new front” against Israel would depend on Israel’s actions in Gaza. Although Tehran has been a long-term backer of Hamas, Iranian officials have been adamant that the country had no involvement in the militants’ attack against its arch enemy Israel on Saturday. Nevertheless, the United States fears the opening of a […]

5.0-magnitude quake strikes Batangas

(Eagle News)–A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Batangas on Friday, Oct. 13. The Philippine  Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake hit at 8:24 a.m. The epicenter was five kilometers southwest of Calaca. The depth of focus was 14 kilometers. The following intensities and instrumental intensities were reported: Instrumental Intensities: Intensity V – Lemery, Batangas Intensity IV – Cuenca, Bauan, Sta. Teresita, and San Luis, Batangas; Tagaytay City, Cavite; Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila Intensity III – […]

Tears and trauma as Thai evacuees return from Israel

BANGKOK, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – The first flight of Thai evacuees fleeing the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas landed in Bangkok on Thursday, with several recounting harrowing escapes as they were reunited with tearful family members. Worried families gathered at the airport hours before the arrival of a flight carrying 41 Thais, including 15 evacuees, who were flown out with assistance from their country’s diplomats. Around 30,000 Thais work in Israel, […]

Race for US House speaker in chaos as Republican nominee drops out

By Frankie TAGGART WASHINGTON, Oct 13, 2023 (AFP) – The Republican nominee to lead the US House of Representatives dropped out Thursday after failing to find enough support to win a vote of the full chamber, plunging the paralyzed lower chamber of Congress deeper into crisis. Steve Scalise narrowly won a secret internal Republican ballot Wednesday to replace ousted speaker Kevin McCarthy, but it quickly became clear that he couldn’t get the 217 lawmakers needed […]

PAGASA monitoring LPA off Palawan

(Eagle News)–The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is monitoring a low pressure area off Palawan. According to the weather bureau, the LPA was so far located 305 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa. Occidental Mindoro and the northern portion of Palawan will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the trough of the LPA. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible. Batanes, Cagayan, Isabel, […]

NASA set to journey to a metal-rich asteroid

By Chandan Khanna with Issam Ahmed in Washington KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, United States, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – It’s a world like no other: a metal-rich asteroid that could be the remnants of a small planet, or perhaps an entirely new type of celestial body unknown to science. A NASA probe is set to blast off Friday bound for Psyche, an object 2.2 billion miles (3.5 billion kilometers) away that could offer clues about the […]

Japan moves to strip Unification Church of government recognition

By Tomohiro OSAKI, Natsuko FUKUE TOKYO, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – The Japanese government said Thursday it was seeking to strip official recognition from the Unification Church, the influential sect under intense scrutiny since the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last year ordered a probe into the church after it emerged that Abe’s alleged killer was motivated by resentment against the group. It has been accused of pressuring its […]

Talks to end Hollywood actors’ strike collapse

By Andrew MARSZAL LOS ANGELES, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Talks between Hollywood actors and studios over an ongoing strike have collapsed, in a blow to hopes for a swift end to a crisis that has crippled the entertainment industry. Heads of studios such as Disney and Netflix had been meeting regularly since last week with negotiators for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), whose members walked off film and TV sets in July. In a […]

UK deploys military to eastern Mediterranean to support Israel: PM office

LONDON, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – The British government will send two Royal Navy ships and surveillance aircraft to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, the prime minister’s office said Thursday. “Alongside our allies, the deployment of our world class military will support efforts to ensure regional stability and prevent further escalation,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement. “Our military and diplomatic teams across the region will also support international partners to re-establish […]

Israel ’emergency government’ sworn in

JERUSALEM, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Israeli lawmakers on Thursday endorsed an expanded “emergency government”, parliament said, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a war-time partnership with a rival. Benny Gantz and four members of his party were sworn in as ministers without portfolio, in parliament shortly after the 66-4 vote. Netanyahu, dressed in black, told parliament ahead of the vote that “the unity we are establishing sends a message of great force”, […]