MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Regional authorities in northern Spain said Sunday they were battling around 50 fires, some of which were deliberately set. By end of Sunday, 48 fires were still active, a statement from the government of the Cantabria region said. “During the day we counted 50 fires, and 760 people from different administrations working to put them out,” the statement added. Since the first fires broke out on Thursday in the mountainous region, […]
Other News
Iran’s Zarif says Israel ‘looking for war’
MUNICH, Germany (AFP) — Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday that Israel was “looking for war”, in an apparent reference to recent strikes against Iranian targets in Syria. “Certainly some people are looking for war,” Zarif said during a question and answer session at the Munich Security Conference, adding “Israel” when pressed to say who. Israel carried out a series of air strikes last month against what it said were facilities belonging to […]
In Syria, IS in quiet last stand to defend dying ‘caliphate’
by Maya Gebeily with Rouba El Husseini at the Omar oil field Agence France Presse BAGHOUZ, Syria (AFP) — Diehard jihadists have blocked roads out of the last scrap of their Islamic State group “caliphate” in Syria, US-backed forces fighting them said Sunday, preventing hundreds of civilians from fleeing. US President Donald Trump called on his European allies to take back alleged jihadists captured in Syria, prompting Belgium to call for a “European solution” to […]
Saudi prince starts Asia tour with deals to invest $20 bn in Pakistan
by Amélie HERENSTEIN Agence France Presse ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AFP) — Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a raft of investment deals Sunday worth up to $20 billion for the cash-strapped South Asian country, as Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman launched his Asia tour seeking to emerge from the Khashoggi affair. Pakistan is facing a serious balance of payments crisis and hopes the deals — seven separate agreements and Memorandums of Understanding — will provide welcome […]
Police seize more cocaine off shores of Camarines Norte
(Eagle News)—-Another block of cocaine was recovered by police off the shores of Camarines Norte. The recovery of the P5.2 million worth of illegal drugs in Barangay Bagumbayan in Paracale on Saturday, Feb. 16, came after authorities recovered a block of cocaine off the waters of Vinzons town, near Paracale, on Feb. 11. A day before, another block of cocaine estimated at P5.4 million was recovered off the coast of the same town. In a statement, the Philippine […]
At least 2 killed, one hurt in Edsa shooting incident
(Eagle News)–At least two people were killed and another was injured in a shooting incident on Edsa on Sunday, Feb. 17. Police said Jose Luis Yulo, a businessman from Alabang and Allan Santos were declared dead in the hospital after unidentified gunmen on board motorcycles, who had driven close to their vehicle as it was plying the southbound lane of the thoroughfare near Reliance St. in Mandaluyong, fired at the rear window past 3 p.m. A […]
Two Africans with fake Canadian visas nabbed at NAIA
(Eagle News)–Immigration agents arrested two Africans for using fake Canadian visas, the Bureau of Immigration announced on Sunday, Feb. 17. In a statement, the BI said Cameroonian Etienne Makang Nformem, 35, was arrested on Feb. 9, upon his arrival via a Gulf Air flight from Bahrain at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. He had said he was going to Toronto, Canada after three days. Four days later, Sudanese Abdelmotalab Idris Himat Mohamed, 29, was apprehended at NAIA […]
PNP: SWS survey results proof illegal drugs campaign of gov’t is effective
(Eagle News)—The Philippine National Police on Sunday, Feb. 17, welcomed the results of a Social Weather Stations survey that showed 66 percent of Filipinos believe the number of drug users in their areas has decreased. According to Senior Supt. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, the high rating obtained proves that the continuing anti-illegal drugs campaign of the government is effective in convincing drug dependents to refrain from further using illegal drugs..” He said it also proves […]
Duterte goes on HK trip with Honeylet, Kitty
(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte has gone on a weekend trip to Hong Kong with his family for rest and recreation, authorities confirmed. Duterte’s former aide Bong Go said the President went on the “personal trip” with Honeylet Avanceña and their daughter Kitty. “It is (Avanceña’s) birthday today (Saturday),” Panelo said. According to Go, it was Kitty herself who requested the trip. “Nagawa na ito nila noon kahit nung Mayor pa ng Davao City si PRRD. The […]
Palace: Results of SWS survey confirm success of admin’s war on illegal drugs
(Eagle News)–The Palace on Saturday, Feb. 16, welcomed the latest Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed that a majority of Filipinos believe that the number of drug addicts in their area has decreased over the past year. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the fact that 66 percent believe this was such was a confirmation of the successful efforts of the campaign against illegal drugs, “a centerpiece program of his administration.” Panelo said […]
France probes sexual assault claim against Vatican envoy
French prosecutors said Friday they were investigating a sexual assault complaint made against the Vatican’s envoy to Paris in more unwelcome news for the Catholic church as it looks to turn the page on years of scandal. The Catholic Church’s Pope Francis has vowed that the church will no longer ignore abuse allegations, and he removed two prominent cardinals from his inner circle late last year after they were tainted by paedophile scandals. The […]
Trump hails China’s use of death penalty for drug dealers
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Friday praised China’s use of capital punishment for drug dealers, suggesting that the United States would deal better with narcotics trafficking if it put offenders to death. In China, drug dealers get “a thing called the death penalty. Our criminal drug dealer gets a thing called ‘how about a fine?’” Trump told reporters at the White House. “So if we want to get smart, […]
