Other News
President Duterte bans cops, soldiers from entering bars, nightclubs nationwide
(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte issued a stern warning to the police and the military all over the country not to enter bars, pubs and other public drinking places. During his speech on Tuesday, January 8, on the Barangay Summit on Peace and Order at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, the President said that policemen and soldiers should not be involved in drinking sprees inside such places. “Kaya ‘yang mga pulis — […]
Brent crude oil rises back to $60 per barrel
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Benchmark oil contract Brent North Sea crude climbed back to $60 per barrel on Wednesday, with OPEC cutting output and on easing concerns over weak demand growth. Around 0940 GMT, Brent crude for delivery in March hit $60 for the first time in 3.5 weeks and was up 20 percent compared with two weeks ago, prior to an oil production cut by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries […]
Wife of Norwegian millionaire missing, ransom demanded: reports
OSLO, Norway (AFP) — The wife of a Norwegian multi-millionaire missing for 10 weeks is believed to have been kidnapped and a large ransom has been demanded for her release, local media reported on Wednesday. Married to a businessman who made his fortune in real estate and the energy sector, 68-year-old Anne-Elisabeth Falkevik disappeared on October 31, the Verdens Gang (VG) newspaper said. A ransom demand for nine million euros ($10.3 million) in cryptocurrency […]
Hong Kong unveils law banning insults to Chinese national anthem
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong unveiled a proposed law Wednesday to punish anyone who disrespects the Chinese national anthem with up to three years in jail, as Beijing ramps up pressure on the semi-autonomous city to fall into line. The bill, which will have its first reading in the city’s parliament on January 23, sets up a fresh battle between authorities and democracy activists who say the financial hub’s freedoms are being […]
Chinese warships dock in Cambodia to boost ‘military cooperation’
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AFP) — Three hulking Chinese warships docked in Cambodia Wednesday for a four-day visit, as Beijing parades its naval prowess alongside its staunch Southeast Asian ally. China is the largest investor in Cambodia and has pumped billions into the economy while asking few questions about its abysmal rights record. While doling out cash China has also sought high-profile military exchanges, fuelling speculation that it is building a naval base off the Cambodian […]
Japan court rejects Ghosn release bid
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Japanese court on Wednesday rejected a bid by former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn to end his detention over alleged financial misconduct, a day after he denied all accusations in a dramatic court appearance. Ghosn’s lawyers had appealed to the court to free the auto tycoon, claiming at a special hearing in a Tokyo court there were no grounds for his detention, which has now lasted more than 50 days. But […]
Head of Japan’s House of Councillors pays courtesy call on President Duterte
(Eagle News) — President Duterte received the President of Japan’s House of Councillors, Hon. Chuichi Date in a courtesy call at the President’s Hall in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, where they discussed issues of mutual interests in a closed door meeting. Hon. Chuichi Date came together with his spouse Yuko. They were accompanied by Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, Deputy Chief of Mission Takehiro Kano, Japan Embassy Secretary Yojiro Konno, Japan Embassy […]
Asian markets enjoy another rally as China-US trade hopes bloom
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Increasing optimism that China and the United States will be able to hammer out a deal to help ease their trade war provided the impetus for more gains across Asian markets on Wednesday. After taking a battering in December and suffering a shaky start to 2019, confidence is slowly returning to equity trading floors, though dealers remain on edge. Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell provided the platform for a rally […]
Suspect packages sent to diplomatic missions in Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Suspicious packages were sent to more than a dozen foreign embassies and consulates in major Australian cities on Wednesday in a seemingly orchestrated but scattershot campaign. Emergency services raced to a string of diplomatic facilities which had received packages containing suspected hazardous material, all within the space of a few hours. There was no obvious pattern to countries targeted, with consulates of the United States, China, Italy, India, Japan and New […]
PHL bet crowned as Miss Tourism World Int’l 2019
(Eagle News) — Another Filipina beauty has conquered an international beauty pageant. After Catriona Gray won as Miss Universe 2018 last month, Francesca Taruc who hails from Angeles, Pampanga, was crowned Miss Tourism World Intercontinental in Nanjing, China on Tuesday, January 8. Taruc also received a special award for “Best Body” during the preliminary rounds. Her win was shared by Taruc in her instagram post on January 5. Taruc said: “Last night, I was awarded […]
Vietnam accuses Facebook of breaching new cyber law
HANOI, Vietnam (AFP) — Vietnam has accused Facebook of violating a new cybersecurity law by refusing to scrub anti-government content from its site, the first reprimand since the controversial bill came into effect days ago. The law, which went live January 1 and has drawn criticism from the US, the EU and web freedom groups, requires internet companies to remove “toxic content” and hand over user data when requested by authorities. It also stipulates that […]
