HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong and Shanghai led a surge across Asian markets Monday after the United States agreed to suspend imposing tariffs on China for three months, while oil prices soared on expectations of a big production cut. In a much-anticipated meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the weekend, the heads of the world’s two biggest economies hammered out a deal that will see them hold off on their tit-for-tat […]
Other News
Rappler CEO Ressa says arrest warrant issued vs her on tax evasion cases; says she’s ready to post bail
(Eagle News) — Rappler CEO an executive editor Maria Ressa confirmed that there was an arrest warrant for her issued for the tax evasion cases she is facing. On Sunday night, Dec. 2, Ressa upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said that she was “ready to post bail” and that she came back home to the country, “ready to face all these (cases).” “We have multiple cases and we will continue to […]
World Bank promises $200 bn in 2021-25 climate cash
by Amélie BOTTOLLIER-DEPOIS Agence France Presse KATOWICE, Poland (AFP) — The World Bank on Monday unveiled $200 billion in climate action investment for 2021-25, adding this amounts to a doubling of its current five-year funding. The World Bank said the move, coinciding with a UN climate summit meeting of some 200 nations in Poland, represented a “significantly ramped up ambition” to tackle climate change, “sending an important signal to the wider global community to do […]
Astronauts on new mission dismiss safety concerns after Soyuz accident
by Andrei BORODOULINE Agence France Presse BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AFP) — Astronauts of the first manned space mission since an unprecedented accident in October on Sunday brushed aside concerns about Russia’s Soyuz rocket, saying risks were part of the job. Oleg Kononenko of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) from Baikonur in Kazakhstan aboard a Soviet-designed Soyuz […]
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas wed in lavish India ceremony
NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and American singer Nick Jonas hosted an extravagant concert Sunday for their star-studded wedding guests as the couple tied the knot at a lavish Indian palace. Chopra, 36, and Jonas, 26 performed an opulent Indian music and dance routine as their friends and family clapped along at the Umaid Bhawan palace in the western city of Jodhpur. The multi-day festivities —- dubbed India’s “wedding of the […]
China agrees $9 billion currency swap with Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — China and Argentina signed a $9 billion currency swap deal to boost the crisis-stricken South American country’s foreign currency reserves, its central bank announced Sunday. Struggling to recover after a currency crisis earlier this year, Latin America’s third largest economy sought the help of the International Monetary Fund — which approved a $56 billion loan package. Now, this latest agreement will “contribute to greater financial stability and also facilitate trade” […]
Macron surveys damage after Paris riots, calls for talks
by Fabien Zamora and Adam Plowright Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday surveyed the damage from a day of riots across Paris and led a crisis meeting that ended with a call for further talks with anti-government activists who have staged two weeks of protests. Macron met with the prime minister, interior minister and top security service officials to forge a response to the violence that left hundreds […]
Trump to grant Kim Jong Un’s wishes after denuclearisation: S. Korea president
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — US President Donald Trump will grant North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un his wishes if he delivers on denuclearisation, the South Korean president said Sunday, following talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit. As officials work to arrange a second meeting between Trump and Kim, South Korea’s Moon Jae-in relayed a message to reporters given to him by the US president to pass on to the North’s leader. “And […]
Nine scalpers of UAAP tickets nabbed in Pasay
(Eagle News)—Nine scalpers were arrested in Pasay on Saturday, Dec. 1, after they allegedly sold tickets of the first game between the University of the Philippines and Ateneo at exorbitant prices. Arrested were Alfredo Molina, Edgardo Lacap IV, Antonio Borja, and Rex Peral from Pasay; Michael Diño from San Pedro, Laguna; Jhon Randell Guison from Leveriza St., Manila; Alex Viñas from Parañaque City; Billy Jon Alturas from Singalong St., Manila; and Alberto Manarang from Caloocan. […]
Palace: Shifting to federal gov’t still a priority of administration
(Eagle News)–The Palace on Sunday, Dec. 2, reiterated that shifting to a federal set-up of government remains a “priority of the Duterte administration.” In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the “disposition of the Senate with respect to this proposal should be understood along with its current and tight situation of addressing the 2019 budget with not too ample time to spare.” “We thus expect the Senate to support the President’s desire for a federal […]
How engineers are straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa
by Sonia LOGRE and Charles ONIANS Agence France Presse PISA, Italy (AFP) — “It’s still straightening,” said engineer Roberto Cela, gazing at the Leaning Tower of Pisa gleaming in the autumn sunshine of northern Italy. “And many years will have to pass before it stops.” The gravitationally-challenged landmark is leaning less after years of ambitious engineering work. Fortunately for the millions of tourists who come here every year, the 57-metre (186-feet) tower remains beautifully […]
Key points of the US-China trade deal
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday struck a deal at working dinner on the sidelines of the G20 summit to effectively stall their trade war. Trump hailed what he described as “an amazing and productive meeting with unlimited possibilities” for both countries, and said it was a “great honor” to work with Xi. Here are the main points of the deal: – Tariffs – […]





