Other News

US troops limited to batons on Mexico border

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US troops stationed on the border with Mexico ahead of the expected arrival of a Central American migrant caravan can intervene to quell violence but will be armed only with batons, Defense Minister Jim Mattis said on Wednesday. The White House has given almost 5,800 troops posted along the frontier guidance that they can come to the aid of any Customs and Border Protection agents who come under attack, Mattis […]

Hontiveros: Duterte failed to assert PHL sovereignty, Constitution in PHL-China pact on joint maritime oil, gas exploration

(Eagle News) — Opposition senator Risa Hontiveros said President Rodrigo Duterte failed to assert Philippine sovereignty and the Constitution when he signed a framework agreement with China on joint maritime oil and gas exploration. Hontiveros made the statement after she read what she said was a draft of the pact that was leaked to the media. “Dehadong-dehado ang Pilipinas sa ‘kasunduan,’” she said. For instance, based on the document she read, she said there was […]

Venus Williams reaches settlement in fatal traffic accident

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Venus Williams has reached a settlement with the estate of a man who died in a traffic collision in Florida with a car driven by the tennis star. The family of 78-year-old Jerome Barson filed a wrongful death suit against Williams following the June 2017 crash in Palm Beach, Florida. No charges were filed by police against Williams or the driver of the other car over the accident. The settlement […]

US, South Korea scale back military exercise

by Sylvie LANTEAUME Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States and South Korea have scaled down a joint military exercise scheduled for the spring of 2019 to facilitate nuclear talks with North Korea, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday. “Foal Eagle is being reorganized a bit to keep it at a level that will not be harmful to diplomacy,” Mattis said, adding that it would be “reduced in scope.” US […]

Crown prince a ‘red line’ in Khashoggi probe: Saudi FM

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Calls for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be held accountable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are a “red line”, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Wednesday. In a BBC television interview, Jubeir said any disparaging discussion about Prince Mohammed or his father, the Saudi monarch, would not be tolerated. “In Saudi Arabia our leadership is a red line. The custodian of the two holy mosques (King […]

Green spat won’t affect future – Durant

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant said his recent bust-up with team-mate Draymond Green will not be a factor as he debates whether to stay with the franchise in 2019. Durant is one of the biggest names to enter free agency next year, and can opt to remain with the Warriors or seek a fresh move away from the reigning NBA champions. The 30-year-old’s future with the Warriors came […]

Trump rows with US Supreme Court chief of courts bias claim

by Chris LEFKOW and Sebastian SMITH Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump entered an extraordinary row Wednesday with the chief justice of the Supreme Court, claiming “shocking” bias against his policies in parts of the judiciary. He singled out the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, whose jurisdiction includes left-leaning California, tweeting that its rulings “are making our country unsafe! Very dangerous and unwise!” Earlier, Chief Justice John Roberts, […]

Roach reunites with Pacquiao for January fight: report

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Veteran trainer Freddie Roach has agreed to reunite with Manny Pacquiao for the Filipino fighter’s bout with Adrien Broner in January, it was reported on Wednesday. A Sports Illustrated report, citing a text message from Roach, said he had agreed to work with Pacquiao again following late-night talks with the fighter on Tuesday. “Manny reached out directly,” Roach was quoted as saying. “We sat together one-on-one. I’ll be in […]

Class suspensions for Thursday, Nov. 22

(Eagle News) — Classes in several areas were suspended on Thursday, Nov. 22, due to the inclement weather brought by Tropical Depression “Samuel.” Below is a list: Araceli, Palawan – kinder to senior high school Busuanga, Palawan — kinder to senior high school Coron, Palawan – all levels Cuyo, Palawan – all levels El Nido, Palawan – all levels Magsaysay, Palawan – all levels San Vicente, Palawan – all levels S. Española, Palawan – kinder to senior high […]

Signal No. 1 still hoisted over several areas as “Samuel” traverses the West PHL Sea

(Eagle News) — “Samuel” has maintained its strength as it traverses the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, Nov. 22. As of 4 a.m., the center of the tropical depression was located 90 kilometers north northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kilometers per hour. Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Palawan including Calamian Group of Islands, where […]

Escudero: Pact on PHL-China oil, gas development could affect both countries’ claims in West PHL Sea

(Eagle News) — Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday, Nov. 21, said the agreement for oil and gas development cooperation inked between China and the Philippines could have an effect on the two countries’ claims in the West Philippine Sea. In a statement, Escudero said this was because the pact, if entered into by the governments themselves, could have an “effect” on the arbitral ruling that nullified the excessive claims of China over the sea in […]

President Duterte accepts Xi’s invitation to visit China next year

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation for him to visit China in April 2019. According to a joint statement issued by the Philippines and China after Xi’s two-state visit, the invitation was specifically for President Duterte to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held in Beijing. President Duterte attended the first Belt and Road forum last year. “President Xi Jinping appreciated the warm […]