Other News

76ers beat Hornets despite Walker’s 60, Mavs shock Warriors

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Philadelphia’s Jimmy Butler delivered the overtime dagger as the 76ers withstood 60 points from Kemba Walker in a 122-119 NBA victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Another nail-biter saw the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors drop a 112-109 decision to the Mavericks in Dallas. Slovenian rookie Luka Doncic scored 24 points, including the jump shot that put Dallas ahead for good with 1:10 remaining. The Warriors, missing […]

Cyclone death toll in southeast India hits 33: official

NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — The death toll from a cyclone that battered India’s eastern coast has reached 33, a disaster official said Sunday, as authorities assessed the damage caused by the powerful storm. Cyclone Gaja, which packed winds of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour, had barrelled into Tamil Nadu state after hitting the coast on Friday. Thousands of trees were felled by winds that destroyed homes and hundreds of thousands were […]

PAGASA: Tropical Depression “Samuel” enters PAR

(Eagle News)–The tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. PAGASA said the center of Tropical Depression “Samuel” entered PAR at 10 a.m., and is estimated at 980 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It is packing maximum sustained winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kilometers […]

De Lima proposes creation of local housing boards

(Eagle News)—Senator Leila de Lima is proposing the creation of local housing boards to ensure decent and affordable housing for underprivileged families. In filing Senate Bill No. 2092 amending certain provisions of Republic Act No. 7279, also known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (UDHA), De Lima is proposing the creation of the boards in cities, and first-class and second-class municipalities to ensure, according to a statement released by De Lima’s office,  “proper […]

President Duterte stays on to continue APEC meetings on Sunday

  (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte decided to stay on at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders meeting in Papua New Guinea on Sunday, Nov. 18, where he and other APEC leaders convened for the last round of sessions before the important summit wraps up today. Duterte also posed together with his fellow APEC leaders for a second family photo on Sunday morning at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby. He stood beside Russia’s […]

US, China in APEC cruise ship clash on trade, influence

  by Andrew Beatty and Richard Carter Agence France Presse PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AFP) — China and the US crossed swords Saturday ahead of an APEC summit, duelling over protectionism, trade tariffs and “chequebook diplomacy” as they laid out sharply contrasting visions for the Pacific Rim region. In combative back-to-back speeches at a business forum held on a hulking cruise ship moored in Port Moresby, Xi Jinping and US Vice President Mike Pence […]

PHL, Papua New Guinea sign 5-year MOA on agri cooperation, including tie-up on rice production

  (Eagle News) — The Philippines and Papua New Guinea has signed a five-year Memorandum Of Agreement ( MOA ) for greater cooperation on agriculture, including a tie-up on rice and grain production, as well as coconut and coffee production. Other areas of cooperation under the agreement include the development of rice and grain hybrid species; production of cocoa, rubber, and palm oil; horticulture production; aquaculture and inland fish farming; post-harvest development; livestock breeding; and […]

Pence says US to partner in Papua New Guinea military base

  PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AFP) — The United States said Saturday it will join forces with Australia in the development of a new naval base in Papua New Guinea, a project seen as a move to curb China’s influence in the Pacific. Australia, which has long-standing military ties with the US, has already announced plans to redevelop PNG’s Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island. China’s desire to build a military facility on Fiji’s […]

Trillanes on Duterte’s power naps: “Di siya ginastusan para matulog”

(Eagle News)—Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Saturday, Nov. 17, lashed out at President Rodrigo Duterte for taking power naps and missing some Association of Southeast Asian Nations events in Singapore. The President, however, who attended thee remaining events, was represented by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin in those events he was unable to attend. “Unang-una eh ‘di sana inagahan niya ang alis, sana nakarating sila the night before,” Trillanes said in a radio interview. […]

Robredo: Imelda Marcos’ excuse for not attending graft case promulgation “a mockery of the justice system”

(Eagle News)–Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday, Nov. 17, described the excuses given by former First Lady Imelda Marcos for missing her graft case promulgation as a “mockery of the justice system.” In a motion filed before the Sandiganbayan, Marcos said she failed to attend such on Friday, Nov. 9, because her doctor had advised her to avoid stressful situations that could put her at risk given her illnesses that include hypertension and diabetes. In […]

Five Filipino troops killed in ambush by Islamist gunmen

MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Militants have killed five Filipino soldiers and wounded 23 others in a major ambush by members of a notorious Islamist kidnap-for-ransom group, the Philippine military said Saturday. The soldiers were searching for hostages taken by the Abu Sayyaf group when the gunmen attacked them on the southern Philippine island of Jolo on Friday, regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana told reporters. “The effort is part of our mission to rescue […]

Duterte on Halili’s killing: “Wala akong alam”

(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte took offense at allegations he knew something about the killing of Tanauan, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili. “Unfair sila sa akin (They are are unfair to me),” Duterte said in a speech before the Filipino community in Papua New Guinea, where he is attending the 26th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting. According to Duterte, when he says he is going to kill, “pangtakot man lang yan, istorya man lang […]