Other News

‘Erratic’ winds, dry conditions fuel deadly California fires

by Gianrigo Marletta Agence France-Presse REDDING, United States (AFP) – Around 12,000 firefighters battled Sunday to contain wildfires in California that have killed six people — but authorities warned “erratic” winds and dry conditions have caused the flames to grow and spread. “Very hot and dry conditions will continue over the West coast states through Sunday,” the National Weather Service said early Sunday. “Conditions around the Carr wildfire near Redding, California will continue to be […]

Johnson bounces back to win first Canadian Open crown

TORONTO, CANADA (AFP) — World number one Dustin Johnson recovered from a shock early exit at the British Open to capture the Canadian Open title on Sunday for his third victory of 2018. Johnson fired a six-under 66 for a three-stroke win after starting the final round of the USPGA Tour event at the Glen Abbey course in a four-way tie for the lead. The win was the 19th title of his career and comes […]

Greek wildfires death toll rises to 91

ATHENS, Greece (AFP) — Greek fire services on Sunday said three more people were confirmed killed by the wildfires that have devastated seaside resorts near Athens, bringing the death toll in the disaster to 91. Another 25 remain missing, said spokeswoman Stavroula Malliri, giving a precise figure for the first time after mounting criticism over the issue. But some or all of the missing may be among 28 victims whose bodies are currently being examined […]

Tokyo stocks open lower ahead of BoJ meeting

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo stocks opened lower on Monday in cautious trade ahead of the Bank of Japan’s two-day meeting, after US stocks closed down on lower-than-expected US growth data. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 0.46 percent, or 105.45 points, at 22,607.30 in early trade, while the broader Topix index slipped 0.26 percent, or 4.59 points, to 1,771.17. “Investors are seen taking to the sidelines ahead of the Bank of Japan’s policy […]

Sotto announces surprise Senate drug test

  (Eagle News)–Senate President Tito Sotto on Monday, July 30, announced the conduct of a surprise drug test for Senate employees. “To show my support, I will be first in line,” Sotto said. Senator Gringo Honasan also subjected himself to the surprise drug test, after he was asked by Sotto to undergo the test after him. Sotto has a hard stance against  illegal drugs and has been very vocal in his support of President Rodrigo […]

Trillanes to sue Teo, Tulfo brothers over P60-million tourism ad placement deal

(Eagle News)—Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday, July 30, said he would file charges against former Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and her brothers for the P60-million tourism  advertisements placement deal. In a statement, Trillanes also called on the Senate blue ribbon committee to act on his resolution calling for an inquiry into the matter so “we could determine the magnitude of corruption, specifically how much more of the people’s money was squandered by the previous […]

Greek wildfires death toll rises to 91

  ATHENS, Greece (AFP) — Greek fire services on Sunday said three more people were confirmed killed by the wildfires that have devastated seaside resorts near Athens, bringing the death toll in the disaster to 91. Another 25 remain missing, said spokeswoman Stavroula Malliri, giving a precise figure for the first time after mounting criticism over the issue. But some or all of the missing may be among 28 victims whose bodies are currently being […]

Cambodia ruling party claims ‘huge victory’ in vote decried as ‘sham’

by Suy Se and Joe Freeman Agence France Presse PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia’s ruling party said it had won a landslide in Sunday’s one-horse election, an expected outcome after the main opposition was banned, paving the way for leader Hun Sen to prolong his 33 years in power. Hun Sen, who came to power in 1985 in a country still plagued by civil war, has cracked down on dissent in the run-up to this […]

Death toll rises in Indonesia quake

  by Aulia Ahmad Agence France Presse LOMBOK, Indonesia (AFP) — A powerful earthquake which struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday killed at least 14 people, injured scores and damaged thousands of homes, officials said. Five children were among those killed by the shallow 6.4-magnitude early-morning quake, which sent people running outside in panic and triggered landslides on popular mountain hiking routes. Scores of aftershocks sparked fear among survivors. More than 120 […]

Senate gets “good” satisfaction rating in SWS June survey; Cabinet, SC, House receive “moderate” marks

(Eagle News)—-The Senate was the only  government institution that had a “good” net satisfaction rating in a  survey done by the Social Weather Stations in June. According to the SWS, the +41 rating it received translates to 57 percent of people satisfied with its performance and to 17 percent  dissatisfied with it. Although still a “good,”  the SWS said this was the “lowest” mark the Senate received since the +41 it received in April 2016. The […]