Other News

Another Marawi possible, Philippine rebel chief warns

  by Cecil Morella Agence France Presse MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The chief of the Philippines’ main Muslim rebel group warned Tuesday that jihadists loyal to the Islamic State group, flush with looted guns and cash, could seize another Filipino city after Marawi last year. Murad Ebrahim has billed his Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which has made peace with the government, as a rival to IS for the hearts and minds of angry young […]

Amid tensions, Kuwait invites President Duterte to visit anew

(Eagle News) — Kuwait has invited President Rodrigo Duterte anew following  the imposition of a total ban on the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers to the Middle Eastern country. Kuwait’s state-run KUNA news agency quoted Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah as saying the proposed visit was in March. It was unclear, however, if Duterte accepted the invitation, which comes after Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah condemned Duterte’s statements lashing out at the […]

Some KFC stores to close all week in UK chicken crisis

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Some KFC outlets in Britain are to remain shut for the rest of the week, the fast-food operator said Tuesday as a supply crisis rumbled on, leaving fans craving a fix of deep-fried chicken. About 450 of the chain’s 900 outlets remained closed late Tuesday after “operational issues” with new German delivery supplier DHL left them without poultry supplies. “Each day more deliveries are being made,” said a spokesman for […]

At least 3 people injured in toy warehouse fire in Pasig

P15 million worth of properties destroyed By Earlo Bringas Eagle News Service At least three people were injured and around P15 million worth of properties were destroyed in a fire that engulfed a toy warehouse in Pasig City on Tuesday night. The blaze struck the  warehouse of Prime Rich Global owned by Myrna Tangyao on Jenny’s Avenue in Barangay Rosario at 7:20 p.m. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the blaze, but residents said […]

Dementia clearly linked to chronic boozing: study

by Marlowe Hood Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Chronic heavy drinking is a major risk factor for all types of dementia, especially early onset of the disease, according to a study published Wednesday in The Lancet Public Health. Researchers examining more than 57,000 cases of early-onset dementia in France found that well over half were either alcohol-related, or accompanied by an additional diagnosis of alcohol abuse. Overall, alcohol use disorders were associated with […]

PNP chief bats for imposition of curfew for minors

(Eagle News) — Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa on Monday said he was for the imposition of a curfew for children. Dela Rosa issued the statement following the Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy’s filing of a bill that aims to impose the same nationwide. Under Dy’s bill, a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. would be imposed on persons below 18 years old. According to the PNP chief, a curfew would prevent syndicates from […]

After stunning growth streak, Amazon ambitions seem boundless

by Julie Charpentrat Agence France-Presse SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Triumphant in online retail, cloud computing, organic groceries, and streaming television, Amazon founder and chief disruptor Jeff Bezos is turning his seemingly limitless ambition to health care. Amazon, launched as an internet bookseller nearly 24 years ago, has branched into offerings including voice-commanded speakers infused with Alexa artificial intelligence and original TV shows streamed online at its Prime subscription service. Health care now appears […]

Qualcomm boosts bid for NXP as it fends off bid from Broadcom

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US mobile chipmaking giant Qualcomm on Tuesday raised its bid for Dutch rival NXP to an estimated $43 billion as the California-based firm moved to fend off a hostile offer from Singapore’s Broadcom. The new bid amounts to $127.50 per NXP share and aims to satisfy NXP shareholders who had expressed concern the Qualcomm bid was too low. By moving closer to a tie-up with NXP, Qualcomm could make it […]

Clooneys donate $500,000 to student gun reform march

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Hollywood star George Clooney and his human rights lawyer wife Amal on Monday pledged $500,000 to help fund a student march on Washington, giving a huge boost to what is considered an unprecedented youth mobilization against gun violence. The “March for Our Lives” is scheduled to take place on March 24, with sister rallies planned across the country demanding that US Congress come up with effective legislation to address […]

UNICEF issues blank statement slamming ‘war on children in Syria’

AMMAN, Jordan (AFP) — The UN children’s fund on Tuesday expressed “outrage” over the killings of children in Syria by issuing a blank statement, adding in a footnote that “no words will do (them) justice”. The statement came after a ferocious Syrian regime bombing campaign pounded the rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta on Monday, killing 127 civilians, 39 of them children. “No words will do justice to the children killed, their mothers, their fathers and […]

Trump backs ban on ‘bump stocks’ on semi-automatic weapons

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he supported moves to ban “bump stocks” — an accessory which can turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic one, and which was used in last year’s mass shooting in Las Vegas. Trump announced his support for the ban nearly a week after 14 students and three teachers were killed at a high school in Florida by a former student. “Just a few moments […]

Qatar and Chad restore diplomatic relations

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Qatar and Chad are to restore diplomatic relations, severed in August soon after the start of a Saudi-led boycott of the emirate, Doha’s foreign ministry said Tuesday. Lolwah Al-Khater, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, said on social media that both countries would return their ambassadors with immediate effect. “Moments ago MOU (memorandum of understanding) was signed between Qatar and Chad; Diplomatic relations to be resumed with immediate exchange of ambassadors,” she tweeted. Al-Khater added […]