Other News

IOC, two Koreas meet to finalise historic Olympic deal

by Ben Simon Agence France-Presse LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) – After the two Koreas struck a deal for the North to attend the Winter Games in the South, Olympic bosses will try Saturday to resolve the devils in the details of the landmark pact. With less than three weeks to go before the Games in Pyeongchang begin, the most momentous decisions have already been made. North and South Korea will march together at the opening ceremony under a […]

Gambians enjoy freedom post-Jammeh, but criticise economy

by Emil TOURAY Agence France-Presse BANJUL, Gambia (AFP) – A year ago, Gambians wept for joy as Yahya Jammeh went into exile, bringing the curtain down on a brutal 22-year rule. Today, many say freedom of speech in this small west African state is a right they cherish under President Adama Barrow’s administration. “There is a democracy, everybody feels free. Disappearances without a trace — all that’s over now,” said teacher Kalipha Dampha, referring to the dreaded […]

US condemns arrests of AFP reporter, others at Sudan demo

by Dave Clark Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The United States condemned Sudan’s arbitrary detention of journalists Friday after an AFP reporter and two colleagues were arrested covering a street protest. Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali of Agence France-Presse and at least two more journalists were taken away by authorities on Wednesday as they reported on a demonstration against rising food prices. They have not been allowed contact with their families or employers and authorities say […]

Tensions rise as new inmate attack fuels French prison strikes

by Marie DHUMIERES / Joseph Schmid Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) – French police fired tear gas to break up a picket line of striking prison guards at Europe’s biggest jail on Friday, as a fresh assault by inmates on staff at a facility in Corsica fueled demands for better security. The scuffles at the huge Fleury-Merogis prison just south of Paris came as unions were pressing a fourth day of strikes across France sparked by a […]

BI to deport 21 Russians, Koreans for overstaying, other offenses

(Eagle News)– The Bureau of Immigration has ordered the deportation of 19 Russian nationals and the two Koreans who allegedly recruited and employed them as “guest relations officers” in a club in Pampanga. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the 19 Russians who were arrested in a raid  at Club Angel in Clark Field, Angeles City, worked without the necessary employment visas, charging P1500 per hour for their services. BI intelligence officer Jude Hinolan said  […]

UK could join reconfigurated EU in future: minister

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Britain could take part in a new model of European cooperation after Brexit but is unlikely to rejoin the EU in its current form, a senior minister said Friday. Cabinet Office minister David Lidington, who chairs several Brexit ministerial committees, said the suggestion by some EU leaders that Britain might change its mind about leaving the bloc was a “red herring”. “Having taken a decision by a referendum, I don’t see that […]

Barangay kagawad, patay sa pamamaril sa Zamboanga del Norte

JOSE DALMAN, Zamboanga del Norte (Eagle News) – Natagpuang patay ang isang kagawad ng Brgy. Lipay umaga nitong Biyernes, Enero 19. Kinilala ang biktima na si Roldan Taduc. Ayon sa inisyal na imbestigasyon ni PO3 Wynner T. Siling, bandang alas 8 ng umaga nang pauwi na ng bahay ang biktima matapos ihatid ang anak sa eskwelahan nang bigla na lamang itong binaril ng hindi pa nakikilang suspek. Nagtamo ng tama sa ulo ang biktima na […]

Twitter says Russia-linked accounts more widespread

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) – Twitter on Friday said the number of Russia-linked accounts firing off tweets evidently aimed at the US election in 2016 was more widespread than initially determined. The social media company found, and shuttered, an additional 1,062 accounts associated with the Internet Research Agency, considered a “troll farm” connected to the Russian government, Twitter said in an update posted online. Along with Google and Facebook, Twitter has been criticized for allowing […]

Ex-employee accuses Michael Douglas of sexual harassment

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – A former employee has accused Michael Douglas of sexual harassment and misconduct in her presence, charges the Oscar-winning Hollywood megastar has vehemently denied. Douglas, 73, is the latest big-name celebrity accused of seamy behavior since a sexual harassment watershed began with the downfall of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in 2017. The actor — Hollywood royalty as the son of actor Kirk Douglas — “thought he was the king of the world […]

What actually closes in a US government shutdown?

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Hundreds of thousands of US government defense workers, park rangers and business regulators could be temporarily out of work if Congress fails to pass a budget before a midnight Friday deadline. But the looming government shutdown due to lack of funding — which would be the second in five years — does not mean every office closes its doors. Vital services will still be provided by law enforcement, immigration officers, the central […]

‘Progress’ but no deal yet to avoid US govt shutdown

by Jim MANNION Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – President Donald Trump and the Senate’s top Democrat on Friday both touted “progress” in 11th hour talks on breaking an impasse over spending, raising hopes that a US government shutdown could be averted. With a midnight deadline looming to reach a short-term deal to keep the federal government running at full capacity, both Trump and Senator Chuck Schumer struck an optimistic tone. “Excellent preliminary meeting in Oval,” […]

Palace says it won’t stifle any protest action as Rappler rally draws less than 200 people

(Eagle News) — Malacanang said that it would not stifle protests on alleged trampling of press freedom as a “Black Friday” rally to protest the Securities and Exchange Commission’s ruling revoking a certificate of incorporation of online news website, Rappler, drew a crowd of journalists, including Rappler employees, bloggers and press freedom advocates. “This evening’s Black Friday Protest for Freedom, organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, is a testament that freedom […]