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by Kaouther Larbi Agence France-Presse TUNIS, Tunisia (AFP) – Tunisia’s government on Saturday announced an increase in aid to the needy and improved health care as part of social reforms following a week of unrest triggered by austerity measures. Social Affairs Minister Mohamed Trabelsi told reporters that monthly aid to needy families would rise from 150 dinars (50 euros) to between 180 and 210 dinars (60 and 70 euros). He said reforms which have been in […]
by Yemeli ORTEGA Agence France-Presse PARACHO DE VERDUZCO, Mexico (AFP) – Salvador Meza has been making guitars since he was a boy, but his leathery hands have never had to churn them out as fast as now — thanks to the hit movie “Coco.” Meza, 41, is one of many renowned guitar-makers in the Mexican town of Paracho, which has been producing artfully crafted guitars since the 18th century. But the sleepy colonial town has never […]
CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) – The head of Egypt’s legendary Zamalek football club, Mortada Mansour, said Saturday he would be standing in the presidential election in March. “I will be a candidate in the presidential election and I will start to collect sponsors,” he wrote on Facebook. He also confirmed his intention to run on a television show, saying he “had to gather about 25,000 signatures in 15 provinces in just 10 days”. The National Elections Authority […]
by Eugene Tanner, with Maggy Donaldson in Washington Agence France-Presse HONOLULU, United States (AFP) – An alert warning of an incoming ballistic missile aimed at Hawaii was sent in error Saturday, sowing panic and confusion across the US state — which is already on edge over the risk of attack — before officials dubbed it a “false alarm.” Emergency management officials eventually determined the notification was sent just after 8:00 am (1800 GMT) during a shift […]
PARIS, France (AFP) – A salmonella scandal at French dairy group Lactalis has affected 83 countries, where 12 million boxes of powdered baby milk are being recalled, the company’s CEO said Sunday in an interview with French media. Emmanuel Besnier, scion of the secretive family behind one of the world’s biggest dairy groups, was speaking publicly for the first time since an outcry erupted over claims the company hid the salmonella outbreak at a plant making the […]
(Eagle News) — Solicitor General Jose Calida on Saturday argued there was basis for the extension of martial law in Mindanao precisely because a “rebellion” continued to exist there even after Marawi was declared liberated from the clutches of terrorists. In his 63-page comment on the four petitions filed questioning the constitutionality of the extension, Calida said the Supreme Court itself has already said in Lagman v. Medialdea that “there are other rebel groups in Mindanao […]
(Eagle News) — The Palace on Saturday said President Rodrigo Duterte has no plans of establishing a revolutionary government. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement after the Social Weather Stations said that a “plurality” of Filipinos were opposed to the type of government. According to Roque, the President has said that he only mentioned the concept “in the context on kapag naghihingalo na ang republika.” “On SWS survey on revolutionary government, the President has […]
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — Cheering crowds welcomed the Olympic flame to a freezing Seoul on Saturday, where the torch will be paraded for four days before making its way to Pyeongchang for the start of the Winter Games. The outlook for next month’s sporting extravaganza has brightened since North Korea confirmed its participation, lifting security concerns over the South’s nuclear-armed neighbour. The North has agreed to send an unknown number of athletes to the […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Authorities in northern China have demolished a megachurch in a move denounced by a religious rights group as “Taliban-style persecution”. China’s officially atheist Communist authorities are wary of any organised movements outside their control, including religious ones. The huge evangelical Jindengtai (“Golden Lampstand”) Church, painted grey and surmounted by turrets and a large red cross, was located in Linfen, Shanxi province. Its demolition began on Tuesday under “a city-wide campaign to […]
(Eagle News) — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Friday he had ordered his ground commanders during Monday’s command conference to resume the anti-drug operation Oplan Tokhang this month. The police chief said he instructed the commanders to implement the “true spirit” of Tokhang, and not the corrupted one being done by some erring policemen. Tokhang—derived from the Visayan words “toktok” (knock) and “hangyo” (plead)—refers to the police officer’s practice of […]
(Eagle News) — All four petitions questioning the constitutionality of the one-year declaration of martial law in Mindanao have been consolidated. The Supreme Court Public Information office said in an advisory that all petitions would be tackled during oral arguments scheduled on January 16, at 2 p.m. and January 17, at 10 a.m. The four petitions were filed by the Makabayan bloc, militant groups, former Commission on Human Rights Chair Etta Rosales and the group led by former Commission […]
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Simona Halep goes in search of a first Grand Slam at the Australian Open next week without a sponsor, but happy she’ll be able to wear her “lucky” red dress. The world number one admitted she unusually had “no brand clothes” to wear at Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of the year after ending her deal with Adidas last season. “I have no contract now. Yeah, it’s an interesting […]
