Other News

UPDATED: PAGASA lifts all tropical cyclone warning signals; “Salome” to exit PAR on Saturday

(Eagle News) — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Services Administration on Friday lifted all tropical cyclone warning signals as Tropical Storm “Salome” moved farther away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility. In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said as of 10 a.m., the center of “Salome” was seen 175 kilometers west west of Subic, Olongapo. “Salome” is forecast to move west northwest at 20 kilometers per hour, and is expected to exit PAR  on Saturday […]

Iran still complying with nuclear deal: UN watchdog chief

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The UN’s nuclear watchdog director Yukiya Amano Thursday reaffirmed Tehran is complying with the 2015 nuclear deal in a meeting with US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, the agency said. It was the second meeting between Haley and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief — with the first taking place in August during Haley’s visit to the agency’s headquarters in Vienna, where she called for more controls […]

RugbyU: ‘Lazarus’ Daly says recovery no miracle

by Julian Guyer  Agence France-Presse BAGSHOT, United Kingdom (AFP) — England’s Elliot Daly has insisted there is a perfectly rational explanation for a quicker than expected return from injury that has seen him nicknamed ‘Lazarus’ by his team-mates. The British and Irish Lions back, was expected to miss both of England’s opening two November internationals, against Argentina and Australia, with knee ligament damage suffered while on European club duty with Wasps just under two weeks ago. On […]

President Duterte to extend Vietnam stay for bilateral talks with China’s President Xi; ASEAN “worries” to be raised

  (Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte will be extending his stay in Vietnam by two hours because of his bilateral meeting on Saturday with Chinese President Xi Jinping where he will discuss the country’s friendship with China as well as worries by the ASEAN on seeming militarization in the disputed South China Sea. Duterte said as the ASEAN chair he would have to bring the “voice of the ASEAN” in his bilateral meeting with […]

Saudi Arabia says 201 people detained in anti-graft swoop

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia said Thursday 201 people are being held for questioning in a massive anti-graft swoop on the elite, with at least $100 billion estimated to have been lost through corruption and embezzlement over several decades. “A total of 208 individuals have been called in for questioning so far. Of those 208 individuals, seven have been released without charge,” the information ministry said in a statement. Billionaire tycoon Prince Al-Waleed […]

Developing world says rich nations shirking on climate

 by Marlowe Hood Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — The failure of wealthy nations to deliver on short-term climate commitments could hinder the rollout of a landmark treaty, a bloc of 134 developing countries, including India and China, warned Thursday at UN negotiations in Bonn. The diplomatic spat has underscored the difficulty of reaching a consensus at the 196-nation talks. “If we do not respect decisions that we have made, then how can we build trust among the […]

Putin says US plotted doping scandal to swing Russian vote

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the United States of inventing doping allegations against Russian athletes to influence next year’s presidential election, which he is widely expected to contest and win. “In response to our alleged interference in their election, they want to create problems for the election of the president of Russia,” Putin said in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk. Putin has not said whether he will contest the March […]

Disney announces new ‘Star Wars’ trilogy

by Glenn Chapman Agence France-Presse SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Disney on Thursday announced plans for a new “Star Wars” trilogy as it builds on the beloved and profitable science fiction film franchise. “We have big ambitions for the ‘Star Wars’ franchise,” Disney chief executive Robert Iger said during a quarterly earnings call. Disney just closed a deal with Rian Johnson, director of upcoming film “The Last Jedi,” to develop a brand new trilogy, […]

Robot ANYmal takes the elevator

ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) —Meet ANYmal. ANYmal is an autonomous quadrupedal robot designed to navigate industrial sites, with the eventual aim of inspecting oil and gas sites without human help. The four-legged robot relies on compliant and torque controllable actuators and can run and also climb stairs at up to 45-degree angles. Laser sensors and cameras help ANYmal perceive its environment, and plan its path autonomously, helping it avoid obstacles that suddenly appear in its path. […]

Catalan parliament speaker detained over independence bid

by Patrick Galey Agence France Presse MADRID, Spain (AFP) — The speaker of Catalonia’s sacked parliament was detained on Thursday over her region’s controversial drive for independence from Spain. Carme Forcadell was held by Spain’s Supreme Court in Madrid pending bail of 150,000 euros, a court spokesman said. Forcadell and five other deputies appeared in front of Spain’s highest tribunal on charges of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds — which carry a maximum […]

Global stocks tumble as Wall Street, Tokyo hit reverse

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Global stocks tumbled Thursday as disappointing earnings, profit taking and fears a US corporate tax cut will be delayed combined to drive major indices down. US stocks closed lower after declines in Japan, London, Frankfurt and Paris. Major tech stocks saw heavy losses: Google-parent Alphabet fell a full percentage point, Microsoft gave up 0.6 percent and Apple lost 0.4 percent. “A combination of profit taking and perhaps the prospect […]

Saudi Aramco signs energy deals worth nearly $4.5 billion

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Aramco on Thursday signed agreements worth nearly $4.5 billion with multinational oil and gas contractors, in what the company dubbed as an effort to diversify the economy. The deals were signed with companies including Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas, Italy’s Saipem, China Petroleum Pipeline and Abu Dhabi’s National Petroleum Construction. The investments “reflect our concerted effort… to diversify our economy, promote local manufacturing, support a sustainable environment and strengthen our business […]