Other News

President Duterte on Robredo: “Apurado masyado maging presidente”

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday named Vice President Leni Robredo as one of his enemies, and lashed out at others, including the European Parliament. “Kasi nakita ko mga kalaban ko, gusto akong, si Leni, apurado masyado maging presidente,” he said, drawing laughs from the Filipino community composed mostly of professionals, who met him in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, where he is on a two-day official visit. The Filipinos, more than 200 of […]

Brazil says exports safe despite rotten meat scandal

by Eugenia LOGIURATTO Agence France Presse BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil tried to reassure the world Sunday that its huge meat industry poses no threat — with President Michel Temer even inviting ambassadors to a steak dinner — despite allegations that corrupt exporters sold tainted products. Temer smiled as he invited diplomats to a traditional Brazilian meat restaurant called a churrascaria, saying “if you accept the invitation we will be very happy.” Nineteen of the […]

‘No evidence of collusion’ between Trump campaign, Russia: US lawmaker

by Stephanie GRIFFITH Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A congressional panel so far has found “no evidence” that Donald Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election, its chairman said Sunday, ahead of testimony by the head of the FBI on the US president’s potential Russia ties. Based on “everything I have up to this morning — no evidence of collusion,” by Trump’s team and Moscow, Representative Devin Nunes, chairman of […]

Paris airport attacker was under influence of drugs, alcohol: judicial source

PARIS, France (AFP) — The man shot dead at Paris’s Orly airport after attacking a soldier was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time, a judicial source said Sunday. “Toxicology tests carried out on Sunday showed an alcohol level of 0.93 grams per litre in his blood, and the presence of cannabis and cocaine,” the source said, a day after the incident at the French capital’s second-busiest airport. © Agence France-Presse

SpaceX cargo craft released from space station to return to Earth

Reuters — The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft left the International Space Station on Sunday (March 19) to begin its journey back to Earth The resupply cargo craft was released from the ISS at 0411EDT (0911GMT) and was set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California after a five-hour journey, according to NASA. NASA says the cargo shift was carrying some 5,400 pounds (2,450 kilos) of gear and scientific samples for […]

Vast collection of Beatles memorabilia goes on auction in Paris

PARIS, France (Reuters) — One of the largest Beatles collections in France, including rare vinyl records, dolls and photographs, went on auction in Paris on Saturday (March 18) at the L’Hotel Drouot auction house. Among the 332 lots which were up for auction was the disc “Tony Sheridan and the Beatles 7: My Bonnie”, signed by Paul McCartney and George Harrison, with a 6,000 to 10,000 euros ($6,450 to $10,740) price tag. A lot of […]

Japanese PM Abe wants economic deal with EU soon

HANOVER, Germany (Reuters) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday (March 19) that the European Union and Japan should soon reach an economic deal, and stressed the importance of free trade to his country. “We must conclude an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the EU at an early time,” Abe said at the opening of the CeBIT technology fair in Hanover, northern Germany. He also highlighted the importance of innovation, saying that […]

Xi, Tillerson seek stronger ties as N. Korea hails rocket progress

by Dan Martin Agence France Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pledged in talks Sunday to work to strengthen a relationship strained by disputes over North Korea and trade. Xi met Tillerson in Beijing just hours after nuclear-armed North Korea tested the US-China relationship anew by announcing a provocative rocket engine trial, and with delicate negotiations under way for a Xi summit with President Donald […]

N. Korea’s Kim hails engine test as ‘new birth’ for rocket industry: KCNA

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea has tested a powerful new rocket engine, state media said Sunday, with leader Kim Jong-Un hailing the successful test as a “new birth” for the nation’s rocket industry. The test was apparently timed to coincide with the visit of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Beijing Saturday, where he warned that regional tensions had reached a “dangerous level”. State news agency said Kim had overseen the operation, […]

‘Sesame Street’ to tackle autism with new muppet

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — “Sesame Street” has often experimented with new ways of teaching children about social issues as well as their ABCs since its launch nearly 50 years ago. Now it’s taking on a new challenge: autism. The groundbreaking public television children’s program is introducing a new character, a muppet named Julia who has autism, the show’s creators revealed on the CBS News show “60 Minutes” broadcast on Sunday. Diagnoses of autism have […]

Israel threatens to ‘destroy’ Syrian air defence systems

by Jean-Luc Renaudie Agence France Presse JERUSALEM, Israel (AFP) — Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Sunday threatened to destroy Syrian air defense systems after they fired ground-to-air missiles at Israeli warplanes carrying out strikes. “The next time the Syrians use their air defence systems against our planes we will destroy them without the slightest hesitation,” Lieberman said on Israeli public radio. Israeli warplanes hit several targets in Syria on Friday, with Prime Minister Benjamin […]

President Duterte on impeachment complaint filed vs him: ‘It’s a democracy’

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday welcomed the impeachment complaint filed against him on Thursday, saying “this (was) a democracy.”   “Impeachment? If that is part of my destiny, it’s my destiny to go…Wala sa akin yang impeachment, impeachment. I go by the rules of destiny,” he added during  a press conference at the Davao International Airport prior to his departure for Myanmar, and later for Thailand, on official visits. Duterte was referring to […]