ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) – by Stuart WILLIAMS Turkey said Wednesday that courts have placed 32,000 suspects under arrest on charges of links to a group run by the US-based preacher blamed for July’s failed coup, as the country braces for the most extensive trials in its history. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told NTV television that 70,000 people had been investigated after the attempted putsch on July 15, 32,000 of them remanded in custody. “This process […]
Other News
Billionaire Elon Musk outlines plans for humans to colonize Mars
(REUTERS) SpaceX is developing a massive rocket and capsule to transport large numbers of people and cargo to Mars with the ultimate goal of colonizing the planet, company chief and tech billionaire Elon Musk said on Tuesday. Musk outlined his plans for the Mars rocket, capable of carrying 100 passengers plus cargo per voyage, even as SpaceX is still investigating why a different rocket carrying a $200 million Israeli satellite blew up on a […]
South Korea court says it has not yet decided whether sale of Hanjin Shipping is needed
(REUTERS) The South Korean court overseeing Hanjin Shipping’s receivership process said on Wednesday that a sale of the world’s seventh-largest container carrier, which collapsed late last month, is one of many options it is considering if the court concludes the company is to be rehabilitated. Judge Choi Ung-young, who serves as a court spokesman for media inquiries on the case, said a sale is possible in principle if it’s deemed the best way to […]
Families: investigation found MH17 downed from pro-Russia rebel held territory
(REUTERS) International prosecutors investigating the downing of a Malaysian airliner two years ago have concluded it was shot down by a Russian-made missile fired from rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine, victims’ family members said on Wednesday. Families were informed of the prosecutors’ findings shortly before a news conference was due to start in the central Dutch city of Nieuwegein on the outcome of the investigation. A surface-to-air missile hit Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on […]
Thai authorities bar Amnesty International talk on torture
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Thai authorities blocked an Amnesty International news conference on torture in the kingdom Wednesday, the watchdog said, the latest move to silence rights groups in the army-run country. Two foreign Amnesty International staff were scheduled to speak at the Bangkok launch of a report detailing 74 cases of alleged torture at the hands of Thai soldiers and police. But the advocacy group was told Wednesday morning that speaking at the event would be […]
Duterte on De Lima: I think she is breaking down
(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday (September 28) appealed to Senator Leila De Lima to take some days off, following her outburst in a press conference earlier in the day. “With all due respect… I think she is breaking down. I suggest she takes days off. If she keeps on yakking, she will have a nervous breakdown,” Duterte said in a press conference before flying for his official visit to Vietnam. “I’m not trying […]
Sun rises ‘beautifully’ on Philippines ties: China envoy
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Relations between China and the Philippines are improving “beautifully” under President Rodrigo Duterte, Beijing’s envoy has said as Duterte warms to China and Russia following US criticism of his bloody war on crime. Ambassador Zhao Jianhua offered effusive praise for Duterte in a speech at an embassy reception late Tuesday, saying China “firmly supports” his anti-drugs campaign that has prompted Western condemnation of alleged extrajudicial killings. Duterte has rejected the criticism, […]
Largest ever blue topaz gemstone given to London museum
LONDON, England, UK (Reuters) — It’s said to be the largest blue topaz gemstone ever mined and glitters a vivid electric blue in the light. Now it will be shown off to the world after three decades kept hidden away in a vault. The Ostro stone is an oval 9,381 carat blue topaz, equivalent in weight to two kilos or two bags of sugar. It’s being given on permanent loan to a London museum by the […]
Asian markets down, energy firms hit by oil deal woes
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Tokyo stocks led a broad retreat in Asian markets Wednesday as the yen recovered, while regional energy firms struggled with crude prices on concern about the chances of success at an upcoming producers’ meeting. The OPEC oil cartel and Russia are due to meet later Wednesday in Algeria to discuss a global oil glut and overproduction that has strangled prices for more than two years. However, hopes for a deal […]
Duterte admits hearing ‘rumblings’ from AFP troops on peace talks with CPP
(Eagle News)– President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted that some Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops were still uncertain with the peace talks with Communist rebels. “I’ve heard that there are rumblings because they are natural enemies. There are many who died from the military. But I told them, you know guys, I am your president, I am your commander-in-chief,” Duterte said. In his visits of military bases, Duterte reiterated to the troops to remain loyal […]
Philippines’ Duterte travels to Vietnam to seek help in drug war, improve maritime cooperation
MANILA, Philippines (Reuters) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday (September 28) departed on a two-day state visit to Vietnam to seek help for his war on drugs and improve maritime cooperation between Manila and Hanoi. Duterte will meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other top government officials on September 29. Duterte said his visit to Vietnam is part of his plan to tap members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations […]
Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, nakiisa sa 3rd nationwide simultaneous quake drill
URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan (Eagle News) – Matagumpay na naisagawa ang ‘Pagyanig 3rd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill’ na ginanap sa oval ng National High School, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. Pinangunahan ito ng Regional Director, Office of Civil Defense Region 1 Chairperson, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council 1 Melchito M. Castro. Ang mga evaluators naman ay ang mga sumusunod; Philippine National Police Philippine National Red Cross Commission on Higher Education Navy Army Department of Interior and Local […]
