JOLO, Philippines (AFP) — A Filipina held hostage by a notorious kidnapping-for-ransom gang in the strife-torn southern Philippines was released from captivity Friday, police said, a week after her Canadian boyfriend was beheaded by the gunmen. Marites Flor was among four people abducted nine months ago by Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants based on remote and mountainous southern islands that have earned millions of dollars from kidnappings in recent years. Flor’s partner, Robert Hall, was murdered […]
Other News
Indonesian leader visits South China Sea islands on warship
by Sam Reeves JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — President Joko Widodo visited remote Indonesian islands on a warship Thursday in an apparent show of force after clashes with Chinese vessels and as fears grow Beijing is seeking to stake a claim in nearby waters. Widodo led a high-level delegation including the foreign minister and armed forces chief to the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea, arriving at a navy base before being escorted to the […]
Seven Indonesian sailors kidnapped, held hostage: govt
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Seven Indonesian sailors have been kidnapped at sea in the southern Philippines, the government in Jakarta said Friday, the latest in a spree of abductions by armed gangs in the strife-torn region. The crew were towing a coal barge in the Sulu sea on Monday when their tugboat was hijacked by armed groups, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi said. Seven sailors were taken hostage in two separate attacks on the vessel […]
Winners and losers from Britain’s EU vote
by Alice RITCHIE LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Here are the winners and losers from Britain’s EU membership referendum, after the country voted to leave the 28-member alliance, according to national media forecasts Friday: Losers – DAVID CAMERON There was widespread agreement among experts before the referendum that the prime minister, who put his integrity on the line for a “Remain” vote, could not survive losing. He promised to call the vote in 2013 on […]
Armed man killed by police after storming German cinema
FRANCFORT, Germany (AFP) — A masked and armed man barricaded himself in a German multiplex cinema with dozens of people inside Thursday before being killed by police, officials said. No hostages were injured in the complex in the western town of Viernheim, 75 kilometres (50 miles) south of Frankfurt, Hesse state interior minister Peter Beuth said. “The assailant moved through the cinema complex, according to the information we have now, and appeared confused,” he said. […]
BlackBerry sales fall, losses pile up
MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Blackberry continued bleeding red in the three months ending May 31, extending a two-year losing streak as the Canadian smartphone maker restructures, according to quarterly financials filed Thursday. The Waterloo, Ontario-based company posted a loss of US$670 million while revenues plunged to US$424 million — about two-thirds of last year’s take during the same period and below analysts’ estimates. Excluding hefty asset write-downs and restructuring charges, however, BlackBerry broke even in […]
‘The Voice’ TV firm wins China court contest
BEIJING, China (AFP) — The Dutch production company behind the global reality-television hit “The Voice” has won a rare intellectual property rights victory in China, with a court ordering its former local partner to rename its version of the show. Talpa Media and Star China Media made a hugely successful edition of the show for four years, but have fallen out bitterly after the Dutch firm ended the contract but Star went ahead with another […]
New milestone in rebuilding of NY’s World Trade Center
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The newest skyscraper in New York’s World Trade Center complex was topped off with a final bucket of concrete Thursday as several hundred people looked on, at a ceremony highlighting the area’s rebirth nearly 15 years after the 9/11 attacks. The 80-story 3 World Trade Center, which is located next to the new WTC rail station opened in March and across from the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum, is […]
Tim Peake says next dream is ‘lunar exploration’
GERMANY (AFP) — British astronaut Tim Peake has landed back on Earth after spending six months on the International Space Station (ISS) and is now looking forward to having some family time — although his next “dream” would be a “lunar exploration mission”. https://youtu.be/vKMttcE7Bko
Deutsche Bank to cut 3,000 jobs in Germany
BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Deutsche Bank announced Thursday plans to cut 3,000 jobs and almost 200 bank branches throughout Germany, part of a vast overhaul following big losses and scandals at Germany’s biggest lender. “It is a painful decision to reduce jobs. Unfortunately, this step cannot be avoided if Deutsche Bank is to remain competitive in the long term,” board member Christian Sewing said in a statement. Almost 3,000 jobs will be cut in the […]
Supreme Court blocks key Obama immigration plan
by Sébastien BLANC Jérôme CARTILLIER WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Supreme Court blocked Barack Obama’s bid to shield millions of migrants from deportation on Thursday — a major blow to the president that thrusts the charged issue to the frontline of the battle to succeed him. Justices in the under-strength court were split 4-4 over Obama’s bid to change immigration policy by executive action, thus leaving lower court rulings blocking the effort in […]
Trump breezes in as Britain learns of Brexit result
by Naomi O’LEARY TUMBERRY, United Kingdom (AFP) — Donald Trump arrives in Scotland on Friday for his first international trip since becoming the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, touching down just as Britain hears whether it will leave the EU. Trump may be in for a chilly reception as he flies in for the ceremonial re-opening of his refurbished Trump Turnberry golf course on the picturesque southwest coast, where coach-loads of protesters plan to greet him. […]
