Other News
At least eight dead in Houston-area floods, more rain falls
HOUSTON, TEXAS, United States (Reuters) — At least eight people have died and some 1,150 homes have been damaged in flooding triggered by torrential downpours in the Houston area this week as more rain fell in the region on Wednesday (April 20) adding to vast pools of standing water. All of those who died were found in or near vehicles that had been in flooded areas, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences and a […]
Ecuador’s Correa raises death toll to 525
Hours after a 6.2 magnitude quake shook Ecuador, President Rafael Correa said on Wednesday (April 20) that the death toll was 525 from Saturday’s even bigger quake. The latest big tremor, which followed several hundred aftershocks from Saturday’s 7.8 quake, hit not far from Saturday’s quake– 25 km (15 miles) off the island of Muisne on the northwest coast at a depth of 15 km (9 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said. Correa said that, […]
Three dead, dozens injured in blast at chemical plant in Mexico
A massive explosion rocked a major petrochemical facility of Mexican national oil company Pemex in the Gulf state of Veracruz on Wednesday (April 20), killing at least three people, injuring dozens more, and pumping a cloud of noxious chemicals into the sky. Luis Felipe Puente, head of federal emergency services, told Reuters that three people had died in the blast. The governor of Veracruz state, Javier Duarte, later said 105 were hospitalised, including 58 Pemex […]
Harriet Tubman to be first African-American on U.S. currency
Reuters — Treasury Secretary Jack Lew called it “an exciting moment” after it was announced on Wednesday (April 20) that anti-slavery crusader Harriet Tubman will become the first African-American on the face of U.S. paper currency. She will also be the first woman in more than a century to hold the honor when she replaces former President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. “I hope Americans take a step back and appreciate that we listened […]
COMELEC warns public against fake biometrics
MANILA, April 21 — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) warns the public against a number of misleading claims currently circulating, regarding the use of biometrics in the 2016 National and Local Elections. The COMELEC has been receiving alarming reports that, in a number of cities and municipalities, unauthorized persons or parties have been conducting so-called “biometrics,” purportedly with the knowledge and consent of COMELEC. This is completely false, and constitutes an electoral offense punishable by law. […]
CEOs tackle the future of business after elections
By Caesar Vallejos Eagle News Service online correspondent (Eagle News) – Business leaders feel that the country’s economic growth will continue even after the May 2016 elections, no matter who the next president would be. “Even if we elect Vice Ganda for President on May 9, 6-7 percent economic growth will continue. So don’t be too anxious about the elections,” said distinguished Philippine economist, Dr. Bernardo Villegas, in a gathering of CEOs to launch the […]
No OFW affected by Japan earthquake—DOLE
MANILA, Philippines — There was no reported incident of overseas Filipino workers being affected by the two earthquakes that struck the Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said. “We received an update from Labor Attaché Luz Talento of Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tokyo that no Filipino was hurt from the series of earthquakes that hit the Kumamoto area in Kyushu island; we thank God that they are safe. We […]
Venezuela to ration electricity in power crisis
CARACAS,Venezuela (AFP) — Recession-wracked Venezuela is to ration electricity in 10 of its most populous and industrialized states, including metropolitan Caracas, the socialist government said Wednesday. It is the latest drastic measure to alleviate a severe electricity crisis which President Nicolas Maduro and his government blame on the El Nino weather phenomenon that causes drought. Critics say it’s the result of years of economic mismanagement. Luis Motta Dominguez, minister for electric power, made the announcement […]
Coffins pile up in Ecuador stadium-turned-morgue
by Santiago Piedra Silva Pedernales, Ecuador (AFP) — A hodgepodge of donated coffins in various shapes, sizes and colors is piled in a corner of the football stadium in the Ecuadoran resort town of Pedernales. The stadium has taken on an eerie new identity as a morgue in the aftermath of the country’s devastating earthquake, which killed more than 500 people. Medical examiners in white uniforms criss-cross the makeshift facility, working to identify decomposing bodies pulled […]
South American floods kill 12, force mass evacuations
BUENOS Aires, Argentina (AFP) — Severe storms and flooding across South America’s “southern cone” have killed at least 12 people and forced thousands to evacuate, with more bad weather on the way. Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have all been hit by the deluge, which has inundated towns, taken out bridges, blocked roads and cut off water supplies in recent days. In Uruguay, the bad weather culminated Friday in a tornado that killed five people in the […]
New quake rattles jittery Ecuador
by Santiago PIEDRA SILVA A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Ecuador on Wednesday, sowing new panic four days after a powerful quake killed more than 500 people and injured more than 5,000. The latest quake caused no damage or casualties, but shook the ground forcefully in the middle of the night, sending terrified residents running into the street in the devastated resort town of Pedernales. Some families opted to spend the rest of […]
