Washington, United States (AFP) by W.G. Dunlop The United States said Wednesday it would provide Ukraine with the advanced Patriot air defense system to help counter Moscow’s relentless aerial attacks. The system is part of $1.85 billion in security assistance unveiled in parallel with a visit to Washington by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, his first trip outside the country since Russia invaded in February. The announcement is a significant victory for Kyiv, which had […]
Other News
Biden tells Zelensky at White House: ‘You will never stand alone’
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday won vows of long-term US support including a new missile defense system during his first foreign trip since Russia’s invasion, with President Joe Biden promising him, “You will never stand alone.” Three hundred days after Russian leader Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine with hopes of swift conquest, Zelensky enjoyed a hero’s welcome on a lightning trip to Washington, but he also made clear he would not […]
King Charles to make birthday parade debut in June 2023
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – King Charles will participate in his first Trooping the Colour ceremony, which has marked the British sovereign’s official birthday for over 260 years, as monarch on June 17, Buckingham Palace said Thursday. Charles, 74, took over as sovereign in September following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. “This impressive display of pageantry will take place on Saturday 17th June… with His Majesty The King attending and taking the salute,” […]
Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet Pres. Biden, address Congress in Washington
Washington, United States (AFP) by Paul HANDLEY Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet US leader Joe Biden and address Congress in Washington on Wednesday, a visit the White House said will send Russia a strong message of Western unity. The secretly arranged trip comes on the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to meet his top military officials to assess the conflict in Ukraine and set goals for next year in what the Kremlin […]
President Bongbong Marcos vetoes three budget provisions for 2023
(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos has vetoed three budget items for 2023. The President vetoed DepEd-Office of the Secretary (OSEC), Special Provision No. 4, “Revolving Fund of DepEd TV,” Volume I-A, Page 197; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Special Provision No. 1, “Use of Income,” Volume 1-A, Page 1157; and the proviso “in no case shall the appropriations be utilized to change the tourism campaign slogan” under the DOT-OSEC, Special Provision […]
Afghan women stopped from entering universities after Taliban ban
Kabul, Afghanistan (AFP) by Aysha Safi and Estelle Emonet Hundreds of young women were stopped by armed guards on Wednesday from entering Afghan university campuses, a day after the nation’s Taliban rulers banned them from higher education in another assault on human rights. Despite promising a softer rule when they seized power last year, the hardline Islamists have ratcheted up restrictions on all aspects of women’s lives, ignoring international outrage. A team of AFP […]
Malaysia landslide death toll rises to 25
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) – The death toll from a landslide at an unauthorized campsite in Malaysia rose to 25 as search and rescue teams continued to comb muddy terrain on Wednesday. Eight people are still missing after a predawn landslide on Friday hit the site located at an organic farm near the town of Batang Kali in Selangor state, just north of the capital Kuala Lumpur. About 680 personnel from various agencies led by the […]
Yen holds gains, markets mixed after Bank of Japan move
HONG KONG, China (AFP) – The yen held onto gains Wednesday and equity markets were mixed after plunging the day before in response to the shock Bank of Japan decision to shift away from its ultra-loose monetary policy. The move to allow yields on certain government bonds to move in a wider band was seen as a precursor to a possible interest rate hike next year, finally bringing the central bank in line with others around […]
China says no new Covid deaths after changing criteria
BEIJING, China (AFP) – China said Wednesday that not a single person had died of Covid-19 the previous day, after changing the criteria for recording virus deaths to mean most are no longer counted. Hospitals are struggling, pharmacy shelves are stripped bare and crematoriums are overwhelmed in the wake of the Chinese government’s sudden decision to lift years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing. China had recorded a total of seven deaths — all in Beijing […]
N. Zealand’s amended cow burp tax plans still stink, say farmers
WELLINGTON, New Zealand AFP – New Zealand’s government on Wednesday outlined changes to controversial plans to tax the farts and burps of livestock, but a leading farmers group said it was still opposed to the emissions reduction scheme. New Zealand is planning a “world first” levy on emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, produced by the nation’s six million cows and 26 million sheep as a step towards tackling climate change. Under the proposed scheme, farmers would […]
DFA “seriously concerned” over reports of new construction, reclamation activities in South China Sea
(Eagle News) — The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed serious concern over reports of new construction and reclamation activities in the South China Sea. “We are seriously concerned as such activities contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea’s undertaking on self-restraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” the statement said. Quoting Western officials it did not identify, Bloomberg had said Chinese fishing fleets that operate as de facto maritime militias have begun construction […]
Philippines ‘concerned’ over China’s reclaimed land in disputed sea
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The Philippines said Wednesday it was “seriously concerned” over a report that China has started reclaiming several unoccupied land features in the disputed South China Sea. Bloomberg reported Tuesday, citing satellite images from US officials, that new land formations have emerged around the contested Spratly Islands in the sea, where a Chinese vessel with a hydraulic excavator was seen operating over the years. “We are seriously concerned as such activities contravene […]





