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Analyzing the Sewol Ferry Disaster

ONE of the most recent and tragic maritime accidents in South Korea is the sinking of the MV Sewol which occurred on April 16, 2014 while en route to the popular tourist destination Jeju Island from the city of Incheon, just near the capital Seoul. While carrying 476 passengers, the ferry capsized. Most of the passengers of the ill-fated ferry were secondary school students of the Danwon National High School in Ansan City. Many passengers […]

Expanded U.S.-PHL bilateral meeting begins

MANILA, Philippines — United States President Barack Obama and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III started bilateral meetings, along with officials from both sides, in Malacanang at around 2:30 p.m. Before this, Obama signed the official guestbook in Malacanang. Both leaders appeared to be in high spirits as they discussed issues during the meeting. Security and trade issues are expected to be discussed in the meeting. Later in the afternoon, both Obama and Aquino were expected to […]

U.S. President Obama arrives in Malacanang

MANILA, Philippines — United States President Barack Obama arrived in Malacanang shortly after 2 p.m. aboard a black limousine.  He was immediately greeted by the President Aquino.  Arrival honors ensued with a 21-gun salute. President Aquino led the warm welcome for the US head of state amid the sweltering heat. President Obama is expected to participate in a joint press conference with President Aquino later at around 3:45 p.m.  At around 5 p.m., he is […]

Air Force One lands in NAIA; U.S. President Obama now in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The United States’ Air Force One  landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport around 1:30 p.m.with U.S. President Barack Obama on board.  Obama disembarked from the plane and was greeted by Philippine officials.  He came from his visit in Malaysia. The U.S. President then boarded a US presidential chopper which will bring him to Malacanang where Philippine President Benigno Aquino III will be leading the welcome ceremony for the U.S. head of […]

U.S. President Obama set to arrive in Manila today; Asian stability tops agenda

MANILA, Philippines —  United States President Barack Obama is set to arrive in the country today, as he departs from Malaysia where he has said that the U.S. is committed to helping maintain the peace and stability in Asia. “I believe that together we can make the Asia Pacific more secure, and America has the strongest melter in the world but we don’t see conflict, we see to keep the peace. We want a future where disputes are resolved peacefully […]

Philippines, U.S. sign new military pact

BY ROSEMARIE FRANCISCO AND MATT SPETALNICK MANILA/KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – The United States and the Philippines have signed a new 10-year security pact on Monday that will allow for a larger U.S. military presence as it struggles to raise its defense capabilities amid territorial disputes with China. The agreement, which establishes a framework for a beefed-up rotation of U.S. troops, ship and warplanes through the Philippines, was formally sealed just hours before U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Manila, […]

Iglesia Ni Cristo: 50 million people reached by “My Countrymen, My Brethren” project in its 1st year

MANILA, Philippines — Under an early morning clear blue sky on April 26, almost half a million people gathered at the open grounds of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City to witness a very important occasion. A year ago, in the same summer month of April, Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo launched a project called, “Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko” or “My Countrymen, My Brethren.” It was meant to reach […]

Ukraine blames Moscow for ‘human shield’ detentions in east

(Reuters) – Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine offered on Saturday to release eight captive international observers in a prisoner exchange, as Western governments prepared new sanctions against Moscow. The pro-Western government in Kiev blamed Russia for what it called the kidnapping on Friday of the monitors from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The separatists said they suspected the observers of spying;Ukraine said they were being used as human shields. Since Ukrainians toppled their pro-Russian […]

South Korean PM resigns over government response to ferry disaster

(Reuters) – South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won announced his resignation on Sunday over the government response to the ferry disaster, in which it was first announced that everyone had been rescued, focusing attention on poor regulatory controls. The Sewol ferry sank on a routine trip south from the port of Incheon to the traditional holiday island of Jeju on April 16. More than 300 people, most of them students and teachers on a field […]

Obama reminds North Korea of U.S. ‘military might’

(Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Saturday the United States did not use its military might to “impose things” on others, but that it would use that might if necessary to defend South Korea from any attack by the reclusive North. The North warned last month it would not rule out a “new form” of atomic test after the U.N. Security Council condemned Pyongyang’s launch of a mid-range ballistic missile into the sea east of the Korean peninsula. […]

Obama Set To Visit Philippines Amid Manila’s Disputes With China

U.S. President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to the Philippines on April 28 highlights Manila’s desire to strengthen bonds with its longtime ally amid rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. The Philippines has said the focus of Obama’s two-day visit in Manila will centre on defence and bilateral cooperation. Obama is also expected to sign a security pact that will allow for increased use of Philippine bases by U.S. ships, aircraft and troops. Filipinos, who look to the U.S. as a big brother […]

Medical and Dental Mission held at Mall of Asia

  Free medical and dental services were provided by the religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo thru its project, “Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko” that held its first year anniversary this April. The medical and dental service mission held at the SM Mall of Asia grounds Saturday (April 26) started at around 8 a.m. and ended before noon. Eagle News reporter Jerold Tagbo interviewed Dr. Rowel Bertuben, head of the medical and dental team, who said that […]