by Olivia Hampton WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)– Justice Antonin Scalia, a towering conservative voice on the US Supreme Court, has died at the age of 79, triggering a political showdown over his succession in the run-up to the presidential election. President Barack Obama ordered flags to fly at half-staff across the United States until the long-serving justice, first appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1986, is laid to rest. Scalia’s death after three decades on the […]
Other News
Taiwan quake death toll reaches 116 as search for missing bodies end
THE search has come to an end as rescuers have found the body of the last missing resident from the earthquake that struck southern Taiwan on Saturday, Feb. 6. The death toll of the quake reached 116. At 15:57 Saturday, the body of the last missing resident was found in the ruins, ending the rescue work that has gone on for seven-and-a-half days. The 6.7-magnitude quake hit Kaohsiung city at a depth of 15 km […]
5.8 magnitude quake shakes New Zealand’s Christchurch
A 5.8 magnitude quake shook near New Zealand’s city of Christchurch on Sunday (February 14), according to the US Geological Survey. The USGS website said the quake was located 17 kilometers east northeast of Christchurch. New Zealand’s earthquake monitoring service, however, put the quake’s magnitude at 5.7 It hit just eight days short of the anniversary of the February 22, 2011 earthquake in the same region, which resulted in nearly 200 deaths and caused […]
Zika virus persisted in man’s semen for 2 months: report
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A man in Britain who was infected with Zika while traveling to the Cook Islands showed evidence of the mosquito-borne virus in his semen for two months, health officials said Friday. The finding raises new questions for health authorities as they scramble to learn more about Zika — linked to a surge in birth defects in Brazil — and the risk of transmission through sex. The case involved a 68-year-old man […]
18 arrests in international human trafficking operation
FRENCH and Romanian authorities, supported by Europol, have dismantled an organised crime network involved in trafficking minors. During the joint operation, 4 houses in France and 10 houses in Romania were simultaneously searched by investigators. Eighteen individuals were arrested and authorities seized almost EUR 25 000, gold, jewellery, luxury watches and TV sets. The network has been the subject of a large-scale international investigation by the French Gendarmerie and the Romanian Police since last year. […]
Philippines gears up for APEC 2016 in Peru
MANILA, Feb. 13 — Preparations are underway for the Philippine participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2016 First Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) and Related Meetings, which will be held from February 20 to March 4 in Lima, Peru. Using the APEC 2015 Leaders’ Declaration and Joint Ministerial Statement as guidance, the Philippines will not only continue to build on APEC’s ongoing work, but will also pursue, monitor, and sustain the initiatives it introduced last year […]
Big shellfish found in Maniwaya Island, Marinduque
(Eagle News) — This huge shellfish was seen by Eagle News correspondent Neil Domingo on the shores of Maniwaya island in Marinduque on February 5, 2016. It was estimated to be one foot-wide. This kind of shellfish is rare, according to the people living in the area. Only a few of them remain so residents there have decided to guard this big shellfish found on their shores, according to our correspondent.
Sunset in Alad island, Romblon
(Eagle News) — This spectacular sunset in Alad Island, Romblon was captured by Eagle News correspondent Eric Cillan. Alad island has a fish sanctuary where hundreds of species of fish can be found. Alad Island is a favorite diving spot and tourist destination in Romblon. These other photos of Alad Island show its captivating beauty.
More than 100 dead in collapsed Taiwan building: rescue agency
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Rescuers have found the bodies of more than 100 people killed after an appartment block in Taiwan collapsed during an earthquake one week ago, emergency services said on Saturday. Only three residents of the Wei-kuan complex in the southern city of Tainan remained unaccounted for as emergency services drew close to completing their search, after rescuing hundreds of people from the ruins. The death toll now stands at 114 with 550 injured, […]
North Korea halts search for Japanese abductees
(Reuters) — North Korea has declared void an agreement to reopen an investigation into the fate of abducted Japanese citizens after Japan imposed sanctions in the wake of Pyongyang’s rocket launch, North Korea’s state media said on Friday (February 12). “As of February 12, 2016, the comprehensive investigation into Japanese citizens which had been underway by inter-governmental agreement in Stockholm will be totally stopped, and the special investigation committee will be dissolved,” North Korea’s […]
President Aquino inaugurates widened Pili Diversion Road in Camarines Sur
(PILI, Camarines Sur) President Benigno S. Aquino III inaugurated here Friday the P66.32-million expanded Pili Diversion Road that aims to ease the daily trip of more than 5,000 motorists. The road-widening project, which began in March 2014 and was completed last month, stretches to nearly four kilometers (km) with two more lanes added, cutting the travel time of vehicles plying it by more than half. In his speech, President Aquino said this road offers an […]
Millions die from air pollution, mainly in China, India
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)–Air pollution kills more than 5.5 million people around the world each year, with over half of those deaths occurring in fast-growing China and India, researchers said Friday. And the number of premature deaths will continue to climb in the years ahead unless more aggressive measures against pollution are adopted, scientists warned the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in the US capital. “Air pollution is the fourth highest risk […]
