Other News

Philippine militants threaten to behead German hostage

(Reuters) — Al-Qaeda linked Islamist militants in the Philippines said on Thursday (October 2) they will kill one of two German captives on Oct. 17 unless their demands are met. Rebels from the Abu Sayyaf group captured the two Germans sailing on a yacht from the western island of Palawan to the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah in April. The militants are demanding a 250 million pesos ($5.6 million) ransom and forGermany to stop supporting U.S.-led air strikes against Islamic State militants inSyria. “We will take […]

Ombudsman indicts 4 former solons, other officials, for PDAF misuse

MANILA, Philippines (ENS) — The Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict four former congressmen for misusing Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) worth P244.29 million, using non-government organizations connected to businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles. In a statement, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales identified the former congressmen as Rizalina Seachon-Lanete who is now Masbate governor, Samuel Dangwa of Benguet, Rodolfo Plaza of Agusan Del Sur, and Constantino Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro. Likewise facing criminal […]

Facebook plots first steps into healthcare

(Reuters) – Facebook Inc (FB.O) already knows who your friends are and the kind of things that grab your attention. Soon, it could also know the state of your health. On the heels of fellow Silicon Valley technology companies Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Google Inc (GOOGL.O), Facebook is plotting its first steps into the fertile field of healthcare, said three people familiar with the matter. The people requested anonymity as the plans are still in development. The company is exploring creating online “support […]