Other News

New ferry station

A new ferry station will be opened today at the Pasig River. According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, the 7th passenger terminal in San Joaquin, Pasig will help lessen the traffic problem of Metro Manila. Tolentino added that the five ferries will accept passengers at the San Joaquin terminal and bring them to Guadalupe, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Plaza Mexico, Intramuros and Escolta.

UK’s Cameron resists calls for air strikes despite hostage killing

(Reuters) – Britain resisted pressure on Sunday to join the United States in announcing air strikes against Islamic State after the militant group beheaded David Haines, a British hostage, and threatened to kill another Briton. Speaking after chairing a meeting of the government’s COBR emergency-response committee in London, Prime Minister David Cameron said his government was battling IS on numerous fronts but made clear it was not, for now, launching air strikes. “As this strategy […]

Mechanical failure sinks ship

The sinking of M/V Maharlika II in seas near San Ricardo, Leyte was attributed to mechanical failure. According to Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson, Commander Armando Balilo, difficulties in the steering wheel caused the tragedy and not the storm “Luis”. Balilo added that they allowed the ship to sail because although there were rains caused by the habagat, there is no public storm signal raised in the said area. PAGASA, on the other hand, said that […]

Islamic State video purports to show beheading of UK hostage David Haines

(Reuters) – Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria released a video on Saturday which purported to show the beheading of British aid worker David Haines. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage. However, the images were consistent with that of the filmed executions of two American journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, in the past month. Haines, a 44-year-old father of two from Perth in Scotland, was kidnapped last year while working for the French agency ACTED. […]

Cagayan residents, evacuated

Residents of the towns of Gonzaga and Aparri, Cagayan were evacuated due to the threat of floods brought by “Luis”. According to the report, the preemptive evacuation affected 153 families. Another 300 families were evacuated in Divilacan, Dinapigue and Maconacon, Isabela. Tuguegarao City experienced widespread brownout as well as other towns in Cagayan, including the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao, after a trip-off at the National Grid Corporation. NGCP made measures to return electricity in […]

Marikina residents, evacuated

Residents in low-lying areas in Marikina were evacuated after the Marikina River reached the third alarm. Due to the alarm, 8 floodgates were opened after the Marikina River reached 17 meters. Residents were advised to remain calm during the evacuation.

U.S. sees Middle East help fighting IS, Britain cautious after beheading

(Reuters) – Washington said countries in the Middle East had offered to join air strikes against Islamic State militants and Australia said it would send troops, but Britain held back even after the group beheaded a British hostage and threatened to kill another. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has been touring the Middle East to try to secure backing for U.S. efforts to build a coalition to fight the Islamic State militants who have grabbed territory […]

No sail policy

The Philippine Coast Guard is strictly implementing a “no sail policy” due to “Luis”. According to the PCG, this is to stop ships attempting to set off despite the storm, as well as assuring the safety of the passengers. Residents of coastal areas, especially those under signal no. 2 were advised to prepare for storm surges.

Typhoon “Luis” to leave PAR Monday morning

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon “Luis” is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning, Sept. 15, according to PAGASA, as “Luis” moves west northwest at 30 kph. As of 4 a.m. today, September 15, typhoon Luis was located at 100 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City (City (18.4ºN, 119.7ºE) with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph. By Sept. 16, Tuesday, it will be already 811 […]

Classes suspended in NCR, surrounding provinces, on all levels

MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang has announced the suspension of classes on all levels, both in public and private schools, in Metro Manila and several provinces in Luzon affected by typhoon “Luis” (international name Kalmaegi) on Monday. Upon recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the country’s weather bureau, Malacanang declared the class suspension for Monday for the following areas. 1. National Capital Region (Metro Manila) 2. Zambales 3. Tarlac 4. […]

Palace welcomes lifting of Manila’s truck ban

MANILA, Sept. 15 —  The Palace welcomed the decision of the City of Manila to lift the truck ban to ease the traffic congestion in the Port Area, said a Malacanang official on Sunday. In a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Sunday that this decision will benefit all. “Papalapit na po ang Christmas season, and this will help in decongesting the Port of Manila. […]

EU seeks billions of euros to revive economy

The European Union sought ways on Saturday to marshal billions of euros into its sluggish economy without getting deeper into debt, casting the net wide to consider options from a pan-European capital market to a huge investment fund. Finance ministers from the bloc’s 28 countries gathered at an informal Ecofin meeting in Milan to flesh out a host of ideas circulating in European capitals. With interest rates already at record lows, ministers need radical steps […]