Other News

UNIDO exec says Cebu City among five ‘eco-cities’ in Southeast Asia

CEBU CITY (PNA) — The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has recognized Cebu City as among five leading “eco-cities” in Southeast Asia. The four other eco-cities are in Vietnam, Thailand, China and Malaysia. UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. UNIDO eco-city expert Jan Dictus said Cebu’s vision and ambition of becoming environmentally-friendly was a major factor why the organization […]

AMLC files 2nd batch of forfeiture case vs. respondents in PDAF scam

By Perfecto T. Raymundo Jr. MANILA (PNA) — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) the second batch of forfeiture case against the respondents in the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) scam. This was through a petition for civil forfeiture of assets filed by the AMLC before the Manila RTC last June 5. In this connection, Manila RTC Executive Judge Marino dela Cruz has issued a provisional asset […]

Philippines will stick to diplomatic, legal options in resolving territorial row with China, says Palace

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will focus on diplomatic, legal and political tracks in pursuing its claim in the West Philippine Sea, even without China’s cooperation in the arbitration case filed by the Philippine government, the Palace said on Tuesday. “We prefer to focus on diplomatic, political, and legal options that lead the way towards the peaceful settlement of disputes,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr said in a press briefing in Malacanang. […]

Sunni militants attack Iraq’s Baiji refinery

(Reuters) – Sunni militants attacked Iraq’s largest oil refinery, located in Baiji in northern Iraq, with machine-gun fire and mortars on Wednesday, Iraqi security sources and refinery employees said. The attack started at 4 am (0100 GMT) from outside two of the three main entrances to the sprawling facility, the sources said. One mortar hit a spare-parts warehouse and smoke billowed from the building, the sources said. On Tuesday, foreigners were evacuated from the refinery […]

Tenor Arthur Espiritu returns for MCOF’s Mostly Mozart 2014

After a series of successful performances in Europe, the country’s premier tenor Arthur Espiritu returns to perform in MCOF’s production of Mostly Mozart 2014 on July 11, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. at the Philippine Stock Exchange Auditorium, Tektite Tower, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Fresh from his successful performances as Ernesto in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale in Leipzig, Fernando in Donizetti’s La Favorite in Theatre St. Gallen opposite today’s fast rising mezzo soprano Elena Maximova and the […]

Japan eases visa requirements

The Japanese government is set to implement a substantial relaxation of visa requirements for Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines – an initiative that is a part of their visa-free policy that aims to promote Japan as a tourism-friendly country.

Thai junta unfazed by serial hunger striker’s “win-win” fast

(Reuters) – For more than three decades, Chalad Vorachat’s hunger strikes have drawn crowds. Once, he even helped topple a government. But this time, the veteran Thai anti-coup campaigner says he’s contemplating a very different outcome: wasting away unnoticed on a Bangkok pavement. He wants to see Thailand’s military, which took power in a bloodless coup last month, set a date for a new general election to usher in a democratically elected government. “If it […]

Emergency meeting re rising prices

Because of the sudden hike in the prices of garlic, ginger and rice, the National Price Coordinating Council will conduct an emergency meeting which will be attended by representatives of the sugar and flour industry, NFA, supermarkets and meat processors.