Catholic Church Sells 1914-Built Church Edifice in Philadelphia, USA

EAGLENEWS.PH “WE LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES” Volume 1 Issue No. - 2 DECEMBER 2017 Catholic Church sells 1914-built church edifice in Philadelphia, USA to Iglesia Ni Cristo Mater Dolorosa church closed and sold due to dwindling mass attendance, and mounting operational deficits (Eagle News) — An old Catholic vania in the United States. church edifice built in 1914 in A report by the Northeast Philadelphia was recently sold Times, a community newspaper by the Catholic Church to the Ig- in Northeast Philadelphia, said lesia Ni Cristo, four years since the proceeds of the sale were to it was closed due to dwindling be used by the Catholic Church mass attendance. to primarily pay parish operation- The Iglesia Ni Cristo, a glob- al expenses and close the annu- al Christian Church first regis- al operating deficit. tered in the Philippines on July Rev. Thomas Higgins, pas- 27, 1914, bought the Mater Do- tor at Holy Innocents Catholic lorosa Catholic church property Church, announced the sale re- for $450,000. cently of the property with the ex- It would be converted to an act address at 1676 Ruan Street Iglesia Ni Cristo house of worship in Frankford, Philadelphia. that will serve its growing mem- (Eagle News Service) bership in Philadelphia, Pennsyl-

A streetview of the side of the Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church edifice along Ruan Street in Frank- A streetview of the Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church edifice in Frankford, Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which ford, Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which was recently bought by was recently bought by the Iglesia Ni Cristo from the Catholic Church for $450,000. (Photo captured from Google maps street view/Courtesy the Iglesia Ni Cristo from the Catholic Church for $450,000. (Photo captured from Google maps Google maps) street view/Courtesy Google maps)

DOH asks UP-PGH to probe whether three President Duterte gives P100 million to deaths are linked to Dengvaxia VMMC; directs procurement of the best medical equipment for veterans he Department of Health has tapped Tthe Philippine Gen- (Eagle News) — Presi- source of corruption. undergoing hemodialysis eral Hospital to determine dent Rodrigo Duterte on The President also vowed received groceries from the whether three deaths were Wednesday, November 20, to augment his P100 million Chief Executive. linked to Dengvaxia. turned over P100 million donation before the end of the The President was Health Secretary Fran- to the Veterans Memorial year. accompanied by Defense cisco Duque told reporters Medical Center (VMMC) He said the additional Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the University of the Phil- for the improvement of its funds would come from the Health Secretary Francisco ippines-run will assemble services, and instructed Philippine Amusement and Duque III, and Special Assis- a panel of medical experts officials of the medical cen- Gaming Corporation (PAG- tant to the President Chris- and pathologists to look ter to get the best medical COR). topher Lawrence “Bong” Go. into the deaths of the three A new dengue vaccine “Dengvaxia” developed by the Sanofi Pasteur equipment in the market for Meanwhile, 19 patients (with PND report) vaccinated children. Dengue Company is shown to AFP reporters at a hotel in Mexico City on the hospital that provides “UP-PGH will be provid- September 9, 2016. The dengue vaccine is the culmination of 20 years of service to the country’s vet- ing an independent review Sanofi Pasteur’s commitment to discover and develop a vaccine against eran soldiers and their de- and assessment on the dengue for priority launch in Latin American and Asian countries where dengue is a major public health priority. YURI CORTEZ / AFP pendents. probable cause of deaths of “Buy the best, huwag cases submitted by the De- yung lowest bid… I want partment of Health,” Duque ident Benigno Aquino III’s this month after the French quality. Quality ako,” the said, without giving details term—in the world’s first pub- company Sanofi, the -man President told the hospi- on the three cases. lic dengue immunization pro- ufacturer, warned it could tal’s officials and staff. More than 830,000 gram. worsen symptoms for peo- He also banned the Filipino schoolchildren were The government sus- ple who had not previous- practice of awarding con- injected with the vaccine pended the sale and distri- ly been infected. (Agence tracts to the lowest bid- last year–under then-Pres- bution of the dengue vaccine France Presse) der, saying this was only a President Rodrigo Duterte (Photo courtesy: Presidential photos

Defying Trump threat, UN rejects 29 dead in fitness center blaze Nine foreigners among Melbourne US decision on Jerusalem in S. Korea: fire service car attack injured See Page 6 See Page 7 See Page 8

CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK: FOR MORE NEWS UPDATES, VISIT OUR Subscribe to our newsletter facebook.com/eaglenewsph OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT WWW. EAGLENEWS.PH eaglenews.ph 2 NATION President Duterte declares unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels for the holidays

(Eagle News) — President Ro- person Harry Roque said the drigo Duterte has declared a government “expect(s)” the ceasefire with the communists Communist Party of the Philip- for the holidays. pines-NPA to “honor their word Presidential Spokesper- and comply” with the unilater- son Harry Roque said Presi- al ceasefire. dent Rodrigo Duterte said on He said President Rodri- Tuesday night that the cease- go Duterte, for his part, “decid- fire was effective from Decem- ed to declare a suspension of ber 24, 2017 to January 2, offensive military operations 2018. against the Reds precisely “This unilateral ceasefire because he wants Filipinos to would lessen the apprehen- feel safer during the holiday sion of the public… We expect season.” that the (Communist Party of Even then, he said that the Philippines-New People’s the government will “remain Army-National Democratic vigilant in ensuring the safety Front of the Philippines) would of our countrymen.” do a similar gesture of good- “May we all stand togeth- will,” Roque said. er in fulfilling our shared- de President Duterte has de- sire of achieving lasting peace clared the CPP-NPA as terrorist throughout the nation,” he organizations. said. He said this was following their The NPA declared the “depredatory acts” that in- 8-day unilateral ceasefire on clude the killing of a 4-month- Friday, days after the govern- old baby. (Eagle News Service) ment declared its own. The government’s cease- Palace welcomes NPA dec- fire falls on the same days, but is six hours longer on Decem- laration of 8-day ceasefire ber 26 and January 2, 2018. The NPA said the decla- The Palace on Friday, Decem- ration of its ceasefire was in ber 22, also welcomed the “observance of the Filipino New People’s Army declara- people’s traditional holidays President Rodrigo Duterte (Photo courtesy: Presidential Photo) tion of an eight-day ceasefire and the Party’s 49th anniver- covering the holidays. sary.” (ENS) Presidential Spokes-

National security will not be compromised Lorenzana says he sacked Navy chief Mercado by Chinese telco – Malacañang because he “lost confidence” in him

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – (Eagle News) — “I have lost Malacañang allayed fears that trust and confidence in his in- a third telecommunications tegrity and leadership.” company player from China Defense Secretary Delfin will compromise the national Lorenzana on Wednesday said security of the country. this was the reason Navy Flag According to Presidential Officer in Command Vice- Ad Spokesman Harry Roque, the miral Ronald Joseph Mercado administration is taking steps was sacked the day before. to strengthen the country’s In a press conference, cyber-security and to further Lorenzana said in particular, strengthen the ties between he “question(ed) (Mercado’s) the two countries. intention behind his fixation “Well, as far as security with one specific company for considerations are concerned, the combat management sys- we will look into that because tem of the frigate acquisition there are really concerns over- project.” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana all on cybersecurity in gener- Screenshot from Agila Balita Lorenzana was referring al,” he said. to the project worth P15.5 This was in reaction to billion, which was awarded to but that Mercado disapproved nation.” a statement from detained “What will assure us that to our own?” De Lima’s state- Hyundai Heavy Industries. of. “…He talks about re- Senator Leila De Lima claim- in the future, our national se- ment read. Hyundai had wanted to Lorenzana said because scinding the contract kung hin- ing that the country’s “infor- curity and whole intelligence The administration tar- tap another supplier for the in- of that “fixation” with one com- di matutuloy yung pinapasok mation and communications and defense systems won’t be gets March 2018 as the start stallation of the combat man- pany, Mercado “disregarded” niya kumpanya,” Lorenzana infrastructure” might be com- compromised, if not under the of operations of the Chinese agement system, a move that several directives the defense added, accusing Mercado also promised if China becomes complete control of a foreign telecommunications company. was supported by the Depart- secretary issued, an act which of “forum shopping.”. (Eagle the third telecommunications government with national in- (Eagle News Service) ment of National Defense’s the defense secretary said News Service) player. terests diametrically opposed bids and awards commitee, was tantamount to “insubordi-

Duterte orders DAP president to vacate post Order comes a week after DAP employees publicly accused Elba Cruz of going on frequent travels abroad, among others

(Eagle News) — President on 30 June 2017 and that Rodrigo Duterte has ordered (she) has been serving the the Development Academy DAP Board in a holdover ca- of the Philippines president pacity..” to vacate her post. “..We now wish to in- Duterte’s order for Elba form you that, upon instruc- Cruz to leave the post was tions of the President, your contained in a letter written service in such holdover sta- by Executive Secretary Sal- tus is hereby discontinued vador Medialdea dated De- effective immediately,” Me- cember 18. dialdea said. It came a week after “To ensure uninterrupt- DAP employees publicly ac- ed delivery, you are hereby cused Cruz of going on trav- directed to turn over all offi- els abroad frequently, and cial documents, papers and of violations of Civil Service properties in your posses- Commission rules, among sion to the proper office of others, and submitted a peti- the DAP,” Medialdea added. tion to replace Cruz to Dute- In a statement, the DAP rte. Personnel Association hailed But in his letter, Medial- Duterte’s move, calling it the dea said Cruz was to vacate “best gift” they could have her post “considering that for the holidays. (ENS) (her) term of office expired President Rodrigo Duterte (Photo courtesy: Presidential Photo) NATION 3 Roque: Palace looking at ways to keep ERC running following Ombudsman suspension of all ERC commissioners

Commissioners of the Energy Regulatory Commission suspended for a year without pay by the Ombudsman. /ERC website/

(Eagle News) — The Palace is iyong aspeto ng administrati- He said that “paralysis” The Ombudsman also Electric Co. to corner lucrative “Ibig sabihin po niyan ay studying how to keep the En- bo kung ano ang pupuwedeng was in the offing in the - com ordered the filing of graft deals. hindi po puwedeng isang tao ergy Regulatory Commission gawin ng Palasyo mismo para mission following the suspen- charges against them after He said this was be- lang ang nagdedesisyon,” he running following the suspen- hindi po matigil ang operasyon sion for a year of Gloria Victo- they allegedly extended the cause the commission was a said. sion by the Ombudsman of its ng ERC,” Presidential Spokes- ria Yap-Taruc, Josefina Patricia deadline for the application of “collegial body,” which means He clarified, however, commissioners. person Harry Roque said in a Magpale-Asirit, Alfredo Non, power supply agreements in that for it to create policies, it that he respects the decision “Pinag-aaralan na rin po radio interview on Friday. and Geronimo Sta. Ana. 2016, thereby allowing Manila needs to vote as a body. of the Ombudsman. (ENS)

Senior deputy executive secretary Guevarra appointed as acting executive secretary from December 27 to 31

(Eagle News) — Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has designated an acting executive secretary from December 27 to December 31. Medialdea appointed Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menar- do Guevarra to the position on those dates as he said he would be “on per- sonal leave.” “Whereas to ensure continuity of government service, it is necessary to designate an acting executive secretary to take care of the day-to-day operations in the Office of the President and assist the President in the general administration of the executive department,” Medialdea said in Special Order No. 1163. He said “all departments, agen- cies and instrumentalities of the government shall assist the acting executive secretary in the discharge of his functions as stated herein.” (Eagle Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra (2nd L) listens to an assistant during the universal periodic review of the Philippines by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The review took place on May 8, 2017 at the UN offices in Geneva./ AFP / Fabrice Coffrini/ News Service) Senate releases Aegis Juris frat leader Arvin Balag

(File photo) Arvin Balag, in black near the center, attending the October 18, 2017 hearing on hazing victim Horacio Castillo III’s death. /Meanne Corvera/ Eagle News/

By: Meanne Corvera This was confirmed by of the senate committee on Balag had been detained “Alam mo Arvin (You Balag during the November Eagle News Service Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose public order, about Balag’s re- at the Senate premises since know Arvin), as chair I was in- 6 Senate hearing. Balajadia. lease. October 18. He was supposed clined to talk to my colleagues He explained to the He said Balag first -un It was Lacson’s commit- to be released on November 6, to lift the contempt charges Aegis Juris leader that it he Senate released derwent medical check-up as tee which decided to detain but during the senate hearing, para ma-release ka na (so you was his petition with the Aegis Juris fraterni- part of standard operating pro- Balag within the senate prem- Lacson said this could not be could be released). But then high court that got him ty leader Arvin Balag T cedure before release. Three ises after he had been cited in done by the Senate because you filed a petition for certio- more detention time. from the senate premis- lawyers accompanied him. contempt for refusing to an- of Balag’s petition for certiora- rari with prayer for TRO, so no- Balag’s petition was es on Thursday night, De- Balajadia said that he swer the senator’s questions ri with a prayer for a temporary body wants to lose by default. filed with the Supreme cember 21, more than two had already informed Senate regarding the death of haz- restraining order (TRO) with So we’ll fight it out in the Su- Court on October 25, sev- months after he was first President Aquilino “Koko” Pi- ing victim, University of Sto. the Supreme Court, question- preme Court and in the mean- en days after he had been detained there on October mentel III and Senator Pan- Tomas law student, Horacio ing his detention at the Sen- time, you will stay longer in the detained. (Eagle News Ser- 18, filo “Ping” Lacson, chairman “Atio” Castillo III. ate. Senate premises,” Lacson told vice) 4 METRO NEWS Taxi driver allegedly hit by female motorist MRT-3 nakaranas na asks LTO to revoke her license naman ng aberya

(Eagle News) — The 52-year-old taxi driver who was allegedly hit by a female motorist during a traffic altercation is seeking the revocation of her license. In his four-page complaint filed before the Land Transportation Office, Virgil- io Doctor said the license of MRT-# (Larawan kuha mula sa programang “Mata ng Agila” Cherish Charmaine Interior should be revoked as a “pre- QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Maagang na- emptive measure” because karanas ng aberya ang mga pasahero ng Metro Rail Transit of her violations of the Land (MRT-3). Transportation Code. Sa abiso ng MRT-3, pinababa ang mga pasahero sa He said Interior “inten- GMA-Kamuning station southbound kaninang alas 6:10 ng tionally and willfully” caused umaga dahil sa naranasang technical problem ng isa sa physical injury and damage to mga tren. property when she sideswiped In this screenshot of a video made by Joshua Baluyot, the female driver, who has yet to be identified, is seen Nasa 1,000 pasahero ang naapektuhan ng insidente the taxi he was driving on Sun- reprimanding driver Virgilio Doktor inside the taxi just after she reportedly slapped him. The incident took place on Sunday, December 17 on Congressional Ave., Project 8, Quezon City./c/o Joshua Baluyot/ at kinailangang pababain sa tren na nagkaroon ng electrical day, on Congressional Ave. in failure. Project 8. Ayon sa abiso ng Department of Transportation (DOTr), Doctor, who was seen be- sideview mirror, and of using a be a holder of driver’s license,” She, however, has also ang naranasang electrical failure ay dahil sa “worn out elec- ing hit by Interior in video foot- golf club to hit his taxi. the complaint read. filed charges against Doctor trical subcomponents” ng tren. age of the incident, has also “The same are manifes- Interior has apologized to before the Quezon City Prose- Dahil sa panibagong aberya, umabot na sa 22 ang nai- accused her of destroying his tations the (sic) she is not fit to Doctor in a Facebook post. cutors Office over the incident. tatalang aberya sa MRT-3 ngayong buwan ng Disyembre.

Zamora accuses Mayor Gomez of “hiding” from CA affirms QC court’s guilty verdict vs Jason poll officer tasked to serve notice of approved Ivler over road rage killing petition for conduct of San Juan elections

Supporters of defeated mayoral candidate Francis Zamora urge the Commission on Elections to “locate” San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, in a press conference on Thursday, December 21, 2017. /Meanne Corvera/ Eagle News Service/

(Eagle News) — Former San tatago sa notice of sufficiency. to work in the City Hall and is Juan Vice Mayor Francis Sa kanyang pagtatago, hin- evading the election officer,” Zamora has accused Mayor di niya na rin nagagawa ang he added. Guia Gomez of hiding from the kanyang tungkulin bilang may- The Comelec released election officer tasked to serve or ng San Juan,” Zamora, who the resolution favoring the pe- the notice that the recall peti- was defeated by Gomez in the tition seeking a mayoralty election against her has been ap- recent local elections, said. tion between defeated mayoral proved by the Commission on “We appeal to the candidate Zamora and Gomez Jason Ivler/Ivler Twitter account/ Elections. Comelec en banc to guide the on Wednesday. Gomez needs to receive Comelec San Juan election of- The petition was filed by the notice so the Comelec can ficers on how to properly serve Zamora’s supporters. (Eagle (Eagle News) — The Court of of Renato Ebarle Sr., presiden- them and they lacked focus as set a deadline for her reply. the notice of sufficiency as News Service) Appeals has effectively af- tial chief of staff under former they were inflicted with a para- “Ito’y hindi na lang pag- Mayor Gomez is not reporting firmed the guilty verdict meted President Gloria Macapa- lyzing fear brought by a shock- out by a lower court against gal-Arroyo’s administration, a ing experience.” Jason Ivler for the killing of the total of P9.373 million for civil “It is not unnatural for son of a former Malacanang damages. the eyewitnesses to have a official in 2009. In its decision though, detailed recollection of the in- Fire hits residential area in Alabang This was after the ap- the appellate court increased cident especially the identity pellate court’s 14th division the actual damages–from of the shooter. It is not improb- junked Ivler’s appeal for the the original P143,890 repre- able that they could, with cer- Quezon City Regional Trial senting burial expenses to tainty, identify Ivler as the man Court’s Branch 84 to reverse P616,590; from P75,000 in who shot Renato Ebarle Jr.,” its decision in November moral damages to P100,000; the appellate court said. 2015. and from P30,000 in exempla- The CA also emphasized In that decision, Judge ry damages to P100,000. that “treachery,” an element Luisito Cortez found Ivler, These were apart from of murder, was present in the nephew of singer Freddie the civil indemnity charges case. Aguilar, guilty beyond reason- amounting to P100,000 the The appellate court’s de- able doubt of shooting Renato appellate court ordered Ivler cision was penned by Associ- Ebarle Jr. dead over a traffic to pay. ate Justice Ramon Cruz. altercation in Quezon City on In affirming the lower Concurring with him November 18, 2009. court’s decision, the CA de- were Justices Ricardo Rosario The lower court sen- bunked Ivler’s argument that and Pablito Perez. (With a re- tenced Ivler to reclusion per- the “eyewitnesses had no port from Moira Encina, Eagle petua or a maximum jail term ample opportunity to view the News Service) of 40 years, and ordered him perpetrator because the crime to pay the family of Ebarle, son rapidly unfolded in front of

BoC surrenders seized shabu from NAIA to PDEA; suspects also turned over to anti-drugs agency

(Eagle News) — The Bureau of Customs on The package–sent by one Jason Lee of Thursday surrendered around 3.5 kilograms 340 E 1st, California, USA—arrived at the air- of shabu it seized at the Ninoy Aquino Inter- port on December 8 and had been declared national Airport to the Philippine Drug En- as toys. Flames are seen engulfing several houses in Alabang on Tuesday morning. forcement Agency. “The suspicious image shown during /Gerry Fernandez/Eagle News Service/ The BoC also arrested Francis Melvin X-ray inspection prompted a 100 percent Feliciano and Raquel Kilario dela Cruz, after physical examination. The matter was referred (Eagle News) — The fire that hit a residential area in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday, December they tried to claim the package at the FedEx to the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force 19, has been put out. warehouse using a fake identification card for initial drug test which resulted positive for The Muntinlupa fire department said the blaze that hit houses on Mendiola Street, on Dec. 11. methamphetamine,” Customs Commissioner Purok Uno was declared out at 9:24 a.m. Over ten houses were affected by the fire, which The card bore the name of one Mi- Isidro Lapeña said. reached the third alarm. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. chael Espino Cruz of 121-C Kowloon St., BF The suspects are in PDEA custody. (Eagle No one was reported injured. (Eagle News Service) Homes, Paranaque, the consignee. News Service) PROVINCIAL NEWS 5 TESDA regional director, natagpuang 2 pulis na binihag ng mga rebeldeng patay sa kaniyang kwarto sa Pagadian NPA, pinalaya na

Ang larawan ito ay kuha sa funeral homes na pinagdalhan ng katawan ni Engr. Edgar Sales (Photo courtesy: Pagadian PNP)

Ni Ferdinand Libor residente sa Purok 4, Brgy. Ca- ng biktima na sinadya itong Eagle News Service rangan, Ozamis City. pinatay. Ayon sa driver nitong si Ayon sa pulisya, posi- atagpuang patay ang Victor Barredo, natagpuan na bleng namatay si Sales dahil regional director ng niyang walang buhay si Sales sa cardiac arrest. NTechnical Education sa loob ng kaniyang inuupa- Nag-request na rin and Skills Development Au- hang kwarto sa Brgy. Balan- umano sila sa Pagadian City thority (TESDA) sa Western gasan. Health Center na isailalim Sina PO2 Alfredo Degamon at PO2 John Paul Doverte ang dalawang pulis na pinalaya ng ew People’s Army sa Mindanao sa loob ng kani- Nagpasya umano siya na sa post-mortem examination lalawigan ng Surigao del Norte. (Photo by: Jabes Juanite) yang inuupahang kwarto sa pumunta dito dahil nakatakda ang biktima para malaman isang paaralan sa Pagadian silang pumunta sa Dapitan nila kung walang foul play. City nitong Miyerkules ng City para sa isang year-end Sa ngayon dinala na sa SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (Eagle News) - Pinalaya na ang dalawang pulis na bihag ng New umaga. performance assessment. funeral homes ang biktima People’s Army sa lalawigan ng Surigao del Norte. Kinilala ng otoridad Base sa imbestigation ng at nakatakdang dalhin ito sa Humigit kumulang dalawang buwan na binihag sina PO2 Alfredo Degamon at PO2 John Paul ang namatay na si Engr. Ed- Pagadian-PNP wala namang bayan ng Kabacan sa Cota- Doverte bago ang matagumpay na negosasyon sa pagitan ng gobyerno at ng nasabing grupo. gar Sales, 59 taong gulang, indikasyon o sugat sa katawan bato City. (ENS) Isinailalim sa medical checkup ang dalawang pulis bago ito bumaba mula sa lugar ng Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte. (Jabes Juanite, Eagle News Service)

DPWH, tiniyak na tatapusin na ngayong buwan ang Mga negosyanteng mananamantala pagpapatayo ng initial housing projects sa Marawi City sa mga lugar na sinalantang ‘Urduja,’ kakasuhan – DTI

Bahagi ng commercial site sa Biliran. (Larawan kuha ni Vanessa Abangan)

(Eagle News) — Pinaalalahanan ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ang mga negosyante sa eastern Visayas na huwag mananamantala sa mga residente ng lugar na sinalanta ng bagyong Urduja. Sinabi ni Trade Undersecretary Ted Pascua na kakasuhan ng economic sabotage ang sinumang mapapatunayan na mang- Ang larawang ito ay ang kasalukuyang pabahay na ginagawa sa Marawi City. (Kuha mula sa video ng Agila Balita) ho-hoard ng supply ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Dagdag rin ng opisyal na bawal din ang profiteer- ing sa mga consumer. MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — Pinatitiyak ng Depart- Aniya, mayroong short-term at long-term plans ang DPWH ment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) na tatapusin nila para sa pagbangon ng Marawi na winasak ng ilang buwang Kaugnay nito, nanawagan naman si Pascua sa ang pagpapatayo ng initial housing projects sa Marawi City. bakbakan sa pagitan ng tropa ng gobyerno at Maute terror mga consumer na huwag nang magmadali sa pagbili Ayon kay DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, nasa 500 mga group. dahil sapat naman umano ang suplay ng mga pangu- housing unit ang target ng ahensiya na tapusin ngayong bu- Binabalangkas na rin aniya ngayon ng ahensiya ang road nahing bilihin. wan ng Disyembre. network at master plan para sa nasabing lungsod. (ENS)

Mag-asawa patay, matapos natabunan DENR, bumuo ng task force laban sa mga iligal na minahan ng lupa sa San Fernando, Romblon

Ni Renand Pastor Eagle News Service

Lugar kung saan natabunan ang mag-asawa sa San Fernando, Romblon. / Renand Pastor/Eagle News Service/

Photo courtesy: Screenshot mula sa Agila Balita SAN FERNANDO, Romblon (Eagle News) – Natabunan ng lupa ang mag-asawa sa mismong pamamahay nito matapos tamaan ng landslide dahil sa hagupit ng bagyong Urduja noong umaga (Eagle News) — Bumuo ng isang task force si Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu laban sa illegal o small-scale miners. Isinisisi ng Linggo, Disyembre 17, sa San Fernando, Romblon. ni Cimatu sa mga illegal miner ang pagkasira ng kalikasan. Ayon sa kwento ng anak na nakaligtas, galing umano siya Ayon naman kay Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Chairman Gerard Brimo, maayos na ngayon ang ugnayan sa pagitan sa kapit-bahay nila ng maghatid siya ng kanilang gamit para lu- ng DENR at grupo ng mga minero kumpara noong mga nakalipas na taon. mikas ng pabalik na siya sa kanilang bahay nang nakita niyang Bukod umano kasi sa pag-adopt ng Mineral Association of Canada’s o MAC mining standards, lumagda din ang COMP sa mabagsakan ang kaniyang nanay na papalabas na ng kanilang “Baguio declaration,” isang commitment para sa responsible minerals development sa bansa. bahay ng gumuhong lupa galing sa kabilang kalsada. Matatandaang una nang hinimok ni Cimatu ang mga mining industry na tumulong sa national development sa bansa Sinikap pa aniya nilang tulungan ang kaniyang mga ma- upang mapangalagaan ang kalikasan. gulang subalit hindi na naisalba dahil sa dami ng lupa na nat- ambak. 6 INTERNATIONAL Defying Trump threat, UN rejects US decision on Jerusalem

by Carole Landry Mansour called a “massive abstained were Argentina, pliance with relevant resolu- cember 6 to recognize Jerusa- countries think twice. Agence France Presse setback” for the United States. Australia, Canada, Croatia, the tions of the Security Council.” lem as Israel’s capital prompt- Haley tweeted that 65 An additional 21 coun- Czech Republic, Hungary, Lat- Turkish President Re- ed a flurry of appeals to the countries had “refused to UNITED NATIONS, United tries did not turn up for the via, Mexico, the Philippines, cep Tayyip Erdogan said the United Nations. condemn the United States” States (AFP) — Defying Pres- vote including Ukraine, which Poland, Romania and Rwanda. vote showed the “illegality” of The status of Jerusalem over its decision on Jerusa- ident Donald Trump’s threat had supported the same reso- Speaking at the emer- Trump’s decision, urging the is one of the thorniest issues lem – a tally of “no” votes, to cut off funding, the United lution in the Security Council, gency session, US Ambassa- United States to withdraw it. in the Israeli-Palestinian con- abstentions and no-shows. Nations approved by a re- indicating the US threats did dor Nikki Haley warned the flict. “While the resolution sounding vote on Thursday a have a chilling effect on some United States “will remember Trump warned that Wash- passed, the vote breakdown motion rejecting the US deci- governments. this day.” ‘Unprecedented test’ ington would closely watch tells a different story,” said a sion to recognize Jerusalem Guatemala, Honduras, “America will put our how nations voted, suggesting spokesperson for the US mis- as Israel’s capital. Israel, the Marshall Islands, embassy in Jerusalem,” Ha- The motion was sent to there could be reprisals for sion. The 193-member Gen- Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and ley said in defense of the US the General Assembly after those that back the motion put “It’s clear that many eral Assembly adopted the Togo joined the United States move, which broke with inter- it was vetoed by the United forward by Yemen and Turkey countries prioritized their resolution by 128 to nine in opposing the measure. national consensus and un- States at the Security Council on behalf of Arab and Muslim relationship with the United with 35 abstentions, in what Among the countries that leashed protests across the on Monday, although all other countries. States over an unproductive Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Muslim world. 14 council members voted in “They take hundreds of attempt to isolate us for a de- “No vote in the United Na- favor. millions of dollars and even bil- cision that was our sovereign tions will make any difference While resolutions by lions of dollars and then they right to make.” on that,” Haley said. “But this the General Assembly are vote against us,” Trump said. The Palestinian ambas- vote will make a difference on non-binding, a strong vote “Well, we’re watching sador insisted the vote was Britain’s May dubbed ‘Madam how Americans look at the UN in support carries political those votes. Let them vote more about Trump’s foreign and on how we look at coun- weight. against us. We’ll save a lot. We policy approach than the sta- Brexit’ by translator tries who disrespect us in the Ahead of the vote, Isra- don’t care.” tus of Jerusalem. UN.” el’s Prime Minister Benjamin “They made it about “When we make gener- Netanyahu blasted the UN as them,” said Mansour. “They ous contributions to the UN a “house of lies,” saying Isra- ‘House of lies’ did not make it about Jeru- we also have a legitimate ex- el “rejects outright this vote, salem, so when you make it pectation that our goodwill is even before it passes.” The resolution mirrored about them and to only be recognized and respected,” “No General Assembly the text that was vetoed at able to get nine votes to say she said. resolution will ever drive us the Security Council on Mon- ‘no’ to it, I think it was a com- The resolution reaffirms from Jerusalem,” vowed Israeli day, and although it does not plete failure for their cam- that the status of Jerusalem Ambassador Danny Danon. mention Trump’s decision, it paign.” must be resolved through ne- Palestinian foreign min- expresses “deep regret at re- Israel seized the large- gotiations, and that any deci- ister Riad al-Malki called the cent decisions” concerning ly-Arab eastern sector of Je- sion reached outside of that vote an “unprecedented test” the city’s status. rusalem during the 1967 Six- framework must be rescinded. for the UN, and referenced the No country has veto pow- Day War and later annexed it, Without explicitly refer- US warning that it was “taking ers in the General Assembly, claiming both sides of the city encing the US move, it “affirms names.” unlike in the 15-member Se- as its “eternal and undivided A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament’s Parliamen- that any decisions and actions “History records names, curity Council where the Unit- capital.” tary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May ed States, along with Britain, giving evidence to the Liaison Committee at the Houses of Parliament in which purport to have altered it remembers names — the But the Palestinians central London on December 20, 2017./ AFP/ the character, status or de- names of those who stand by China, France and Russia, can want the eastern sector as mographic composition of the what is right and the names of block any resolution. the capital of their future Holy City of Jerusalem have no those who speak falsehood,” UN diplomats privately state and fiercely oppose any WARSAW, Poland (AFP) — British Prime Minister Theresa legal effect, are null and void al-Malki said. said the United States had Israeli attempt to extend sov- May was left smirking at a press conference with her Pol- and must be rescinded in com- Trump’s decision on De- succeeded in making some ereignty there. (AFP) ish counterpart on Thursday after a translator accidental- ly called her “Madam Brexit.” May was in Warsaw for talks with Prime Minister Ma- teusz Morawiecki, with the discussions inevitably turning to Britain’s 2019 departure from the European Union. Part of Morawiecki’s opening speech was translated White House blames North Korea as: “It’s very important for us that this cooperation, even though it will be based soon on different rules and different regulations than it has been so far because of Brexit, for cyberattack because as Madam Brexit said, Brexit is Brexit.” May was then seen smiling as Morawiecki went on, in a moment broadcast on international television. The two leaders signed a joint treaty on defence and security and spoke about the next phase of the Brex- it negotiations, due to begin in the new year. (Agence France-Presse)

French baby-milk maker in massive new recall over salmonella fears

A man is reflected on a screen showing exchange rates of cryptocurrencies at an exchange in Seoul on December 20, 2017./ AFP/

Samples of baby formula imported from the French group Lactalis and WASHINGTON, United States tribution which comes as part tack, with Microsoft accusing ever-closer to developing a sold under the local brand Gloria Stage 3 are sent to a lab at the (AFP) — The White House on of a drive to exert “maximum Washington of spotting the ballistic missile that could de- Ministry of Health in Lima on December 11, 2017./ AFP/ Tuesday publicly accused pressure” on the regime. flaw and using it for its own liver a nuclear warhead to the North Korea of launching a As yet, no retaliatory mea- ends. United States. PARIS, France (AFP) — French baby-milk maker Lactalis massive cyberattack that hit sures have been announced. “This attack provides yet Amid a series of tests said Thursday it was more than doubling the quantity of 150 countries last May — hob- Among the infected com- another example of why the Trump’s administration has formula and other products recalled over salmonella fears bling networks from Britain’s puters were those at Britain’s stockpiling of vulnerabilities by appeared at odds over wheth- in the second such move in two weeks. public health system to FedEx. National Health Service (NHS), governments is such a prob- er talks could offer a way out “The decision was taken to extend the recall of all “After careful investi- Spanish telecoms company lem,” Microsoft’s Brad Smith of the standoff. infant nutrition products made or packaged at our Cra- gation, the United States is Telefonica and US logistics said at the time. National Security Adviser on site” since February, said Lactalis, which is one of the publicly attributing the mas- company FedEx. “Repeatedly, exploits in HR McMaster tried to clean world’s top manufacturers of dairy products. sive ‘WannaCry’ cyberattack London had already the hands of governments up that question in an inter- The latest recall involves 720 batches of products to North Korea,” said White blamed North Korea, which hit have leaked into the public do- view with the BBC, saying the sold in France and overseas and follows an initial recall House homeland security ad- a third of Britain’s public hos- main and caused widespread United States wanted a peace- of 625 batches, or nearly 7,000 tonnes of products, on visor Tom Bossert. pitals. damage,” he said, claiming ful solution: “Of course that’s December 10. “We do not make this al- Pyongyang then denied that the National Security what we want but we are not The new recall concerned powders and infant cere- legation lightly, we do so with the allegation, saying it went Agency of spotting the flaw committed to a peaceful reso- als of the group’s Picot and Milumel brands, as well as evidence and we do so with “beyond the limit of our toler- and saying nothing. lution.” the Taranis powdered amino-acid mix, the company said. partners,” he added. ance” and was a “wicked at- Bossert said that the “We are committed to a “We now know that there was scattered contamina- Exploiting a security flaw tempt to lure the internation- United States kept only 10 per- resolution, we want the resolution in our Craon site following work done there during the in Microsoft’s Windows XP al community into harboring cent of security flaws secret tion to be peaceful. But, as the first half of 2017,” it said. operating system, the mal- greater mistrust of the DPRK.” and had no policy of “stockpil- president has said, all options The father of a three-month-old baby girl, who drank ware infected an estimated US government under ing” or withholding information are on the table and we have the milk, and the UFC Que Choisir consumer association, 300,000 computers demand- scrutiny from potential targets. to be prepared if necessary to said Monday they had filed a complaint against Lactalis. ing ransom to decrypt data. Questions had been Since coming to office compel the denuclearization (Agence France-Presse) The United States is the raised about whether the US Donald Trump has sought to of North Korea without the latest country to point the fin- government acted in a timely put pressure on North Korea, cooperation of that regime.” ger of blame at Pyongyang, at- manner to respond to the at- as its reclusive leaders edge (Agence France-Presse) INTERNATIONAL 7

29 dead in fitness center blaze in S. Korea: fire service

Flames and smoke billow from an eight-storey building in Jecheon, 120 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on December 21, 2017. / AFP/

SEOUL, South Korea Twenty victims were until it became impossible to mattresses laid out on the cel a planned torch relay event dent and urged officials to (AFP) — At least 29 people found at a public sauna and flee, he added. ground as dozens of fire trucks at the city on Friday, Yonhap make “utmost efforts” for were killed and 26 injured others elsewhere in the build- The death toll may rise and more than 100 firefighters news agency said, citing the rescue and search opera- Thursday in a major blaze ing that houses a fitness cen- further as firefighters contin- rushed to the scene. organizers. tions, his office said. at a fitness center building ter, public bath and restau- ue to search the building, the The blaze — believed to “We decided to cancel The worst fire ever in the South Korean city of rants, the National Fire Agency spokesman said. have started in a parking lot on the event to mourn the vic- to hit modern South Ko- Jecheon, officials said, in said. Television footage the first floor — has been most- tims,” an unnamed official at rea was an arson attack one of the country’s dead- “The fire produced so showed the building con- ly put out, the fire agency said. the organizing committee was on a subway station in liest fire disasters. much toxic smoke so quickly, sumed by orange flames and Jecheon is in central quoted as saying. the southeastern city of The fire broke out leaving many people unable to issuing dark plumes of smoke, South Korea, about 120 kilo- The fire is South Korea’s Daegu that left 192 peo- around 4:00 p.m. local evacuate,” an agency spokes- as several people stood wait- meters (75 miles) southeast worst since 2008 when a blaze ple dead and nearly 150 time (0700 GMT) and man said. ing to be rescued from an out- of the capital Seoul. at a warehouse in the city of injured in 2003. (Agence quickly engulfed the entire Many victims appeared door terrace. The disaster forced orga- Icheon killed 40 workers. France-Presse) eight-storey building, leav- to been unaware of the fire Some were seen jump- nizers of the 2018 Pyeongc- President Moon Jae-In ing many trapped inside. raging outside the bathhouse ing from the building onto air hang Winter Olympics to can- expressed regret over the acci-

Pregnant woman dies in 5.2 magnitude Iran quake UN to vote on new N. Korea sanctions targeting oil TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — A preg- Saveh,” said Morteza Salimi, said. people injured. nant woman died and nearly head of the Iranian Red Cres- Average airborne concen- On November 12, the by Carole Landry 100 people were injured as cent’s Relief and Rescue Orga- tration of the finest and most western province of Kerman- Agence France Presse a 5.2-magnitude earthquake nization. hazardous particles (PM2.5) shah was hit by a 7.3-magni- sparked panic in the Iranian The quake caused no rose to 170 micrograms per tude quake that killed 620 capital and neighboring areas major damage but tens of cubic meter, with peaks of 194 people. late on Wednesday, officials thousands of people spent the micrograms in some neighbor- Iran’s deadliest quake in said. night outside for fear of after- hoods, Tehran municipality recent years was a 6.6-mag- The epicenter of the shocks. said. nitude tremor that struck the quake, which struck shortly Many of them did so in That is some seven times southeast in 2003, decimat- before 11:30 pm (2000 GMT), their vehicles with the engines higher than the World Health ing the ancient mud-brick city was just 40 kilometers (25 switched on for warmth in the Organization recommended of Bam and killing at least miles) west of the capital, ac- wintry conditions, exacerbat- maximum of 25 micrograms 31,000 people. cording to the seismological ing the thick smog that has per m3 over a 24-hour period. In 1990, a 7.4-magni- center of the University of Teh- enveloped the capital all week. Iran sits atop several tude quake in northern Iran ran. Petrol purchases in the fault lines, and Wednesday’s killed 40,000 people, injured The woman died as she six hours after the quake quake is the latest in a series 300,000 and left half a mil- ran out of her home in the city reached 10 million litres (2.64 to have hit the country in re- lion homeless, reducing doz- of Malard, close to the epicen- million gallons), more than cent weeks. ens of towns and nearly 2,000 In this photo taken on July 21, 2017, a petrol station worker walks past a ter, the county’s prefect said. double the average full day A 6.2-magnitude earth- villages to rubble. (Agence fuel truck in Pyongyang. / AFP/ “Ninety-seven people sales even though it was in the quake struck the southeastern France-Presse) were injured — 50 in Alborz, middle of the night, the nation- province of Kerman on De- UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The UN Security 34 in the capital and 12 in al fuel distribution company cember 13, leaving at least 18 Council will vote Friday on a US-drafted resolution ramping up sanctions on North Korea by restricting oil supplies vital for Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear programs. The United States has been in negotiations with China, Pyongyang’s ally, on slapping new sanctions in response to Puigdemont says ‘no one can dispute’ Catalan separatists won vote the November 28 test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The vote is scheduled for 1:00 pm (1800 GMT), diplo- BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) illegal. mats said. — Deposed Catalan leader He and four former min- Building on previous sanctions resolutions, the new Carles Puigdemont said from isters then fled to Belgium to draft tightens restrictions on crude and refined oil deliveries self-imposed exile in Belgium avoid charges of rebellion and to North Korea, most of which are supplied by China. that it was indisputable that sedition. Spain dropped a Eu- The measure would ban the supply of nearly 90 per- separatists had won Thurs- ropean arrest warrant for them cent of refined oil products to North Korea and order the day’s key regional vote. earlier this month but they still repatriation of all North Korean nationals working abroad “This is a result which no face arrest if they return to within 12 months, according to the text obtained by AFP. one can dispute,” Puigdemont their homeland. US President Donald Trump asked Chinese President told supporters in Brussels as Puigdemont said he also Xi Jinping last month to cut off oil to North Korea, a move partial results showed that aimed to win the support of that would deal a crippling blow to its desperately struggling pro-independence parties the European Union for his economy. were on course for an absolute cause, but it has so far backed Tens of thousands of North Koreans have been sent majority. Rajoy, saying it backs constitu- to Russia and China to earn hard currency for Pyongyang, “I think we have earned tional order, and that it is an working in what UN rights officials have described as “slave- our right to be listened to.” internal matter for Spain. like conditions.” As loyalists shouted The European Commis- The draft resolution would cap crude oil supplies to “president, president,” Puig- sion, the executive arm of the four million barrels per year and require countries to seek demont also lashed out at 28-nation bloc, said that its UN permission to ship crude to North Korea. Spanish Prime Minister Maria- stance remained the same Deliveries of refined petroleum products including die- no Rajoy, who called the elec- whatever the result of Thurs- sel and kerosene would be capped at 500,000 barrels for tion in a bid to end Spain’s day’s vote. next year, according to the measure that would order all worst political crisis in de- “Our position on the countries to report their shipments to the United Nations. cades. question of Catalonia is well Since last year, North Korea has carried out a nuclear Puigdemont said it was known and has been regularly test — its sixth — and a series of advanced missile launches “a slap” for the Spanish pre- restated, at all levels. It will not which are banned under UN resolutions. mier, adding: “Rajoy has lost change,” commission spokes- Seizing ships the mandate he sought.” Deposed Catalonian president Carles Puigdemont gives a press conference man Alexander Winterstein The measure would expand a list of banned exports Puigdemont was axed as after 95 percent of the results of the regional elections in Catalonia are told AFP. from North Korea to include food products, machinery, elec- president of Catalonia after known at the Square – Brussels Meeting Center in Brussels on “In relation to a regional trical equipment, earth and stone including magnesite and December 21, 2017./ AFP / holding an independence ref- election, we have no comment magnesia, wood and vessels. (Agence France- Presse) erendum that Madrid deemed to make.” (AFP) 8 INTERNATIONAL Nine foreigners among Melbourne car attack injured

MELBOURNE, Australia cause investigations are con- for December 24 and the Box- (AFP) — A man who mowed tinuing, apart from that state- ing Day cricket test between down pedestrians with his ment, there are no known links Australia and England taking car in Melbourne attribut- to any political issues, or any place nearby. ed his actions to “perceived links to extremist groups, and Thursday’s incident came mistreatment of Muslims,” I am advised at the moment after a car rammed into pedes- Australia said Friday, with that no terrorism link has been trians in Melbourne’s busiest nine foreigners among the identified.” mall in January, killing six peo- injured. The man, who was wres- ple. The driver, whose case is Nineteen people were tled from the car by an off-du- still being heard in court, was rushed to the hospital, and ty police officer, was due to a drug addict and had alleged- three remain critical, after undergo a psychiatric assess- ly just stabbed his brother. the Australian-Afghan driv- ment later Friday. Canberra has become er ploughed through a busy Turnbull said nine foreign increasingly worried about downtown intersection on nationals were among those homegrown extremism and of- Thursday in what authorities hurt, including three South ficials say they have prevented said was a “deliberate act.” Korean tourists, according to 13 terror attacks on home soil The 32-year-old, who the country’s Yonhap news in the past few years. came to Australia as a ref- agency. The government in ugee, has a history of drug Melbourne’s Herald Sun August unveiled a strategy abuse and mental problems said the other victims came aimed at preventing vehicle at- and Prime Minister Malcolm from China, Italy, India, Vene- tacks in crowded public plac- Turnbull reiterated there was zuela, Ireland, and New Zea- es. no links to terrorism “at this land, with the city full of tour- Suggested steps include stage.” ists for the festive season. deterrent options like fencing “To be attacked like Turnbull assured Austra- and closed circuit cameras, this, in the middle of one of lians Thursday’s carnage was and delaying approaches such our great cities, is a shock- an isolated incident and “we as trees and bollards to slow ing event, a shocking crime,” should continue to go about down vehicles. Turnbull said. our daily lives in the way we Melbourne has also been “He has said, in a num- always do.” installing a public siren system ber of what the police are Melbourne began return- and more security cameras describing as utterings, that ing to normal on Friday, with to warn people of a possible he attributed his actions to roads reopened. terrorist attack or other seri- perceived mistreatment of But there was a boosted ous threats. (Agence France- A white SUV (C) sits in the middle of the road as police and emergency personnel work at the scene where a car ran Muslims. armed police presence, with Presse) over pedestrians in Flinders Street in Melbourne on December 21, 2017./AFP/ “But at this stage, be- a candlelight event scheduled

Eric Schmidt stepping down as chair of Alphabet board Iran ‘strongly denies’ arming by Glenn Chapman “Continuing his 17 years Agence France Presse of service to the company, he’ll Yemen rebels now be helping us as a technical advisor on science and SAN FRANCISCO, United TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Tehran possibility of sending human- technology issues.” States (AFP) — Google’s par- strongly denied on Wednes- itarian aid.” About two years ago, ent company Alphabet on day, December 20 that it had A Saudi-led coalition Google unveiled a surprise Thursday announced that Eric supplied weapons to Yeme- has been battling Shiite reb- corporate overhaul, forming a Schmidt will step down as ni rebels which they used in els in Yemen since March new parent company dubbed chairman, remaining on the attacks on its archfoe Saudi 2015 and has repeatedly ac- Alphabet to include internet board but shifting into a role Arabia as alleged by both Ri- cused Shiite Iran of backing search and a handful of inde- as a technical adviser. yadh and Washington. its co-religionists. pendent companies. “In recent years, I’ve “We have no arms link “The possession of Ira- Page became chief ex- been spending a lot of my time with Yemen,” foreign ministry nian-manufactured ballistic ecutive at Alphabet, a holding on science and technology is- spokesman Bahram Ghase- weapons by terrorist organ- company for the tech giant’s sues, and philanthropy, and mi told the ISNA news agen- isations, including the Iran- search products and “other I plan to expand that work,” cy, after Saudi Arabia said it backed Huthi militia, is a bets” such Waymo self-driv- Schmidt said in a release. had intercepted a rebel mis- threat to regional and inter- ing car unit; Nest smart home Schmidt’s stint as exec- sile over Riyadh on Tuesday national security,” coalition gadgets, and Google Fiber in- utive chairman is to end at that it suggested was “Irani- spokesman said on Tuesday. ternet service. a regularly-scheduled board an-manufactured.” US ambassador to the Sundar Pichai was pro- meeting next month, accord- Executive Chairman Alphabet Inc. Eric Schmidt gestures as he speaks during a “The accusation that UN Nikki Haley described moted to chief of Google, session at The Viva Technology Event in Paris on June 15, 2017. / AFP/ ing to Alphabet. Iran gives weapons to vari- the strike as bearing “all the which includes leading online Google founders Larry ous groups is rejected and hallmarks of previous attacks video-sharing service YouTube. Page and Sergey Brin recruit- agreement involving tech gi- casfilm, Pixar and Intuit. we strongly deny it,” he said. using Iranian-provided weap- Schmidt went from being ed the proven businessman ants Apple, Google, Intel and Schmidt served for a few “Yemen is in a blockade ons.” executive chairman at Google and skilled software engineer Adobe. years on the Apple board of di- and such possibility does not She said Washington to having the same role at Al- as chief executive in 2001, The long-running case rectors, but left there in 2009 exist anyway.” would be discussing options phabet. bringing a mature hand to the alleged that major tech com- as iPhone maker’s rivalry with The audacious attack for Security Council action “Larry, Sergey, Sundar helm of the then three-year-old panies in Silicon Valley had Android-backer Google intensi- aimed at the heart of Saudi against Tehran, although that and I all believe that the time internet search company. secret agreements not to hire fied. power follows the downing of immediately drew strong res- is right in Alphabet’s evolution Schmidt, Page, and Brin each other’s employees, in a Schmidt ranks among another missile last month ervations from Moscow. for this transition,” Schmidt were considered a power tri- move to keep salaries under the world’s richest people. A near Riyadh airport that More than 8,750 peo- said. umvirate in control of Google. control. Forbes real-time tracker on triggered the tightening of a ple have been killed since “The Alphabet structure Page replaced Schmidt as The lawsuit, which led to Thursday pegged his net worth Saudi-led blockade on hun- Saudi Arabia and its allies is working well, and Google chief executive a decade later, a $415 million settlement, al- at $13.8 billion, with most of ger-stricken Yemen. joined the beleaguered gov- and the Other Bets are thriv- but Schmidt remained at the leged that the late Apple chief that held in the form of Alpha- Weapons used by the ernment’s fight against the ing.” head of the board of directors. Steve Jobs, Google chairman bet shares. rebels “to defend against vio- rebels, triggering what the UN “Eric has provided us Schmidt and other tech execu- Schmidt was listed as lation and non-stop attacks” has called the world’s worst Poaching people with business and engineering tives were part of the conspir- a donor and adviser to the are leftovers of previous gov- humanitarian crisis. (Agence expertise and a clear vision acy. winning campaign by Barack ernments, Ghasemi said. France- Presse) During his tenure, about the future of technolo- Other companies in the Obama to become US pres- “There isn’t even the Schmidt wound up at the cen- gy,” Alphabet chief Page said lawsuit which reached earlier ident in 2008. (Agence ter of a civil suit in US federal in a release. settlements included eBay, Lu- France-Presse) court over an “anti-poaching”

Apple admits to slowing iPhones as batteries age

SAN FRANCISCO, Unit- the best experience for cus- debut in late 2014. makes it borderline imposed States (AFP) — Apple tomers, which includes overall The feature, which slows sible for people to change on Thursday, December performance and prolonging performance to demand less batteries themselves. 21 confirmed what some the life of their devices,” an power, has been extended to Rumors have persist- conspiracy theorists sus- Apple spokesperson said in re- iPhone 7 handsets with the ed for years at tech news pected, that it intentionally sponse to an AFP inquiry. latest iOS operating software websites devoted to Apple slows performance of older “Lithium-ion batteries and will be added to other Ap- products and among fans iPhones as batteries weak- become less capable of sup- ple products “in the future,” of the company’s products en from age. plying peak current demands the spokesperson said. that iPhone performance The admission played when in cold conditions, have Apple releases new iP- was being intentionally into concerns that Apple a low battery charge or as they hone models annually, and slowed, perhaps to push was stealthily nudging iP- age over time, which can re- This file photo taken on September 22, 2017 shows an Apple logo on the out- sales of the handsets power users to buy newer models. side of an Apple store in San Francisco, California./ AFP/ hone users to upgrade to sult in the device unexpected- its money-making engine. The consumer elec- newer models by letting ly shutting down to protect its People worried about tronics industry overall has them think it was the hand- electronic components.” Meanwhile, smartphone out” spikes in demand for pow- performance could replace routinely been accused sets that needed replacing Lithium-ion batteries are operating software is perpet- er to prevent iPhone 6 models batteries, which Apple does of designing products and that it was not just a commonly used in mobile de- ually improved with updates from shutting down due to the for free for iPhones covered by that wear out sooner than matter of getting new bat- vices, and charging capacity that typically increase appe- cold or weak batteries, accord- warranty or for $79 if that is necessary in a strategy teries. naturally wanes with use and tites for electricity. ing to the California-based not the case. referred to as “planned “Our goal is to deliver time. Last year, Apple intro- company. Apple design of handsets obsolescence.” (Agence duced a feature to “smooth The iPhone 6 made its France-Presse)