Inquirer

SEOUL — South Korea’s suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial next week because of safety concerns, his lawyer said on Sunday. Yoon has been holed up in the presidential residence and protected by an elite guard force since being suspended and impeached last month following a short-lived declaration of martial law that plunged the country into political chaos. He has refused to meet prosecutors and investigators, and earlier this month his presidential guard unit thwarted an attempt to arrest him following a tense, hours-long standoff. READ: In South Korea, thousands protest […]…

Keep on reading: South Korea’s Yoon will not attend first impeachment hearing

MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday officially launched a campaign to crack down on firearms on the country’s violence-wracked streets. The plan, called “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace,” will offer cash to those who anonymously leave weapons at designated drop-off locations, including churches. Gun owners will get 8,700 pesos ($430) for […]…

Keep on reading: Mexico president launches cash-for-guns drive

LOS ANGELES, California — Firefighters raced Saturday to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners on edge. A fierce battle against the flames was underway in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered […]…

Keep on reading: Firefighters race to contain LA wildfires

TNT muzzled Converge down the stretch on Saturday night to take a pulsating 98-96 victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Import Rondae Hollis Jefferson hit a tough, turnaround jumper with 1:08 left as the Tropang Giga kept it together the rest of the way to capture a fourth-straight win that hiked their record to 4-2. READ: PBA: TNT blows lead, recovers to hold off Meralco “With a team like Converge, you cannot stop everything. You have to give something up. Luckily we were able to make those two crucial stops in the end,” said head coach Chot Reyes shortly after […]…

Keep on reading: PBA: TNT slips past Converge for fourth straight win

Over a year after tying the knot in a secret wedding, Kiana Valenciano and her husband Sandro Tolentino exchanged “I dos” anew, this time witnessed by their extended families and friends. A glimpse of the couple’s second wedding was shared by photography studio Nice Print Photo through its Instagram page on Wednesday, Jan. 8. “We guess a wedding is sweeter the second time around,” it said in the caption. “Congratulations and happy first anniversary, Kiana and Sandro! Cheers!” Aside from Kiana’s immediate family members — namely her dad Gary Valenciano, her mom Angeli Pangilinan and brothers Paolo and Gab Valenciano— […]…

Keep on reading: Kiana Valenciano, husband get married for second time

MANILA, Philippines —Just days after arriving in Korea, JD Cagulangan made an impressive debut in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) on Saturday. But his first game efforts were spoiled after the Suwon KT Sonicboom fell to Justin Gutang and the Seoul Samsung Thunders, 78-64, at Suwon Arena. Cagulangan showed what he’s capable of with seven points, nine assists, five steals, and four rebounds in 22 minutes of action. READ: JD Cagulangan arrives in Korea to join KBL team Suwon “I love to pass and I love to win,” Cagulangan said in an interview upon joining the Sonicboom. And the University […]…

Keep on reading: JD Cagulangan makes immediate impact for Suwon in KBL debut

TAGBILARAN CITY — The municipal council of Ubay in Bohol province declared a state of calamity due to cases of African swine fever (ASF) and its impact on the local hog industry. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council led by Ubay Mayor Constantino Reyes recommended the declaration to enable the local government to use its calamity funds to assist local hog raisers. The state of calamity declaration was made on Wednesday, January 8. Municipal Agriculturist Marianito Doydora said at least 127 pigs in three barangays – Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Bulilis – died of ASF as of Wednesday. […]…

Keep on reading: Bohol town under state of calamity due to ASF

LOS ANGELES, United States — Winds calmed Friday around Los Angeles, providing a fleeting window of opportunity in a firefighting battle against five major blazes wreaking havoc across the city. At least 10 people have died as flames ripped through neighborhoods, razing thousands of homes in one of the worst disasters ever to hit California, with one estimate suggesting the bill could hit $150 billion. As the scale of the damage to America’s second-biggest city started to come into focus, Angelenos grappled with heart-rending ruin. “I lost everything. My house burned down and I lost everything,” Hester Callul, who reached […]…

Keep on reading: Wind lull offers hope in Los Angeles fires

In between bites and tentative smiles, we raised our glasses of wine to toast the season. It was my first Christmas as an international student in Germany, and everything about it felt extraordinary. The aroma of lamb stew, the sweet tang of chocolate fondue, and the warm kick of glühwein mingled with the chatter of […]…

Keep on reading: In-between space

MANILA, Philippines—After another big win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Meralco import Akil Mitchell immediately turned his attention to the Bolts’ next assignment, which is shaping up to be a tough one.  Meralco knocked off NLEX, 105-91, on Friday but Mitchell is already looking forward to the squad’s next task against league leader, Northport, where he will go up against fellow import Kadeem Jack. READ: PBA: Akil Mitchell, Meralco bounce back to start year on winning note “I’ve known the name Kadeem Jack for a little while now but I haven’t been too familiar with his game but I’ve heard […]…

Keep on reading: PBA: Akil Mitchell eager to go up against Kadeem Jack, Northport