%ea%b5%ad%ec%a0%9c

EA Guzmman (left) and Shaira Diaz Edgar Allan “EA” Guzman and Shaira Diaz have been dating for eight years now, but it wasn’t until two years ago that the couple publicly confirmed that they’re a couple. On April 4, EA was hailed best supporting actor at the 4th Entertainment Editors’ Choice (Eddys) Awards for his performance in the drama movie “Coming Home.” And being able to dedicate the award to Shaira during his acceptance speech, he recalled, was such a heartening moment. “It feels great being able to dedicate the award to her without any worries or second thoughts, because she inspires me in all the things I do,” EA said in a recent virtual conference arranged by GMA 7, following his recent Eddys victory. “I want to make her feel that she’s part of my achievements. Low-key “The win was unexpected and means a lot to me. Holding the trophy made me feel like I’m holding the fruits of my hard work and passion. It reminds me why I’m here in show biz,” the 32-year-old actor ... » Learn More about After 8 years of dating, EA and Shaira still not ready for marriage

CLARK FREEPORT—Clark Development Corp. president Manuel Gaerlan has ordered the recall of seven recently purchased sports utility vehicles issued to seven directors, which the Commission on Audit ordered to be taken back. In a statement on Tuesday (April 13), Gaerlan said the vehicles, all Isuzu MU-X which cost an average of P2 million each, will be “pooled for the use of the entire organization.” As for the nine villas ordered by COA to be vacated, he said “a majority of the board members signified intention to lease the houses themselves so they can continue to have a safe place to stay when in Clark.” Overpayments for the fuel expenses of two directors will be deducted from the next reimbursements, he said, adding that the state-owned firm would comply with Executive Order No. 24-2011 that sets the guidelines for compensation of directors of government corporations. According to Gaerlan, the COA auditor of CDC enjoyed the same privileges. Explaining the vehicles, he said ... » Learn More about Clark execs return SUVs, villas after COA order

AND THEN THERE ARE 28 Philippine military officials say only 28 of the more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels—here seen up close in a satellite image—remained anchored at Julian Felipe Reef, which China calls Whitsun Reef, as of Sunday. —REUTERS MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin III discussed on Sunday the fleet of Chinese ships still anchored at Julian Felipe Reef in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone since early March when they were first spotted there. The two officials made their phone call ahead of Monday’s resumption of the Balikatan joint exercises between the American and Philippine military, which was canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But even before the pandemic, President Duterte, who had been critical of Washington’s stand against his drug war policy, had been ambivalent about the conduct of joint military exercises under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which provides the legal ... » Learn More about Lorenzana, Austin discuss Felipe Reef situation in phone conversation

TAIPEI — Twenty-five Chinese air force aircraft including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday, the island’s government said, the largest reported incursion to date. While there was no immediate comment from Beijing, the news comes after the U.S. State Department on Friday issued new guidelines that will enable U.S. officials to meet more freely with Taiwanese officials, further deepening ties with Taipei. Chinese-claimed Taiwan has complained over the last few months of repeated missions by China’s air force near the self-ruled island, concentrated in the southwestern part of its air defense zone near the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. The latest Chinese mission involved 14 J-16 and four J-10 fighters, as well as four H-6K bombers, which can carry nuclear weapons, two anti-submarine aircraft and an early warning aircraft, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said. It was the largest daily incursion since the ministry ... » Learn More about Taiwan reports largest incursion yet by Chinese air force

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will have talks via telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Malacañang confirmed Tuesday. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, refused to divulge when the phone call will happen as the President’s schedule is “classified as secret.” “Since sinabi na rin naman ni Senator Bong Go, I can confirm na may usapin po sa telepono ang ating Presidente at ang Presidente ng Russia,” Roque said in an online briefing. (Since Senator Bong Go already said it, I can confirm that the President will talk via telephone with the President of Russia.) “Yun lang po ang aking masasabi, I cannot even say kung kailan po,” he added. (That’s all I can say, I cannot even say when it will happen.) In December last year, Duterte again invited Putin whom he once referred to as his “idol” to visit the Philippines “as soon as circumstances allow” to reaffirm the ties between the two nations. Duterte already made two official visits ... » Learn More about Duterte – Putin teleconference set, says Palace

Around 220 Chinese militia vessels were spotted moored at Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun) in the West Philippine Sea last March 7, 2021. (NTF WPS) MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has summoned China’s ambassador the Philippines to express “utmost displeasure” over the illegal, lingering presence of Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea. The DFA, in a statement Tuesday, said Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian was summoned on Monday, April 12, and was informed that the reef lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, contrary to the repeated claims of Beijing. China has repeatedly claimed the reef as part of Nansha Qundao, one of two political districts in the South China Sea established by the Chinese government in 2020, which the Philippines also previously protested. “The continuing presence of Chinese vessels around the reef is a source of regional tension,” the DFA said. JUST IN: The ... » Learn More about PH summons China’s envoy over ‘illegal presence’ of Chinese ships in WPS reef

Russia Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev (Photo by Ryan Leagogo / INQUIRER.net) MANILA, Philippines — Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit the Philippines for the first time soon, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said Saturday. During the “In Focus” forum in Quezon City, Khovaev revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte had invited Putin to visit the country. “So the invitation of President Duterte was accepted by President Putin with gratitude,” Khovaev said. Since assuming the presidency in 2016, Duterte has had two state visits to Russia. The first was in May 2017, which was cut short by the Marawi City siege. Duterte left for Russia again on Oct. 1 of this year, and returned to Manila on Oct. 6. Meanwhile, Putin has never made an official trip to the Philippines. And when will Putin visit? “I don’t know. but we’ll do our best to arrange this meeting as soon as possible,” the Russian ambassador added. “We’ll do our best,” he ... » Learn More about Russian envoy: Putin accepts Duterte’s invitation to visit PH

PETALING JAYA: Parents want more transparency when it comes to standard operating procedures (SOP) practised in schools when teachers or students are found to be infected with Covid-19. This comes as more confirmed cases were recorded, with the latest from SJK (C) Puay Chai 2 here which was ordered to close after six pupils tested positive for the disease and 11 teachers were placed under home quarantine. The school's parent-teacher association chairman Loh Tian Hong said parents were not told what to do if their child's classmate was positive for Covid-19. "There is no black-and-white SOP or guidance given to us. "We do not know if it is safe to send our children to school as the pupils come into close contact with each other, including going to the same daycare centre or using the same transporters," he told The Star . He said that parents also wanted to know how long they should be quarantined and if their child would be allowed back to school if the first test was ... » Learn More about Covid-19: Parents want clearer school SOP should pupils, staff get infected

BERLIN (Reuters) - Could an author of children's books or a former trampolinist succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor of Germany? Either is possible, and both are from the ecologist Greens. A Greens chancellor is still only an outside chance after a Sept. 26 federal election, but the party has grown into a formidable force that is just a few points behind Angela Merkel's conservatives, who have ruled for 16 years. With the conservatives at odds over who they want to replace Merkel, who is stepping down after the election, the Greens see a chance to win the chancellery for the first time and to stamp their progressive, ecologist brand on Europe's largest economy. "They are within reach of the chancellorship," said political scientist Thorsten Faas. In a sign of how seriously they are taking their push for power, the Greens have agreed to name a single chancellor candidate for the first time since they formed some 40 years ago. Previously, the party picked a leadership duo for ... » Learn More about Analysis: Could Germany get a Green chancellor? It’s within the party’s reach

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Sudan provisionally plans to send a first official delegation to Israel next week to firm up bilateral ties that were established last year under U.S. mediation, two sources said on Tuesday. One of sources, who could not be identified by name or nationality, said the Sudanese delegation would comprise security and intelligence officials. The specific date for next week's visit had yet to be finalised, the source added. Sudanese and Israeli government spokesmen had no immediate comment. Sudan joined the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco in agreeing to move toward normal relations with Israel in 2020 Abraham Accords deals brokered by the Trump administration. The Biden administration has pledged to pursue such outreach. The normalisation is seen in Sudan as an initiative led by the military, which has welcomed visits by Israeli officials in recent months. In a related measure, the Khartoum cabinet voted last week to repeal a 1958 law that forbade ... » Learn More about Sudan due to send first delegation to Israel next week, sources say