Section: Philippines
Sharapova through to Brisbane International semifinals
BRISBANE, Australia — Maria Sharapova moved into the Brisbane International semifinals with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Carla Suarez Navarro on Thursday, weathering a challenging opening few games before taking the momentum away from her Spanish rival. Top-seeded Sharapova dropped her opening service game and then needed eight breakpoints before...
Lithuania joins eurozone to seal ties with West
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania switched over to the euro on Thursday, becoming the last Baltic nation to adopt Europe’s single currency, in a bid to boost stability despite fears of inflation and eurozone debt woes. Baltic leaders withdrew their first euros from a Vilnius bank machine just after midnight, as the eurozone gained its...
Malaysia, Singapore leaders vow aid in search efforts for missing AirAsia flight
MANILA, Philippines—The leaders of Malaysia and Singapore offered their help shortly after the AirAsia flight QZ8501from Indonesia bound for Singapore went missing Sunday morning. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said on his official Twitter account that his country is “ready to help.” “Very sad to hear that...
Pope wishes Christmas hope and peace for Mideast
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is focusing his attention on all those weeping in the world this Christmas, singling out the refugees, hostages and all those suffering in conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and Ukraine. On a day that brings joy to little ones in much of the world, Francis expressed anguish for children who are victims of...
At least 60 journalists killed in 2014—report
NEW YORK — At least 60 journalists around the world were killed in 2014 while on the job or because of their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday, making the past three years the deadliest for journalists since the organization began keeping track more than two decades ago. Syria was connected to two of the more...
Putin says no one can ‘intimidate or isolate’ Russia
MOSCOW, Russia — President Vladimir Putin said Saturday no country can “intimidate” or “isolate” Russia, after the West imposed new sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis. “Of course, no one will be able to intimidate us, or contain and isolate Russia. No one has ever been able to and no one ever...
Russian sailors leaving France without warship
PARIS — Hundreds of Russian sailors pulled out of a French port Thursday, bearing perfumes for their loved ones but lacking the controversial bounty they came for: a 1-billion-euro, French-built warship that has become a hostage to the biggest East-West conflict since the Cold War. The Vladivostok helicopter carrier is part of a strange and...
CA confirms appointment of 7 ambassadors, 2 foreign service officers
MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmedon thefloor on Wednesday the nominationsof seven ambassadors and ad interimappointments of two foreign service officers. The seven newly-confirmed ambassadors are the following: Christopher Montero, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chief...
Obama will sign new Russia sanctions bill–White House
WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama will sign into law a bill passed by Congress to tighten sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday, amid a dramatic run on the ruble. “The president does intend to sign the bill,” spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters, while adding “it does...
Russia’s sinking economy becoming a global threat
WASHINGTON — RWith economies in Europe, Japan, China and Latin America already ailing, fresh threats have emerged fromRussia’s shriveled currency, its move to dramatically boost interestrates, the damage from plummeting oil prices and Western sanctions over Russia’s action in Ukraine. The alarming 10 percent drop in the ruble...
