XI VISITS YUNNAN ON INSPECTION TOUR AHEAD OF CHINESE NEW YEAR

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited southwest China's Yunnan Province Sunday on an inspection tour ahead of Chinese New Year.

IRAN BACKTRACKS ON PLAN TO SEND FLIGHT RECORDERS TO UKRAINE

The Iranian official leading the investigation into the Ukrainian jetliner
that was accidentally shot down by the Revolutionary Guard appeared to
backtrack on January 19 on plans to send the flight recorders abroad for
analysis, a day after saying they would be sent to Kyiv.

TRUMP INVITES DUTERTE TO US

MANILA — Despite the passage of a United States budget provision banning
Philippine officials behind the detention of Sen. Leila de Lima from
entering the US, President Duterte was among the Southeast Asian leaders
invited by US President Donald Trump to a Las Vegas summit to be held on
March 14.

CHINA, MYANMAR HAVE PRODUCTIVE EXCHANGE DURING XI'S VISIT

China and Myanmar exchanged a number of cooperation documents covering such areas as politics, trade, investment and people-to-people communications amid President Xi Jinping's state visit on Saturday.

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDS, TRUMP WARNS KHAMENEI

President Donald Trump on Friday warned Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei to be "very careful with his words". "The so-called 'Supreme
Leader' of Iran, who has not been so Supreme lately, had some nasty things
to say about the United States and Europe," Trump tweeted of Khamenei's
comments earlier Friday in Tehran.

CREATION OF TAAL COMMISSION PUSHED

MANILA — Lawmakers called yesterday for the creation of a commission or task
force that would oversee the rehabilitation and recovery of areas in
Batangas and Cavite affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption.

XI GREETED WITH GUSTO IN MYANMAR

China is willing to consolidate and deepen its pauk-phaw friendship with Myanmar and jointly build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, visiting President Xi Jinping said on Friday in Nay Pyi Taw.

IRAN CAN TAKE FIGHT BEYOND ITS BORDERS, SAYS KHAMENEI

The Revolutionary Guards can take their fight beyond Iran's borders, Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday, responding to the US killing
of a top general and to unrest at home over the accidental downing of an
airliner.

CARPIO: FILIPINOS NEED LEADER WHO CAN ADDRESS CHINA ISSUE

MANILA - Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Friday said
Filipinos need a leader who can address the country’s territorial issues
with China.

TRUMP IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OPENS AS WATCHDOG FAULTS WHITE HOUSE ON UKRAINE

The Senate impeachment trial on whether to remove U.S. President Donald
Trump from office formally began on January 16 even as a congressional
watchdog found that the White House broke the law by withholding security
aid for Ukraine approved by Congress.

DUTERTE'S FORMER ICC ACCUSER DANCES AROUND CASE'S VERACITY

MANILA — The case against President Rodrigo Duterte before the International
Criminal Court’s (ICC) was politically motivated, the lawyer who filed it
said Friday, despite admitting that he "cannot say what is true" or not in
the allegations.

RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT RESIGNS AS VLADIMIR PUTIN PLANS FUTURE

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that his government
was resigning to give President Vladimir Putin room to carry out the changes
he wants to make to the constitution.

PHILIPPINES, CHINESE COAST GUARDS HOLD JOINT DRILL

MANILA - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday held a joint maritime
drill with the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) on search and rescue operations and
firefighting in the waters off Manila.

ON ARMY DAY, CHIEF SAYS SCRAPPING 370 DISRUPTED PAK PLANS

Army Chief Gen M M Naravane on Wednesday hailed the abrogation of provisions
of Article 370 as a "historic step" and said the move had disrupted plans of
the "western neighbour and its proxies", in a clear reference to Pakistan.

XI URGES ALL PARTIES TO WORK TOWARD SOCIALIST GOALS

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called on the country's non-Communist parties to make new contributions to securing the victory of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fighting poverty on Tuesday.

IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL: EU LAUNCHES DISPUTE MECHANISM

Britain, France and Germany ratcheted up pressure on Iran on Tuesday to
cease its violations of a landmark nuclear deal, stressing that they want to
resolve differences through talks while starting the clock on a process that
could result in a so-called "snapback" of United Nations sanctions.

MORE FISSURES SPOTTED NEAR TAAL VOLCANO AS MAGMA ACTIVITY CONTINUES —
PHIVOLCS

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Wednesday said
that while Taal volcano is having a "generally weaker eruption" at the main
crater, the fissuring of areas around it shows that it is very much active
underneath.

XI URGES MORE EFFORTS AGAINST GRAFT IN GOVT

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, ordered officials on Monday to make consistent efforts against graft to secure victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and fighting poverty.

FIVE COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS ACTION AGAINST IRAN

Five nations whose citizens died when an airliner was shot down by Iran last
week will meet in London on Thursday to discuss possible legal action,
Ukraine's Foreign Minister said.

TAAL 'HAZARDOUS ERUPTION' LIKE 'ATOMIC BOMB' BUT WON'T CARRY SAME ENERGY: 
PHIVOLCS 

MANILA - A hazardous eruption of Taal Volcano will look like an "atomic bomb 
explosion" but will not carry the same energy, a state seismologist said 
Monday. 

XI SENDS MESSAGES TO OMAN'S NEW SULTAN

President Xi Jinping sent two messages on Sunday to Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, the new sultan of Oman — first a congratulatory message about his succession as sultan and second a message of condolence over the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

CHINA SAYS WON'T CHANGE POSITION ON TAIWAN AFTER LANDSLIDE ELECTION

China will not change its position that Taiwan belongs to it and the world
will only ever recognise that there is "one China", Beijing said on Sunday
after President Tsai Ing-wen won re-election and said she would not submit
to China's threats.

TAAL SPEWS LAVA FOUNTAINS

A volcano near Manila spewed lava fountains Monday after belching a massive
cloud of ash that drifted across the Philippine capital on Sunday, forcing
the cancellation of flights and closure of schools and government offices as
authorities warned of a possible "explosive eruption".

IRAN ADMITS IT SHOT DOWN PLANE IN ERROR, APOLOGISES AFTER DENIALS

Iran announced on Saturday that its military "unintentionally" shot down the
Ukrainian jetliner that crashed earlier this week, killing all 176 aboard,
after the government had repeatedly denied Western accusations that it was
responsible.

CHINA URGES INT'L COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE ADHERING TO ONE-CHINA PRINCIPLE

The foreign ministry on Sunday urged the international community to continue abiding by the one-China principle after the Taiwan leadership election.

1ST BATCH OF 14 OFWS FROM IRAQ HEADED HOME

MANILA - Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana disclosed yesterday that the
first batch of 14 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are now at the Philippine
embassy in Baghdad, Iraq and would be processed as part of the government's
ongoing mandatory repatriation operations.

CWC PASSES RESOLUTION ASKING GOVT TO STOP NPR, WITHDRAW CAA

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Saturday passed a resolution
demanding a rollback of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which was notified by
the Home Ministry on January 10, and stopping the process of updating the
National Population Register (NPR). T

XI HONORS OUTSTANDING SCIENTISTS

President Xi Jinping presented China's top science award on Friday to Huang Xuhua, the chief designer of China's first-generation nuclear submarines, and Zeng Qingcun, a famous meteorologist.

TAIWAN BEGINS VOTING WITH FUTURE OF ITS DEMOCRACY ON THE LINE

The future of Taiwan's democracy is on the line as the self-ruled island's
19 million voters decide on whether to give independence-leaning President
Tsai Ing-wen a second term.

DUTERTE VOWS TO 'CORRECT' ALL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS BEFORE STEPPING DOWN

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte vowed Thursday to "correct" all
government contracts before he steps down from office as he sought to
renegotiate water concession deals covering the Philippine capital.

XI SENDS CONDOLENCES TO UKRAINIAN, IRANIAN PRESIDENTS

President Xi Jinping sent his condolences on Thursday to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani over the Wednesday crash of a Ukrainian airliner in Iran that killed all 176 people aboard. 

BRITAIN LAWMAKERS FINALLY CLEAR HISTORIC BREXIT DEAL 

Britain's parliament finally approved Brexit on Thursday, allowing it to 
become the first country to leave the European Union by the end of this 
month, ending years of arguments that toppled two governments and divided a 
nation. 

BLACK NAZARENE BACK AT QUIAPO CHURCH; 'RECORD-BREAKING' TRASLACION ENDS 
EARLIER THAN USUAL 

MANILA - The Black Nazarene procession ended just before 9 p.m. Thursday as 
the image was returned more than 16 hours since the annual Traslacion 
started amid tighter security and stricter regulations. 

XI CALLS FOR UNREMITTING SELF-REFORM EFFORTS

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called on Wednesday for unremitting efforts to deepen self-reform of the Party to enable the whole Party to remain true to its original aspiration and keep its mission firmly in mind.

TRUMP AVOIDS ESCALATING CRISIS, SAYS IRAN IS 'STANDING DOWN' 

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Iranian missile strikes on bases 
in Iraq had not harmed any US troops stationed there and damage was minimal, 
an outcome, he said, showed Tehran wanted to prevent an escalation into 
conflict. 

MASSIVE REPATRIATION NOT NECESSARY AS US, IRAN STEP BACK FROM WAR: EX-LABOR 
OFFICIAL 

MANILA - A massive repatriation of Filipino migrant workers in Iraq may not 
be needed as the US pulled back from the brink of war with Iran early 
Thursday, a former labor official said. 

KEY MEETING REAFFIRMS PARTY LEADERSHIP ROLE

A key meeting presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Tuesday reaffirmed the importance of upholding Party leadership over work in all areas and aspects.

IRAN LAUNCHES MISSILE ATTACK ON IRAQ BASE HOUSING U.S. TROOPS 

Iran on Wednesday launched a missile attack on an Iraqi airbase where U.S. 
forces are based, threatening "more crushing responses" if Washington 
carried out further strikes, Iranian state media said. 

IRAN LAUNCHES MISSILE ATTACK ON US BASES IN IRAQ 

On Wednesday morning, Philippine time, Iran claimed responsibility for the 
launch of missile attack on an Iraqi airbase where US forces are based. 

XI URGES BRI EFFORTS WITH KIRIBATI

President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts with the Pacific island nation of Kiribati to build the Belt and Road and expand practical cooperation on Monday.

IRAN SOLEIMANI KILLING: US DENIES IRAQ PULLOUT AMID LETTER CONFUSION 

The U.S. military on Monday told the Iraqi government American troops were 
preparing to pull out of the country but a top U.S. general in Washington 
said the message was sent by "mistake". 

DUTERTE SIGNS 2020 NATIONAL BUDGET INTO LAW 

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday signed into law the 2020 
national budget, averting a repeat of last year's delay that slowed economic 
growth. 

YANGTZE PROTECTION EFFORTS BEAR FRUIT

As the weather turned cold, most plants near Xiliang Lake withered. Little green remained around the fog-shrouded body of water in Xianning, Hubei province, in the Yangtze River Basin.

IRAQI PARLIAMENT PASSES RESOLUTION TO END FOREIGN TROOP PRESENCE 

Iraq's parliament called on Sunday for U.S. and other foreign military 
forces to leave amid a growing backlash against the U.S. killing of a top 
Iranian military commander that has heightened fears of a wider Middle East 
conflict. 

DUTERTE ORDERS MILITARY TO PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE REPATRIATION OF PINOYS IN 
IRAQ, IRAN 

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the military to prepare its 
aircraft and ships for the possible evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle 
East if the tension between the United States and Iran further escalates, a 
Defense official said on Sunday. 

CHINA TO ACCELERATE UPGRADING OF OUTSOURCED SERVICES SECTOR

China will step up efforts to promote the transformation and upgrading of outsourced services, with the view to achieving better structure and higher quality of the services sector, the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Friday.

BLASTS HIT BAGHDAD AREA AS IRAQIS MOURN IRANIAN GENERAL

Several blasts shook the Baghdad area hours after a huge funeral procession
for a top Iranian general, killed by a US air strike there on Friday.

DUTERTE TO AFP: PROTECT FREEDOM, DEMOCRATIC VALUES

MANILA - After several days of not showing up in public, President Duterte
presided over the change of command ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon
City yesterday and gave marching orders to new Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Filemon Santos Jr. to protect freedom and
the people's democratic values.

XI HIGHLIGHTS YELLOW RIVER DEVELOPMENT

President Xi Jinping on Friday underscored the importance of heightened efforts in ecological protection and pursuing high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.

TEHRAN PROMISES 'HARSH RETALIATION', US AND ISRAEL BRACE FOR REVENGE ATTACKS

Iran vowed "harsh retaliation" for a US drone strike near Baghdad's airport
that killed a top Iranian general who had been the architect of its
interventions across the Middle East, and the US announced Friday it was
sending more troops to the region as tensions soared in the wake of the
targeted killing.

DUTERTE TO SIGN 2020 NATIONAL BUDGET ON JANUARY 6

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign the P4.1 trillion national
budget for 2020 on January 6, his spokesperson said Saturday.

TOP IRANIAN MILITARY COMMANDER QASSEM SOLEIMANI KILLED BY US AIR STRIKE IN 
BAGHDAD 

A US strike killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the deputy head 
of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi military force at Baghdad's airport early Friday, 
the Hashed announced. 

MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE VICTIMS SEEK TO DOUBLE CIVIL DAMAGES 

MANILA — Relatives of the victims in the Maguindanao massacre will ask a 
Quezon City court to at least double the claim for civil damages that it 
awarded to them, their lawyer said Friday. 

XI'S REMARKS VOICE HK HOPE FOR HARMONY

President Xi Jinping's comments in his New Year's speech about Hong Kong clearly demonstrated the central government's concern for the city and voiced local people's hope for a stable society, the city's opinion and community leaders said.

CARLOS GHOSN FLIGHT PROMPTS TALK OF MORE CURBS IN JAPAN'S STRICT JUSTICE 
SYSTEM 

Carlos Ghosn's daring flight from Japan, where he was awaiting trial on 
charges of financial wrongdoing, has revived global criticism of the 
nation's "hostage justice," but in Japan is prompting talk of reversing more 
lenient curbs on defendants. 

'HAZARDOUS' AIR RECORDED IN PARTS OF METRO MANILA ON NEW YEAR'S EVE 

MANILA -- Air quality in Metro Manila was “hazardous” at the height of New 
Year's Eve revelries, as fireworks lit up the sky, the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources said Wednesday. 

‘OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED’: MARTIAL LAW IN MINDANAO ENDS, AS NEW YEAR BEGINS 

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said the government will end 
martial law in Mindanao at midnight, even as soldiers will remain in the 
region “to sustain peace and stability.” 

XI MAKES COUNTRY'S VOICE HEARD

Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China remained committed to multilateralism and championed justice worldwide this year as it strove to push forward major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, according to officials and analysts.

US AIR STRIKES IN IRAQ, SYRIA TARGET IRANIAN-BACKED SHI'ITE MUSLIM MILITIA 
GROUP 

US officials said on Sunday that air strikes in Iraq and Syria against an 
Iran-backed militia group were successful, but warned that "additional 
actions" may still be taken in the region to defend US interests. 

DUTERTE PUSHES 2 DAMS FOR METRO MANILA, WARNS COURTS 

MANILA — A “desperate” President Duterte yesterday ordered the completion of 
two projects designed to ensure enough water supply in Metro Manila and 
nearby areas, saying indigenous people would have to be relocated and no 
court could stop it. 

CHINA'S HIGH-SPEED RAIL LINKS WINTER OLYMPICS CITIES

The high-speed railway line connecting Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the co-host city of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, went into operation Monday, the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. said.

S ARABIA TO CONVENE OIC MEET ON K-ISSUE 

Saudi Arabia has agreed to convene a meeting of foreign ministers of the 
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Kashmir, according to reports 
in the Pakistan media. 

DUTERTE URGES PINOYS TO 'KEEP NATIONALISM ALIVE' ON RIZAL DAY 

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to "strengthen and 
protect" their freedom and keep nationalism alive as the country 
commemorated the 123rd death anniversary of hero Jose Rizal. 

REVISED SECURITIES LAW TO TAKE EFFECT MARCH 1

China's revised Securities Law will take effect on March 1, setting the legal basis for a phase-in registration-based reform across the whole capital market, according to the top legislature on Saturday.

N. KOREA'S KIM HOLDS TOP PARTY MEETING AHEAD OF US DEADLINE 

SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a key meeting of top 
ruling party officials, state media said Sunday, ahead of a year-end 
deadline for Washington to shift its stance on stalled nuclear talks. 

FREE DE LIMA INSTEAD OF THREATENING VISA RESTRICTIONS, US SENATOR SAYS 

MANILA - The Philippine government should free detained Sen. Leila De Lima 
"or provide her [a] fair, public trial" instead of threatening visa 
restrictions on visiting US citizens, US Sen. Patrick Leahy, who is banned 
from entering the country, said. 

CONSTRUCTION OF 3G BEIDOU NEARS FINISH

China plans to complete construction of its third-generation Beidou Navigation Satellite System network by June, including the launch of two new satellites into geostationary orbit by that time, the China Satellite Navigation Office said on Friday.

4 U.S. SURVEILLANCE PLANES FLY OVER KOREAN PENINSULA ON SAME DAY 

A U.S. maritime patrol plane made a late-night flight over the Korean 
Peninsula, only hours after three American surveillance aircraft flew above 
the same area, it was reported on Friday. 

DUTERTE TO DECLINE TRUMP'S INVITATION TO VISIT WHITE HOUSE 

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte will decline United States President 
Donald Trump's invitation to the White House, Malacañang said Friday. 

MINISTRY SAYS PHASE ONE DEAL ADVANCES

China and the United States are working on necessary procedures regarding their phase one trade deal and closely communicating on other follow-up matters, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

ISRAEL'S PM BENJAMIN NETANYAHU CLAIMS WIN IN PARTY LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed a "huge win" in a vote 
that challenged his leadership of the Likud party. 

PALACE, PNP: NO ARREST IF JOMA SISON COMES TO PHILIPPINES FOR MEETING WITH 
DUTERTE 

MANILA — The Malacañang on Friday said Communist Party of the Philippines 
founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison will not be arrested if he comes to the 
country for a one-on-one meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte. 

27 AFGHAN PEACE ACTIVISTS ABDUCTED BY THE TALIBAN 

Taliban militants have kidnapped 27 peace activists from a highway in 
Afghanistan's western Farah province, local officials and peace activists 
said on Wednesday. 

BEIJING, TOKYO EYE BROADER COOPERATION

Beijing and Tokyo have agreed to expand cooperation in coping with aging societies and other issues as they seek to foster new areas of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

NEW YEAR, NEW TAXES; HOUSE EYES 4 BILLS 

MANILA - The principal taxman in Congress vowed yesterday to push for the 
approval next year of four tax bills that would raise an additional P492 
billion from taxpayers and the booming offshore gambling industry over five 
years. 

LEADERS VOW TO JOINTLY TACKLE CHALLENGES

Leaders from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea reaffirmed on Tuesday their commitment to bolster regional economic integration and jointly tackle common challenges such as aging societies, healthcare and environmental protection.

PUTIN ACCUSES POLAND OF COLLUDING WITH HITLER 

President Vladimir Putin upped the ante in a war of words with Europe on 
Tuesday, accusing Poland of colluding with Hitler and of anti-Semitism. 
Tensions are running high between Moscow and Warsaw, with NATO and EU member 
Poland fearing what it has described as Russian military adventurism and 
imperialist tendencies. 

‘BANGSAMORO HAVE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS VS TERRORISM’ 

MANILA — President Duterte is open to allowing residents of the Bangsamoro 
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to have their own police force 
and to bear arms against terrorism, which he described as a “human wrong.” 

CONSENSUS URGED FOR NEW ERA RELATIONS

President Xi Jinping underlined on Monday the need for China and Japan to implement their political consensus that they "treat each other as cooperative partners instead of threats" in developing bilateral ties.

TRUMP SIGNS 2020 BUDGET BANNING DE LIMA JAILERS 

Officials involved in the “wrongful” detention of Sen. Leila de Lima would 
be banned from entering the United States, based on a provision in the 
$1.4-trillion US budget for next year signed by President Donald Trump. 

XI: PHASE ONE DEAL BENEFITS WHOLE WORLD

President Xi Jinping and his counterpart in the United States, President Donald Trump, set the tone in a telephone call on Friday for how Beijing and Washington should deal with their frictions in the next stage, after the two sides reached a phase one trade deal, observers said.

INDIA, IRAN AGREE TO ACCELERATE WORK ON CHABAHAR PROJECT

India and Iran on Sunday agreed to accelerate work on the strategic Chabahar
project as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held wide-ranging talks
with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif on regional and global issues of
mutual interest.

22 WOUNDED IN BLASTS IN COTABATO, MAGUINDANAO

MANILA - At least 22 were wounded in several blasts which rocked Cotabato
City and 2 other towns in the provinces of Cotabato and Maguindanaoprovince
Sunday night.

CHINA'S LUNAR ROVER JADE RABBIT-2 BREAKS RECORD OF WORKING TIME ON MOON

China's Jade Rabbit-2, or Yutu-2, has become the longest-working lunar rover on the moon, as it started to work for the 13th lunar day on the far side of the moon.

TRUMP SIGNS $738 BILLION DEFENCE BILL

US President Donald Trump has signed into law a $738 billion defence Bill
which includes controversial provisions calling for sanctions against Russia
and Turkey.

SENATE EXPECTS DUTERTE TO SIGN BUDGET ON JANUARY 6

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is hopeful President Duterte will be able
to sign by Jan. 6 the P4.1-trillion national budget after Senate President
Vicente Sotto III signed the final copy of the national spending program on
Friday night.

XI, TRUMP DISCUSS TRADE DEAL, RELATIONS IN PHONE CALL

The China-US phase one trade deal, reached on the basis of equality and mutual respect and against the backdrop of an extremely complicated international environment, will benefit both countries and contribute to peace and prosperity of the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his US counterpart Donald Trump on Friday.

BREXIT: MPS BACK JOHNSON'S PLAN TO LEAVE EU BY JAN 31

Prime Minister Boris Johnson won approval for his Brexit deal in parliament
on Friday, the first step towards fulfilling his election pledge to deliver
Britain's departure from the European Union by January 31 after his
landslide victory.

ACQUITTED MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE SUSPECTS WALK FREE

MANILA - Nearly all of the defendants acquitted in the Maguindanao massacre
case walked free on Friday, a day after a special court absolved them in the
decade-old case.

CHINA ALLOWS NO EXTERNAL FORCES TO INTERFERE WITH HK, MACAO AFFAIRS

President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at a gathering celebrating the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the fifth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Friday.

IMPEACHED TRUMP FACES TRIAL IN SENATE 

The impeachment of President Donald Trump in the U.S. House of 
Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress 
sets the stage for a historic trial next month in the Republican-controlled 
Senate on whether he should be removed from office. 

GUILTY.; AMPATUANS GET LIFE IN PRISON FOR MASSACRE 

MANILA - Justice has been finally served to the victims of the Maguindanao 
massacre, considered the deadliest election-related violence in the country 
in recent memory, with most of the victims media workers. 

XI PRAISES ACHIEVEMENTS OF MACAO

President Xi Jinping spoke highly on Wednesday of Macao's implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy and praised the achievements of Macao in the past 20 years.

DEFIANT TRUMP RALLIES SUPPORTERS AS HOUSE IMPEACHES HIM 

Defiant in the face of a historic rebuke, President Donald Trump rallied supporters in Michigan on Wednesday night as the House voted to impeach him, declaring, “It doesn’t really feel like we’re being impeached.” 

MEMBERS OF AMPATUAN CLAN ARRIVE FOR MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE VERDICT 

MANILA—Families of victims arrived at a police camp in Taguig City hoping 
for nothing short of a conviction of members of the Ampatuan clan accused of 
masterminding Maguindanao massacre 10 years ago. 

New Aircraft Carrier Enters Service

China commissioned the CNS Shandong — its second aircraft carrier and the first such ship wholly designed and built domestically — on Tuesday afternoon at a naval base in Sanya, Hainan province.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR TREASON 

A Special Court in Pakistan on Tuesday awarded death sentence to the former 
military dictator, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, for committing high treason. 

OPPOSITION AT PRESIDENT'S DOOR 

Amid protests against the new citizenship law, leaders of 12 Opposition 
parties led by Congress president Sonia Gandhi met President Ram Nath Kovind 
Tuesday and requested him to intervene and advise the government to 
immediately repeal the Act. 

XI PRAISES LAM'S COURAGE, LEADERSHIP

President Xi Jinping said on Monday the central government fully acknowledges the courage and sense of mission that Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuetngor, has demonstrated during this special period for the region.

XI VOWS SUPPORT FOR LAM DESPITE SETBACKS 

Chinese President Xi Jinping offered his support for Hong Kong leader Carrie 
Lam on Monday, praising her courage in governing the Chinese-ruled hub in 
these "most difficult times" after months of often violent anti-government 
protests. 

'EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE' AS MANILA WATER, MAYNILAD RENEGOTIATE CONTRACTS: REGULATOR 

MANILA — "Everything is possible" as Manila Water Co and Maynilad Water 
Services Inc renegotiate their concession agreements with government, the 
chief water regulator said Tuesday. 

LEVIES ON CERTAIN US IMPORTS SUSPENDED

China suspended extra tariffs on certain products from the United States that had been scheduled on Sunday — a part of the two countries' broader move to scale back tariffs after agreeing on the text of a phase one trade deal.

LONGEST UN CLIMATE TALKS END WITH NO DEAL ON CARBON MARKETS 

Marathon international climate talks ended Sunday with negotiators 
postponing until next year a key decision on how to regulate global carbon 
markets. 

HOUSE PANEL EYES CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY IN JANUARY 

MANILA — The House of Representatives may convene as a constituent assembly 
(con-ass) next month to consider four Charter change (Cha-cha) proposals 
endorsed by its committee on constitutional amendments. 

CHINA SUSPENDS PLANNED ADDITIONAL TARIFFS ON SOME US PRODUCTS

China suspended the planned additional tariffs on some US products to be implemented at 12:01 pm on Dec 15 (Beijing Time), the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Sunday.

MADRID CLIMATE TALKS HEADED FOR BREAKDOWN AS COUNTRIES REJECT DRAFT 

Newer and deeper divides appeared in the positions of countries in the final 
hours of the Madrid climate talks, which were left facing an extremely 
uncertain outcome on Saturday evening. 

JUSTICE SECRETARY: CONSTITUTION ALLOWS DUTERTE TO 'TEMPORARILY TAKE OVER'  WATER CONCESSIONAIRES 

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte is authorized under the Constitution to 
"temporarily take over" privately-owned utilities, Justice Sec. Menardo 
Guevarra said Saturday, a day after the Chief Executive warned of a military 
takeover of Metro Manila's water distribution companies. 

BORIS JOHNSON WINS HUGE MAJORITY ON PROMISE TO 'GET BREXIT DONE' 

Britain's prime minister, Boris Johnson, secured a crushing victory in the 
UK's general election as voters backed his promise to "get Brexit done" and 
take the country out of the European Union by 31 January next year. 

BORIS JOHNSON WINS HUGE MAJORITY ON PROMISE TO 'GET BREXIT DONE' 

Britain's prime minister, Boris Johnson, secured a crushing victory in the 
UK's general election as voters backed his promise to "get Brexit done" and 
take the country out of the European Union by 31 January next year. 

DUTERTE THREATENS MILITARY TAKEOVER OF WATER FIRMS 

MANILA — President Duterte has threatened to send the military to take over 
the operations of the country’s water firms if they fail to shape up. 

ECONOMIC STABILITY FOCUS FOR 2020

The country will focus on economic stability in 2020, maintaining its proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy to ensure high-quality growth, a statement issued after the annual Central Economic Work Conference said on Thursday.

WHILE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, HOUSE PANEL OKS CHARTER CHANGE 

MANILA - After the House of Representatives approved the 2020 national 
budget on Wednesday, members of the chamber’s Committee on Constitutional 
Amendments voted to approve 4 proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution for 
the consideration of full House. 

U.K. ELECTION 2019: EXIT POLL FORECASTS A LANDSLIDE FOR CONSERVATIVES 

U.K. General Election 2019 exit poll suggests Boris Johnson's Conservatives 
likely to win majority of seats in Parliament. 

DIVERSITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS MODEL URGED

Human rights representatives from developing countries expressed strong opposition to moves that politicize human rights issues or that smack of double standards, and they called for a more just and reasonable global human rights governance system.

BORIS SEEKS BREXIT WIN AS U.K. VOTES TODAY

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on course to win Thursday's
election though the race has tightened markedly and he can no longer be sure
of a majority, according to opinion polls published on the eve of the vote.

SENATE, HOUSE RATIFY 2020 NATIONAL BUDGET, UP FOR DUTERTE SIGNATURE

MANILA -- The Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified
the P4.1 trillion national budget for 2020, which will be up for President
Rodrigo Duterte's signature.

RAJYA SABHA PASSES CITIZENSHIP AMENDMENT BILL AMID VIOLENT PROTESTS IN N-E

The Rajya Sabha passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Wednesday, choosing
not to send the contentious Bill to a select panel for review.

NATION'S WISDOM PROMOTES HUMAN RIGHTS CAUSE

President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind offers Chinese wisdom and solutions in promoting fairer and more reasonable global human rights governance, experts said.

U.S., SAUDI AT BOTTOM OF CLIMATE CLASS: REPORT 

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are among major polluters showing "hardly any 
signs" of reducing their greenhouse gas production, a global assessment of 
countries' emissions trajectories said on Tuesday at United Nations climate 
talks. 

MANILA WATER, MAYNILAD DROP P10.8-B COMPENSATION CLAIMS, RATE HIKES 

MANILA - Manila Water and Maynilad said Tuesday they would no longer ask the 
government to pay a total of P10.8 billion in compensation awarded to them 
by a Singapore-based court. 

XI: SOUND TIES BETWEEN CHINA, EU BRING STABILITY

Developing a sound relationship between China and the European Union — with both being champions of multilateralism and free trade — not only conforms to their common interests, but will also bring more stability, certainty and positive energy to the world, President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

WADA LOSES PATIENCE, BANS RUSSIA FOR 4 YEARS FOR DOCTORING DOPE TESTS;

Russia was yesterday banned from the world's top sporting events for four
years, including the next summer and winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer
World Cup, for tampering with doping tests. 

DUTERTE: CONCESSION AGREEMENTS WITH WATER FIRMS ARE 'ECONOMIC PLUNDER'

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said that he will not
compromise with Maynilad and Manila Water until he talks to the people
behind the controversial 1997 water concession agreements.

EXPERTS SAY LOWER GDP NO PROBLEM

Chinese policymakers will likely be more flexible when setting next year's growth target, showing greater tolerance for slower growth in exchange for policy leeway to carry out longer-term reform objectives that are crucial to the country's high-quality development, analysts said on Sunday.

TRUMP WARNS KIM HAS 'EVERYTHING' TO LOSE THROUGH HOSTILITY 

President Donald Trump warned Sunday that North Korea's Kim Jong Un had 
"everything" to lose through hostility towards the United States, after 
Pyongyang said it had carried out a major new weapons test. 

PALACE DISPUTES CLAIMS OF DUTERTE ARREST AFTER ICC PROBE: WHO WILL ENFORCE 
IT? 

MANILA — Malacañang yesterday disputed claims that President Duterte could 
be arrested after the International Criminal Court (ICC) finishes its 
preliminary examination on the deaths tied to his war on illegal drugs. 

NORTH KOREA SAYS IT CARRIED OUT 'VERY IMPORTANT TEST' 

North Korea has carried out a "very significant" test at its Sohae satellite 
launch site, state media KCNA reported on Sunday, a rocket testing ground 
that U.S. officials one said North Korea had promised to close. 

HONG KONG POLICE COMMISSIONER WATCHES FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY IN BEIJING

Tang Ping-keung, the new commissioner of police of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), led a delegation of the Hong Kong Police Force to watch the flag-raising ceremony in Beijing on Saturday morning.

PALACE: ‘PRETENDED NATIONALISM’ BEHIND CASE VS XI 

MANILA — By insisting on pursuing their case of crime against humanity 
against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court 
(ICC), two former officials were apparently trying to advance their 
“pretended nationalism” for media mileage, Malacañang said yesterday. 

PARTY CALLS FOR EFFORTS ON REFORM

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee called on Friday for solid efforts to deepen reform and expand opening-up, amid tensions in the external environment, to ensure that the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects will be attained next year.

FOUR, INCLUDING SHOOTER, DEAD AFTER HE OPENS FIRE AT US NAVY BASE 

A shooter opened fire in a classroom building at the Naval Air Station in 
Pensacola on Friday morning in an attack that left four people dead, 
including the assailant, and multiple people wounded. 

OSG TO CONTEST P7.3 BILLION AWARD TO MANILA WATER 

MANILA — The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has slammed Manila Water 
for citing an international court ruling that orders the government to pay 
over P7 billion that the company reportedly lost after the government 
slashed water tariffs. 

HUAWEI ASKS US COURT TO OVERTURN BAN

The legal battle between Huawei Technologies Co and the United States government intensified on Thursday. The Chinese tech heavyweight announced a legal challenge to the US Federal Communications Commission, seeking to overturn the latter's order that bans telecom carriers from buying the company's equipment via federal subsidies.

LET'S ASSESS FAILURE OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IN ACTING ON CLIMATE, SAYS INDIA 

Amidst growing urgency over the need for enhanced actions on climate change, 
India, China, Brazil and some other developing countries have sought an 
assessment of the failures of developed countries to fulfil their climate 
obligations in the pre-2020 period. 

ICC PROSECUTOR JUNKS COMPLAINT VS XI JINPING ON WEST PHILIPPINE SEA DISPUTE 

MANILA - The International Criminal Court's (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor 
has junked the communication filed by 2 former government officials and 
Filipino fishermen against Chinese President Xi Jinping over alleged 
destruction of natural resources in the West Philippine Sea. 

FOREIGN 'ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE' CONDEMNED

China expressed strong anger and condemnation on Wednesday after the United States House of Representatives passed a bill in the name of protecting human rights in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

NATO LEADERS CAUGHT ON CAMERA 'MOCKING' DONALD TRUMP 

The leaders of Britain, Canada, France and the Netherlands have been caught 
on camera at a Buckingham Palace reception mocking US President Donald 
Trump's lengthy media appearances ahead of Wednesday's NATO summit.

INFLATION CREEPS UP IN NOVEMBER, STAYS BELOW TARGET 

MANILA -- Inflation picked up for the first time in 6 months in November 
while staying below the government's target, strengthening the view that the 
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas can keep interest rates steady for the rest of 
the year. 

XI REAFFIRMS SIGNIFICANCE OF MULTILATERALISM

President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's resolute stance on upholding multilateralism and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind on Tuesday as he met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with foreign representatives who attended the 2019 Imperial Springs International Forum.

TURKEY THREATENS TO BLOCK NATO PLAN ON SUMMIT EVE 

Turkey will oppose a NATO plan to defend Baltic countries unless the 
alliance backs it in recognising a Kurdish militia as a terrorist group, 
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday ahead of an alliance summit in 
London. 

'MILKED BY BILLIONS': DUTERTE THREATENS ECONOMIC SABOTAGE CASE VS WATER 
DISTRIBUTORS 

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte slammed Tuesday an international court 
order requiring government to pay water concessionaires billions in fines as 
he claimed that Filipinos were being "milked by billions." 

CHINA, RUSSIA LAUNCH GAS PIPELINE

President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin witnessed via video link on Monday the opening ceremony of the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline, a landmark project that will transport natural gas from eastern Siberia through Northeast China to Shanghai.

UN CHIEF GUTERRES WARNS OF 'POINT OF NO RETURN' ON CLIMATE CHANGE 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that the world's 
efforts to stop climate change had been "utterly inadequate" so far and 
there is a danger that global warming could pass the "point of no return". 

DUTERTE APPOINTS 2 APPELLATE COURT JUSTICES TO SUPREME COURT

MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed appellate court justices
Mario Lopez and Edgardo Delos Santos to the Supreme Court.
The 2 appointees replace Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza and Senior
Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who retired on Sept. 26 and Oct. 26
respectively.

XI: UPGRADE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has underlined the importance of improving China's emergency management, calling it a crucial element in the country's capacity for governance.

6 EUROPEAN NATIONS JOIN IRAN BARTER SYSTEM

Paris, London and Berlin on Saturday welcomed six new European countries to
the INSTEX barter mechanism, which is designed to circumvent U.S. sanctions
against trade with Iran by avoiding use of the dollar.

ROBREDO TO DUTERTE: FOCUS ON PROBLEMS, NOT 2022 POLLS

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday dismissed President Duterte’s
latest pronouncement that she should not seek the presidency in 2022.

FIRST SNOWFALL OF YEAR DESCENDS ON BEIJING, TEMPERATURES DROP

The season's most wide-ranging snowfall swept across North China on Friday with heavy winds and lower temperatures affecting large parts of the country, including Beijing.

ARE YOU ‘BRAIN-DEAD’: TURKEY’S ERDOGAN RAPS MACRON BEFORE NATO SUMMIT

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Emmanuel Macron’s
warning that NATO was dying reflects a “sick and shallow” understanding,
telling the French president “you should check whether you are brain dead”.

DUTERTE, PACQUIAO OPEN SEA GAMES IN PHILIPPINES AS TYPHOON NEARS

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte and boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao threw
open the doors to the Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines on Saturday
as a powerful typhoon took aim at the nation's north and the competition's
core venues.

PARTY LEADERSHIP OVER SOES URGED

An important meeting chaired by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Friday stressed the need to bolster the Party's leadership over State-owned enterprises and make the State-owned sector more competitive and influential.

US, TALIBAN RESUME TALKS

The US and Afghan Taliban have resumed peace talks, President Donald Trump
has revealed as he made his first visit to the war-torn country on an
unannounced trip to meet American soldiers for the Thanksgiving holiday.

FLAGS RAISED FOR 30TH SEAG

MANILA — Unity was demostrated as 11 Southeast Asian countries led by host
the Philippines formally raised their flags yesterday in a modest ceremony
at the Athletes Village plaza at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, on the
eve of the formal SEA Games opening rites.

XI CALLS FOR JUST RESOLUTION OF PALESTINIAN ISSUE

President Xi Jinping called on Wednesday for a comprehensive and just resolution of the Palestinian issue, saying it is at the core of the Middle East issue.

DUTERTE SEES 'NO PROBLEM' IN REPORTED CHINESE CONTROL OF POWER GRID

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte does not see the stake of China's State
Grid Corporation in the Philippine power grid as a threat to national
security.

PRESIDENT HAILS RELATIONS WITH SURINAME

China would like to make efforts with Suriname to jointly build the Belt and Road to promote bilateral ties to a higher level, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

LANKAN LEGEND SPINS HIS WAY TO GOVERNOR'S POST

Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan is set to play a different
innings as governor of the country's Tamil-dominated Northern Province after
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa "personally invited" him to accept the post, a
media report said on Wednesday.

BETTER RESOURCE ALLOCATION URGED AT KEY MEETING

A key meeting presided over by President Xi Jinping on Tuesday highlighted the importance of enabling the market to better allocate resources and removing institutional barriers hindering the free flow of production factors.

TRUMP INVITED TO ATTEND IMPEACHMENT HEARING OR 'STOP COMPLAINING'

Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,
said Mr Trump could either attend or "stop complaining about the process".

FRONT PAGE NEWS 


PALACE: DUTERTE ‘NOT PLEASED’ WITH SEA GAMES HOSTING 

MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte is "not pleased" to hear about numerous 
complaints linked to the Philippines' hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian 
Games, his spokesman said Tuesday. 

SINO-RUSSIAN TIES BUILD STRONGER SYNERGY

The forceful strategic support that China and Russia lend to each other has major strategic value in safeguarding world peace and development, President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

SRI LANKA WON'T DO ANYTHING THAT WILL HARM INDIA'S INTERESTS: GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA

Days ahead of his first State visit abroad, to New Delhi, Sri Lanka's
newly-elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said his government will not
do anything that would threaten India's security.

PHILIPPINES, SOUTH KOREA BOOST BLOOD BROTHER TIES

BUSAN – President Duterte yesterday invited South Korean President Moon
Jae-in to visit the Philippines next year to witness the signing of a
proposed free trade deal as he vowed to further strengthen ties with Seoul,
which he described as Manila’s “blood brother.”

XI UNDERLINES ROLE OF INTERACTIONS IN SINO-JAPAN TIES

President Xi Jinping on Monday underlined the importance of promoting people-to-people exchanges to support the development of China-Japan relationship in the new era.

US URGES SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO BLOCK IRAN OFFICIALS

The US State Department on Saturday called on Facebook, Instagram and
Twitter to suspend the accounts of Iranian government leaders until Tehran
re-establishes internet coverage throughout the riot-torn country.

DUTERTE FIRES ROBREDO FROM ANTI-DRUG BODY A DAY AFTER APOLOGIZING TO HER

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has fired Vice President Leni Robredo
from her post as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal
Drugs (ICAD), Malacañang confirmed on Sunday.

HONG KONG RESIDENTS, SAVE YOUR HOME BY CASTING VOTES!

Sunday marks District Council elections for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with 1,090 candidates running for 452 seats in 18 districts.

DUTERTE 'SORRY' TO ROBREDO FOR BELIEVING 'FAKE NEWS' THAT SHE INVITED UN PROBERS

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday apologized to Vice President
Leni Robredo for assuming that she had invited United Nations probers to
look into his drug war as co-chair of the administration's anti-narcotics
body.

HONG KONG PROTESTERS HOPE POLL WILL SEND MESSAGE TO CHINA

Pro-democracy protest groups in Hong Kong are urging people not to disrupt
Sunday's local elections in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

DUTERTE SAYS 'MISUNDERSTOOD' ON SUSPENSION OF RICE IMPORTATION

MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte claimed Friday that he was misunderstood
on his earlier order to halt rice importation.

XI CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO INNOVATE

China would like to promote innovation cooperation with all countries, including the United States, to bring more benefits to the people of all nations, President Xi Jinping said Friday.

SHARE INDIA’S CONCERNS OVER PROJECTS THAT DON’T HAVE ECONOMIC BASIS: US ON CHINA’S OBOR

Echoing India’s concerns on China’s One Belt One Road initiative, US
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia
Alice Wells said the United States shares India’s apprehensions over
projects that lead to a country ceding sovereignty.

DUTERTE SAYS 'MISUNDERSTOOD' ON SUSPENSION OF RICE IMPORTATION

MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte claimed Friday that he was misunderstood
on his earlier order to halt rice importation.

LITIGATION TO HELP PUBLIC TO BE WIDENED

Expanding the scope of public interest litigation - as decided by the central leadership at a key meeting last month - will help to uphold and improve the rule of law in the country's governance, legal experts said.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: ISRAEL PM CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION

Israel's attorney general has charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with
bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases.

SHIV SENA, NCP, CONG CLOSE TO ANNOUNCING THE COALITION

The uncertainty over government formation in Maharashtra is set to end
within the next 48 hours with the Congress and NCP reaching an understanding
Thursday on backing a Shiv Sena-led government in the state. 

SHIV SENA, NCP, CONG CLOSE TO ANNOUNCING THE COALITION

The uncertainty over government formation in Maharashtra is set to end
within the next 48 hours with the Congress and NCP reaching an understanding
Thursday on backing a Shiv Sena-led government in the state. The
nitty-gritty of the power-sharing formula could be finalised and announced
before Saturday.

XI HAILS PROJECT HOPE AS EDUCATION PROGRAM MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

President Xi Jinping stressed on Wednesday the importance of efforts to continue to pay attention to and support Project Hope as the public welfare program marks its 30th anniversary.

MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA APPOINTED SRI LANKA PM AFTER RANIL WICKREMESINGHE RESIGNS

Newly-elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Wednesday named his
elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister of the island nation,
news agency AFP reported. 

ROBREDO TO DUTERTE: JUST TELL ME TO LEAVE

Manila — She won’t hesitate to quit her post as chairperson of the
Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) if President Duterte
himself will ask her to leave supposedly for losing his trust, Vice
President Leni Robredo said yesterday.

CHINA OPPOSES PASSAGE OF HK BILL BY US SENATE

China firmly opposes the passage of a Hong Kong-related bill by the United States Senate, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday, urging the US side to stop pushing the bill to become law and stop interfering in China's domestic affairs.

REPUBLICANS TARGET MILITARY WITNESS IN TRUMP IMPEACHMENT PROBE

A US Army officer and key impeachment witness saw his loyalty called into
question by Republicans on Tuesday, as he testified that President Donald
Trump made inappropriate demands on his Ukrainian counterpart for dirt on
rival Democrats.

US STANDS BY DEFENSE TREATY WITH PHILIPPINES

MANILA — The United States remains committed to its Mutual Defense Treaty
with the Philippines and “rejects attempts by any nation to use coercion or
intimidation to advance its national interests at the expense of others,”
visiting US defense chief Mark Esper said yesterday.

CENTRAL GOVT SPOKESPERSON EXPRESSES STRONG CONCERN OVER HK COURT JUDICIAL REVIEW ON MASK BAN

Yang Guang, spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, on Tuesday expressed strong concern over the serious negative social impact of the ruling on the judicial review of the anti-mask regulation by the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

NEDA WANTS POGOS TAXED, ANGARA SAYS

MANILA—The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Monday
opposed the Office of the Solicitor General’s (OSG) opinion that online
casinos or Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) could not be taxed.

NEDA WANTS POGOS TAXED, ANGARA SAYS

MANILA—The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Monday
opposed the Office of the Solicitor General’s (OSG) opinion that online
casinos or Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) could not be taxed.

XI'S VISIT TO GREECE, BRAZIL WIDELY PRAISED

President Xi Jinping arrived in Beijing on Sunday, wrapping up his tour of Greece and Brazil, a significant trip that has been hailed by officials and observers as a major diplomatic success.

GOTABAYA WINS IN PRESIDENTIAL POLL

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, opposition candidate in Sri Lanka's presidential
contest, on Sunday emerged winner securing 52.25 % of the mandate, and
marking the return of the Rajapaksa family to power.

DUTERTE SEEKS ANSWERS ON GOV'T-ISSUED FAULTY FARM EQUIPMENT

MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte said he would ask former Agriculture
Secretary Manny Piñol to explain the reported defective farm equipment
handed out to local farmers.

SRI LANKA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: GOTABHAYA RAJAPAKSA TAKES EARLY LEAD

A family of strongmen who tilted the nation toward a deep reliance on China
took a slim early lead in the early count of Sri Lanka’s presidential
election, against the current government that promises more freedom but
failed to avert terror attacks that killed over 250 people in April.

CHINESE, US CHIEF TRADE NEGOTIATORS HOLD PHONE TALKS

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chief of the Chinese side of the China-US comprehensive economic dialogue, held a phone conversation at the request of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Saturday morning.

DUTERTE TO SACK ROBREDO IF SHE SHARES GOV'T INFO WITH FOREIGN ENTITIES: PALACE

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte will remove Vice President Leni Robredo
as co-chair of government's anti-narcotic drive should she share classified
information with foreign entities, Malacañang said Sunday.

XI TOUTS ROLE OF MULTILATERALISM

President Xi Jinping reiterated the need on Thursday to uphold multilateralism in a globalized world and said international affairs should be addressed through extensive consultations rather than decided by one country or a few.

TRUMP ADVISER STONE FOUND GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS IN RUSSIAN ELECTION INTERFERENCE CASE

A jury convicted U.S. President Donald Trump's adviser Roger Stone on
November 15, finding the long-time Republican operative and self-proclaimed
"dirty trickster" guilty on seven criminal counts of lying to Congress,
obstruction and witness tampering.

DUTERTE'S SPECIAL POWERS ON BBB PUSHED

MANILA - Despite getting a cold reception from Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano,
the proposal to grant special powers to President Duterte to allow him to
speed up his much-touted Build, Build, Build (BBB) infrastructure program is
still very much alive, according to the main proponent.

PRESIDENT BACKS SAR'S HANDLING OF HK RIOTING

As rioting continued in Hong Kong on Thursday, President Xi Jinping voiced the central government's firm support for the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in leading the governance team to administer the city by rule of law. Xi also expressed firm support for the Hong Kong police in strictly enforcing the law and for the judiciary to punish violent criminals in accordance with the law.

CALIFORNIA SCHOOL SHOOTING: SANTA CLARITA ATTACK LEAVES TWO DEAD

A California high school student on his 16th birthday opened fire on campus
on Thursday, killing a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy and wounding
three other teens before shooting himself in the head, officials said.

SPEAKER REJECTS DUTERTE SPECIAL POWERS FOR BBB

MANILA —Saying it was too late in the day, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has
rejected a proposal to give President Duterte special powers to speed up
Build, Build, Build (BBB) flagship projects under his administration.

XI URGES BUSINESS SECTOR'S ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN BRICS COOPERATION

President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on the business circles to actively participate and promote BRICS economic cooperation so as to make tangible contributions to economic growth and job creation.

TRUMP IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY: NEW CLAIMS AMID PUBLIC HEARING

A top US diplomat told impeachment hearings that President Trump directly
asked about a Ukrainian investigation into his Democratic rival Joe Biden.

HOUSE TO VOTE ON SPEAKER

Manila — With President Duterte keeping his hands off the issue, the House
of Representatives will vote on the term-sharing deal between Speaker Alan
Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, a House official said
yesterday.

XI: BRI HELPING CHINESE, GREEK PEOPLE

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative is not an empty slogan but a successful practice and a brilliant reality, President Xi Jinping said during a visit to the Port of Piraeus in Greece on Monday.

VIOLENCE BRINGS HONG KONG TO ‘BRINK OF TOTAL BREAKDOWN’

A flash mob of more than 1,000 protesters descended on central Hong Kong on
Tuesday in a scene authorities said was bringing the Chinese-ruled city to
the brink of "total collapse."

DUTERTE HANDS OFF ON TERM-SHARING DEAL ON SPEAKERSHIP

MANILA — President Duterte will not meddle in the term-sharing agreement
between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco
in the House of Representatives, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said
yesterday.

XI CALLS FOR STRONGER GREECE TIES

China and Greece should work together to construct the Belt and Road and build China-Europe land and maritime routes into key channels for cargo transportation, President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

AUSTRALIAN STATE DECLARES EMERGENCY DUE TO WILDFIRES

Australia's most populous state declared a state of emergency on Monday due
to unprecedented wildfire danger as calls grew for Australia to take more
action to counter climate change.

UN BODY, ROBREDO MEET OVER NEW VP-LED ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN

MANILA—Vice President Leni Robredo sat down Monday with the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as she moved to shift the government’s
bloody drug war to one adopting best practices while avoiding mistakes
committed in other countries.

XI BEGINS STATE VISIT TO GREECE; BRICS SUMMIT IN BRAZIL NEXT

President Xi Jinping called on China and Greece to tap their civilizations for wisdom and build a new type of international relations featuring respect, justice and mutually beneficial cooperation.

24TH WEEKEND OF HONG KONG PROTESTS

Police fired tear gas to break up rallies as black-clad activists blocked
roads and trashed shopping malls across Hong Kong on the 24th straight
weekend of anti-government protests.

ROBREDO ON CABINET MEETINGS: I’LL GO IF I’M INVITED

MANILA—Vice-President Leni Robredo on Sunday said she will only attend
Cabinet meetings if she is invited.

TRUMP TO HOST NATO CHIEF AS ALLIANCE FACES STRAINS

U.S. President Donald Trump will host NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in
Washington at a time of severe strain within the Atlantic alliance, the
White House announced on November 9.

TRUMP TO HOST NATO CHIEF AS ALLIANCE FACES STRAINS

U.S. President Donald Trump will host NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in
Washington at a time of severe strain within the Atlantic alliance, the
White House announced on November 9.

FISHERS QUESTION MANILA BAY RECLAMATION PROJECTS BEFORE DENR

MANILA - A fisherfolk federation has filed an official complaint with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources against three reclamation
projects in Manila Bay.

XI CALLS FOR AIR FORCE TO SOAR

President Xi Jinping urged the People's Liberation Army Air Force on Friday to keep moving toward success and to build itself into a world-class air power.

SECOND PHILIPPINE NAVY FRIGATE LAUNCHED IN SOUTH KOREA

MANILA — The Philippine Navy yesterday launched its second brand-new frigate
at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipbuilding complex in Ulsan, South Korea.

TRUMP SAYS HAS NOT AGREED TO ROLL BACK TARIFFS ON CHINESE GOODS

President Donald Trump on Friday said he has not agreed to rollbacks of U.S.
tariffs sought by China, sparking fresh doubts about when the world's two
largest economies may end a 16-month trade war that has slowed global
growth.

XI TO VISIT GREECE, ATTEND BRICS SUMMIT

President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Greece and his participation in the BRICS Summit in Brazil will represent China's strong support, along with the bloc's four other member nations, for maintaining multilateralism and promoting the building of an open global economy, senior diplomats said on Thursday.

FRANCE PRESIDENT SAYS NATO SUFFERING ‘BRAIN DEATH’, QUESTIONS US COMMITMENT

French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with British weekly The
Economist, warned fellow European countries that they could no longer rely
on the United States to defend North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
allies.

SOVEREIGN RIGHTS PROTECTED IN MOU WITH CHINA, SAYS CARPIO

MANILA - Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio believes China will
comply with the arbitral ruling in the South China Sea with the Memorandum
of Understanding it signed with the Philippines on joint oil and gas
exploration.