Maniolas

A THAI soldier (left) receives roses from activists to show support for the Thai military at the Army Club in Bangkok on May 23. Thailand’s Army said 155 prominent figures, including ousted government leaders, were banned from leaving the country without permission following a military coup. AFP The Department of Foreign Affairs raised the alert level in Thailand from level 1 (precautionary phase) to level 2 (restriction phase) after martial law was declared in the kingdom on May 20.  A military takeover was announced two days later, after months of clashes between the so-called “Yellow Shirts” or the Democrats and the “Red Shirts” or the supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Alert Level 2 is issued when there are real threats to the life, security and property of Filipinos arising from an internal disturbance or external threat to the host country. Under  this level, Filipinos in the host country are instructed to restrict nonessential movements, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation if necessary. Also restricted is the deployment of newly hired workers, although those who have existing contracts are allowed to return. A curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. has been imposed but private employees or government officials working night shifts in various sectors such as factories, hospitals, airlines and perishable food logistics are exempted. Foreign workers in Thailand, including many Filipinos hope the situation will soon stabilize and there will be no need for evacuation. Many of the Read More …

The DFA released photos Thursday of the Mabini Reef showing China’s reclamation activities on the disputed area. DFA China’s land reclamation on Mabini Reef (Johnson South Reef) in the West Philippine Sea is “jeopardizing” the Philippines’ arbitration case in the United Nations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday. The case the Philippines filed in the UN International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in The Hague, the Netherlands, in January last year seeks clarification on maritime jurisdiction and entitlements in the West Philippine Sea, but China’s creation of an islet there could potentially expand Beijing’s territorial sea in waters clearly within Manila’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone, DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said. He said the Philippines raised that concern with China in its April 4 protest against Beijing’s reclamation of land on Mabini Reef that could be used to build an airstrip or a military base. “That we are protesting, that’s in violation of [the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea] and  is jeopardizing the case because what they are doing will change the nature and character of that feature, which will somehow have an implication on the panel that was constituted to decide objectively in this case,” Jose said. The declaration of conduct is a nonaggression pact that China signed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2002 to prevent territorial claims in the South China Sea from erupting into conflict. China claims almost the whole 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Read More …

An Afghan policeman prevents journalists from approaching Cure International Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, April 24, 2014. The U.S. embassy in Afghanistan says three American doctors have been killed at by an Afghan security guard who opened fire at a hospital in Kabul. The shooting at Cure International Hospital in western Kabul was the latest attack on foreign civilians in the Afghan capital this year. AP/Massoud Hossaini KABUL, Afghanistan — It was midmorning at Cure International Hospital in Kabul when Dr. Jerry Umanos took a phone call. He told co-workers he had to meet some guests at the front gate and would be right back. Minutes later, Umanos and two of his American guests were dead, gunned down by an Afghan police security guard. Another American was wounded. A day after Thursday’s attack at the hospital run by a U.S.-based Christian charity, those colleagues were mourning the pediatrician known as “Dr. Jerry” who treated children and helped train Afghan medical workers. The identities of the Americans gunned down beside Umanos have not been released, and other details of the latest attack on foreigners in Kabul, such as the motive of the gunman, remain unclear. Two of the dead visitors were described only as a father and son. Thursday began at the hospital like most other days, with the 57-year-old Chicago pediatrician talking with Afghan doctors and checking on the progress of the 30-40 children who are patients, according to Dr. Noor Ahmad, a physician at Cure. Umanos had been working Read More …

By Julliane Love de JesusINQUIRER.net 2:09 pm | Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014 Alexander Richardson and Josephine Austria. Photo from http://www.wfla.com MANILA, Philippines–A 51-year-old Filipina nurse was shot dead by her American live-in partner in the middle of a party at their Clearwater City, Florida residence. In a report by ABC action news, Josephine Austria was killed by her ‎24-year-old boyfriend, Alexander Richardson, around 1 a.m. on Sunday (Monday in Manila). The report said that Austria, Richardson‎ and several guests were at the couple’s house at 2300 block of Hillcreek Circle East for a birthday party. Then Richardson shot Austria. Austria was rushed to hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. “At some point that morning, Richardson went down to a gas station on McMullen Booth Road to tell someone that he had shot his girlfriend,” the report said. Richardson is currently under the custody of the authorities charged with second-degree murder. “‎Police are still working to get more information on what led to Austria’s death,” it added. RELATED STORIES Filipina killed in California hit-and-run Filipina murder suspect indicted in Las Vegas 3 Filipinas killed in Malaysia car crash   Follow Us Other Stories: Visa-free US trip? Do not believe it, says consulate Chinese woman found dead in Batangas Filipino security guard shoots British boss in Cebu PH must be ‘truly independent’ to stand up to China—Bayan Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your Read More …