News Update
As of August 30, 2017 (Wednesday)
1. Manila Bulletin
UN holds emergency meeting on N. Korea’s latest missile launch
North Korea fired a missile that flew over Japan and landed in waters off the northern region of Hokkaido early on Tuesday, South Korean and Japanese officials said, marking a sharp escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday that he and US President Donald Trump agreed to hike pressure on North Korea.
The UN Security Council was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting Tuesday afternoon over North Korea’s latest missile launch at the request of Japan and the United States, diplomats said.
http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/29/un-holds-emergency-meeting-on-n-koreas-latest-missile-launch/
2. Philippine Star
Australia offers to train Philippine troops in IS fight
Australia yesterday offered to help train Philippine troops to tackle Islamic militants terrorizing parts of the country as it calls the threat “deeply concerning.” Philippine forces have been fighting militants in Marawi City for almost 100 days. But the gunmen, flying the Islamic State (IS) group’s black flag, have defied military assaults, including airstrikes and artillery barrages.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she recently spoke to President Duterte, who wanted to bolster resources for his armed forces. “We would be ready to support the Philippines in the same way we are supporting Iraq in advising, assisting and training,” she said.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/08/30/1734133/australia-offers-train-philippine-troops-fight 3. Daily Inquirer
AFP: Terrorist leaders in 500-square-meter pocket in Marawi Gen. Eduardo Año, AFP chief of staff (Photo by Joseph Vidal)
Brothers Omarkhayam and Abdullah Maute, along with Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, the “emir” of their Islamic State-inspired terrorist group, are trapped in a 500-square-meter pocket of Marawi as government forces prepare for a final assault that will end the three-month siege of the city, Gen. Eduardo Año, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said on Tuesday.
“Our main goal is no way out, no way in for them … They said they wanted to go to heaven. So we will give them the chance to go to heaven,” Año told reporters
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/926319/10-terror-suspects-killed-in-lake-lanao-battles 4. Manila Times
‘Desperado,’ says Duterte son-in-law on Trillanes claims
THE son-in-law of President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday refuted accusations of his alleged involvement in the
“payola” or “tara” (payoff) system at the Bureau of Customs (BoC). In a statement posted on his Facebook account, lawyer Manases Carpio, husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, hit back at Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, calling him desperate for linking him to smuggling.
http://www.manilatimes.net/desperado-says-duterte-son-law-trillanes-claims/347549/
