It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. – Charles Dickens I am sorry to begin with a cliché. Because sometimes cliches can be true. Particularly on the national front, it is the worst of times. I never, never thought we would be up … Source: Politics

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday, December 31, that government bodies must provide “space for criticism” as he sought to head off days of unrest, but also warned protesters that violence was unacceptable. Hundreds of protesters marched through Tehran and other cities in the 4th day of demonstrations … Source: Politics

MANILA, Philippines – Renaldo Balkman, the star import player who was banned from the Philippine Basketball Association, will be returning to the country as a member of the country’s ASEAN Basketball League team. The news was released on Twitter in the early hours of New Year’s Day by player agent … Source: Politics

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories – The Palestinians said Sunday, December 31, that they are recalling their envoy to the United States for consultations after President Donald Trump’s designation of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Palestinian foreign minister Riad al-Malki decided to recall the Palestine Liberation Organization envoy to Washington Husam … Source: Politics

WASHINGTON, United States – US President Donald Trump tweeted right to the end of the year Sunday, December 31, boasting of his accomplishments in his turbulent first year in office and throwing down the gauntlet for the country’s midterm elections. He highlighted his tax cut and a surging stock market in … Source: Politics

MANILA, Philippines – Firefighters put out a 4th alarm fire in Katarungan Street in Caniogan, Pasig moving into the new year. Fire reporting service TXTFire reported the fire was at its second alarm at around 11:14 pm of Sunday, December 31. {source} <blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Sunog sa Pasig City.<br><br>If … Source: Politics

BANGUI, Central African Republic – Hundreds of people in north-east Central African Republic have fled their villages following fresh violence between armed groups, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Sunday, December 31.  Villagers fled gunfire and machete attacks to arrive in the small town of Paoua, where some 11,000 people have already … Source: Politics

MANILA, Philippines – Both men were left bloodied and swollen but it was Japan’s Ryoichi Taguchi who had his hand raised after 12 rounds, winning a unanimous decision over Milan Melindo to unify his WBA junior featherweight title with Melindo’s IBF belt, while picking up the vacant Ring magazine lineal championship … Source: Politics

MANILA, Philippines – “We will not be silenced by lies nor intimidated by anyone’s bully pulpit.”  United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Agnes Callamard released this statement following Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s remarks against her two fellow UN experts … Source: Politics

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle’s message on New Year’s Eve is to learn to listen more, and to think carefully before speaking.  In his homily for the New Year’s Eve Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Sunday, December 31, Tagle said that hurtful decisions … Source: Politics