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Ukrainian service members walk in the industrial area of the city of Sievierodonetsk, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, Ukraine June 20, 2022. (REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak/File Photo) KYIV/POKROVSK, Ukraine — Russian forces have fully occupied Sievierodonetsk, the mayor of the eastern Ukrainian city said on Saturday, confirming Kyiv’s biggest battlefield setback for more than a month, after weeks of some of the war’s bloodiest fighting. Ukraine called its retreat from the city a “tactical withdrawal” to fight from higher ground in Lysychansk on the opposite bank of the Siverskyi Donets river. Pro-Russian separatists said Moscow’s forces were now attacking Lysychansk. The fall of Sievierodonetsk — once home to more than 100,000 people, now a wasteland — was Russia’s biggest victory since capturing the port of Mariupol last month. It transforms the battlefield in the east after weeks in which Moscow’s huge advantage in firepower had yielded only slow gains. Russia will … [Read more...] about Ukrainian city falls to Russia in one of war’s bloodiest fights

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's leftist president-elect Gustavo Petro named long-time politician and peace envoy Alvaro Leyva as the first member of his future cabinet on Saturday, ahead of Petro's August inauguration. Leyva, 79, is well-known for his decades of work under presidents from several parties to bring various armed groups, including the M-19 rebels, of which Petro was a member as a young man, to the negotiating table. He participated in talks that led to a 2016 peace deal with the FARC rebels. "Alvaro Leyva Duran will be our minister of foreign relations. He will be a foreign minister of peace," Petro tweeted early on Saturday. "Colombia will contribute to the world all its efforts to overcome the climate crisis and from the world we expect every effort to overcome our endemic violence." Petro has said he wants to shift Colombia's foreign policy relationships away from the war on drugs and toward the battle against climate change, which will mark a significant sea … [Read more...] about Colombia president-elect Petro names peace envoy as foreign minister

HARARE, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean government health workers on Saturday called off their one-week strike over better pay, citing the need to prevent further unnecessary loss of life. "The leaders of the Health Associations after considering the plight of the public, have resolved to temporarily adjourn the industrial action and request the healthcare workers to resume service. This has been done to prevent any further loss of life," the Zimbabwe Health Apex Council said in a statement. The Council said it hoped the government will address their grievances within 14 days, failure of which the employees will go on industrial action without notice. "We have taken this decision in good faith, that the employer will engage with us. We believe that the 'ball' is now in the employer's court," the Council added. The government health workers - from doctors and nurses to the lowest-ranked employees - went on strike Monday citing incapacitation to continue reporting for work due to … [Read more...] about Zimbabwean gov’t health workers call off strike

PARIS (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Saturday she is backing a parliamentary bill to add abortion rights to the country's constitution. The move comes after the United States Supreme Court's decision on Friday to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling which recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion and legalized it nationwide. "For all women, for human rights, we must engrave this acquired right in stone," Borne wrote on Twitter. "The Parliament must be able to rally very strongly around this bill." Her comment came a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said abortion was a "fundamental right for all women." The issue is being thrust onto the French political stage at a time when the country is grappling with the challenge of a highly fragmented parliament. Aurore Berge, leader of the Renaissance party in the National Assembly, said the party would draft a law proposal to add abortion rights to the French constitution. … [Read more...] about French PM Borne backs enshrining abortion rights in constitution

DREAMGATEWAY Exterior design of SMC’s P740-billion New Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan, the single most expensive infrastructure project in Philippine history. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Ramon S. Ang is never out of new ideas, especially when it comes to expanding the business and economic footprint of one of the country’s largest conglomerates, which he heads. When we sat down for an interview recently, however, the president and CEO of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) seemed more focused than usual on one particular project—one mega project which, by his own admission, will only start making money two decades after its completion. At a total projected cost of P740 billion ($13.5 billion)—to be financed solely by the company without a single centavo of funding from the government—the new Manila International Airport in Bulakan, Bulacan, is the most expensive infrastructure undertaking in the country’s history whether by a public or private entity. “This is a legacy project … [Read more...] about World-class ‘aerocity’ rising

Kai Sotto is looking out for other pathways to the NBA. —ADELAIDE 36ERS PHOTO Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone is hesitant to apply a hackneyed hoop label on NBA hopeful Kai Sotto. “He’s got unique skills,” Cone, who is headed to the NBA Summer League to join the Miami Heat coaching staff, said late Friday night after his team’s 75-72 squeaker over San Miguel Beer that catapulted the Gin Kings to the top of the standings. “He’s if I may say—I won’t call him a unicorn, because that’s kind of reserved for [Washington big man Kristaps] Porzingis and now [Oklahoma City draftee] Chet Holmgren—but I’ll call him a baby unicorn. He’s still developing his skills. He’s got a shot [to make the NBA]. There’s no doubt,” Cone added. But to earn that shot, Sotto needs to be visible. “I think the next step for him is to get to a Summer League team and get playing time and showcase his skills,” Cone said. “Someone’s going to find him. If you’re that good, they’ll find you in the NBA. You … [Read more...] about Tim Cone says Summer League best Plan B for Kai Sotto after NBA Draft snub

Nichol Pareja and Jonel Carcueva emerged victorious after Friday’s grueling men’s road race of the PhilCycling National Championships that finished in Tagaytay City. Pareja ditched the peloton in a lung-busting 400-meter climb in Agoncillo, before widening the gap at the ascending Sungay Road separating Tagaytay from Talisay City, Batangas, to rule the Elite class of the race. Carcueva, meanwhile, finished first among all the Under-23 riders. “When I saw the opportunity, I didn’t let it slip away,” said Pareja, riding for 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines, after arriving at Tagaytay’s Praying Hands Monument—where the race also started—in three hours, 19 minutes and 54 seconds. Marcelo Felipe, Pareja’s teammate, wheeled in 14 seconds later for the silver. Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance’s Jhon Mark Camingao crossed the finish a split second behind a tad behind Felipe to complete the podium. Carcueva, riding for Scratch It!, finished fifth overall in the race to rule the Under … [Read more...] about Pareja, Carcueva road kings

On target for the second straight day, Juvic Pagunsan rattled off an eagle and seven birdies in shooting an eight-under-par 64 at the Legends course that widened his individual lead while leading his team to the title on Saturday, in the Manila Southwoods Pro-Am in Carmona, Cavite. Counting a 64 in the opening round on Friday at the Masters, Pagunsan will take a 128 aggregate into the final round where the pros tackle the more difficult of the two Jack Nicklaus-created gems, holding a seven-shot lead over amateur Carl Corpuz and eight ahead of Justin Quiban. Corpuz, the Southwoods team mainstay, is playing the same conditions as the pros and fired a 65, while Quiban assembled a 67. Pagunsan had an eagle for the second consecutive round, this time canning a chip from just off of the par-5 eighth green for a 32-32 effort that boosted his team made up of outgoing Senate president Tito Sotto, brother Maru and Bing Lapus to another 61 and a four-stroke win over the Jonel Ababa-led … [Read more...] about With another 64, Juvic leads team to victory

Blackwater rookie Ato Ular during a game against Terrafirma in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup. PBA IMAGES Blackwater pummeled Terrafirma, 107-70, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday night, for its the biggest winning margin in franchise history and its first win streak in a long while. Rookie Ato Ular put up 16 points and five rebounds to lead a balanced attack at Ynares Center in Antipolo City and helping Blackwater to a 3-1 start, the club’s finest in the all-Filipino conference. “I think everybody just bought in,” coach Ariel Vanguardia said after the contest. JVee Casio finished with 14 points while Yousef Taha added 12 points and 14 rebounds. Mark Dyke, Barkley Eboña and James Sena all added 11 each in a morale-boosting victory for a club that has long been regarded as the whipping boys of the league. “We’re having fun because the guys like playing with each other,” said Vanguardia.“Still, there’s a lot of room for improvement. We have to figure out how to play against … [Read more...] about Bossing rip Dyip as rookie Ular shines

Princess Bello steps up for Arellano U —photo courtesy of NCAA In scoring its fourth win, three-time defending champion Arellano on Saturday leaned on a veteran who didn’t get to experience its dynasty. Princess Belo, who debuted in the discontinued season two years ago, unloaded 23 points to power Arellano over Jose Rizal, 25-18, 19-25, 25-18, 25-19, in the NCAA Season 97 women’s volleyball tournament at Paco Arena in Manila. It was a career-high output for the open spiker who led the Lady Chiefs to a 4-1 record and enabled them to close in on the unbeaten St. Benilde Lady Blazers.Charmina Diño and Trina Abay contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively for Arellano, which accumulated for 52 attack points against JRU’s 41. Arellano coach Obet Javier gave credit to the way JRU played, which he described as “8 out of 10.” “If we didn’t make the right adjustment, maybe we would still be playing until now,” said Javier. “Their (Lady Bombers) middles were very good, we almost … [Read more...] about Bello sparks Lady Chiefs win over tough Lady Bombers