Iraq's heritage battered by desert sun, rain and state apathy
One of the world's oldest churches is crumbling deep in Iraq's desert, another victim of years of conflict, government negligence and climate change in a country with a rich heritage. | via @AFP
@AFP After Pope Francis made a historic visit to Iraq in March, many Iraqis hoped that busloads of tourists would flock to Al Aqiser church southwest of the capital Baghdad. | via @AFP
@AFP But in a country that has been battered by consecutive conflicts and economic crises, the church— like Iraq's numerous Christian, Islamic and Mesopotamian relics — has been left to weather away. | via @AFP
@AFP All that remains of Al Aqiser, which has stood in Ain Tamr for more than 1,500 years, are crumbling brick and red earthen walls. | via @AFP
@AFP Archaeologist Zahd Muhammad blamed this on "climate conditions, the fact that under Saddam Hussein the area was transformed into a military firing range and the lack of regular conservation." | via @AFP
@AFP Ain Tamr mayor Raed Fadhel said upkeep is a question of budget.
"Such maintenance requires an enormous amount of money, but we only get meagre funds" from the federal government, he said. | via @AFP
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In a DZMM interview, Carlo Montehermozo, the Pangasinan fisherman who asked President Duterte during the 2016 campaign debate in Dagupan about the Scarborough Shoal, called Duterte a "joke" of a president. | @mjaysoncayabyab
@mjaysoncayabyab He was sought by DZMM for his reaction to President Duterte's statement that his 2016 campaign promise to ride a jetski to Scarborough Shoal was a joke and that those who had believed him are stupid. | @mjaysoncayabyab
@mjaysoncayabyab "Eh ang alam nami sir kaming mangingisda, matutulungan sa sinabi ko sa kaniya. Yun pala joke lang pala sinabi niya don. Kaming mangingisda dito, masama loob namin. Joke joke lang sinabi samen noon," the fisherman in Infanta Pangasinan says. | @mjaysoncayabyab
Hong Kong officials have dropped a plan to mandate foreign domestic workers be vaccinated against the coronavirus, after it was criticized as discriminatory. | @AP
@AP Officials initially proposed the plan after a foreign domestic worker tested positive for a coronavirus variant in April, with an unknown source of infection.
@AP The plan was dropped after officials assessed public health needs, as well as the legal issues that may arise if they made vaccinations mandatory, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said at a regular news briefing Tuesday.
A biker shared his experience on Saturday at Dunkin’ Philippines' first drive-thru branch located along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. (Photos courtesy of Henry Tuason Macasiano)
“The experience was overall good. One, we don’t have to park and lock our bikes outside just to buy inside the shop,” uploader Henry Tuason Macasiano told The Philippine STAR.
"Two, the bike table amenity outside also allowed us to eat conveniently, again without having to leave our bikes. And lastly, the al fresco bike table is much safer these days. The guard/staff also disinfected the table after our use," he added.
During his visit in Cotobato, Duterte inspected 1,000 assorted firearms and ammunition recovered from operations January to May this year. He was accompanied by 6ID Commander MGen. Juvymax Uy. | @xtinamen
@xtinamen Duterte: BIFF and allied terrorists are waging a war against each other, against local government, against the Armed Forces of the Philippines, this cannot go on... | @xtinamen
@xtinamen Duterte said if he gives an order for an all out offensive, it will be bloody, it will be sad. | @xtinamen
@alexisbromero Roque says Duterte admin not deflecting blame on West Philippine Sea issue, claims the Palace is just answering the allegations of critics. | @alexisbromero
@alexisbromero Roque: Nalulungkot kami na patuloy na negatibo ang GDP figures at nagagalak at the same time, from -8 e -4 na po ibig sabihin unti-unti na tayong umaahon. | @alexisbromero
@alexisbromero Roque says President Duterte will visit Cotabato today. In an earlier radio interview, Roque says the President will deliver a message to the BIFF, which seized a market in Maguindanao last weekend. | @alexisbromero