BREAKING: First Pinay Mayor in UK Dies

Mayor Cynthia Barker

Mayor Cynthia Barker

Mayor Cynthia Barker died today, 14 September. Barker was installed as mayor last June in Hertsmere.

She served as town councillor for Elstree and Borehamwood and borough councillor for Potters Bar from May 2015 to May 2019. She was re-elected to Hertsmere to represent the Borehamwood Kenilworth ward in May 2019.

“It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of The Worshipful Hertsmere Mayor Councillor Cynthia Barker following a bout of serious illness,” said Gene Alcantara, brother of Barker, on his Facebook post.

He added: “We will be issuing further information in due course, but may we ask please to respect the family's privacy at this very difficult time. Your prayers for the repose of her soul would however be welcome.”

Barker left behind an only daughter and four grandchildren.

PH-Born Activist to Start As Georgia Legislator in '21

Marvin Lim with mom, Edna

Marvin Lim with mom, Edna

Marvin Lim, who immigrated to Atlanta with his parents when he was 7 years old, is the presumptive District 99 Representative to the Georgia State Legislature this January 2021 (See Inquirer.net for story).

Filipinos Among 400,000 Seafarers Still Stranded By Pandemic

Filipinos are among hundreds of thousands of seafarers worldwide who have been sidelined by the Covid-19 pandemic, confined to their ships and unable to go ashore for leisure, while global travel restrictions have made it difficult for shipping companies to replace crews (See Inquirer.net for story).

PH Considering Australia As Covid Vaccine Source

The Philippines plans to hold talks with Australian biotech giant CSL Ltd and partner University of Queensland, a senior health official said on Monday, as it looks to diversify possible sources for COVID-19 vaccines (See Yahoo News / Reuters for story).

ISIS Could Move to PH -- Defense Experts

Southeast Asian militants fighting under the banner of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, are likely to return to the Philippines to regroup, security analysts said at a conference in Singapore (See Newsweek for story).

PH President Pardons US Marine Killer of Trans Filipina

Joseph Scott Pemberton

Joseph Scott Pemberton

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has pardoned a US Marine in a surprise move that will free him from imprisonment for the 2014 killing of a transgender Filipino woman that sparked anger in the former American colony (See The Guardian for story).

Filipino YouTube Star Lloyd Cafe Cadena Passes Away at 26

Lloyd Cafe Cadena

Lloyd Cafe Cadena

Famed YouTube vlogger Lloyd Cafe Cadena has passed away, according to a post on his official Facebook page on Friday. He was 26. The cause of death was not announced (See Inquirer.net for story).

Groundbreaking Canadian Film Casts 20 Filipinos, Including Lead

Hera Nalam

Hera Nalam

In a groundbreaking venture, a Winnipeg filmmaker took a chance at casting relatively unknown Filipino actors in the first Canadian-made movie with a mostly Filipino cast and a Filipina leading lady (See Inquirer.net for story).