BEIJING, China — Beijing's military on Friday said it had tailed and issued a warning to a US Navy ship near the Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea. Tian accused Washington of being the "creator of security risks in the South China Sea" and the "biggest destroyer" of peace and stability in the area. In a statement, the US Navy confirmed the ship had "asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands". "At the conclusion of the operation, USS Halsey exited the excessive claim and continued operations in the South China Sea," it added. "Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas," the statement said.
Source:Philippine Star
May 10, 2024 19:01 UTC
Climate monitoring and prediction chief Analiza Solis of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that the Philippines recorded its highest, maximum daytime temperature at 40.3 degrees Celsius in Tarlac on April 27 and again on May 6, 2024. Solis clarified that maximum daytime temperature is different from the heat index, with the highest recorded at 53 degrees Celsius. Heat index is measured along with the relative humidity of the atmosphere combined with the possible effect on the human body. Video and Interview by Ezrah Raya
Source:Manila Times
May 10, 2024 01:30 UTC
Enjoy up to 50% off and Buy 1 Get 1 deals for Watsons Club members May 15–19! From May 15 to 19, Watsons is holding its Nationwide Sale with exclusive discounts and deals for all Watsons Club members! Score incredible deals like up to 50% off, buy-1-get-1 offers, and more at over 1,100 Watsons stores nationwide or shop online through the Watsons app and website. Watsons Club Members can shop early and save more! Explore every aisle and corner at your local Watsons store, or browse each category in the Watsons app.
Source:Philippine Star
May 10, 2024 00:50 UTC
Stacy ShiThe interim injunction placed on the protest anthem Glory to Hong Kong does not ban the song itself, but rather behavior associated with it, senior counsel Ronny Tong Ka-wah said. Tong said the decision aims to prohibit actions related to the song, saying that having it on one's computer does not warrant police intervention or imprisonment. Police won't raid a home and imprison someone simply because the song is stored in their computer," he said. Tong is confident these organizations will eventually, as they have declared their intention to comply with local laws and court judgments. He said internet service providers might need more time due to technical issues as the prohibition applies only to Hong Kong, so they only need to ensure the song cannot be downloaded or played here.
Source:The Standard
May 09, 2024 19:13 UTC
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to provide the necessary funding for the goal of Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to plant 100 million coconut trees, according to the Palace on Thursday. Marcos held a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) – Agriculture Sector Group on Wednesday, where they tackled recommendations for bolstering the coconut industry. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Bongbong Marcos wants 100 million coconut trees planted by end-termPSAC Agricultural Sector Group Member Christopher Po of Century Pacific Group said the administration’s massive tree planting program should be expedited. READ: Coconut farmers to get P800M in gov’t aid“This is really a great opportunity to the country. The Palace said the PCA is tasked with creating a roadmap to accelerate the coconut program launch.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 09, 2024 16:47 UTC
Philippine economy grows by 5.7% in Q1 2024Men pull a trolley of agricultural products along a street in Manila on May 9, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The country’s economy grew by 5.7% in the first three months of 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Here are the growth figures for major economic sectors on a quarter-on-quarter basis:Agriculture, forestry, and fishing: -0.3%Industry: 2.6%Services: 1.0%. On April 8, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Monetary Board (MB) retained its target reversed repurchase rate at 6.5%. This has been the MB retained its policy rates since its off-cycle rate hike in October 2023 to mitigate supply-side inflation pressures.
Source:Philippine Star
May 09, 2024 15:32 UTC
Several lawmakers on Thursday shared their thoughts on the survey by OCTA Research that seven out of ten Filipinos want military action and diplomacy in resolving the dispute in the West Philippine Sea. Representatives Jude Acidre of Tingog Partylist, Faustino Dy 5th of Isabela, and Ernesto Dionisio Jr. of Manila said that the survey result was a "good indicator" of the trust enjoyed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in pursuing a diplomatic solution to the sea row. However, Representatives Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, Raoul Manuel of Kabataan, and former Makabayan Bloc Representatives Carlos Zarate and Rafael Mariano opposed military action in the disputed area, saying the government should declare the West Philippine Sea as a "zone of peace." Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Source:Manila Times
May 09, 2024 14:43 UTC
REUTERS/Almaas Masood/ File PhotoAir India's budget carrier subsidiary cancelled 85 flights on Thursday, a day after its operations were severely disrupted by dozens of cabin crew calling in sick at the last minute. The airline was taken over by Indian conglomerate Tata Group in 2022 after a government effort to privatise the heavily indebted carrier. Media reports linked the sudden mass sick leave to simmering staff discontent over new policies on hiring and promotion imposed by its new ownership. "This act is certainly not representative of the 2,000-odd cabin crew colleagues in the company who continue to respond to the call of duty." An Air India Express spokesperson said Thursday that the airline taken "appropriate steps against certain individuals", but did not provide further details.
Source:The Standard
May 09, 2024 12:50 UTC
Agricultural reels from El Niño; Q1 farm output flatMANILA, Philippines — The value of local agriculture and fisheries output in the first quarter remained relatively flat as subsectors reeled from the El Niño phenomenon, with poultry being the lone subsector posting higher production. Fisheries output slipped by 1.3 percent to P53.73 billion from P54.42 billion. “The impact of reduced rainfall and hotter temperatures was evident in lower crops and fisheries production in the first quarter,” Tiu Laurel added. De Mesa said the Department of Agriculture (DA) remains keen on achieving an agriculture and fisheries output growth of about one percent and two percent this year. Fausto added that agriculture output for this year would grow by about one percent.
Source:Philippine Star
May 09, 2024 11:48 UTC
A man is set to appear at West Kowloon court on Friday after being found to have attempted to smuggle HK$9.4 million worth of ketamine in metal filters of an air purifier on Wednesday afternoon. In the unit, they found 1.8 kilograms of suspected ketamine on the floor, one cylinder-shaped metal filter that was cut open, and a batch of cutting and packing tools. In addition, officers were also able to find a large air purifier with 11 metal filters inside. During a later inspection, an additional 19.8 kilograms of suspected ketamine was found inside the metal filter sticks. An investigation revealed that the large air filter machine that hid the suspected ketamine was transported from Europe to Hong Kong to avoid detection.
Source:The Standard
May 09, 2024 10:06 UTC
School's out: How climate change threatens educationStudents leaving their school compound carry umbrellas on a hot summer day in Dhaka on April 28, 2024, amid the ongoing heatwave. BANGKOK, Thailand — Record-breaking heat last month that prompted governments in Asia to close schools offers fresh evidence of how climate change is threatening the education of millions of children. Asia is warming faster than the global average, and climate change is producing more frequent, longer, and more intense heatwaves. Schools across much of Asia are simply not equipped to deal with the growing consequences of climate change. "The climate crisis is a child crisis.
Source:Philippine Star
May 09, 2024 07:18 UTC
DOJ, CHR probe ‘degrading, traumatic’ strip searches at BilibidInmates from the Correctional Institution for Women visit their husbands or relatives at the New Bilibid Prison during the Christmas holidays, in Muntinlupa on December 24, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) said on Wednesday that they are conducting separate investigations into reported cases of strip searches involving visiting relatives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP). Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said his agency will not tolerate any misconduct by prison guards at the national penitentiary after wives of political prisoners reported undergoing “degrading and traumatic” strip searches. ‘Dehumanizing’Kapatid, a support organization of families and friends of Filipino political prisoners, on Monday filed formal complaints after wives of political prisoners endured “dehumanizing” strip searches on April 21 at the NBP. The wives were made to sign a consent form allowing strip searches.
Source:Philippine Star
May 08, 2024 22:07 UTC
It’s an annual summertime battle as I try to see the sunflowers to maturity before my four-hoofed neighbors devour them. When we think about our lives as believers in Jesus, it’s easy to see a similar battle being waged between us and our enemy—Satan. Our goal is continual growth leading to spiritual maturity that helps our lives stand out for God’s honor. In Him we have the power (v. 10) to resist the enemy’s spiritual attacks and to flourish in Jesus—displaying a life of true beauty. Dave BranonIn what areas does the enemy try to nibble away at your growing spiritual maturity?
Source:Philippine Star
May 08, 2024 22:00 UTC
Here in the Philippines, however, we are still prone to using dangerously unfair English-language stereotypes, particularly when referring to the disadvantaged sectors of our society. But to use blatantly discriminatory language in polite society or in the mass media is an altogether different matter. By being more discerning in our choice of words, we can truly make ourselves confidently and pleasantly nondiscriminatory in our English. This is the continuation of my 1,631-word essay with the original title "Using nondiscriminatory language" that formed Chapter 135 of my book "Give Your English the Winning Edge," 2009 and published by the Manila Times Publishing Corp. All rights reserved. Read this part of the essay and listen to its voice recording in The Manila Times: "Using nondiscriminatory English – Part 2"AdvertisementNext, May 16, 2024: "The perils of sweeping generalizations"Visit Jose Carillo's English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com.
Source:Manila Times
May 08, 2024 16:04 UTC
The administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has denied it reached a secret agreement on the shoal with China. The US and the Philippines have repeatedly disputed Beijing’s version of events in the South China Sea, while also accusing China of spreading misinformation. Chinese officials declined to identify that person. Asked Tuesday about China’s claims to have an audio of a phone call with Carlos, Teodoro said he didn’t know anything about it. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said that only President Marcos can authorize agreements on the South China Sea.
Source:The Standard
May 08, 2024 14:49 UTC