MANILA, Philippines — All workers can avail of free train rides at the Light Rail Transit 2 and Metro Rail Transit 3 in line with the celebration of Labor Day today, Monday. According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), workers can avail the free rides from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. by just showing their company ID or government-issued ID to security personnel at train stations. ADVERTISEMENT“The Libreng Sakay (Free Ride) is MRT-3’s simple way to show the line’s tribute to all the workers who support our country’s economy. May this bring them joy and a little comfort on their special day,” said Assistant Transportation Secretary Jorjette Aquino, who is also the MRT-3 officer in charge. “The PNP will assist in all lawful and peaceful activities in commemoration of Labor Day,” he said.

May 01, 2023 13:49 UTC

A man plunged to death by jumping off a building after attacking his wife with a wooden rod in Tseung Kwan O early Monday morning. A 71-year-old man surnamed So attacked his 65-year-old wife, surnamed Lee, at their Hau Tak Estate apartment at around 3 am after tempers flared. Lee was struck on the head, and after a short while, So jumped out from the kitchen windows of the apartment. The police have not discovered a suicide letter and seized the 50-cm-long wooden stick used in the assault, listing the case as an assault and suicide case. Below is a list of 24-hour hotlines that ensure people can get help in time:The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong: 2389 2222The Samaritans: 2896 0000Suicide Prevention Services: 2382 0000Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong – Justone: 3512 2626Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre: 18288

May 01, 2023 12:08 UTC

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said China has agreed to discuss fishing rights in the South China Sea, as he pushed for a "direct communication line" with Beijing on maritime differences. China has agreed to "sit down" and talk about Filipinos' fishing rights in the South China Sea, Marcos said, adding he has asked the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Foreign Affairs "to put together...a map of these fishing grounds" that will be presented to Beijing. The Philippines accused China's coast guard on Friday of "aggressive tactics" following a recent incident during a Philippine coast guard patrol close to the Philippines-held Second Thomas Shoal, a flashpoint for previous altercations located 105 nautical miles (195 km) off its coast. The United States has urged China to stop harassing Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, while Beijing said it was willing to handle maritime differences with countries of concern through friendly consultations, while warning Washington against interference. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, with a "nine-dash line" on maps that stretches more than 1,500 km (930 miles) off its mainland and cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

May 01, 2023 10:56 UTC

The pace of rate hike is the fastest in 40 years and the largest in such a short time. One more move shoul be enoughMany investors in the bond market are anticipating a final 25-basis point hike at the upcoming meeting. The FOMC’s latest “dot-plot” forecast indicates only one more rate hike this year. As the Fed approaches its last hike, there is a possibility that the US dollar may remain weak, which could provide further support for the pound and euro. Very dangerousDespite the recent slowdown in inflation and the possibility that this could be the Fed’s last rate hike, it would be risky for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to change its monetary tightening policy ahead of the Fed.

May 01, 2023 01:02 UTC

Plastic manTo be human now is to be partly plastic. An article last week from the New York Times was about how we have ingested plastic nanoparticles into our bodies. “There is plastic in our bodies; it’s in our lungs and in our bowels and in the blood that pulses through us,” the NYT article begins. According to Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey (2015), the Philippines is the third-ranking contributor to plastic pollution in the world, with at least 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste generated every year. But we are partly plastic now, so maybe that’s why many of us can’t help being… plastic.

May 01, 2023 00:58 UTC

ORMOC CITY — A construction worker died after touching a live wire of the Samar Electric Cooperative 1 while painting a roof in Barangay Hamorawon, Calbayog City, Samar at about 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. ADVERTISEMENTInitial investigation showed that Bolasa accidentally touched a live wire of the Samar Electric Cooperative 1. The victim’s body was brought to a local funeral house for the conduct of a post-mortem examination. RELATED STORY:Boom truck operator electrocuted in Northern SamarJPVINQUIRER.net wants to hear from you! Your subscription has been successful.

April 30, 2023 23:19 UTC

Rescuers were searching for four people Sunday after a boat carrying more than a dozen scuba divers sank at a World Heritage-listed marine sanctuary in the Philippines, authorities said. The Philippine Coast Guard said 28 people were rescued after "Dream Keeper" went down on Sunday morning in the pristine waters at Tubbataha Reef off the western province of Palawan. The owner of the vessel, a dive master and two guests were still missing, coast guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said. A coast guard vessel and about 10 dive boats were searching the waters. Despite its protected status, the marine sanctuary is under constant threat from illegal fishing and poaching, according to authorities.

April 30, 2023 22:01 UTC

"In my opinion, they were actually trying to take care of the babies and keep the babies alive," Capers told ABC's Houston station KTRK. "All the victims were from Honduras," Capers told reporters, adding that 10 people had been in the house at the time. The Honduran foreign minister, Enrique Reina, called on Twitter for the gunman to face "the full weight of the law." Texas authorities said an arrest warrant had been issued for Francisco Oropeza, a 39-year-old Mexican, charging him with five counts of murder. "We've got his Mexican consulate card," Capers said, adding that a security system at the victims' house "captured him coming up to the front door with a weapon."

April 30, 2023 14:07 UTC

Alisah Bonaobra dreams of Broadway, covers Angeline Quinto songMANILA, Philippines — “The X Factor UK” finalist Alisah Bonaobra said she wants to try her luck on Broadway. In an interview with the press, Alisah said she’s looking for auditions in the famed American theater scene. Alisah said that she also tried to audition for “The Voice US,” but the audition season was already closed. WATCH: Alisah Bonaobra sings her version of "Hanggang Kailan"“Sayang. Alisah visited the Philippines recently to promote her song “Hanggang Kailan,” a composer cut of Angeline Quinto’s hit song.

April 30, 2023 09:43 UTC

Before leaving for his four-day official visit to Washington, Marcos said on Sunday he would convey to Biden his determination to forge "an even stronger relationship" with the United States to "address the concerns of our times," including issues related to the economy. The senior U.S. administration official said it was impossible to underestimate the strategic importance of the Philippines, although the relationship was more than just about security. While Marcos was seeking good relations with both China and the United States, Manila was increasingly concerned about "provocative" diplomacy by Beijing and seeking stronger ties with allies, he said. Marcos' Washington visit comes after Philippines on Friday accused China's coast guard of "dangerous maneuvers" and "aggressive tactics" in the South China Sea. The official said the U.S. planned to enhance trilateral dialogue with Japan and the Philippines, and Marcos would have discussions at the Pentagon about joint maritime patrols.

April 30, 2023 07:45 UTC

The veteran Gilas mentor said he expects Indonesia and Thailand to field their respective naturalized players in their bid to reign supreme in the region. Cambodia SEA Games Federation has changed the basketball format this year, doing away with the single-round arrangement where the team with the best record automatically wins the gold. Instead, the host country split the eight-team field to two groups with the top two squads from each bracket advancing to the crossover semis. Winners from the semis then clash for the gold medal. Gilas is scheduled to hold a weeklong closed-door training at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna beginning Sunday.

April 30, 2023 04:10 UTC

4 more BIFF experts in IED fabrication yieldThe four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters turned in rifles and explosives before they pledged allegiance to the government. COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Four more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters trained in fabrication of improvised explosive devices surrendered to the Army Friday. Local officials, among them members of the municipal peace and order council in Sultan sa Barongis, said Saturday the four erstwhile BIFF members, whose names were withheld for their safety, belonged to a group tagged in recent bombings of buses in central Mindanao. Rillera said Col. Andre Santos of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, his subordinate-officers in the 1st Mechanized Battalion and the local government unit of Sultan sa Barongis in Maguindanao del Sur cooperated in securing their surrender via backchannel dialogues. More than 300 members of the BIFF and its allies Dawlah Islamiya and Al-Khobar had surrendered to units of 6th ID since 2021.

April 30, 2023 01:42 UTC

On World Wish Day, Make-A-Wish Hong Kong celebrated its 25th anniversary at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, launching a new series of initiatives, beginning with fulfilling Jarvis’ wish. The Wish child of Make-A-Wish Hong Kong, Jarvis, was diagnosed with a rare form of myelodysplastic syndrome in 2018. I also hope that my songs and drum music instill hope in Wish children and patients. We believe that the experience of making a wish come true fills a child's life with hope, strength and joy. Hong Kong Disneyland is devoted to granting many more wishes in the future, making dreams come true for Wish kids and all who visit.

April 29, 2023 23:07 UTC

The Stars defeated the Wild 4-1 in regulation, with goals from forwards Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Mason Marchment, and Max Domi. Goaltender Jake Oettinger allowed one goal (from Minnesota's Frederick Gaudreau) and had a.958 save percentage for the game. He, defenseman Miro Heiskanen, and Hintz are the three stars of the game. He has 2 goals and 5 assists, totaling 7 points in 6 playoff games, so far. Veteran Filipino Canadian defenseman Matt Dumba had two assists in six playoff games for the Wild.

April 29, 2023 18:38 UTC

The PCG said the two ships were identified as the MT Petite Soeur, a Marshall-flagged chemical/oil product tanker, and the MV Hong Hai 189, a Sierra Leone-flagged dredger, which capsized following the collision. Speaking in Filipino, Cornelio said the Hong Hai 189 was about to dock "when the Petite Soeur changed berth, hitting the starboard stern of the dredger and causing a hole that caused it to capsize." A rescue vessel in the area of the accident rescued 16 crew of the MV Hong Hai 189. Meanwhile, those from the MT Petite Soeur were safe. He said they have contacted a salvage vessel that will tow the Hong Hai 189, "which is currently stuck at the Traffic Separation Scheme," adding they will try to remove the ship and prevent it from sinking.

April 29, 2023 17:51 UTC