A government vaccine advisory panel has recommended that the government authorize the use of an updated version of a Covid vaccine targeting the Omicron Covid variant. A statement late on Monday noted that the panel members considering the application from distributor Fosun Pharma believed that the benefits of authorizing the updated vaccine for emergency use outweigh the risks. Other government advisers had earlier recommended that the updated vaccine, known as a "bivalent" jab, would be suitable as an alternative for booster doses for people aged 12 and above. The jab targets the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, but experts say it may trigger broader immunity against different strains compared to the original version. BioNTech's bivalent vaccine has already been approved for use in countries such as the United States and UK, as well as the European Union.

BSP’s rediscounting loans hit P15.3 billion in 10 monthsFor October alone, the central bank extended P3.7 billion worth of rediscount loans. MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has extended peso rediscount loans amounting to P15.3 billion to big banks from January to October to finance capital asset expenditures. For October alone, the central bank extended P3.7 billion worth of rediscount loans. The applicable rediscount rate on loans under the peso rediscount facility was set at 5.6701 percent for loans with a loan maturity of up to 90 days and 6.5902 for 180 days for November. Data released by the central bank showed total availments of banks against their rediscounting loans reached only P6.12 million for loans under the peso rediscount facility in 2021 compared to the previous year’s P26.9 billion.

The government planned to build two cross-harbour bridges to divert the traffic in the Lantau Link, aiming to open by 2033. The two cross-harbour bridges, which will parallel the Lantau Link, will span the Ma Wan Fairway and Kap Shui Mun Fairway. The bridge crossing Ma Wan Fairway will be constructed on the west side of Tsing Yi, with a 2.3 kilometres length, to connect with Tsing Sha Highway. "The Lantau Link is the most direct connection between the Lantau region and the urban areas," said the Highways Department. "It is anticipated that the construction of the Tsing Yi - Lantau Link will be necessary," added the department, "for relieving the traffic on the Lantau Link upon the construction of Route 11."

The government announced today that exemption would be granted to inbound tour groups for dining outside and entering designated attractions in November. Inbound group travellers who are received by licensed travel agents and have pre-registered their itineraries will be able to enter designated tourist attractions including theme parks, museums, and temples, even though holding an Amber health code, and dine in the partitioned areas in designated catering premises. "The arrangement can support the gradual resumption of the inbound travel market in an orderly manner and provide a more favourable business environment for the travel trade," noted the announcement. Besides, the announcement added that the authorities are also seeking the possibility to reduce the frequency for inbound group travellers with short-term stays to undergo Covid tests. Many local residents have pointed to inconsistencies in government policy and said authorities should remove the restrictions for everyone equally.

ACEN builds Aussie solar farmMANILA, Philippines — Listed ACEN Corp. is kicking off the construction of its second solar project in Australia after executing key contracts and reaching a final investment decision (FID). For its part, Lumea CEO Richard Lowe said they are pleased to work with ACEN in connecting the Stubbo Solar project. Located within the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone in the Mid-Western Regional Council region, the Stubbo solar farm is ACEN Australia’s second solar project after the 720-MW New England Solar Farm in Uralla, New South Wales, which is currently being commissioned. Last September, ACEN committed A$800 million for the construction of the Stubbo Solar project. The Stubbo Solar project will produce enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 185,000 average Australian homes.

Adopting future-ready learning environments through Microsoft TeamsLine Learning delivers a Hybrid Learning Session during the course of the Microsoft Showcase School Accelerator Program. The school continues to work closely with partners Microsoft, Asus and Microsoft Global Training Partner, Line Learning and Development Solutions, to accelerate their school transformation journey. Enriching solutions toward transformationIncluded in SPUQC’s license is Microsoft Teams, an intelligent and collaboration hub for teachers and learners. While this is just one example of the value of Microsoft solutions, the fact remains, that the full potential of Microsoft Teams is unutilized. The training, conducted by Line Learning, focused on Windows 11 in the Classroom, Cybersecurity and Durability of ASUS BR1100, Microsoft 365 and Collaborative Learning Environment with Microsoft Teams.

Powell ends rallyIn the past month, financial markets staged a strong rally, fueled by hopes that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will dial down its ultra-hawkish policy stance. Powell telegraphed that interest rates would stay higher for longer in order to bring down inflation. Medalla emphasized the need to maintain the interest rate differential that was prevailing before the most recent Fed rate hike. He explained that the BSP’s telegraphed rate hike would support price stability and the need to temper sharp peso depreciation. Higher interest rates maintained for an extended duration may exacerbate the ongoing weakness in major economies and precipitate a deep global recession.

Government mulls sale of MRT 3MANILA, Philippines — The government plans to privatize not only the operations, but also the assets of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), as it can no longer afford to spend P9 billion yearly for the maintenance of the railway. For 2018 and 2019, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) had to cut the number of trips in the rail line to repair the train cars. Sobrepeña-led Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) is set to transfer the railway to the government by 2025 under the build-lease-transfer agreement for the MRT-3. The deal has tasked the DOTr to handle the collection of fares and the MRTC to maintain the rail line and its train cars. Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon has urged the DOTr to properly price the MRT-3 before putting it up for sale, especially as privatizing the rail line means letting go of fare revenues as well.

The educational chief said schools should not be "overreacted" on national education, citing the incident of St. Francis Xavier's School in Tsuen Wan that suspended 14 students from school for three days over "disrespectful behaviours" towards the national anthem and the flag-raising ceremony. In a radio programme on Sunday, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said that national education aimed to cultivate the young generation with patriotism, and the government would support schools with better professionalism in national education. "The disciplines are not meant to punish students but help them better understand the national anthem and flag," Choi said. "However, there is room for improvement when schools enforce the rules," she said, noting the involved St. Francis Xavier's School has launched an investigation. Choi added the education authority would strengthen the conduct guidelines and training for national security education on teachers.

Throat swab samples will be collected for free nucleic acid tests (NAT) conducted at community testing centres and inbound testing stations at the airport starting this Tuesday, replacing the current practice of collecting nasal and throat swab samples. "Switching to using throat swab to collect upper respiratory tract specimen for nucleic acid test can also achieve high sensitivity," the government announced yesterday. The self-paid testing arrangement at community testing centres and stations will remain unchanged. Unless otherwise requested, "combined nasal and throat swabs" will continue to be used for self-paid testing services. Members of the public may also opt for other specimen collection methods in the self-paid testing, including taking "nasal swabs", "nasopharyngeal swabs" or "throat swab" that suits their needs, such as meeting the entry requirement of their travel destinations, the government spokesman said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Saturday said the confessed gunman in the killing of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa acted as the paymaster to his five accomplices in the assassination plot. ADVERTISEMENTIn his interview with dzBB radio station on Saturday, Remulla said Escorial gave a “very accurate” account of his role. Responding to a question, the justice secretary said the alleged gunman did not distribute all the P550,000 to his accomplices in one go. According to the AMLC report, Escorial made “many deposits” to the accounts of his accomplices within a “20-day period,” Remulla said without elaborating. READ: ‘2 cases’ seen in Percy slay; Bilibid’s ‘Tanda’ crops upRead Next

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in hate incidents against Asians across the United States, with New York registering one of the biggest numbers of hate crimes directed at Asian Americans according to reports. Aside from legal options, other initiatives include a pilot program that would teach students about hate crimes. Naveed echoed this, explaining that education is a major pillar to the “comprehensive approach” in preventing hate crimes through community-based programs. There is no question that anti-Asian hate crimes continue to be a concern, but authorities are “exhausting every possible avenue” to address them. We’re also cooperating not only with Filipino-American groups but other Asian associations as well to get a more accurate picture of the reported incidents and see if these are really hate crimes or just random attacks by mentally unhinged individuals.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung reminded the public that the grace period for the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order will cease at the end of November, at which point operators of drones weighing more than 250g must have registered with the Civil Aviation Department. Lam's blog published Saturday stressed that even if the operators have their registrations, it doesn't mean they can fly their drones recklessly. The Small Unmanned Aircraft Order has been in place since June 1, under which only category A1 drones weighing less than 250g, including Autel EVO Nano and DJI Mini drones, will be exempted from registrations. Those flying drones that weigh 7kg or more must obtain the Advanced Rating qualification and flight approval from the department, as it is much riskier and requires complex control. Since the Order came into effect five months ago, over 16,000 pilots have registered at the Electronic Portal for Small Unmanned Aircraft (eSUA), Lam added.

A man abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene after losing control of his car at speed and knocking down a jogger in Kwai Chung on Saturday morning. A black car then made an abrupt, tire-squealing right turn into Tai Lin Pi Road from Kwai Chung Road, where he lost control of the vehicle and mounted the pedestrian island, hitting the jogger. Upon seeing the incident, passersby immediately contacted the police as the driver failed to stop after the accident and drove off. When police arrived at the scene to investigate, they found the car about 280 meters away on Wing Yip Street with the driver already long gone. Police listed the case as a hit-and-run and are now contacting the vehicle's owner and hunting down the driver involved.

HONG KONG: Most Asian investors tentatively stepped back into the markets on Friday after the previous day's Federal Reserve (Fed)-induced sell-off, while the dollar held gains as focus turned to the release of key US jobs data. Fed boss Jerome Powell's pushback against expectations of a softer approach to monetary tightening sent shivers through trading floors and ramped up fears of a global recession. The decision came as other central banks have signaled they will tone down their hawkishness, even in the face of decades- or record-high inflation. With the Fed pointing to a still-strong labor market as a key reason for not shifting from its rate-hike strategy, traders are nervous that a big figure in the report will give officials room to tighten more. However, Tokyo was deep in the red as traders played catch-up with Thursday's losses after returning from a one-day holiday.