— Russia’s parliament passed a law on Thursday expanding an existing ban on promoting “LGBT propaganda” to children by banning it among people of all ages. Under the new law, passed in its first reading by the State Duma, any event or act regarded as an attempt to promote homosexuality – online, in film, or in public – could incur a fine. ADVERTISEMENTIt was in September when Russia announced it was considering doubling fines for exposing children to LGBT propaganda and making any event or act seen as promoting homosexuality an administrative offense. Russia’s existing “gay propaganda” law, passed in 2013, bans any person or entity from promoting homosexual relationships to children, though lawmakers argued in July the law should be extended to include adults as well. Individuals could be fined up to 400,000 roubles, while foreigners found to spread LGBT propaganda would face deportation from Russia.

The government announced that a real-time arrival information system has covered all routes of the green minibus and shows on the smartphone APP “HKeMobility” to facilitate citizens to plan their trips. The Transport Department said on Thursday (October 27) that real-time information on 98 more routes of the green minibus will be added to HKeMobility, contributing to completing all the 551 routes across the city on the application which launched in March 2021. Before that, the system expanded to 453 routes in six phases. Passengers may check the estimated arrival times of the next three green minibuses that are arriving at specified en-route stops (or departing from the termini) of the routes concerned through HKeMobility. The relevant data will also be released in machine-readable format via the Public Sector Information Portal (data.gov.hk) for public use free of charge.

LTO wants driver’s license of Ferrari owner suspendedMANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has recommended a 90-day suspension of the driver’s license of the registered owner of the red Ferrari sports car who was recorded on video using the EDSA bus lane. The LTO Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) made the recommendation after the driver-owner of the Ferrari snubbed the hearing for the second time yesterday. Renan Melitatnte, officer-in-charge of the IID, said it is up to LTO chief Teofilo Gadiz to approve a resolution suspending the Ferrari owner’s license. On Oct. 20, the LTO first summoned the driver of the Ferrari F8 Tributo to explain why he should not be held administratively liable. The car will be placed under alarm, prohibiting its vehicle registration until after its owner appears at the LTO.

MOSCOW — Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday reiterated claims that Ukraine is preparing a provocation using a “dirty bomb” in a video call with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe, according to Moscow’s defense ministry. Army General Sergei Shoigu conveyed to his Chinese counterpart concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a ‘dirty bomb’,” the ministry said in a statement. At its most basic, a dirty bomb is a conventional bomb laced with radioactive, biological or chemical materials which are disseminated in an explosion. Shoigu accused Ukraine of planning to use a “dirty bomb” in calls with several NATO counterparts on Sunday, claims dismissed as “dangerous” lies by Kyiv. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that Russia has information showing the “existing threat” of Ukraine using a “dirty bomb” and that Ukraine is “preparing for such a terrorist act of sabotage”.

Ex-Albay town mayor convicted of graftMANILA, Philippines — Former mayor Carmencita Daep of Manito, Albay and four other former municipal government officials have been convicted of graft over irregularities in the procurement of liquid fertilizer worth almost P3 million in 2004. The case stemmed from the purchase of 4,285 bottles of Hexaplus liquid fertilizer using the municipal government’s share in the controversial Ginintuang Masaganang Ani program of the Department of Agriculture. Government prosecutors said the respondents “acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence” when they entered into a direct contracting agreement with Hexaphil Agriventures Inc. for the procurement of the liquid fertilizer. The anti-graft court noted that without Daep’s assent, the BAC could not have proceeded with direct contracting. The court noted records showing that the BAC zeroed in on one brand even before the scheduled opening of bids.

MANILA, Philippines — Economic damage to the Philippines could reach up to 7.6 percent of gross domestic product by 2030 and by 13.6 percent of GDP by 2040 if no action is taken to address climate change, according to the World Bank. “GDP would be lower by that much if climate change is left unaddressed,” said Ndiame Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. “Without action, climate change will impose substantial economic and human costs, affecting the poorest households the most,” he said. While climate change poses a threat, Coulibaly said adaptation actions could reduce the economic losses by around two-thirds. He said there is also a need to improve the coordination of climate actions at all levels of government, enhance the capabilities of local government units (LGUs) to design and implement climate actions, and focus on effective implementation of existing plans and regulations.

It was stressed that in 1972, maternal deaths, which were 1.4 per 1,000 live births, accounted for 0.5 percent of all deaths in the Philippines. Then in 2000, while the maternal death rate saw a decrease—1.0 per 1,000 live births—the Philippines committed to reduce maternal deaths to 55 per 100,000 live births by 2015. So years later, to meet its Millennium Development Goal, the government passed the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and Nutrition Strategy. This, as home births were considered by the government as the reason for high maternal deaths in the Philippines. However, it said newborn deaths, or deaths caused by certain conditions originating in the perinatal period, is now the 17th leading cause of death in the Philippines, higher compared to 18th last year.

PSALM proceeds with Casecnan privatizationMANILA, Philippines — State-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has commenced with the privatization of the Casecnan hydroelectric power plant in Nueva Ecija. PSALM published yesterday an invitation to interested parties to bid for the privatization of the 165-megawatt (MW) Casecnan hydroelectric power plant. Interested parties are directed to first submit a letter of interest to PSALM’s privatization bids and awards committee not later than Nov. 18. PSALM said only interested parties that submit a letter of interest would be allowed to participate in the privatization activities. It was placed under the co-ownership of PSALM and NIA, which represent the government’s interest at 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

ACEN executes deals with InLife, ETM for energy transitionMANILA, Philippines — ACEN Corp. has executed option agreements with The Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd. (InLife) and ETM Philippines Holdings Inc. as part of the company’s overall energy transition mechanism to enable more renewables. ACEN last July approved the divestment of all its shares in SLTEC, through energy transition financing. The shares will be acquired by ETM Philippines and InLife for P3.7 billion. ETM Philippines is a special purpose vehicle that allows financial investors to invest in energy transition by accelerating the retirement of coal-fired power plants, and to fund the development of new clean energy technologies. Through the energy transition mechanism, SLTEC’s coal power plant will be decommissioned by 2040, 15 years ahead of the end of its technical life and transitioned into cleaner technology.

MMDA deploying 1,500 personnel for UndasCaretakers clean and paint the tombs at the Manila North Cemetery in Manila on October 22, 2022 in preparation for the All Souls' Day. MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will be deploying 1,500 personnel in key locations in Metro Manila to ensure order during this year's traditional observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on November 1 and 2, it said Tuesday. MMDA chair Carlo Dimayuga said in a statement sent to reporters Tuesday afternoon that the personnel from the Traffic Discipline Office, Road Emergency Group, Metro Parkways Clearing Group, and Task Force Special Operations would be deployed upon activation of the "Oplan Undas 2022" from October 28 until November 2. Related Stories LIST: Manila road closures for Undas 2022"The MMDA is all set to undertake measures on traffic management, cleanup operations, road emergency and public assistance, and clearing of road obstructions in preparation for Undas," he said. Aside from bus terminals, traffic personnel will be deployed to major roads leading to cemeteries and transportation hubs as thousands are expected to travel to their provinces to pay respect to their loved ones.

Customers can also place an order via the Mang Inasal delivery app or through other food delivery apps such as GrabFood and Foodpanda. CONTRIBUTED PosterMANG INASAL, the country's "Ihaw-Sarap" expert, introduces the all-new Mang Inasal Family Fiesta, a special bundled group meal, composed of chargrilled favorites, including chicken inasal (roasted), pork barbecue or grilled liempo (pork belly) that are perfect for office parties, family reunions and different gatherings this holiday season. "Mang Inasal Family Fiesta brings together all our 'Ihaw-Sarap' favorites na pang-salu-salo (that are for celebrations)," says Mang Inasal Business Unit head Mike Castro. "Whether you're team chicken inasal, team pork or team kahit ano (whatever), the package has something for everyone to enjoy." For families or groups that love chicken inasal, the all-chicken inasal bundle is for them, offering six pieces of chicken paa (leg) and java rice platter.

PLDT invests P4.4 billion to expand international capacityPLDT announced it has begun the initial phase of construction for the Asia Direct Cable (ADC) set to raise its capacity in providing connectivity by 36 terabits per second. MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant PLDT Inc. has invested $75 million or around P4.4 billion to expand its international capacity by laying down a 9,400-kilometer subsea cable traversing East and Southeast Asia. Upon completion, PLDT said ADC would link seven international cable landing points across areas in East and Southeast Asia. It will also provide an additional 36 terabits per second in international capacity for the delivery of data around East and Southeast Asia. Prior to the ADC, PLDT in July activated the Jupiter cable system that scaled up the telco giant’s international capacity to 60 terabits per second.

MANILA, Philippines — A Muntinlupa City court yesterday issued a subpoena to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as the lawyer of detained former senator Leila de Lima questioned the real name of prosecution witness Herbert Colangco. In one drug case filed against De Lima, Tacardon said it was found that his name is Roy Vincent Colangco. “The PSA was subpoenaed to present his birth certificate to the court,” Tacardon told reporters. Ragos had recanted his allegations that De Lima was involved in the illegal drug trade when she was justice secretary. The court set the next hearing on De Lima’s other drug case on Nov. 7.

PHOTO BY JOHN RYAN BALDEMORComplementary to CAIR, the Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory will host pilot, demonstration, and learning laboratories for relevant technologies. The Pilot Factory can serve as prototyping sandbox and as a platform to showcase use-cases of products. Space for the Pilot Factory at Bonifacio Global City has already been offered by a partner conglomerate. Provided for by the Go Negosyo Act, these centers serve as mentoring hubs, and provide links to business development services. To support MSMEs, DTI will initiate and onboard MSMEs to e-commerce using a platform that DTI will soon launch in collaboration with the DICT.

MMDA enforcer in viral video axed for extortion tryTraffic enforcer Wilson Palilio, assigned at the MMDA Bus Management and Dispatch System, was dismissed from the service. Traffic enforcer Wilson Palilio, assigned at the MMDA Bus Management and Dispatch System, was dismissed from the service. The MMDA said social media user Alden Chua Tan uploaded a viral video showing Palilio and Musni apprehending motorists for traffic violations along Mindanao Avenue Extension. When Tan asked if their operation was legitimate and if they had identification cards, the MMDA traffic enforcers fled. The MMDA said Palilio’s employment was terminated while the case of Musni is still being investigated.