The best Christmas gift to Jesus: Go to confession
Just think: When was the last time you heard a Mass homily mentioning sin, hell or confession? Reconciliation is more strongly urged at Lent when Jesus Christ's Passion and Death for the forgiveness of all our sins is the crucial theme. And the best way to prepare for his coming at Christmas — indeed, the best Christmas gift we can give Jesus — is purifying our souls through penance. What's worse, many millions of them receive communion with unconfessed mortal sins, which adds more mortal sins, possibly dragging souls to hell. Let us give Jesus and our souls the saving gift of confession.
Source:Manila Times
December 20, 2023 22:09 UTC
Ten dead as heavy rains hit southern India
NEW DELHI: At least 10 people were killed in floods after intense rainfall in southern India, local media reported on Wednesday, weeks after a cyclone triggered intense flooding in the same areas. Hundreds are stranded in Tamil Nadu state as water submerged roads, with the air force dropping 10 tons of emergency supplies to those stranded. PATERNAL PROTECTION A man covers his son with a plastic sheet while walking along a street during rainfall in the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu state, southern India on Dec. 15, 2023. The heavy rains come just two weeks after at least eight people were killed by Cyclone "Michaung," which hit Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states on December 6. While rains are expected in southern India in December, scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change.
Source:Manila Times
December 20, 2023 17:54 UTC
SC asked to halt December 31 PUV consolidation deadline
SC asked to halt December 31 PUV consolidation deadlineThis Dec. 20, 2023 photo show groups filing a petition against the PUV consolidation before the Supreme Court. MANILA, Philippines — Transport groups on Wednesday filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court (SC), seeking to suspend the deadline of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) consolidation which is scheduled on December 31. The PUV consolidation requires all PUV operators to file for transport service entities to be a cooperative or a corporation on or before December 31. Another transport group, MANIBELA, not among the petitioners, also rushed to the SC to support the filing of the plea. The impact of the PUV consolidation was also mentioned in the transport group’s plea.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2023 17:33 UTC
Boy penalized for urinating publicly; mom won’t sign probation
ADVERTISEMENT“We cannot in good conscience accept a probation agreement that treats a 10-year-old child as a criminal,” Moore said. The agreement also imposed an 8 p.m. curfew for the child, which would have taken effect during Christmas holiday. The terms of the agreement stem from a sentence ordered on Dec. 12 by Tate County Youth Court Judge Rusty Harlow. He said one of the officers who took part in the arrest was “ no longer employed,” and other officers would be disciplined. After advising the boy’s mother not to sign the probation agreement, Moore filed a motion requesting the Tate County Youth Court either dismiss the case or set a trial.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 20, 2023 15:39 UTC
9m all packed to travel over holidays
The department estimated that passenger flows at Lo Wu Control Point, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of around 220,000, 184,000 and 118,000 passengers respectively. However, the reward is not applicable to Airport Express, journey to or from Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau stations, Light Rail, MTR bus, High Speed Rail and MTR feeder bus along the East Rail Line. "Festive Shopping in Hong Kong for Great Rewards" comes in two phases. The Hong Kong Tourism Board will give out the first batch of 100,000 "Hong Kong Night Treats for Locals" dining vouchers from 10am today. The second batch of 100,000 coupons of the "Hong Kong Night Treats for Locals" campaign will be available from 10 am on January 10.marcus.lum@singtaonewscorp.com
Source:The Standard
December 20, 2023 15:09 UTC
Surprise your loved ones with PalawanPay’s Peragalo promo!
Surprise your loved ones with PalawanPay’s Peragalo promo! PalawanPay’s Send Gifts option has made sending presents easier than ever, eliminating the stress on your schedule and budget. Thanks to PalawanPay's user-friendly e-wallet, everyone can now send gifts and connect with their loved ones, anytime, anywhere this Christmas season. PalawanPay’s Peragalo Pamaskong Promo promises exciting prizes for every transaction, making it a truly merry Christmas for everybody. Spread the joy of the season by sending gifts to your loved ones until December 31.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2023 14:18 UTC
BAN Toxics back the DILG’s call for an outright Ban on Firecrackers
333 SHARES Share TweetToxic watchdog group BAN Toxics supports the call to ban the sale and use of firecrackers nationwide. We need to remember “safety first” for our children and the community from the health and environmental pollutants from firecrackers,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics. These include Angeles City, Baguio City, Caloocan City, Cebu City, Davao City, Kidapawan City, Las Pinas City, Makati City, Malabon City, Mandaluyong City, Mandaue City, Manila City, Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Navotas City, Olongapo City, Paranaque City, Pasay City, Pasig City, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan City, Taguig City, Tarlac City, Valenzuela City, and Zamboanga City. The Bicol Region, which comprises 6 provinces, 7 cities, and 107 municipalities, has issued an RPOC Resolution banning firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the Bicol region in 2020. “To ensure a safer celebration for the coming year, BAN Toxics urge the local government officials to enact an ordinance banning the sale and use of firecrackers to safeguard and protect human health, especially that of children and the environment,” the group added.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 20, 2023 12:41 UTC
BAN Toxics Back the DILG’s Call for an Outright Ban on Firecrackers
Toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics supports the call to ban the sale and use of firecrackers nationwide. We need to remember “safety first” for our children and the community from the health and environmental pollutants from firecrackers,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics. These include Angeles City, Baguio City, Caloocan City, Cebu City, Davao City, Kidapawan City, Las Pinas City, Makati City, Malabon City, Mandaluyong City, Mandaue City, Manila City, Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Navotas City, Olongapo City, Paranaque City, Pasay City, Pasig City, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan City, Taguig City, Tarlac City, Valenzuela City, and Zamboanga City. The Bicol Region, which comprises 6 provinces, 7 cities, and 107 municipalities, has issued an RPOC Resolution banning firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the Bicol region in 2020. #References:Davao City Firecracker Ban: http://davaodelights.blogspot.com/2014/02/ordinance-no-060-02-firecracker-ban.htmlNews reports on the Firecracker Ban:https://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/firecracker-ban-stayshttps://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/855617/caloocan-prohibits-use-of-firecrackers-except-in-designated-areas/story/https://metronewscentral.net/makati/metro-cities/makati-reminds-residents-of-firecracker-banhttps://newsinfo.inquirer.net/538403/kidapawan-city-mayor-bans-firecrackershttps://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/855617/caloocan-prohibits-use-of-firecrackers-except-in-designated-areas/story/https://www.facebook.com/PNP.OCPO/posts/ordinance-no-63series-of-2008an-ordinance-prohibiting-the-manufacture-sale-distr/1445025832215604/https://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/24-lgus-in-central-luzon-ban-firecrackershttps://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1377305/firecrackers-fireworks-use-banned-in-bicolExecutive Order No.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 20, 2023 12:07 UTC
Murderers, kidnappers sell art from Pakistani prison
KARACHI, Pakistan: Karachi's colonial-era prison is adorned with murals of rural Pakistani life, painted by convicted murderers and kidnappers locked away from the world but learning their craft inside its walls. A rehabilitation art and music program has seen some inmates sell their work for several thousand dollars at exhibitions supported by the local arts council, according to prison chiefs. "Before I was jailed, it was another life with no responsibility and immaturity," Mohammad Ijaz told Agence France-Presse from the prison studio. In this photograph taken on December 16, 2023, a prisoner works on a wall mural at the Central Jail in Karachi. AFP PHOTOThe art program was launched at Karachi Central Jail in 2007, and aims to reform inmates serving long sentences or those on death row.
Source:Manila Times
December 20, 2023 10:34 UTC
Hormone secreted by fetus causes morning sickness – study
PARIS: A hormone produced by the human fetus is to blame for morning sickness in pregnant women, a study has found, paving the way to possible prevention and treatment. Nausea and vomiting affect approximately 70 percent of pregnant women, said the study published last week in the journal "Nature" by researchers in the United Kingdom, the United States and Sri Lanka. In its worst form — hyperemesis gravidarum — the nausea is so severe that women are unable to eat or drink normally. "The culprit is a hormone produced by the fetus — a protein known as GDF15," the University of Cambridge said. "But how sick the mother feels depends on a combination of how much of the hormone is produced by the fetus and how much exposure the mother had to this hormone before becoming pregnant."
Source:Manila Times
December 19, 2023 22:02 UTC
The growing risk of global disorder
CAMBRIDGE: The Western-led global economic order had a bad 2023. But a new international order is unlikely to emerge anytime soon. Instead, as more and more countries decide to self-insure by building alternatives to the Western-led order, the global economy risks increasing fragmentation, eroding America's leadership role and accelerating a system-wide shift toward disorder. Two developments, in particular, have fueled widespread frustration with the Western-led order this year. Regardless of one's position on these developments, they have called into question the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Western-led international order and risk accelerating the ongoing transition from a unipolar to a multipolar global economy.
Source:Manila Times
December 19, 2023 22:02 UTC
More foreign investments and economic reorganization
Amending the restrictive economic provisions. Let me first take up the reform of the restrictive economic provisions. I have written in this column and in my other writings about the need to open up the economy by amending the restrictive economic provisions on foreign investments. Economic reorganization? For some time now, there have been rumors of economic reorganization of the Cabinet.
Source:Philippine Star
December 19, 2023 20:34 UTC
Gov’t always short of funds to solve housing backlog
Gov’t always short of funds to solve housing backlogThe great Filipino dream is to own a home. Congress granted it only fractions, namely:Of the 6.5 million families aspiring for homes, 2.8 million have purchasing capacity. Fifty-seven percent, or 3.7 million families, can barely make ends meet. “One billion, two billion can do only about 20,000 units considering today’s costs,” notes Senate housing committee head Joseph Victor Ejercito. Compiled from 19 versions, a House bill was passed for provincial capitols and city/municipal halls to identify, procure or expropriate lots for socialized housing.
Source:Philippine Star
December 19, 2023 20:29 UTC
'Growing China-Russia military ties concerning'
TOKYO: The head of the United States Indo-Pacific Command said on Monday he was "very concerned" about increased joint military actions by China and Russia in the region. Adm. John C. Aquilino spoke in Tokyo as another regional concern, North Korea, conducted its latest intercontinental ballistic missile test, underscoring the advancement of its capabilities. Japan has territorial disputes with China over the Tokyo-controlled East China Sea islands that Beijing also claims. Standoffs between China and the Philippines over a number of disputed offshore areas in the South China Sea have escalated this year. The United States has warned China that it is obligated to defend the Philippines, its treaty ally, if Filipino forces come under attack.
Source:Manila Times
December 19, 2023 17:49 UTC
Trail race runner 'got locked in by new smart toilet'
A trail runner was recently trapped for 10 minutes in a "smart public toilet" that had but been operational for one month, Undersecretary for Environment and Ecology Diane Wong Shuk-han said. However, some users may have used the manual door lock If the manual lock is engaged, the electronic lock will not open. Wong added that both the interior and exterior of the smart toilets are equipped with emergency switches. Cheng was taking part in the 50-kilometer race of The North Face 100 ultra trail challenge on December 9. A lot of money was spent but it did not allow people to use the toilet in peace of mind."
Source:The Standard
December 19, 2023 07:12 UTC