Sunak backs new UK oil and gas exploration
(UPDATE) LONDON: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has backed plans to permit new fossil fuel exploration off Britain's coast, as he pledged to be "pragmatic and proportionate" about achieving net zero in an interview published on Saturday. NEW VENTURE Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (center) speaks with Barratt Homes employees during a visit to Hayes Village, a new housing development under construction by Barratt Homes on a brownfield site, in London, on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Sunak, who became leader last October, said his approach was "to support the UK's energy industry" and appeared to suggest that not exploiting new UK oil and gas reserves risked "the lights going out" in Britain. The moves follow the Conservatives defying dismal national poll ratings to narrowly retain former prime minister Boris Johnson's vacated northwest London seat in a parliamentary by-election last week. In the interview, Sunak, who has been criticized for his frequent use of helicopters and planes to travel around Britain, insisted he wants to "leave the environment and our climate in a better state."
Source:Manila Times
July 31, 2023 04:29 UTC
Online classes over suspensions during disasters 'unrealistic, inhumane' — group
Online classes over suspensions during disasters 'unrealistic, inhumane' — groupResidents wade through floodwaters left by torrential rains of Typhoon Doksuri in Calumpit, Bulacan province on July 29, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — Conducting online classes instead of suspending classes during disasters is “unrealistic and insensitive” as it may not be feasible for students and educators dealing with the impacts of calamities, a teachers’ group said Sunday. How do we conduct online classes when your learner and his/her family is currently flooded?” Alliance of Concerned Teachers chairperson Vladimer Quetua said. The policy stated that in-person, online classes and work in public elementary and high schools are automatically suspended in areas under tropical cyclone wind signals, orange and red rainfall warning and flood warning. Classes are automatically canceled in areas under Intensify 5 or above following an earthquake.
Source:Philippine Star
July 30, 2023 22:15 UTC
Kuya
KuyaAs I go about my day, at some point I will hear the word “kuya.” I notice that it is used often to ask for assistance, to do a favor, to call attention. I see parallels between the Pinoy’s regard for “kuyas” with the concept of “big brothers” in our Kapatid Angat Lahat program. Yes, big-brother companies can come in all shapes and sizes; they need not be large manufacturing conglomerates. Fortunately, there are already a few big-brother companies in this sector, and more are joining their fold. That is why, in addition to the big brothers we have in the Philippines, we are now looking to find the “kuyas” in the ASEAN member-states.
Source:Philippine Star
July 30, 2023 21:58 UTC
Cignal sinks F2 to seize bronze in Invitationals
Cignal sank F2 Logistics, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18, in the battle for third match to seize bronze in the Premier Volleyball League PVL Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Sunday, July 30. Cignal's Jovelyn Gonzaga PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIOGel Cayuna tossed 30 excellent sets to take the Player of the Game honor and lead the HD Spikers, who returned to the podium after missing the playoffs in the All-Filipino Conference earlier this year. Prior to that, Cignal placed second in the Reinforced Conference last year. Third placers in the All-Filipino Conference, the Cargo Movers finished fourth this time around.
Source:Manila Times
July 30, 2023 18:01 UTC
Modi urged to address Manipur unrest
CONTINUING ETHNIC CONFLICT Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during SemiconIndia 2023, at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on Friday, July 28, 2023. "Our delegation is here to express solidarity with the people of Manipur in this time of distress. But opposition leaders say the move could at least force Modi to speak on the conflict and open a debate. The violence in Manipur and the assault on the two women triggered protests across the country last week. The European Parliament also recently adopted a resolution calling on Indian authorities to take action to stop the violence in Manipur and protect religious minorities, especially Christians.
Source:Manila Times
July 30, 2023 17:02 UTC
WATCH: Japan's concept cafes
Theme-based cafes are a great success in Japan, and continue to grow in popularity. The idea of 'concept cafes' began in Akihabara, the center of Japanese pop culture, with their renowned 'maid cafes.' They are now found everywhere, and have diversified to cater to everyone's taste; from railway enthusiasts to ninja fans. At the unique end, there's a science-themed cafe-bar run by an actual scientist, where the whole experience takes the form of lab experiments. Concept cafes aren't just fun places to eat and drink, they can let you engage in exciting activities as well.
Source:Manila Times
July 30, 2023 14:12 UTC
Northern China faces Doksuri floods as south mops up from storm
China coped with floods in the north from a weakening Typhoon Doksuri on Sunday, with expected record rains in Beijing, while people in the south mopped up, even as another storm loomed off the coast. China's National Meteorological Center kept its red alert, the country's highest, for rainstorms on Sunday, state media Xinhua reported. Doksuri, one of the strongest storms to hit China in years, had prompted thousands to evacuate in southern province Fujian and ripping coastal areas and pushing north and inland. Although the authorities downgraded the storm from typhoon on Sunday, the China Meteorological Bureau maintained a red alert for heavy rain in various provinces, especially northern areas such as Hebei, Beijing, Shanxi and Henan. The capital was likely to receive record rainfall, while cities in Hebei province, which encircles Beijing, were waterlogged, local media reported.
Source:The Standard
July 30, 2023 12:26 UTC
The heat is on; when it rains, it pours
The heat is on; when it rains, it poursThere’s a popular idiom that goes, “the heat is on,” referring to a serious situation that needs urgent action. Well, we are now literally experiencing “hell on earth” with the heat now on in the United States – extreme heat temperatures being experienced from coast to coast for days on end. Washington has not been spared, with the heat index reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit last Friday, according to the National Weather Service. As UN Secretary-General Guterres said, climate change is terrifying, but “it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the very worst of climate change. PBBM clearly sees the impact of climate change, especially with the Philippines being one of the most vulnerable countries worldwide.
Source:Philippine Star
July 29, 2023 21:55 UTC
Falcon to enhance southwest monsoon
Falcon to enhance southwest monsoonThe Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) said that Falcon (international name Khanun) was monitored 1,205 kilometers east of Central Luzon carrying maximum sustained winds of 75 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Falcon is forecast to develop into a typhoon today, and while it remains far from Philippine landmass it may enhance the southwest monsoon, according to state weather forecasters. Falcon and departed typhoon Egay may enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional monsoon rains over the western portions of Luzon and the Visayas in the next days. The southwest monsoon is already bringing monsoon rains over Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro, while occasional rains are forecast over Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas and Northern Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Islands. The monsoon will also bring scattered rainshowers over the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bicol region, rest of the Visayas, rest of Central Luzon, rest of Calabarzon, rest of Ilocos region and the rest of Mimaropa.
Source:Philippine Star
July 29, 2023 21:43 UTC
One vehicle damaged as concrete falls in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei
Concrete again fell off two buildings in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei on Saturday morning, with a black seven-seater being damaged by the falling concrete, but no injuries were reported. The first occurred in Yau Ma Tei at around 7.43 am when the car reached the junction between Temple Street and Pak Hoi Street. Cops later arrived and found two pieces of concrete, about two inches by two inches by four inches. It was believed that the concrete fell off a canopy on the 5/F. The concrete pieces fell from about three meters high and landed on a bus stop outside a convenience store.
Source:The Standard
July 29, 2023 17:43 UTC
Inquiry must assess how Canada’s fragmented COVID-19 response lost the public’s trust
Loss of public trustCanada’s public health response was hampered by fragmentation in decision-making, shared between federal and provincial/territorial and sometimes municipal governments. In the absence of a co-ordinated planning and delivery authority, different public health measures were implemented in different locales. Data need never leave their secure data environments; instead, de-identified data may be accessed and analyzed across independent systems using federated data structures. Canada’s diversity was also not adequately represented at decision-making or advisory tables, nor was it represented in research that generated evidence for the public health response. Public inquiry and reformsIt is clear that some public trust in public health, science and government has been lost in Canada and around the world.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 29, 2023 15:08 UTC
August 8 – 14 declared as Philippine Space Week
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared August 8 to 14 of every year as Philippine Space Week to promote space science and awareness. This declaration comes after the recommendation of the Philippine Space Council. It also coincides with the enactment of the Philippine Space Act on August 8, 2019. “There is a need to promote space awareness, celebrate the significant contributions of Filipinos worldwide in the field of space science, and espouse the value, benefits and impacts of space science and technology applications on the lives of Filipinos,” the proclamation reads. With this development, the Philippine Space Agency was directed by Marcos to come up with programs and projects for the yearly observance of the week-long celebration.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 29, 2023 10:03 UTC
‘Happy Dancing’ boosts fitness in fast-aging China
China has a vibrant public square dancing culture, with ranks of retirees thronging city plazas at dawn and dusk to groove in time to thumping electronic music. ADVERTISEMENTDespite the occasional noise complaints, authorities generally view the aerobics gatherings as good for maintaining public health in a rapidly aging society. And one of the country’s most popular dance programs in recent years has emerged from the fading rust-belt province of Heilongjiang. Participants in Jiamusi Happy Dancing perform a series of unconventional moves, from strutting with puffed-out chests to pinwheeling their arms. They can feel itIn recent years, other cities in China have also set up Happy Dancing branches.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 29, 2023 09:11 UTC
Wanted man among three arrested in Mong Kok anti-crime operation
Police arrested two people during their anti-crime operation in Mong Kok on Friday and also found a 39-year-old wanted man. Officers yesterday raided 18 premises in the area, including night clubs, bars, mahjong parlors, snooker clubs and entertainment centers. During the operation police arrested two men aged 32 and 35 for not carrying their identification documents when going out. Police found a 39-year-old wanted man as well. All arrestees were remanded in custody.
Source:The Standard
July 29, 2023 08:18 UTC
Jesus is our peace
Jesus is our peaceFor he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. When Paul calls Jesus “our peace,” he refers to the end of hostility between Jews and gentiles (Ephesians 2:14). Just as Telemachus brought peace to warriors through his death, so Jesus makes peace and reconciliation possible for all who believe in Him through His death and resurrection. So, if Jesus is our peace, let’s not let our differences divide us. Dear God of peace, You’ve made us one in Jesus.
Source:Philippine Star
July 28, 2023 23:32 UTC