Thousands evacuated as Philippines warns of possible flooding, landslides from Typhoon Mawar
Philippine officials began evacuating thousands of villagers, shut down schools and offices and imposed a no-sail ban Monday as Typhoon Mawar approached the country’s northern provinces a week after battering the U.S. territory of Guam. Disaster-preparedness officials said the typhoon’s course could change abruptly and there was no room for complacency. More than 4,800 people have been evacuated to emergency shelters in Cagayan, Batanes and other provinces, Alejandro said. Classes and office work, except those involved in disaster-preparedness, have been suspended in most of Cagayan and Batanes provinces, where occasional downpours and gusty wind were reported Sunday night. Villa said the local government lent ropes to villagers living in high-risk communities to strengthen their houses as the typhoon approached.
Source:The Standard
May 29, 2023 05:59 UTC
Death zone
Death zoneBut David remained in Jerusalem. He survived the dangerous ascent, but the high altitude squeezed his heart, and he passed away on the trek down. They must get up and down quickly, remembering “they’re in the Death Zone.”David survived his dangerous climb to the top. But David forgot he was in the death zone. We’re in the death zone.
Source:Philippine Star
May 29, 2023 03:52 UTC
Climate change trips
Climate change tripsBy God’s graces, our country was just grazed by the super typhoon called “Betty” over the weekend. “We cannot avoid talking about climate change and the effects of climate change and the changes that we have to do or the way we work because we have to adjust to climate change. We have to adapt to the effects of climate change,” PBBM pointed out in his recent speech at the inauguration of the ACEN windmills farm in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. But I can’t for the life of me understand why Philippine government officials would go abroad on talk-athon conferences related to climate change. But for the DENR Secretary to go on climate change trips abroad, go figure.
Source:Philippine Star
May 28, 2023 23:10 UTC
Russia launched 'largest drone attack' on Ukrainian capital before Kyiv Day
Ukraine's capital was subjected to the largest drone attack since the start of Russia's war, local officials said, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday. Russia has repeatedly launched waves of drone attacks against Ukraine, but most are shot down. Ukrainian air defenses, bolstered by sophisticated Western-supplied systems, have been adept at thwarting Russian air attacks — both drones and aircraft missiles. Earlier in May, Ukraine prevented an intense Russian air attack on Kyiv, shooting down all missiles aimed at the capital. Against the backdrop of Saturday night’s drone attacks, Russia's ambassador to the U.K., Andrei Kelin, warned of an escalation in Ukraine.
Source:The Standard
May 28, 2023 17:40 UTC
Nurse injured in false ceiling collapse at Kwai Chung Hospital
A nurse was injured when part of a false ceiling of a ward in Kwai Chung Hospital collapsed Sunday night. The hospital announced late Sunday that a piece of false ceiling, measuring approximately 60 centimetres by 31 centimetres, fell off at the treatment room of a female general adult psychiatric ward at around 8 pm and hit a nurse. The hospital will investigate the relations between the incident and recent works on removing and installing false ceilings. A piece of false ceiling at Kwai Chung Hospital's corridor also fell in April. No patients nor staff were injured in the incident.
Source:The Standard
May 28, 2023 17:26 UTC
Interagency panel to address inflation
(UPDATE) TO address inflation and enhance initiatives to further improve the economy, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created the Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook (IAC-IMO), Malacañang said over the weekend. The Presidential Communications Office said that Executive Order (EO) 28, signed by the President on May 26, mandates that the IAC-IMO shall serve as an advisory body to the Economic Development Group (EDG) in the crafting and implementation of measures that will keep inflation, particularly of food and energy, within the government's targets. "In view of the increasing prices of key commodities, particularly food and energy resources, the creation of an advisory body to the EDC, tasked to directly address inflation, will strengthen the EDC, and reinforce existing government initiatives aimed to improve the economy and the quality of life of the Filipino people," the circular read. The EDC was reorganized and renamed as Economic Development Group. The EDG is composed of the Finance secretary as chairman; NEDA as co-chairman; and the head of Presidential Management Staff, secretaries of Agriculture, Budget, Energy, Information and Communications Technology, Interior, Labor, Public Workers, Science and Technology, Trade, Transportation, and Tourism as members.
Source:Manila Times
May 28, 2023 17:16 UTC
Watch out
Watch outLast week, investors were spooked by a potential cut in OPEC+ output. Oil prices rose amid fierce warnings made by Saudi Arabia’s energy chief to oil speculators. I would just tell them: Watch out!” These comments signal a potentially large output reduction which may come in the upcoming OPEC+ meeting on June 4. Far-reaching ramificationsIndeed, the world should carefully watch the next actions of OPEC+ as these would have far-reaching ramifications on the global economy. A continued ascent of oil prices would trigger a resurgence of inflation which in turn would necessitate keeping higher interest rates for longer.
Source:Philippine Star
May 28, 2023 16:51 UTC
Fearing terror attack, villagers flee Lanao Sur town
Fearing terror attack, villagers flee Lanao Sur townThis screenshot from Google Maps shows the municipality of Marogong in Lanao del Sur province. MARAWI CITY, Philippines — Thousands of villagers in Marogong, Lanao del Sur have fled after the Dawlah Islamiya last Friday warned of an attack if authorities ignore its demand to set free many of its members arrested and detained for heinous offenses. In a statement Sunday, Lanao del Sur Gov. Soldiers had also killed 16 Dawlah Islamiya members in clashes in different towns in Lanao del Sur from June 2022 to March this year. The warnings by the Dawlah Islamiya to intrude into Marogong first spread Friday via text messages and fictitious Facebook accounts.
Source:Philippine Star
May 28, 2023 13:03 UTC
Hiker rescued after spending 18 hours on hiking trail near Ma On Shan
A 33-year-old hiker was rescued Sunday morning after he was stranded for 18 hours on a hiking trail near Ma On Shan. However, the man was unable to be airlifted out due to the darkness and terrain. Rescuers spend the night with the man on the spot and he was successfully rescued at 8 am this morning. He suffered injuries to his forehead and eyes, and was airlifted to the Eastern Hospital for treatment. The man was wrapped in a foil blanket when he arrived at the hospital conscious.
Source:The Standard
May 28, 2023 11:15 UTC
Filipino cyclists hurt in hit-and-run incident in Kuwait
Filipino cyclists hurt in hit-and-run incident in KuwaitFILE PHOTO: Cyclists and electric scooter riders use the protected bike lanes on EDSA from White Plains Avenue to Bonny Serrano Avenue as a dry-run activity for the World Bicycle Day as taken in this photo on May 24, 2020. MANILA, Philippines — In Kuwait, Filipino cyclists became some of the victims of a hit-and-run incident that left several injured, two in critical condition, and another in a coma after a car hit their group in the early hours of Friday. Kuwaiti Times reported that 15 people were hurt, but nine out of the 11 cyclists who were brought to hospitals have since been discharged. Some of those injured were Indian cyclists, Khaleej Times said in a separate report. The incident sparked calls to fast-track the creation of bike lanes in Kuwait.
Source:Philippine Star
May 28, 2023 05:03 UTC
Bun Scrambling Final returns to Cheung Chau as bus captain and pro tree-climber crowned
Chung Yuk-chuen (left) and Wong Ka-yan (right), the champions of this year's Bun Scrambling Final. Previous NextTwelve finalists started crawling up the bun tower at the stroke of midnight as the grand Bun Scrambling Final returned to Hong Kong on Saturday. Chung Yuk-chuen, a KMB bus captain, defeated nine times champion Jason Kwok Ka-ming and was crowned in the men’s category for the first time. As for the women’s category, Wong Ka-yan won her sixth championship and also the “Queen of Queens” award for obtaining three championships in the women’s category since 2016. The three-level bun tower, standing at 14 meters, had a total 9,000 “ping on” buns on it.
Source:The Standard
May 28, 2023 03:27 UTC
Gilas officials in talks with Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson FIBA PHOTOWith Gilas Pilipinas set to hold camp and series of scrimmage games in Europe, the next step is to get Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson on board as the team looks forward to working with 2021 NBA Sixth Man of the Year in preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila this August. Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio said he's currently holding dialogue with Clarkson's handlers as they try to iron out some specific details. "We are currently talking with his (Clarkson) group. The 30-year-old Clarkson averaged 25 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists during his two-game stint with Gilas in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers fourth window versus Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. The amiable PBA chair believes Gilas reinforced by Brownlee and Clarkson as naturalized player, would be "beautiful to scenario."
Source:Manila Times
May 28, 2023 01:15 UTC
Ababa rises, snatches ICTSI PH Masters crown
Jhonnel Ababa gets emotional after winning the ICTSI Philippine Masters crown on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Villamor Golf Club. 17 to edge Guido van der Valk and Joenard Rates by one with a 71 for the ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters crown at the Villamor Golf Club on Saturday. Ababa actually appeared headed for a runaway win after rattling off three birdies in a four-hole stretch from No. It didn't materialize as van der Valk and Rates flubbed their birdie bids on the 72nd hole and matched 74s, enabling Ababa to hoist the highly contested trophy with a four-day total of three-under 285 worth P450,000. Gary Sales took low amateur honors despite a 78 as he tied for 16th with Balasabas, who shot a 72, with 296.
Source:Manila Times
May 27, 2023 22:21 UTC
Signals raised as Betty maintains strength
Signals raised as Betty maintains strengthImage from Pagasa shows the path of Super Typhoon Betty as of yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has started to raise tropical cyclone wind signals over parts of northern Luzon as Super Typhoon Betty makes its way closer to the country. It will remain as a super typhoon over the weekend and short-term intensification was not ruled out last night. Philippine Army headquarters activated its Disaster Response Task Force last Friday. Also, national support units with disaster response capability are on standby for rapid deployment in the affected areas.
Source:Philippine Star
May 27, 2023 20:39 UTC
First Pinoy welcomed at LaLiga Academy
Rafael Garcia SCREENGRAB FROM LALIGA FACEBOOK PAGE(UPDATE) FOR the first time, a Filipino will be represented at Spain's LaLiga Academy. In a four-minute video posted on Facebook on Saturday, 16-year-old Filipino footballer Rafael "Rafa" Garcia will be joining the academy for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. "I feel that the LaLiga Academy will help me improve my skills, and grow as a player," he said in the video. The teenage defender said he heard about the LaLiga Academy tryouts because he was looking for academies and football teams to join in Europe. Garcia will practice at the ESC LaLiga & NBA Center for the season.
Source:Manila Times
May 27, 2023 16:19 UTC