At least 44 killed in Nepal's worst air crash in nearly five years
At least 44 people were killed on Sunday when a domestic flight crashed in Pokhara in Nepal, an aviation authority official said, in the small Himalayan country's worst crash in nearly five years. Hundreds of rescue workers were scouring the hillside where the Yeti Airlines flight, carrying 72 people from the capital Kathmandu, went down. "Another 14 bodies are still lying at the crash site and authorities are bringing in a crane to move them." Some of the ground near the crash site was scorched, with licks of flames visible. Yeti Airlines has a fleet of sixATR72-500 planes, according to its website.
Source:The Standard
January 15, 2023 07:27 UTC
Plane with 72 people on board crashes in Nepal
KATHMANDU — An aircraft with 72 people on board crashed in Nepal on Sunday, Yeti Airlines and a local official said. ADVERTISEMENTHe said the plane crashed between the old and new Pokhara airports in central Nepal. ADVERTISEMENTIn May 2022, all 22 people on board a plane operated by Nepali carrier Tara Air — 16 Nepalis, four Indians and two Germans — died when it crashed. In March 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines plane crash-landed near Kathmandu’s notoriously difficult international airport, killing 51 people. That accident was Nepal’s deadliest since 1992, when all 167 people aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane died when it crashed on approach to Kathmandu.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 15, 2023 07:21 UTC
Warriors rout Spurs in front of record NBA crowd
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Golden State Warriors were the stars of the party in San Antonio on Friday, Jan. 13, cruising to a 144-113 victory over the Spurs before an NBA record crowd of 68,323 at the Alamodome. An overall interior view of the court during the game between the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs on January 13, 2023 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs played the game at their old arena as part of the celebrations of the franchise’s 50th-anniversary season. Old-school Spurs fans relished a chance to return to the ‘Dome, but plenty of those in the crowd were drawn by Warriors star Stephen Curry and his teammates. And it was an emotional night for Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who played four seasons in San Antonio and won two titles with the Spurs.
Source:Manila Times
January 14, 2023 22:21 UTC
Fire hits residential area in Olongapo City
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales – A fire burned three houses in a residential compound in Olongapo City on Saturday (Jan. 14). ADVERTISEMENTAccording to Vice Mayor Jong Cortez, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) received the report of the fire in Barangay (village) Pag Asa at about 9:40 a.m. The fire immediately spread because the houses are made of light materials, said Cortez. It was declared fire out a few minutes later. The BFP are still conducting investigation to establish the cause of the fire and the cost of property damage.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 14, 2023 19:17 UTC
Health minister tells industry to calm down, backs doctors’ professional decision making
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau has called on the healthcare industry to calm down after two doctors were charged with manslaughter over a medical blunder, saying doctors will always make decisions in the patients’ interest after thorough discussions. Lo said on Saturday that the work of doctors is very stressful and he understands that mistakes happen. The Medical Council of Hong Kong will handle those incidents, Lo added, but sidestepped the question on the doctors’ criminal liability. The health chief continued that doctors will discuss thoroughly with patients about their treatment plans, and will always make decisions in the patients’ interest. Lo said he believes experienced doctors can handle high-risk surgeries as well.
Source:The Standard
January 14, 2023 17:30 UTC
20 people killed by early 2023 rains, floods across the Philippines
20 people killed by early 2023 rains, floods across the PhilippinesMembers of the Philippine Coast Guard are seen rescuing a senior citizen as floods engulfed Barangay San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City, January 11, 2023MANILA, Philippines — Casualties pile up as the country continues to feel the effects of heavy downpour and floods brought about by the recent low pressure areas (LPAs), shear line and northeast monsoon since January 2. Around P171.23 million worth of infrastructure have been damaged, this while the agricultural sector suffered P257.76 million worth of losses. Housing damages also continue to rack up (1,135) while 42 roads and 10 bridges are said to be unpassable to all types of vehicles. "Assistance worth P32,367,486.68 were [already] provided to [the] affected population," said the OCD. "Search and Rescue teams and operations [likewise have been] deployed and ongoing."
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2023 11:54 UTC
Miss Universe Bahrain 2022 thanks 'all-Filipino' team
Miss Universe Bahrain 2022 thanks 'all-Filipino' teamEvlin Khalifa in her Furne One Amato evening gown during the preliminary competition at the Miss Universe 2022. MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe Bahrain 2022 Evlin Khalifa thanked her all-Filipino team who she thinks is the best in pageantry as she continues to catch attention with her performance at the Miss Universe 2022 being held in New Orleans, Louisiana. One part read, "Arab women should be represented," while the opposite side read, "A Muslim woman can also be a Miss Universe." The Miss Universe Bahrain National Directors are Filipinos Josh Yugen and Ian Borromeo. RELATED: The Filipino connection: Miss Universe 2022 candidates' Philippine-made costumes, trainers
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2023 11:09 UTC
Drug trafficking driver wanted over four-car pile-up in West Kowloon
A four-car pile-up involving a school bus with 13 kids onboard at the West Kowloon Corridor Saturday morning saw a private car driver fleeing the scene when aiding police investigations. Apart from the school bus, the crash also involved a Volkswagen, a Tesla, and a taxi. The 43-year-old Tesla driver surnamed Chan sustained injuries to his neck and waist and was sent to hospital, while the Volkswagen driver, suspected to be trafficking drugs, successfully outran the police. Yet, the driver refused to pull over and headed towards New Territories along the West Kowloon Corridor. The case has been listed a furious driving and trafficking in a dangerous drug, and officers are still searching for the man.
Source:The Standard
January 14, 2023 07:45 UTC
Pakistan police bust organ trafficking ring
Lahore, Pakistan — Police in Pakistan said Friday they busted an organ trafficking ring when a missing 14-year-old boy was found in an underground lab after having his kidney removed. ADVERTISEMENT“It was only after we followed the evidence and leads that we discovered that there was an organ trafficking operation behind the boy’s disappearance,” Rehan Anjum, a spokesman for Punjab police, told AFP on Friday. “The boy told us that when he woke up there was an Arab man on the stretcher next to him, so we think that most of the clients were foreigners,” Anjum said. The gang’s victims were taken to a medical testing lab used for clandestine organ transplant surgeries in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad. Facilities for such clandestine surgeries in Pakistan often lack proper medical equipment and standards, and patients are known to die from complications as result.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 14, 2023 04:54 UTC
Coach Topex, Phoenix part ways
(UPDATED) PHOENIX Super LPG has parted ways with head coach Topex Robinson. The partnership that started in 2017 when Robinson came in first as assistant coach has come to a close through an official statement released by Phoenix on Thursday. "We thank coach Topex for his five years of service with Phoenix, and wish him the very best as he pursues other endeavors," Phoenix said in an official statement. The 48-year-old Robinson joined the team when Louie Alas was hired as head coach. He then assumed the interim role when the latter left and was later appointed head coach during the PBA bubble conference in Clark, Pampanga.
Source:Manila Times
January 14, 2023 04:05 UTC
Some things you keep
And so, with my waste basket ready, I begin to throw away unwanted things, but as I look through my stuff, I realize that no matter what happens, there are some things you keep. Throwing things away meant there’d always be more. You can throw away things but some things you keep close. Love people and use things; Do not use people to love things. Some things you throw away but the relationships you keep.
Source:Philippine Star
January 14, 2023 01:09 UTC
Brian Goorjian savors first Game 7 finals in storied career
Bay Area head coach Brian Goorjian is thrilled to have a chance to play his first-ever Game 7 finals game, more so in an extraordinary setting where the crowd inside a 55,000-seater arena is rooting against them. “I have never been in a seven game series. Playing in a prospect of 50,000 fans watching, Goorjian, regardless if they or lose, would be something special for him and for his young Dragons crew. “I am just excited to be part of it and whatever goes one from here absolutely no complains everything’s been above board. None of us have played in front of that many people ever so we’re all excited and one game to win it all.
Source:Manila Times
January 13, 2023 20:28 UTC
MTR to provide overnight service on Lunar New Year's Eve
MTR announced Friday that overnight train service will be provided on Lunar New Year’s Eve (Jan 21), while the service of five railway lines will also be enhanced in the lead up to and during the Lunar New Year holidays. For overnight service, all MTR railway lines, except the Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line and journeys to or from Lok Ma Chau Station on the East Rail Line, will run trains overnight on January 21, while service will be stepped up starting from 8pm on that day on the Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line and Kwun Tong Line. Seven Light Rail routes 505, 507, 610, 614P, 615P, 706 and 751 will also provide overnight service on that day. MTR Bus routes 506, K51 and K54, meanwhile, will extend their service hours for Lunar New Year’s Eve. Separately, service on the Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line, South Island Line and Tuen Ma Line will be enhanced during different periods today, this weekend, next Friday and during the first four days of the new year on the Lunar calendar.
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2023 20:03 UTC
Filippino Department of Agriculture urged to wait for harvest before importing onions
Last Wednesday, senator Risa Hontiveros raised alarm over the impending importation by the Department of Agriculture (DA) of almost 22,000 tons of onions, urging its officials to wait for the turnout of local harvests next week before making a decision. If the yield is good like last year, we may not need to import 22,000 metric tons of onions,” she said. Agriculture Deputy Spokesman Rex Estoperez said that it was the decision of the agency to stop selling highly subsidized onions at the Kadiwa outlets. Estoperez said that farmers are welcome to sell onions at the Kadiwa stores, but the DA will no longer provide support. "If farmers can sell onions at the Kadiwa they are welcome but the P1 70 being subsidized is over."
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 13, 2023 19:16 UTC
New head, new hope?
Macasaet is of course not new to social insurance and to running a state-run pension fund. He also has more than two decades of professional experience in financial services, banking, and public-private partnerships, and the private sector, having worked with the Philippine National Bank, Bank of Commerce, San Miguel Corp., PCI Bank, and the Private Infrastructure and Development Corp. Beginning last Jan. 1, SSS members’ contributions were increased to 14 percent from the previous 13 percent. Why are members’ benefits being expanded only to make them pay for these later on in terms of additional contributions? But as has been pointed out earlier, SSS pension funds are being depleted because of increases in benefits without a corresponding funding source.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2023 17:10 UTC