US data cheer Wall St, Asian markets
HONG KONG: Asian markets extended a Wall Street advance into Thursday as forecast-busting United States earnings and consumer confidence data tempered worries about a deep recession. That came along with better-than-expected earnings from Nike and delivery giant FedEx. All three main indexes on Wall Street ended more than 1 percent higher, while European equities also barreled along. But toward the end of the day, Shanghai dipped on worries about rising coronavirus cases, while Mumbai also dropped. The pick-up in crude has also been helped by China's economic reopening after almost three years of a "zero-Covid" policy of lockdowns and mass testing.
Source:Manila Times
December 23, 2022 05:35 UTC
Man dies in hit-and-run
Man dies in hit-and-runPolice said Frederick Santos, 31, had just alighted from a passenger bus when he was run over along the northbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay UP Campus at around 9:11 p.m.MANILA, Philippines — A man died in a hit-and-run accident in Quezon City on Wednesday night. Police said Frederick Santos, 31, had just alighted from a passenger bus when he was run over along the northbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay UP Campus at around 9:11 p.m. Witnesses were unsure if the vehicle that hit Santos was a truck or another commuter bus. Rescuers brought Santos to the East Avenue Medical Center, but the attending physician pronounced him dead on arrival. The victim’s partner, Sundelyn Sarol, reported the incident to the Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Sector 5.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2022 23:02 UTC
MPIC, Israeli firm launch dairy facility
MPIC, Israeli firm launch dairy facilityMANILA, Philippines — The MVP Group has teamed up with Israeli firm LR Group Ltd. to boost Philippine dairy production with a P2-billion state-of the-art farm facility producing fresh milk and milk derivatives. The team-up presents a significant growth opportunity for MPIC and the Philippines, as the country currently imports 99 percent of its annual dairy requirements. The new farm facility will have a capacity of up to 2,000 cows. The farm facility will also have highly mechanized and automated operations to maximize fresh milk’s shelf life, which will ensure adherence to quality and safety standards. It will also be equipped with solar farms that will produce power for the dairy facility, a water treatment plant that will provide human-grade drinking water for the cattle, and a waste management facility that will allow the facility to produce fertilizer.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2022 22:34 UTC
Philippines orders strengthened military presence after 'Chinese activities' near islands
The Philippines' defence ministry on Thursday ordered the military to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea after monitoring "Chinese activities" in disputed waters close to a strategic Philippine-held island. The ministry did not specify what activities those were and its statement follows a report this week of Chinese construction on four uninhabited features in the disputed Spratly islands, news that Beijing has dismissed as "unfounded". The Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated that China strictly abides by a consensus reached among claimants that included not developing uninhabited reefs and islands. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which billions of dollars worth of goods pass each year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have overlapping claims to various islands and features.
Source:The Standard
December 22, 2022 09:37 UTC
Taiwan scrambles jets to warn away Chinese air force incursion
Taiwan scrambled combat jets to warn away 39 Chinese aircraft that entered its southeastern air defence zone, the island's defence ministry said on Thursday. Taiwan has complained of repeated missions by the Chinese air force over the last two years, often in southern areas of its air defence identification zone, or ADIZ. Three Chinese navy ships were also detected near Taiwan, the ministry said. Taiwan sent unspecified combat aircraft to warn away the Chinese planes, while missile systems monitored their flight, the ministry said, using standard wording for its response. Taiwan's government rejects the Chinese claims and says it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked.
Source:The Standard
December 22, 2022 05:21 UTC
51% expect improved life in next 6 months – OCTA
51% expect improved life in next 6 months – OCTAMANILA, Philippines — About half of adult Filipinos expect their quality of life to improve in the next six months, a recent survey conducted by the OCTA Research group said. Results of the Oct. 23 to 27 survey released yesterday showed that 51 percent of the respondents are optimistic when it comes to their quality of life. Six percent said they expect it to be worse than now, while 40 percent said it will be the same. It was also highest among those in socioeconomic class D (52 percent optimist, five percent pessimist), followed by those in classes E (49 percent optimist, seven percent pessimist) and ABC (45 percent optimist, seven percent pessimist). The same survey also found that 46 percent of Filipinos expect the country’s economy to improve in the next six months.
Source:Philippine Star
December 22, 2022 03:33 UTC
LIST: Spirits to help feel the Christmas spirit
LIST: Spirits to help feel the Christmas spiritIn the spirit of giving this festive season, Monkey Shoulder got the chance to win the Monkey Mixer Van experienceMANILA, Philippines — Christmas is fast approaching and there is no better time to unwind than in the company of good friends, loving family, and delicious drinks — responsibly consumed, of course! Specifically the ones to grab hands on are the cream of the crop: The Mortlach 20, the Cardhu 18, the Talisker 25, and the rare Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Johnnie Walker highballsIf a Johnnie Walker Blue Label is too rare a find, there is nothing wrong with opening up a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label and come up with a creative array of cocktail mixes. Familiar mixes from Johnnie Walker's highball collection are the Johnnie & Lime, Johnnie & Ginger, and Johnnie & Grapefruit — other ideas could be Johnnie & Peach, Johnnie & Lemon, and Johnnie & Elderflower. The long-awaited festive season is here!
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2022 20:06 UTC
Over 200K units produced under CARS program – DTI
Over 200K units produced under CARS program – DTIMANILA, Philippines — The two companies participating in the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) have already produced over 200,000 units under the program, according to an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). In contrast, MMPC, which started production in February 2018, produced a total of 72,923 units of its Mirage model. Apart from the produced units, Rodoldo shared that other achievements of the program include improved localization or the share of parts sourced locally , which is now above 40 percent for both enrolled units. TMP has been pushing for an extension of the six-year compliance period for the CARS program as early as 2020, based on previous news reports. Second, we also recognize that the CARS program participants have already complied with their investment commitments.
Source:Philippine Star
December 21, 2022 16:53 UTC
Man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting 6-year-old daughter for six years
A 48-year-old man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to fifteen allegations of sexually assaulting and abusing his six-year-old daughter over 100 times in six years. The defendant appeared at the High Court today before Judge Joseph Yau Chi-lap. The defendant, a renovation worker, was from the mainland and lived with his wife and daughter in Tai Kok Tsui. He conducted multiple sexual assaults on his daughter from 2014 to 2019, including touching her private parts and forcing her to masturbate for himself. In 2019, the victim, who was 11 years old, told her mother about the defendant’s acts.
Source:The Standard
December 21, 2022 07:49 UTC
Making effective paragraph transitions – 4
Implicit or intrinsic transition hooks (Continuation)In Parts 2 and 3, we looked into several intrinsic or implicit strategies for making a transition to a new paragraph from the one preceding it. This time we'll take up the use of the words "it," "such," and "there" as implicit paragraph transitions. Strategy 5: Use the anticipatory pronoun "it" to begin the new paragraph. They thus caution that for short compositions, more than one paragraph beginning with these hooks would probably be too much. Next week, Dec. 29, 2022: Making effective paragraph transitions – 5Visit Jose Carillo's English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com.
Source:Manila Times
December 21, 2022 07:28 UTC
Taliban-led Afghan administration suspends women from universities
KABUL — Afghanistan’s Taliban-run higher education ministry on Tuesday suspended access to universities by female students until further notice, drawing strong condemnation from the United States, Britain and the United Nations. A letter, confirmed by a spokesperson for the higher education ministry, instructed Afghan public and private universities to suspend access to female students immediately, in accordance with a Cabinet decision. ADVERTISEMENTThe announcement by the Taliban administration, which has not been internationally recognized, came as the United Nations Security Council met in New York on Afghanistan. Foreign governments, including the United States, have said that a change in policies on women’s education is needed before it can consider formally recognizing the Taliban-run administration, which is also subject to heavy sanctions. RELATED STORIESTaliban orders Afghan women to cover faces againTaliban bans Afghan women from gyms and public bathsRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 21, 2022 02:45 UTC
No RAT result to show before entering bars and banquets: Govt
The government announced to ease the Covid curbs further starting this Thursday, including exempting citizens from showing a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test result before going to bars, banquets, or joining local group tours. At a press conference on Tuesday, the health authority confirmed that the new arrangements will be put into force from December 22. The maximum headcount of guests at banquets, which used to be 240, will be scrapped. Besides, mandatory requirements for people to show RAT results when entering bars, clubs, banquets, and local travel activities will also be cancelled. People can also eat and drink in outdoor spaces of entertainment premises, including public entertainment places, Mahjong rooms, Tien Gow rooms, and sports venues.
Source:The Standard
December 20, 2022 09:59 UTC
(Video) Hong Kong flight to Guam makes emergency landing after engine fire
A United Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Guam has turned back for an emergency landing as a suspected engine failure on Tuesday morning. No injuries have been reported so far. The flight, numbered UA2831, was scheduled to take off from Hong Kong International Airport to Guam at 10.30 am but later returned to the Hong Kong International Airport and made an emergency landing at 11.39 am. The incident was suspected to be caused by a bird hitting the aircraft's engine, which led to a spark busting. Police and firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving the report and deployed five ambulances to stand by.
Source:The Standard
December 20, 2022 04:52 UTC
Smart releases SIM Registration FAQs for all Smart and TNT customers
What is SIM Registration? SIM card registration for new usersStarting Dec. 27, new SIM cards will require SIM registration prior to activation. SIM card registration for existing usersSmart Prepaid, Smart Bro, and TNT subscribers must register through https://smart.com.ph/simreg. SIM card registration for minorsFor minor end-users, the registration of the SIM shall be under the name of the minor’s parent or guardian. To learn more about SIM Registration, follow Smart and TNT official social media accounts.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2022 01:56 UTC
ACEN takes over SSPC
ACEN takes over SSPCMANILA, Philippines — ACEN Corp. has acquired shares from two companies in line with its takeover of a special purpose vehicle that will develop a 60-megawatt peak (MWp) solar power plant in San Manuel, Pangasinan. ACEN, in a stock exchange filing, said it signed a deed of absolute sale of shares with Sungrow Power Renewables Corp. (SPRC) for the acquisition of 4,400 Class A common shares in Sinocalan Solar Power Corp. (SSPC). The company also inked a deed of absolute sale of shares with Havilah AAA Holdings Corp. for the acquisition of 600 Class B common shares in SSPC, as well as a deed of assignment of subscription rights to 6,000 Class B common shares in SSPC. Further, a subscription agreement was also entered into with SSPC for the subscription by ACEN to 600,000 Redeemable Preferred Shares B (RPS B), to be issued out of the increase in authorized capital stock of SSPC. Upon the acquisition of the 400,000 RPS A shares, ACEN will have 100 percent ownership of SSPC.
Source:Philippine Star
December 19, 2022 16:55 UTC