Ombudsman calls for real-name registration policy for paragliding activities
Hong Kong's ombudsman has called on the city’s aviation authorities to roll out a real-name registration policy for paragliding activities after they have become more popular in recent years with accidents happening from time to time. The government watchdog said on Thursday that the Civil Aviation Department - the overseer of civil aviation safety in Hong Kong - has a duty to regulate local paragliding activities and enforce paragliding-related legislation so as to ensure aviation and public safety. At present, those who engage in paragliding activities in Hong Kong are not required to register with any government authority or organization, or make any pre-flight planning or post-flight record. It called on the department to require persons who engage in paragliding activities in Hong Kong to register in real-name advance, as well as the paragliding equipment they use to raise the chance of successfully identifying the paraglider pilots. “We consider that the Civil Aviation Department…has the duty to take up a more active role in enforcement and investigation.
Source:The Standard
May 26, 2022 03:19 UTC
Comelec set to proclaim winning party-list groups despite pending cases
So, in this case, we exercise our discretion. We will proceed to proclaim these party-list organizations,” he added. Garcia said that it will be “unfair” not to proclaim the groups just because they have a pending case. “I think it’s so unfair if simply because you have a pending case na (that is) questioning the qualification or the accreditation of the partylist, that you will not proclaim that party-list,” he said. The Comelec is set to proclaim the winning party-list groups at 4 p.m Thursday.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 26, 2022 03:01 UTC
Experts see no need for 2nd boosters yet
MANILA, Philippines — Health experts said on Wednesday that for now, they would not recommend giving second booster shots to other priority groups, particularly, economic front-liners and people with comorbidities. In fact, the incremental benefit from the second dose to the first booster is very big. But the incremental benefit between the first booster and the second booster is much smaller compared to that between [the] second dose and the first booster,” Salvaña said. Just waitThe government recently started administering second booster shots to immunocompromised persons, regardless of which priority sector they belong to, followed by health workers and the elderly. And currently, evidence to support benefits for boosters are for those identified which are the immunocompromised, seniors and health-care workers,” Lim said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 26, 2022 00:41 UTC
Imee Marcos slams agriculture chief’s ‘import madness’
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos slammed the Department of Agriculture (DA) for supposedly trying to pull off a “midnight deal” to import fish to the detriment of local fishers. Marcos, chair of the Senate committee on economic affairs, criticized Agriculture Secretary William Dar for signing on Monday Administrative Order No. 10-2022 which allows the importation of 38,695 metric tons of small pelagic fish, like galunggong (round scad), sardines and mackerel. “The DA’s midnight madness goes on, from contriving a shortage earlier this year while a large supply was still in storage to bypassing outright the NFARMC,” Marcos said. But, Marcos said, the Fisheries Code requires the DA to consult with the NFARMC on decisions affecting stakeholders in the fishing industry.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 25, 2022 23:23 UTC
Gov’t adviser notes ‘early signals’ of another COVID surge
MANILA, Philippines — “Early signals” of another surge in COVID-19 infections are being noted, with instances of reversals in the downward trend of cases posted in the past month, according to an adviser of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). ADVERTISEMENTThe data showed fluctuations in the weekly growth rate from April 22 to May 22. Most of the reported weekly infections had been declining in number but significantly increased around the first week and fourth week of May, to register a positive weekly growth rate of 4-6 percent. Johns Hopkins defines the weekly growth rate as the change in the number of confirmed cases over the last seven days relative to the number in the previous similar period. “However, even if none have been sustained, we should take these as early warning signals and take the appropriate steps,” he said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 25, 2022 22:09 UTC
'Civilization may not survive Ukraine war'
AFP PHOTODAVOS, Switzerland: United States billionaire George Soros warned on Tuesday that "civilization may not survive" Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but said Europe could have a stronger position against Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding gas than it realizes. "The invasion may have been the beginning of the Third World War and our civilization may not survive it," Soros said. The best and, perhaps, only way to preserve our civilization is to defeat Putin as soon as possible," he added. He praised US and European support for Ukraine, but Europe's dependence on Russian fossil fuels "remains excessive," Soros said. The European Union is now aiming to reduce its use of Russian gas by two-thirds this year, but it has fallen short of banning imports due to German reluctance.
Source:Manila Times
May 25, 2022 22:08 UTC
Lucky man left unharmed after bus seat-needle jabs backpack instead
A man luckily found a needle sticking out of a seat on bus route 68M jabbed his backpack instead of him on Wednesday afternoon in Tsuen Wan. The incident was reported to police when the bus, traveling from Yuen Long (West) to Tsuen Wan MTR Station, reached the bus terminal on Sai Lau Kok Road in Tsuen Wan. He found his backpack planted on the seat as he planned to alight and grabbed his backpack, and then spotted the needle after close examination. On May 6, a 60-year-old woman was stabbed in the back by a 5cm long needle pierced in the back of a route 81 bus seat on the lower deck. Earlier on May 2, a 40-year-old man saw a needle hidden on the seat next to him on route 73 from Tai Po.
Source:The Standard
May 25, 2022 17:28 UTC
Calling on those with a big heart to save a life, after life
Doctors at Queen Mary Hospital on Monday made an urgent appeal for a heart donation to save the life of a 65-year-old woman who was diagnosed with acute myocarditis, with her own organ failing. Potential donors should have O-positive blood type, according to Dr Oswald Joseph Lee On-jing, associate consultant at the department of cardiothoracic surgery at Queen Mary Hospital. Hui on April 6 visited a private hospital for chest pains and shortness of breath but was later transferred to Queen Mary Hospital due to abnormal electrocardiogram results. As her condition continued to worsen in late April, doctors placed her on a heart transplant waiting list. They also installed bi-ventricular assist devices, which help both sides of the heart pump enough blood to the rest of the body, as a temporary measure.
Source:The Standard
May 25, 2022 03:35 UTC
Credit cards to see second half growth
Citibank expects single-digit growth in the credit card market in Hong Kong for the second half of the year. But Li expected credit card sales will pick up to record a single-digit growth in the second half of the year thanks to the easing of the Covid and the positive effect of the latest round of the consumption voucher program. This came as Citibank, HKT's (6823) loyalty program The Club and Mastercard yesterday announced the official launch of Citi The Club Credit Card, which offers spending rebates of up to 4 percent. The new card had a soft launch in April, with 60 percent of applicants aged between 30 and 45. "Certainly for Standard Chartered bank, the cost would be much greater than the benefit.
Source:The Standard
May 25, 2022 01:19 UTC
How to make your kids love eating veggies
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOHAVE you experienced sitting with your kids way past mealtime just to make sure they eat their veggies on the plate? Even celebrities such as Camille Prats-Yambao have to do a bit of negotiating just to get her kids to eat their veggies. Instead of only serving your kids veggies, partner your kids' meals with Tang Fruit & Veg. Incorporate veggies in delectable recipes that you know your kids will surely love. Shop for Tang Fruit & Veg to get the yummy taste of fruits with the nutritional benefits of veggies via http://bit.ly/TangFruitNVeg.
Source:Manila Times
May 24, 2022 16:10 UTC
NCR’s COVID reproduction number increasing but area remains ‘low risk’ — OCTA
MANILA, Philippines — The reproduction number (R0) of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila has increased but the metropolis has remained under the “low risk” classification, independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research said on Tuesday. OCTA research fellow Guido David said the current reproduction number in the National Capital Region has increased to 1.05 as of May 20, compared to the area’s R0 of 0.90 in its previous report. The current R0 of 1.05 meant that each existing infection would cause more than one new infection. “Based on current data, the worst-case scenario we see over the next few weeks is a weak surge in COVID-19 cases,” David added. READ: DOH detects Omicron BA.4 subvariant in PHSo far, the new Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.2.12.1.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 24, 2022 06:51 UTC
Biden unveils new trade deal, warns over inflation
MEETING OF MINDS United States President Joe Biden (left) talks to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a bilateral meeting at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Monday, May 23, 2022. Speaking at a news conference after holding talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden acknowledged that the US economy had "problems," but said they were "less consequential than the rest of the world has." Biden's comments came just before he launched the trade deal, called the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Biden and Kishida were joined for the launch event by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while representatives from the other countries appeared by video. Kishida said at their meeting that he was "absolutely delighted" to welcome Biden to Tokyo on the first Asia trip of his presidency.
Source:Manila Times
May 24, 2022 04:59 UTC
Floods in parts of India, Bangladesh kill 24
SOAKED UNDER THE SUN A girl wades through a flooded area after heavy rains in Companiganj, Bangladesh on Sunday, May 22, 2022. AFP PHOTODHAKA: Pre-monsoon rains have flooded parts of India and Bangladesh, killing at least 24 people in recent weeks and sending 90,000 people into shelters, authorities said on Monday. Both heavily populated nations in South Asia are prone to frequent floods and are considered major victims of climate change. The deaths have been reported since April 6 in India's northeastern region, with Assam state continuing to experience floods. People also lack drinking water as wells have been under floodwaters or the water supply system has been damaged.
Source:Manila Times
May 24, 2022 04:15 UTC
'Cartoonito' encourages young ones to play and learn
Cartoonito offers a modern approach to programming for youngsters aged 2 to 5. It's time for youngsters to laugh, play and learn with a brand-new selection of shows every morning on Cartoon Network. Now available, Cartoonito offers a modern approach to programming for youngsters aged 2 to 5. 74 (SD), Ch. 43 (SD), Ch.
Source:Manila Times
May 24, 2022 04:03 UTC
Rape suspect nabbed in Apayao while getting police clearance
TUGUEGARAO CITY––A 24-year-old man in Luna town in Apayao province was placed in police custody Monday while applying for a police clearance after it was discovered that he had a pending warrant of arrest. Lt. Harvey Bao Isang, Luna police spokesperson, said the man, whose name was withheld, had been indicted in 2019 for rape in San Mateo town, Rizal province. ADVERTISEMENTInvestigators said the man did not know that the police have centralized data of the names of people with pending criminal cases. lzbRELATED STORIES:Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 24, 2022 01:56 UTC