Public housing blocks used for quarantine to be returned to prospective tenants
Three newly built public housing blocks previously used as community isolation facilities will, at the earliest in May, be returned to prospective tenants who have their move-in date delayed due to the measure, according to the government. Authorities earlier converted Blocks 1 and 7 of Queen's Hill Estate in Fanling as well as Heng King House of Lai King Estate into community isolation facilities, providing more than 3,000 units for Covid patients. All household items installed at these transitional housing sites for isolation purposes will be given away to the operators, according to Lam. Speaking at the same press briefing, Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan said an ex gratia allowance of HK$8,000 per household has been granted to those prospective tenants of relevant public housing blocks. Authorities will also distribute an allowance to some 600 prospective households at the transitional housing sites, said Chan.
Source:The Standard
April 13, 2022 10:18 UTC
‘Oversubscribed’ as 470,000 applied for jobless subsidy
Around 470,000 people have applied for a HK$10,000 subsidy for those who have recently lost their jobs due to the Covid epidemic - 57 percent more than the government anticipated. She also explained the subsidy scheme's expansion to cover employees working in closed premises such as fitness centers and beauty salons has contributed to the figure. Ho noted that the government will make use of the contingency fund to pay out all successful applicants’ HK$10,000 relief even if the total amount exceeded the HK$3 billion budget. Meanwhile, Ho said the government will be ready to inform successful applicants of the next batch after the Easter break. They will receive the subsidy a week after the announcement, she added.
Source:The Standard
April 13, 2022 09:22 UTC
CE hopeful John Lee submits candidacy application
Chief executive hopeful John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday morning arrived at the election office at Edinburgh Place in Central to hand in his formal application to stand for the city’s chief executive. Lee said he has secured 786 nominations - nearly half of the 1,463-member Election Committee and 200 more than what his campaign office was pursuing. The nominations he secured are also more than the needed 188 - with at least 15 from each Election Committee sector - to run for the top job. Approximately 1,500 people, mostly Beijing loyalists, will vote on May 8 to select incumbent Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s successor. Lee will need the endorsement of more than half of the members to become Chief Executive.
Source:The Standard
April 13, 2022 08:43 UTC
Hop into an EGGzoiting and Happy Easter at SM Supermalls
Complete with Easter eggs, bunnies, and all things sunny, SM Supermalls' will surely brighten up your day this Easter Sunday. SM Center LemeryJoin the Summer Easter Costume Contest - Kids ages 3 to 12 years are invited to dress up in their Easter-inspired costumes and join SM Supermalls' Summer Easter Costume Contest on April 17, 2022. From egg decorating to coloring activities in select SM Supermalls, kids of all ages and their families will get to enjoy getting their hands dirty and exploring their artistic side. SM City LipaSM City Sta. RosaSM MegamallIt surely is an EGGstra special and EGGzoiting Easter with the family at SM Supermalls this Sunday!
Source:Manila Times
April 13, 2022 07:51 UTC
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort promotes Earth Month and Disney Planet Possible
With ‘Earth Day’ on April 22 fast approaching, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is unveiling its very own ‘Earth Month’ celebration to promote environmental awareness among guests and cast members. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) has always been committed to environmental protection as part of its daily operations and through various campaigns. The largest solar panel system in Hong KongIn 2018, HKDL began installing a large-scale solar panel system, and the first three phases were successfully completed last year. Towards greater energy savingsIn addition to promoting renewable energy, HKDL is committed to saving energy and enhancing energy efficiency. Green waste – reuse, recycle, sortWith more than 10,000 trees in the resort, HKDL is actively minimising its green waste production through recycling and reusing organic materials.
Source:The Standard
April 13, 2022 07:08 UTC
Conversion to Islam no shield from bigamy
Please enlighten me if we can convert to Islam so that we could safely contract marriage without fear of being indicted for bigamy. Acts done prior to the effectivity of the Muslim Code remain governed by the Civil Code, the then pre-existing law of general application. Similarly, any protection which the Muslim Code may afford petitioner Francis when converted to Islam-which is when the Muslim Code became applicable to him-must also be prospectively applied. Whether petitioner Francis converted to Islam before or after his marriage with petitioner Jacqueline, the subsequent marriage consummated the crime of bigamy. You cannot invoke the exculpatory provision of Article 180 of the Muslim Code because your previous marriage is governed by the Family Code, and not by the Muslim Code.
Source:Manila Times
April 13, 2022 01:22 UTC
Two more charged over fake Covid jab records
A man and his domestic helper have been charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption for obtaining fake Covid jab records. All of them were charged for obtaining vaccination certificates without getting vaccinated. The ICAC said a family of three and their domestic worker allegedly obtained the fake proofs of vaccination from another suspect, nurse Carmen Ho Ka-man. Two of them were charged yesterday - 67-year-old construction worker Liu Kwok-hung and his 39-year-old helper Mary Ann Villeza Marcelo. The Liu family, Cheng sisters and Marcelo all obtained their vaccination records from Ho on February 20 without getting the jab, said ICAC.
Source:The Standard
April 13, 2022 01:19 UTC
Ukraine war can halve trade growth
GUARDING OVER GOODS This July 16, 2020 file photo shows part of the exterior of the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. XINHUA PHOTOGENEVA: Russia's invasion of Ukraine could cut world trade growth almost in half this year and also drag global gross domestic product (GDP) expansion, the World Trade Organization (WTO) projected on Monday. The Geneva-based global trade body made the projection ahead of its annual world trade forecast report on Tuesday. It said that while the shares of Russia and Ukraine in overall world trade and output were relatively small, they were important suppliers of essential products, notably food and energy. "The model also projects that global trade growth this year could be cut almost in half from the 4.7 percent the WTO forecasted last October to between 2.4 percent and 3 percent."
Source:Manila Times
April 12, 2022 22:24 UTC
Frantic rescue efforts as storm toll hits 42
A resident is rescued from the mud in Cantagnos village in Baybay City, Leyte after tropical storm Megi triggered landslides. In Capiz province, a man carries a boy on his shoulders along a flooded road, accompanied by rescue workers. AFP, REUTERS Previous NextRescuers hampered by mud and rain yesterday used their bare hands and shovels to search for survivors of landslides that smashed into villages in the central Philippines, as the death toll from tropical storm Megi rose to 42. At least 36 people died and 26 were missing after landslides slammed into multiple villages around Baybay City in Leyte province - the hardest hit by the storm. Tropical storm Megi is the first major storm to hit the country this year.
Source:The Standard
April 12, 2022 20:02 UTC
Kaya-Iloilo takes close win over Mendiola
Photo from PFLKaya-Iloilo foiled Mendiola FC 1991’s bid to sneak another point after claiming a 1-0 win Monday, April 11 in the Copa Paulino Alcantara at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona, Cavite. Jhan-Jhan Melliza scored the eventual winner in the 68th minute as Kaya avoided a similar fate by leader United City FC, which was held to a scoreless draw by Mendiola last week. The defending champions remained in second spot with seven points, but moved one behind United City for top spot. In the other match, the Azkals Development Team held debuting Stallion-Laguna to a 1-1 draw thanks to a late goal by Scott Woods. ADT, composed mostly of players that could see action in the Southeast Asian Games, moved to third with four points.
Source:Manila Times
April 12, 2022 19:13 UTC
Meralco sizzles, secures first quarters berth in PBA 3×3 – Manila Bulletin
Photo from PBAMeralco beat previous champion Limitless to complete a sweep of its first three assignments in the sixth and final leg of the PBA 3×3 second conference Tuesday, April 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Tonino Gonzaga, Joseph Sedurifa, Dexter Maiquez and Maclean Sabellina claimed a 22-18 victory over Limitless to secure the first quarterfinals berth in Pool A with a 3-0 record. The Bolts earlier defeated the Sista Super Sealers (21-11) and NorthPort Batang Pier (21-13) to begin their bid to add a second leg crown before the Grand Finals on April 28. The Appmasters began the day with a 22-15 over the NorthPort Batang Pier before dropping the next two. Meanwhile, TNT, Pioneer and Purefoods closed in securing direct entries to the quarters with similar 2-0 starts.
Source:Manila Times
April 12, 2022 19:13 UTC
Consortium gets another five years running Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
The government said that they have offered a 5-year extension to Worldwide Cruise Terminals Consortium over the leasing of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal till May 2028, according to the leasing agreement. The extension could also see cruise lines that wish to operate in Hong Kong use the terminal. Meanwhile, lawmakers slammed the government’s strict Covid rules, including a ban on “cruise to nowhere” trips. Lawmakers also found the 21-day suspension imposed on cruises too harsh, given the suspension would kick in for any positive cases detected. Yau also noted the city’s plan of promoting multi-destination travel within the Greater Bay Area in the future would bring massive income to the industry.
Source:The Standard
April 12, 2022 16:01 UTC
No rapid antigen test, no school for students
Students who did not undergo rapid Covid tests will be barred from returning to school, according to the undersecretary for education, Christine Choi Yuk-lin. She said it was understood the measure could be troublesome for parents, with parents needing to carry out the rapid tests for children every morning. The education official also said authorities have not considered setting a vaccination target for removing the rapid test requirement. On the daily rapid test requirement, Chu Wai-lam, vice chairman of the New Territories School Heads Association, said the latest measure would pose difficulties for parents. Chu also said authorities should provide free rapid test kits for all students to reduce much of the financial burden on families.
Source:The Standard
April 12, 2022 12:38 UTC
5,060 former Moro rebels in the Philippines eyed to join police force
COTABATO CITY, PHILIPPINES (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are preparing to mainstream former Moro rebels into the Philippine National Police. Those who pass the exams would be granted an eligibility for temporary appointment as patrolman or patrolwoman of the Philippine National Police. The Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination will take place in the cities of Cotabato and Zamboanga on May 29. Under the memorandum of agreement, 5,060 successful examinees will be granted an eligibility for temporary appointment as patrolman or patrolwoman of the national police force. "Once they complete the training, they will automatically be regular members of the police force," he said, referring to the former combatants.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
April 12, 2022 06:10 UTC
Rianne Malixi wins AJGA Thunderbird All-Star title
Rianne Malixi captured the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Thunderbird All-Star title Sunday after winning the three-way playoff at the Papago Golf Course in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo from Team MalixiMalixi, 15, parred the third extra hole to win the title after Scarlet Schremmer made a bogey. They earlier parred the second hole. Nikki Oh bowed out of contention in the first extra hole with par after Malixi and Schremmer both shot birdies. Malixi, Schremmer and Oh finished the regulation with identical nine-under-par 207, with the Filipina prodigy posting a 2-under 70 in the fourth and final round.
Source:Manila Times
April 11, 2022 22:03 UTC