Big boost seen for tourism jobs
Big boost seen for tourism jobs“The DOT commits to working with other member-agencies of the IATF in making the travel process and requirements to the country easier for balikbayans and foreign tourists alike. This move will greatly help in restoring jobs under the heavily impacted tourism industry,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat. MANILA, Philippines — The government’s decision to accept the vaccination certificates of 12 more countries is seen by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as a means to attract foreign travelers and help restore thousands of jobs in the Philippines. This move will greatly help in restoring jobs under the heavily impacted tourism industry,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat. In the same statement, the tourism chief revealed that a vaccinated travel lane scheme has been agreed upon by the governments of the Philippines and Singapore in a bid to boost passenger arrivals from the island city-state.
Source:Philippine Star
February 19, 2022 18:33 UTC
No issue on Kazakhstan-Russia borders – Tokayev
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made the comments as the West says Russia could attack Ukraine and after Moscow-led troops intervened in Kazakhstan's bloody political crisis last month. Speaking in an interview with the state-funded broadcaster Qazaqstan, Tokayev said Putin had personally assured him "that the territorial issue would never be raised." Kazakhstan and Russia share one of the world's longest land borders at nearly 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) long. In recent years Russian lawmakers, including at least two from Putin's United Russia party, have questioned how Kazakhstan acquired its vast territory. But Tokayev on Thursday described Russia as "a God-given neighbor" and the lawmakers' statements as "unreasonable and inappropriate."
Source:Manila Times
February 19, 2022 04:17 UTC
Alaska's exit: A wake up call for PBA
Thus, there is a question among Alaska fans and basketball observers: Did Uytengsu ever feel that a PBA team is no longer worth fighting for? "The purpose of the draft is to strengthen the weaker teams," Uytengsu stated. "However, what we have seen lately is these weaker teams end up selling their top draft picks because if you look at who is being traded in return, it clearly doesn't make basketball sense for the weaker teams, unless there is other consideration." Unrestricted free agency was supposed to be the equalizer, but without a strict and transparent salary cap, players from weaker teams actually signed with SMC and MVP teams. They may have realized that there really was no way for them to compete on equal terms with the current PBA system.
Source:Manila Times
February 19, 2022 03:58 UTC
Former UN officers from PH back Robredo’s presidential bid
MANILA, Philippines — Over 200 Filipino former officers and workers at the United Nations (UN) and its attached agencies are backing Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential bid, saying that the candidate is capable of leading the country towards transformative changes. ADVERTISEMENT“We believe in her program of government that will take us Filipinos to the right path of transformative change. “Her courage to stand up for the truth, for what is right for the country and our people inspires all of us. “Her genuine concern for people’s well-being and empowerment will be the beacon for her governance as president,” the group added. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 19, 2022 02:31 UTC
Major strike at Paris metro disrupts daily commute for millions
PARIS — A major strike paralyzed most of Paris’ metro network and city train grid on Friday, disrupting the daily commutes of millions of people, as workers demand greater pay hikes than offered by the management. The French capital’s RATP public transport company said six subway lines were closed, down from eight reported earlier on Friday, with the remaining lines operating only partially. “We call on businesses to make maximum use of home office working,” Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djeebbari said on Twitter. In recent years, Paris’s public transport system, one of the world’s busiest, has been thrown into chaos several times. Parisians remember above all the month-long walkouts in the fall of 2019 when public transport and railway workers protested against plans for pension reform by President Emmanuel Macron.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 18, 2022 21:07 UTC
Senate panel to discuss Pharmally director Ong's release after wife's appeal
Senate panel to discuss Pharmally director Ong's release after wife's appealMANILA, Philippines (Updated 6:37 p.m.) — Sen. Richard Gordon, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee, said the panel will discuss the release of Pharmally director Linconn Ong, who is currently detained at the Pasay City jail, after his wife made the appeal for humanitarian reasons. Partial committee report readyLinconn, who has been detained for more than five months, should have already been released from incarceration, Summer said, citing information from her lawyers. "[A]s my lawyers have told me, upon the release of the full report of the Senate, my husband should have been released from his incarceration. However, Sen. Gordon has deemed it necessary to keep him imprisoned even without a crime proven or a case filed by issuing a partial Senate report," Summer said. I appeal to your heart as parents, as spouses, and good Senators of the Philippines to please free my husband," Summer said.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2022 19:47 UTC
Homegrown family food brand hits fresh
The brand’s new packaging puts the spotlight on Mekeni products and the new product lines, front and center. Homegrown family brand Mekeni Food Corporation made a big leap forward as it embarked on a major brand refresh. Kicking off 2022 is the rollout of Mekeni's new brand packaging, product lines, and a new campaign song that reflects the brand's heritage and core values. Starting with the packaging, Mekeni launched its new design with bold colors and appetizing photos of the products. Apart from these, Mekeni's flagship hotdog brand, Mekeni Picnic Hotdog, had new packaging designs.
Source:Manila Times
February 18, 2022 17:02 UTC
Corner Pizza launches new Detroit Style flavors
The Detroit Style pizza sets itself apart from traditional style pizzas with its distinctive rectangular shape, cheesy crusted edge, and layered with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Switch up the usual pizza fix with the new mouth-watering flavors of Detroit Style Pizza from Corner Pizza – Super Hawaiian and The Everything Pizza. These Detroit Style Pizza flavors are sure to satisfy taste buds and leave everyone craving for more. The Detroit Style pizza sets itself apart from traditional style pizzas with its distinctive rectangular shape, cheesy crusted edge, and layered with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. The Detroit Style pizza is made richer with a heaping of tomato sauce on top to balance the deliciously cheesy and appetizing pizza.
Source:Manila Times
February 18, 2022 17:02 UTC
Freedom of expression, speech are not absolute rights, says Comelec amid backlash on Oplan Baklas
MANILA, Philippines — Freedom is not absolute, and on this argument Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez anchored the legality of the actions of Oplan Baklas in taking down election and campaign materials even in private places. Jimenez made the remark after ‘Oplan Baklas’ was met with backlash after authorities took down campaign materials displayed by non-candidates in their private properties — a move criticized for stepping on the freedom of expression and speech of non-candidates, while some critics decry trespassing. ADVERTISEMENT“Neither freedom of expression or freedom of speech are absolute rights. Jimenez argued that the Supreme Court has made a distinction in the treatment of advocacies and treatment of declarative statements in support of a particular candidate. “But even the Supreme Court says that when all you’re doing is endorsing a candidate, you have to accept certain restrictions on your right,” he added.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 18, 2022 14:28 UTC
'We're apolitical': DOH disavows logo shirts spotted at Marcos campaign rally
'We're apolitical': DOH disavows logo shirts spotted at Marcos campaign rallyA rickshaw driver passes campaign posters in front of Baseco Elementary School in Manila on May 13, 2019. The DOH made the statement Thursday after Sherwin de Vera, who writes for Rappler under the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship, posted photos of individuals wearing DOH shirts at a campaign rally of presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. According to the DOH, the people in the photos are "health workers employed or directly engaged by local government unit" and not employees of the department. The agency also said it has no authority over health workers employed by LGUs. From DOH Secretary Duque Initial report reveals the participants were not DOH staff but barangay health workers who unfortunately wore DOH t shirts …BHWs are under the LGUs and the LCEs must be admonished against using BHWs for political ends!
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2022 14:12 UTC
PH accepts COVID-19 vaccine certificates from 15 more nations
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will now recognize the COVID-19 vaccination certificates from 15 more nations, Malacañang announced Friday. ADVERTISEMENTThe 15 nations are:ArgentinaBrunei DarussalamCambodiaChileDenmarkEcuadorIndonesiaMyanmarADVERTISEMENTPapua New GuineaPeruPortugalSpainAzerbaijanMacau SARSyriaThis is for the purposes of arrival quarantine protocols and mobility, Nograles said. The Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Transportation, and the Bureau of Immigration were directed to recognize these proofs of vaccination. The IATF earlier approved the acceptance of the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of six other nations, including Brazil, Switzerland, Malaysia, and South Korea. READ: PH to honor anti-coronavirus vaccination certificates from Malaysia, IrelandjeSubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 18, 2022 08:37 UTC
Inquirer.net gets most traffic vs other PH news sites
ADVERTISEMENTRegarding traffic for mobile phone users during the same period, Inquirer.net was overtaken only once by ABS-CBN.com, on Jan. 16. Still, viewership splits showed that mobile users preferred Inquirer.net—grabbing 30.57 percent of the audience share. For mobile, Inquirer.net is also at the top, with 479,359 average daily views, compared to second-place ABS-CBN.com’s 411,702. READ: INQUIRER.net shifts to Similarweb for online traffic analytics“The decision to switch to Similarweb is a necessity with the impending closure of Alexa. Alexa has served our needs for years, in particular with its ranking which is a globally accepted measuring stick for our online traffic versus competitors,” Prieto said in a statement.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 18, 2022 08:37 UTC
How to support women and girls in science: Create safe spaces, break down stereotypes
How to support women and girls in science: Create safe spaces, break down stereotypesMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines needs to do more to erase gender-biased stereotypes that discourage girls from becoming scientists, and support women who wish to pursue science careers. It's a different scenario, however, at the Department of Science and Technology's Industrial Technology Development Institute, where women researchers outnumber male researchers by 16%. Lack of role modelsThe world celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 and the Philippines' DOST joined in the festivities. "Science should be promoted in early childhood classrooms, creating an environment that promotes science," she said. "If we have a government who really sees the importance of science and science-based policy, then they're going to fund science more.
Source:Philippine Star
February 18, 2022 07:16 UTC
We can produce missiles, drones – Hezbollah
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivers a televised speech during a ceremony organized by Hezbollah in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Feb. 16, 2020. Xinhua File PhotoBEIRUT: Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Wednesday that for the first time, his group has the ability to turn thousands of rockets into precision missiles and produce drones inside Lebanon. "We have been producing drones in Lebanon for a long time, and whoever wants to buy them, submit an order," Nasrallah said in a televised speech. Iranian experts helped Hezbollah to transform rockets into precision missiles, Nasrallah said, adding that his group has also increased its anti-drone capabilities which led to a decline in Israeli drone overflights. Earlier this month, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed an administrative order to seize the assets of three Lebanese companies that allegedly supplied materials to Hezbollah on manufacturing precision missiles.
Source:Manila Times
February 18, 2022 04:20 UTC
Omnichannel as a strategy
This is why business leaders need to adopt new omnichannel strategies in order to succeed. In the ensuing years, business leaders adopted omnichannel strategies as part of overall digital transformation plans. Now, companies are compelled to revisit, if not adopt, new omnichannel strategies based on new consumer behaviors and demands. In fact, Shopify has observed shifting consumer behaviors that require companies to tweak their omnichannel strategies. These trends point to the urgent need for retailers to adopt new omnichannel strategies.
Source:Manila Times
February 18, 2022 01:13 UTC