Ukraine gets first natural gas from western Europe via Hungary
Ukraine has started to receive gas from western Europe via Hungary, the operator of its gas transmission system (GTSOU) said on Tuesday, opening a new supply route as the threat of war with Russia undermines Kiev's energy security. But supplies from Hungary stopped after Budapest and Russia's Gazprom signed a new long-term supply deal in September that bypasses Ukraine. GTSOU said in December that Ukraine would instead be able to import, via Hungary, 8 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas daily from the western European market. "The Hungarian route has become the second guaranteed gas supply route to Ukraine after Slovakia," GTSOU head Sergiy Makogon said in a Facebook post. Makogon said the new route via Hungary also offered Ukraine the opportunity to pipe in liquefied gas from a terminal in Croatia.
Source:The Standard
February 01, 2022 15:52 UTC
Duterte calls for 'bayanihan, malasakit' as country celebrates Lunar New Year
Duterte calls for 'bayanihan, malasakit' as country celebrates Lunar New YearLanterns marking the Lunar New Year are displayed at a mall in Binondo, Manila where the city's Chinatown is located as seen on Jan. 27, 2022. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has susPended public festivities for the Chinese New Year due to the surge in new COVID-19 infections. MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has called on Filipinos to continue with the “bayanihan” spirit and compassion in celebrating Lunar New Year. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said last week that the public can still visit Chinatown in Binondo district, but there will be no dragon dances, parades and fireworks. The country logged 14,546 new infections, pushing the national viral caseload to 3,560,202.
Source:Philippine Star
February 01, 2022 15:08 UTC
Comelec has a leadership problem — Guanzon
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Tuesday said that the poll body has a leadership problem and that Chairman Sheriff Abas should order the expedited release of the resolution on the disqualification cases against presidential candidate and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.“It is a leadership problem in the Comelec. ADVERTISEMENTCommissioner Aimee Ferolino is the ponente or the one tasked to pen the decision on the disqualification cases against Marcos. Guanzon is the presiding commissioner of the First Division while Commissioner Marlon Casquejo is one of its members. Guanzon will retire on Wednesday and if the decision was not released by that date, her vote to disqualify Marcos Jr. will not be counted. Guanzon also fired back at Ferolino’s remark that the two of them are “co-equal members of the commision.”“Hindi ka ba junior member?
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 01, 2022 13:56 UTC
Belmonte releases Quezon City’s latest Alert Level 2 guidelines
The FDA granted full approval of Pfizer's vaccine last August.Public health advocates initially hoped the regulatory distinction would boost public confidence in the shots. Vaccinations peaked last spring at more than 3 million per day, and now average less than 750,000 per day. Most cases are mild and resolve quickly.SEE MORE: Moderna Developing Combined Influenza, COVID-19 VaccineAdditionally, the FDA reviewed the company's manufacturing process and facilities. It is the first FDA-approved product for the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company.In the U.S., the Moderna vaccination is used only for adults, both for initial vaccination and as a half-dose booster. The company said last fall that the FDA had delayed deciding whether to clear the shots for 12- to 17-year-olds as it …
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 01, 2022 09:59 UTC
King Rafa!
Minutes later he held for 3-3 in the third set and swung the momentum of the Australian Open final around. He was the only one of three who had a chance to claim the record solo in Australia. I just feel confident now that I'm going to have my chances to keep playing tennis for a while, yeah." Federer and Djokovic were watching the final, from a distance, and both used social media messages to offer congratulations to Nadal for breaking their three-way tie atop the men's Grand Slam standings. "Tactically nothing changed," he added, "but Rafa stepped up."
Source:Manila Times
February 01, 2022 04:06 UTC
U.S. grants full approval to Moderna’s COVID vaccine in adults
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday gave full approval to Moderna Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine for people age 18 and older, making it the second fully approved vaccine for the virus. The Moderna vaccine has been authorized for emergency use in the United States since December 2020, and will now be sold under the brand name Spikevax. ADVERTISEMENTNearly 75 million people have already received Moderna’s two-dose vaccine in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moderna’s vaccine is cleared for use in more than 70 countries, including Canada and the European Union. Some studies have suggested that Moderna’s vaccine is more likely to cause the side effect than the Pfizer/BioNTech shot.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 01, 2022 03:36 UTC
House panel recommends syndicated estafa raps vs Pharmally execs
House panel recommends syndicated estafa raps vs Pharmally execsA House of Representatives panel holds its final hearing on the government's deals with its favored pandemic supplier Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Corp. on October 4, 2021. “In this manner, Pharmally gravely abused the system to the insufferable prejudice of the government,” Aglipay added. “Pharmally maliciously misrepresented that they possess financial capability… in order to solicit and win contracts from the government,” Aglipay continued. ‘No overpricing’While the panel recommended the filing of complaints, they maintained that there was no overpricing in the purchase of the materials, supplies and equipment. Aglipay said the panel’s report will be submitted to the House speaker for adoption in plenary.
Source:Philippine Star
February 01, 2022 02:05 UTC
European appliance maker Beko committed to sustainability
As Europe's leading appliance brand, Beko is always looking for new technologies that help preserve nature and allow people to live a healthy lifestyle. For Beko refrigerators, HarvestFresh technology keeps fruits and vegetables fresh for up to 30 days, preserving the vitamins in them for longer. Last year, Beko ran a survey across several countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France to find out what its consumers wanted in terms of sustainability. After the survey, Beko set environmental targets, such as achieving zero emissions by 2050. "Our efforts as makers of appliances will help ensure a more sustainable future for the next generations," said Gürhan Günal, country manager of Beko Pilipinas Corporation.
Source:Manila Times
February 01, 2022 01:07 UTC
(Video) Last minute dash to Flower Market on LNY's Eve
Mrs Leung Police commissioner Raymond Siu took a picture with a citizen Previous NextCitizens made a last minute dash to make purchases at Flower Market on Lunar New Year's Eve. Flower Market in Prince Edward remains open, but crowd control measures are in force. A flower shop owner surnamed Pang said business today is not particularly good as compared to previous years. She decided to go to Flower Market instead, and bought orchid and lily to celebrate Lunar New Year for the first time. Police commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee arrived at the market on 7pm to encourage frontline officers and greet florists.
Source:The Standard
February 01, 2022 00:55 UTC
OCTA: Actual cases in NCR less than double official DOH numbers
OCTA: Actual cases in NCR less than double official DOH numbersHealth workers conduct house-to-house antigen testing for residents of West Rembo in Makati City on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. Based on DOH data, the total number of new reported cases in the NCR from January 20 to 29 was about 46,000," David said. "This means that the actual number of cases, which include asymptomatic and symptomatic cases not tested, and those tested with antigen but not reported, could be 1.8 times higher than the official numbers reported by DOH, with a 5% error margin." Actual cases in the NCR could be less than twice the official reported numbers of DOH, based on DOTr random antigen testing on January 26 - 27. Note that on Jan 13, the estimate was about 10 times higher than reported numbers.
Source:Philippine Star
February 01, 2022 00:46 UTC
Gingko House continues offering free meals during Lunar New Year
Caterer Gingko House will continue offering free meals to those in need during Lunar New Year. "The team distributing free meals never rest because food is needed every day," it posted on its Facebook page on Monday. Poor people felt that Lunar New Year is meaningless because the only thing left for them is sadness, it wrote. "Ginkgo House is now distributing 1,000 lunchboxes in eight districts every day and get to know about the stories behind the recipients. It added that the restaurant will try to make the free meals smell and taste good, so that those in need won't feel sad for this Lunar New Year.
Source:The Standard
February 01, 2022 00:06 UTC
Postponement of key fundraising seen slowing DITO's telco rollout
Postponement of key fundraising seen slowing DITO's telco rolloutIn a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday, Dito CME Holdings Corp., the parent firm of the telco startup, said the National Telecommunications Commission informed the company about the results of the second technical audit, which showed Dito surpassed its targets. MANILA, Philippines — Dito CME Holdings Corp.’s decision to defer a major fundraising activity has potential to hamper the rollout plans of its nascent telco unit, a problem that could threaten its ability to meet state-imposed targets. Dito unilaterally postponed its planned P8-billion stock rights offer (SRO) that was meant to raise cash for the capital-intensive network expansion of its telco venture, Dito Telecommunity Corp. The company blamed “less than ideal market conditions” for the debacle, but analysts over the weekend said investors just “lack confidence” in Dito. “DITO should disclose the extent of the impact to its future plans, to guide regulators and investors dealing with the company,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 31, 2022 18:04 UTC
Long haul COVID-19 patients find hope in recovery clinics
After months of rehabilitative therapy at a specialized clinic in the nearby capital Washington, Hedrick was finally able to play in the waves with her five grandkids this summer. The MedStar Covid Recovery Program that she turned to is part of a new wave of clinics specifically treating patients suffering from long Covid — a post-infection syndrome that can affect nearly every system in the body, causing sometimes debilitating symptoms. “The clinic gave me hope that life was going to go on,” Hedrick said. It’s very clearly not in people’s heads,” said Hana Akselrod, co-director of the Covid-19 Recovery Clinic with the George Washington University health system. ‘‘Scary’Rachel Curley, a 32-year-old Washington resident and MedStar patient, also found moving to part-time work at her policy advocacy job helped her battle long Covid.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 31, 2022 16:52 UTC
DOST's new nuclear medicine facility hopes to lower costs in cancer staging, treatment
DOST's new nuclear medicine facility hopes to lower costs in cancer staging, treatmentPhilippine Nuclear Research Institute Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla stands in front of an artist's sketch of the new Nuclear Medicine Research and Innovation Center. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has begun constructing a new nuclear medicine facility which aims to lower the costs of cancer treatment and management in the country, the agency announced on Monday. Once completed, the "Nuclear Medicine Research and Innovation Center" will house a medical cyclotron and PET-CT imaging center, which are both seen to make cancer detection, treatment and management more affordable to Filipinos. According to Dela Peña, cancer was among the top non-communicable diseases, with a mortality rate of 60% in the Philippines in 2020. During this year, the country recorded more than 153,700 new cases of cancer.
Source:Philippine Star
January 31, 2022 08:22 UTC
US paying athletes to 'disrupt' Olympics – China media
BEIJING: The United States is paying athletes to "create disturbances" during the Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese state media reported on Saturday night. China Daily newspaper, citing "sources familiar with the matter", said there was a plot by Washington to persuade athletes to "play passively" or refuse to take part in competitions and "express discontent toward China." In return the United States will offer financial compensation and work to protect the reputations of athletes who cooperate, according to the paper. The countries taking part in the boycott are not sending officials to Beijing for Friday's opening ceremony, but their athletes will participate in competitions. The US embassy in Beijing on Saturday denied the accusations reported in China Daily.
Source:Manila Times
January 31, 2022 04:00 UTC