Beijing Olympics will be 'safe and splendid'
BEIJING: A Winter Olympics overshadowed by diplomatic boycotts and concerns about human rights, Covid and the safety of Peng Shuai begins next Friday in a vast "bubble" in the Chinese capital Beijing. Warnings about air pollution, government snooping and the environmental impact of a Games, which relies almost entirely on man-made snow, add to the mix. China has been keen to stress that Beijing will take its place in Olympic history, becoming the first city to host both a Summer and Winter Games, and saying the Games will be "safe and splendid." When Washington said it would stage a diplomatic boycott because of rights concerns — with Australia, Britain and Canada among those following suit — China warned that the United States would "pay the price." On Thursday, foreign minister Wang Yi warned his US counterpart Antony Blinken during a phone call to "stop interfering" in the Olympics.
Source:Manila Times
January 29, 2022 04:15 UTC
WB: Lockdowns abroad lead to drop in Philippines trade
WB: Lockdowns abroad lead to drop in Philippines tradeThe World Bank said intermediate goods were the key driver of the drop in imports following foreign lockdowns, reflecting supply disruptions in backward global value chain participation. MANILA, Philippines — The imposition of domestic lockdowns at the height of the pandemic in 2020 did not cause a decline in trade, but restrictions from trading partners did, according to the World Bank. In a report, the Washington-based multilateral lender analyzed how international trade on various margins was affected by the Philippines’ own lockdown policies and those of its trading partners. “Our results reveal that domestic lockdown policies did not affect international trade in the Philippines. The researchers emphasized that restrictions on internal movements and international travel controls of trading partners were responsible for the drop in exports.
Source:Philippine Star
January 29, 2022 03:07 UTC
No more need to quarantine foreign arrivals if fully vaxxed
Fully vaccinated foreign tourists and travelers on business will be allowed in the country without having to go through government quarantine starting next month, Malacañang announced on Friday. ADVERTISEMENTActing presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said fully vaccinated nationals from countries not requiring visas will be allowed to visit beginning Feb. 10. Unvaccinated passengersOn the other hand, foreign travelers who remain unvaccinated would no longer be allowed to enter the country starting on Feb 16. The fully vaccinated will only be asked to monitor themselves for symptoms for seven days. All travelers from abroad undergoing quarantine on Feb. 1, whether Filipino or foreign, may avail themselves of these testing and quarantine protocols.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 29, 2022 01:00 UTC
Barty, Collins clash in Australian Open final
MELBOURNE, Australia: Ash Barty was the crowd favorite at Melbourne Park long before she ended a 42-year drought by reaching the Australian Open final. Now that she's become the first Australian woman into the final here since Wendy Turnbull in 1980, Barty has a good chance to claim her first on a hard court. Barty lost to eventual champion Sofia Kenin in 2020 the last time she reached the Australian Open semifinals. Barty hit 20 winners to only eight for Keys, who was playing in the Australian Open semifinals for the first time since 2015. Barty converted four of her six break-point opportunities and saved the only two break points she faced on her serve against the 2017 US Open champion runner-up.
Source:Manila Times
January 28, 2022 22:15 UTC
PH women's football one win from World Cup
HISTORY looms for the Philippine women's national football team. On Thursday night (Philippine time), the Philippines moved to within a victory away from 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification after scoring a 6-0 conquest over Indonesia in the AFC Women's Asian Cup at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, India. The victory in itself was historic as the Philippines reached the tournament's quarterfinal round for the first time. Malea Cesar capped the scoring with a goal at the fourth minute of the added time. The Philippines takes on Group A second seed Taiwan in the quarterfinals on January 30 with a slot for the World Cup at stake.
Source:Manila Times
January 28, 2022 22:15 UTC
Philippines OKs Sinopharm, Sputnik Light as COVID-19 vaccine booster
Philippines OKs Sinopharm, Sputnik Light as COVID-19 vaccine boosterIndviduals get inoculated with AstraZeneca vaccine in a health clinic in Bocobo, Ermita, Manila on Jan. 21, 2022 as part of the government program dubbed as "Resbakuna sa Botika". MANILA, Philippines — Individuals fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese firm Sinopharm may now receive booster shot, the Department of Health announced Friday. The Sinopharm and Sputnik jabs, however, cannot be administered as booster for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Latest government data showed that 58.4 million Filipinos have completed vaccination against COVID-19, while 60.2 million people have received partial protection. The Philippines has reported more than 3.4 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, including over 53,000 deaths.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2022 21:08 UTC
Philippines reports 18,638 new COVID-19 cases
Philippines reports 18,638 new COVID-19 casesAuthorities ask for vaccination cards from individuals and motorists entering Taguig City during their vaccination checkpoint operation held at Brgy. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines reported 18,638 new coronavirus infections on Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 3,511,491. Of these new infections, 98% or 18,281 occured in the last two weeks, according to the Department of Health. The DOH also said that of the total number of infections, 231,658 are still active. It also tallied 68 more fatalities, bringing the death toll to 53,801, while 13,106 more recovered, pushing the total number of recoveries to 3,226,032.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2022 21:03 UTC
Fugitive tuna firm exec falls
Fugitive tuna firm exec fallsLawyer Annsley Bangkas, 43, was served an arrest warrant at a subdivision in Barangay Pinagbuhatan at around 1:17 p.m., according to Pasig police chief Col. Roman Arugay. MANILA, Philippines — One of the executives of tuna canning firm Alliance Select Foods International Inc. facing charges for refusing to open ASFII’s corporate records to shareholders was arrested in Pasig City on Thursday. Lawyer Annsley Bangkas, 43, was served an arrest warrant at a subdivision in Barangay Pinagbuhatan at around 1:17 p.m., according to Pasig police chief Col. Roman Arugay. and four other executives of the tuna canning firm, including Bangkas. The charges stemmed from a complaint filed by ASFII’s foreign shareholders Harvest All Investment Ltd., Victory Fund Ltd. and Bondeast Private Ltd
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2022 19:43 UTC
Philippines to reopen in February to vaccinated foreign tourists
People relax along White Beach amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, in Boracay Island, Aklan province, Philippines. (Reuters)The Philippines will grant entry to visitors vaccinated against Covid-19 from Feb. 10, its government said on Friday, in an effort to boost a tourism sector decimated by the pandemic. Citizens of 150 countries that have visa-free entry to the Philippines will be allowed to enter. Puyat also said the government will remove quarantine requirements for returning Filipinos from Feb. 1, and for foreign tourists from Feb. 10, but they must be vaccinated and test negative for Covid-19. The Philippines, popular for its white sand beaches and rich marine life, joins other Southeast Asian countries in reopening to tourists to boost jobs and help their economies recover.
Source:The Standard
January 28, 2022 13:30 UTC
Philippines sets new COVID-19 rules for arriving travelers
Philippines sets new COVID-19 rules for arriving travelersMANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will enforce new protocols for arriving travelers, Malacañang said Friday as the government suspended its COVID-19 risk classifications for countries and territories. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Philippines suspended the "green-yellow-red list" system, which is used to classify countries, territories and jurisdictions based on their COVID-19 risk levels. Starting February 1, fully-vaccinated travelers will be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin. Upon arrival in the Philippines, they will no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine. The new COVID-19 travel protocols were based on the recommendations of the Task Force on COVID-19 New Variants and Sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2022 10:31 UTC
Fully vaxxed nationals of non-visa required countries allowed entry to PH starting Feb. 10
MANILA, Philippines — Fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa-required countries will be allowed to enter the Philippines starting February 10, subject to certain conditions, Malacañang said Friday. Children below 18 years old are exempted from the requirement of complete vaccination and providing proof of vaccination status before boarding, according to Nograles. Nograles said fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa-required countries should also observe the existing testing and quarantine protocols for fully vaccinated international arriving passengers. “Fully vaccinated nationals shall not be included in the arrival quota set by the Department of Transportation and its One-Stop-Shop,” the Palace official added. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyFor more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 28, 2022 10:25 UTC
COVID-19 travel insurance and more: Chinese New Year 2022 must-haves for good health, long life
COVID-19 travel insurance and more: Chinese New Year 2022 must-haves for good health, long lifeMANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific is levelling up its safety measure for its passengers to empower tourism again, as it recently upgraded its CEB Travelsure “Basic Protect” insurance product. There’s definitely no wrong answer, but one of the things that we’ve learned during the pandemic is how health greatly impacts our life. LifeFood has products especially made to help with women's concerns like improving hormonal imbalance, skin health, or managing weight. Shop Sanicare today on the official website and on LazMall by Lazada and find gift sets, personal care, home care, and baby care products. Shop Olay’s best-selling skincare products now via via Lazada or Shopee.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2022 07:01 UTC
DOH disputes report that vaccinated can’t donate blood
DOH disputes report that vaccinated can’t donate bloodBikers and riders line up for a COVID-19 booster shot drive-thru at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Lawton, Manila on Jan. 8, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday dispelled reports that vaccinated people can no longer donate blood. “Anyone who has been vaccinated with any COVID vaccine may donate blood,” the DOH said in a public advisory. As standard criteria, the DOH said a person aged 16 to 65 years and weighs not less than 50 kilos may donate blood. We will have more or less 24 vaccination sites,” Galvez said in an interview with Teleradyo.
Source:Philippine Star
January 28, 2022 04:37 UTC
Free at last for Kwai Chung Yat Kwai House residents
Residents of Yat Kwai House of Kwai Chung Estate were finally able to leave their homes after a seven-day lockdown was lifted on Friday morning. Residents were able to leave the building at 7am this morning after presenting SMS notifications with negative test results or wear wristbands as proof of having undergone the Covid testings. The government said the seven-day lockdown from January 21 to 27 have administered a total of 14,518 Covid tests. Authorities handed out letter of appreciation to residents this morning, where they could use it to exchange for a Lunar New Year goodies bag. Some residents said the seven-day lockdown has been difficult for them.
Source:The Standard
January 28, 2022 04:07 UTC
Brotherhood in arts with a noble artistic vision
was then formally introduced to the general public with their four-man show titled "Bangon! Poster of the four-man show exhibit titled Heart B.R.A.D. CONRIBUTED IMAGEAccording to B.R.A.D., the group wants to promote local tourism and accommodate and help other artists, new and mid-career, with their artistic careers. It was their vision to create not a formal group, but friendship and brotherhood among artists, helping one another to grow as artists and thrive with their careers. indeed is the appropriate name for the group for it carries with it the vision and noble mission of these artists, all hailing from Rizal Province.
Source:Manila Times
January 28, 2022 03:45 UTC