WHO warns: Do not assume COVID pandemic reaching ‘end game’
“It’s dangerous to assume that Omicron will be the last variant and that we are in the end game,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a WHO executive board meeting of the two-year pandemic that has killed nearly 6 million people. Tedros, the WHO’s first African head who is running unopposed for a second term, urged discipline and unity in combatting the coronavirus. “The COVID-19 pandemic is now entering its third year and we are at a critical juncture,” he told a news conference earlier. “We must work together to bring the acute phase of this pandemic to an end. Tedros’ bid for a second term received a boost when the WHO shelved a decision on his native Ethiopia’s request to investigate accusations of links to rebel forces.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 25, 2022 15:26 UTC
Stock Commentary: Some quick takes from around the market
Some quick takes from around the marketABS-CBN [ABS 14.26 1.42%] sold off ~21.3 million treasury shares and ~11.5 million PDRs at P15.23 per share/PDR, to raise around P500 million for the company. SPNEC actually touched the P2.00/share mark earlier in yesterday’s session, but retreated a bit toward the end. Over the past 25 trading days, SPNEC has gone for as low as P0.76 and as high as P2.00. Yesterday’s session low as P1.40/share, so we’ll have to see if the selling pressure continues to push the price lower, or if P1.40 is something of a temporary bottom. Merkado Barkada's opinions are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any particular stock.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2022 13:10 UTC
Palace: 'War on drugs' not wasted opportunity
Palace: 'War on drugs' not wasted opportunityA Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agent secures part of a street holding residents temporarily during a drug raid in Maharlika Village, Taguig, south of Manila on Feb. 24, 2018. President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs has left nearly 4,000 drug suspects dead and seen human rights groups claim he was responsible for a crime against humanity. He added that 23,686 barangays all over the country have been cleared of illegal drugs. "The opportunity was not wasted and we continue our extensive campaign against illegal drugs here in the country," Nograles said. RELATED: DOJ: Four of 52 deadly PNP 'drug war' cases reviewed now in courtsPalace: We prohibit EJKsThe Palace spokesman reiterated that the government does not condone extrajudicial killings (EJK).
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2022 13:02 UTC
AP Top Technology News at 9:46 p.m. EST
Two more Poles identified as victims of hacking with spywareMicrosoft profits up 21%, giving cushion for gaming pushCanada investigating cyberattack amid tensions with RussiaDelay in creating new cybersecurity board prompts concernSAT going digital in shifting college admissions landscapeUS warns that chip shortage could shut down factoriesDC, 3 states sue Google saying it invades users' privacyBelarus hacktivists target railway in anti-Russia effortIn global 5G race, European Union is told to step up pace
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 25, 2022 08:54 UTC
Avoid Covid-based discrimination – equality watchdog
Don't discriminate against communities based on Covid-19 infections, an equality watchdog has called. A hamster owner told the media about being forced by an employer to give up the pet, while South Asian communities voiced worries that Covid-19 reports would deepen discrimination against them. Chu said health authorities have to identify transmission chains quickly and accurately in order to control the pandemic. However, related reports could create a negative impression of the communities involved, and some citizens could blame them for spreading the virus. Chu also said if an employer fires a worker because he or she lives in Kwai Chung Estate, it may be in violation of Disability Discrimination Ordinance.
Source:The Standard
January 25, 2022 08:47 UTC
Villar to DA: Shorten fishing ban to prevent imports
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) should shorten the fishing ban enforced in many parts of the country to prevent the need to import fish, Sen. Cynthia Villar said yesterday. “But the DA went ahead with the importation and did not listen to the various association of fisherfolk. She noted that Palawan, where a fishing ban is currently enforced, is a major source of the country’s galunggong supply. She said the closed season conservation initiative “may be lifted faced with the Typhoon Odette impact.”“The fishing ban does not apply to fishing by marginal fisherfolk but to commercial fishing and the fishing gears being used,” Villar said. The DA earlier issued 60,000 MT of CNIS for small pelagic fish in the fourth quarter of 2021 to augment supply during the closed fishing season.
Source:Philippine Star
January 25, 2022 08:37 UTC
Navratilova slams ban on 'Peng' shirts
MELBOURNE: Tennis legend Martina Navratilova on Monday called a decision by Australian Open organizers to prevent fans wearing "Where is Peng Shuai?" Her allegation was quickly censored and the 36-year-old was not heard from for nearly three weeks, before reappearing in public in China. 18-time Grand Slam winner Navratilova tweeted on the t-shirt ban, using the hashtag #WhereisPengShuai. The Women's Tennis Association has been widely praised for its stance on Peng, demanding to hear from her directly and suspending tournaments in China. Leading players at the Australian Open have on several occasions said they still hope to hear directly from Peng so they can be assured of her safety.
Source:Manila Times
January 25, 2022 01:32 UTC
PAO chief vows aid to unvaccinated people
PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta. TMT file PhotoTHE Public Attorney's Office (PAO) on Monday said it will provide legal assistance to people who felt they were discriminated against for not getting vaccinated against Covid-19. PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said she is ready to support individuals who have experienced work-related discrimination because they are unvaccinated. She said the available Covid-19 vaccines are RNA (ribonucleic acid)-based and she would rather wait for a protein-based vaccine. There is no provision in Republic Act 11525 or the law calling for a Covid-19 vaccination program that says getting jabbed is mandatory, she pointed out.
Source:Manila Times
January 24, 2022 22:12 UTC
Marcos hopes to win critics, Martial Law survivors over with 'sincerity, best plans'
Marcos hopes to win critics, Martial Law survivors over with 'sincerity, best plans'This photo posted by presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos on his Facebook page on November 15 shows him visiting Batangas province. But how will he unite the country when wounds from the Martial Law years that have barely healed are reopened as another Marcos vies for the highest seat in the land? Marcos stood by his spokesperson’s statement that Soho, an award-winning journalist, is "biased" and that it would be pointless to field the same questions about the Martial Law period. But aren't the issues surrounding Martial Law still important, especially that he's mounting a campaign to return to Malacañang? Asked about his chances of getting Duterte's endorsement, Marcos refused to answer, saying the question should be addressed to the president.
Source:Philippine Star
January 24, 2022 21:30 UTC
Foreign companies downsizing, not quitting Hong Kong: InvestHK
Some foreign companies downsized operations in Hong Kong, but they are not pulling out of the city en masse, said Invest Hong Kong. As of last June, the number of US firms headquartered in Hong Kong dropped by nearly 10 percent to 254 – the lowest in 18 years, official data. Stephen Phillips, the Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK – the official body responsible for attracting and facilitating foreign direct investment into Hong Kong – admitted some companies are downsizing. But he said they are not pulling out of Hong Kong altogether. Although the epidemic and quarantine policies pose challenges to businesses, they still value opportunities in Hong Kong, he said.
Source:The Standard
January 24, 2022 20:51 UTC
Amid forecasts of thin power supply during elections, DOE told to ensure compliance among energy firms
Amid forecasts of thin power supply during elections, DOE told to ensure compliance among energy firmsMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure that the grid operator and private energy firms comply with the rules, following reports of possible thin power supply during election period. "I am calling on the DOE to ensure that the NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines) and all other private companies follow the rules. Gatchalian's fellow senator Risa Hontiveros has said that the country must be assured that there will be continuous power supply, as the failure to do so will compromise the integrity of the elections. Shortly after NGCP released its report, the Energy department said that it does not yet see any concerns which will affect the dry season, citing estimates from its stakeholders' submissions.
Source:Philippine Star
January 24, 2022 19:55 UTC
A fresh take on home entertaining
The new pieces have a fresh take on home entertaining — stylish dining tables with soft sculptural lines, décor that play with texture and scale, exquisite dinnerware and barware items that highlight great design and great bonding moments. Explore Crate and Barrel's fresh arrivals, wide selection of quality furniture, houseware and gifts. Discover these fresh arrivals and more when you visit the Crate and Barrel stores, order by phone or shop online. The upper portion presents a glass shelf behind glass doors, allowing you to showcase prized pieces illuminated by LED lights. Serve cocktails or display glass decanters filled with spirits, bottles of bitters and classic bar accessories on the Osk round bar tray.
Source:Manila Times
January 24, 2022 19:02 UTC
Sixty nine infections reported at Kwai Chung Estate as official warns about hidden transmissions in Wong Tai Sin
Another 69 Covid-19 cases were reported at Kwai Chung Estate as health officials warned about hidden transmissions in Wong Tai Sin. Chuang said 69 local infections were detected from the Kwai Chung Estate, bringing the total number of patients at the estate to more than 230 people. Of the 69 cases, 27 are residents or visitors of Yat Kwai House, 33 are connected to Ying Kwai House, and nine are linked to other blocks at the estate. Chuang suspected that there may be hidden Covid transmissions within the area and called on residents of Wong Tai Sin to get tested for Covid. Two confirmed cases were found at Block 1 of Tropicana Gardens in Wong Tai Sin, while a third person tested preliminary positive.
Source:The Standard
January 24, 2022 14:33 UTC
After earlier hesitation, Marcos says 'perfectly willing to release' SALNs
After earlier hesitation, Marcos says 'perfectly willing to release' SALNsMANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:18 p.m.) — Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Monday evening that he is "perfectly willing" to release his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth to the puiblic but said that it would be better to have authorities investigate questionable wealth. Speaking on "Sa Totoo Lang" on One PH, he said, though that he is "perfectly willing to release it." Corona was impeached and then removed as head of the judiciary in 2012 for betrayal of public trust for failure to disclose his assets in his wealth declaration document. He said questions on officials' wealth should be left to the Office of the Ombudsman or the Anti-Money Laundering Council, which can examine the wealth declaration documents. — with Jonathan de Santos(Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect comments that Marcos made in a subsequent interview on One PH about the release of SALNs.)
Source:Philippine Star
January 24, 2022 13:12 UTC
Doctors, lawyers question basis and fairness of 'requiring' vaccination
To the editor: How about a very simple answer to the anti-vaxxers when they inevitably contract COVID-19? Just don’t come to the hospital if you are in denial that you have the disease. (“Anti-vaccine...
Source:Philippine Star
January 24, 2022 12:51 UTC