AP Top Sports News at 1:37 a.m. EST
Australia nears decision on whether to deport DjokovicDurant, Harden lead Nets to 138-112 romp over BullsMedical marvel: Watt tries quick return for CardinalsNFL regular-season ratings increase 10% over last seasonJames scores 34 but Lakers stumble, fall to Kings 125-116Frosh duo helps No. 8 Duke beat Wake Forest without Coach KKnicks end Mavericks' 6-game win streak with 108-85 victoryMarchand has hat trick, Bruins beat Canadiens 5-1Man charged with giving Olympic athletes performance drugs
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 13, 2022 10:05 UTC
'Shotgun approach': NGOs hit 'no vax, no ride' policy on public transportation
MANILA, Philippines — Banning the unvaccinated from using public transportation is a "shotgun approach" that will only inconvenience commuters instead of addressing the coronavirus surge in Metro Manila, transport advocacy groups said Thursday. This comes a day after the DOTr announced the "no vaccine, no ride" policy in the capital region's modes of public transportation "to prevent a repeat of the public transport shut down [and] safeguard those that are most at risk." She also took care to highlight that the Metro Manila Council already issued a similar resolution that also "prohibits unvaccinated individuals from boarding public transport." According to data from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, 88% or almost nine out of ten households in Metro Manila do not own private vehicles and have to rely on public transportation. The ban, which covers all modes of public transportation to and from Metro Manila, is set to take effect on Monday, January 17.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2022 09:46 UTC
(Central station) Grifting woman rips off recycling machine
Under the pilot scheme, 60 Reverse Vending Machines were installed around the city’s government facilities, providing an instant rebate of HK$0.1 per plastic bottle via e-payment platforms. A video circulating online on Thursday showed a woman who allegedly abused the scheme, trying to “fool” the machine by “recycling” the bottle in hand to get a higher rebate amount. The woman in pink clothing was filmed feeding the machine with the same plastic bottle she was supposed to drop into the machine. Netizens did not hold back their anger and said the woman should be held responsible for what she had done. “This machine is supposed to encourage people to participate in waste recycling.
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2022 09:23 UTC
COVID-19 cases in Philippines hit another record high at 34,021
COVID-19 cases in Philippines hit another record high at 34,021Passengers present their vaccination cards to personnel upon entry at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Tambo, Parañaque City on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. The Department of Transportation has started implementingn a "no vaccination, no ride" policy on public transportation throughout Metro Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Thursday registered 34,021 additional cases—a new record-high—as the country battles a fresh surge in infections driven by the hyper-contagious Omicron variant. According to the Department of Health, 98% of the newly reported cases occurred from December 31 to January 13. The agency also said that asymptomatic close contacts are not required to undergo COVID-19 testing.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2022 08:35 UTC
Cases filed against anti-vaccine protesters for quarantine violations
Cases filed against anti-vaccine protesters for quarantine violationsAnti-vaccine protesters gather at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 to rail against government restrictions against those who have not received the shot against COVID-19. MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District has charged six persons arrested at an anti-vaccine rally in Manila City for violations of quarantine protocols and local government ordinances. Both instances were well-documented in the news and social media as the group trotted out tarps and placards suggesting the pandemic was "planned." On Tuesday, the COVID-denying group's tarps slammed the "medical martial law" caused by the "mandatory vaccination." There is no law or written policy that makes vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2022 05:19 UTC
Immigration reduces on-site workforce to 30% amid COVID-19 spike among staff
Immigration reduces on-site workforce to 30% amid COVID-19 spike among staffIn this photo taken June 8, 2020, security personnel enforce the lockdown at the Bureau of Immigration office in Intramuros, Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration reduced its on-site workforce capacity to 30% from January 13 to 22, amid an alarming increase of COVID-19 cases among their personnel. The advisory also stated that fully vaccinated clients of the bureau are exempted from their Online Appointment System upon presentation of their vaccinated card or certification. Partially vaccinated or those yet to receive any jab against COVID-10 are told to secure their appointment online via this link. Registered foreign nationals in the country reporting for the Annual Report 2022 should also secure an appointment online, BI added.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2022 02:46 UTC
Anti-vaccine protesters try to storm Bulgaria’s parliament
SOFIA — Anti-vaccine protesters tried to storm the Bulgarian parliament on Wednesday and briefly scuffled with police officers during a massive rally against coronavirus restrictions in downtown Sofia. ADVERTISEMENTProtesters, many of whom arrived on buses for the rally, pushed back a police cordon around parliament and reached the front doors of the building. They stopped short of breaking in and called on lawmakers to come out and address their demands. He reiterated that the health pass would not be lifted. “At this moment, when the cases are surging, and with understanding the link between the number of vaccinated people and the health pass, it cannot be lifted,” Petkov said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 13, 2022 00:03 UTC
Isolation, quarantine, antigen, RT-PCR as COVID tsunami strikes
ADVERTISEMENTThis article will also try to explain more about antigen COVID tests and home testing. The separate guideline on isolation and quarantine for health care workers (HCWs) was also released by the health department. On the other hand, the faster alternative is the rapid antigen test, which detects antigens or toxins that trigger an immune system response when entering the body. According to DOH, antigen tests “work best on symptomatic patients.”So, how do you interpret antigen tests and what should you do based on the test results? “Antigen tests designed for health workers usually need nasopharyngeal swab which is difficult to do.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 12, 2022 22:13 UTC
New preliminary positive case triggers hotpot cluster fear
A 20-year-old student was tested preliminary positive after he visited a hotpot restaurant in Causeway Bay last Tuesday, the same time as another confirmed patient who dined there, the Centre for Health Protection announced. The student visited the hotpot shop Nabe Urawa in Hysan Place, where health authorities suspected a possible virus transmission within the restaurant. Another two preliminary positive cases are residents of Maple Gardens Phase III in North Point, where health experts suspected vertical transmission is in play. The remaining preliminary positive case is a 19-year-old student who lived at Maya on Shung Shan Street in Yau Tong. The latest unknown source case is a 51-year-old female security guard who worked at the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Center.
Source:The Standard
January 12, 2022 22:10 UTC
(Central Station) Revenge is here for rejects
Ex-husbands who had their wives snatched by boy band Mirror, it is time to get your revenge. In a live broadcast watched by more than 70,000 people, ViuTV announced on Wednesday the eight members of its new girl group Collar. They are all winners and contestants from King Maker IV, the fourth season of the reality show that gave birth to Mirror in the first season. The top three contestants – Marf Yau, Gao Shum and Day Hui – have already been guaranteed a place in the group, while the five other contestants are Winka Chan, So Ching, Ivy So, Candy Wong and Sumling Li. Their debut single is "Call My Name," but before its release Hong Kong husbands whose wives are fans of Mirror are already getting themselves ready for revenge.
Source:The Standard
January 12, 2022 20:17 UTC
Grizzlies stun Warriors for 10th straight win
AP PHOTOMEMPHIS: Ja Morant scored 29 points, including five in the final minute, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Golden State Warriors 116-108 Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) for their 10th straight win. That was enough of a buffer for the Grizzlies to keep their franchise-record win streak going, Memphis holding Golden State to 18 points in the fourth quarter. Josh Jackson scored 16 points and Saddiq Bey added 14 for the Pistons, who had won two straight. The Thunder lost their fifth straight game, and the key possession came with about a half-minute to play and the score tied at 118. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points, including two straight layups that tied it at 118.
Source:Manila Times
January 12, 2022 18:30 UTC
SEC implements zero face-to-face transactions
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it is implementing a zero face-to-face transaction policy in its offices in Metro Manila starting Jan. 13 until further notice. The adoption of the zero face-to-face setup is in compliance with Republic Act No. Meanwhile, the public may avail of online and cashless payment options through the Electronic System for Payment to the SEC (eSPAYSEC) at https://espaysec.sec.gov.ph/. Other guidelines on the availing of the Commission’s online services may be found in the SEC Notice dated Jan. 11. For further inquiries, the public may contact the concerned departments or offices provided in the SEC Contact Center on the SEC website.
Source:Manila Bulletin
January 12, 2022 18:23 UTC
As DOTr bans unvaccinated from transport, Metro Manila mayors launch vax sites for access, incentives
As DOTr bans unvaccinated from transport, Metro Manila mayors launch vax sites for access, incentivesAnti-vaccine protesters gather at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 to rail against government restrictions against those who have not received the shot against COVID-19. QC gov't provides incentives for vaccinated vendorsQuezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte also announced the signing a memorandum providing incentives to ambulant vendors, market vendors, and market employees, in exchange for getting COVID-19 vaccine shots. However, the city government acknowledged that among the unvaccinated are market vendors, market employees, and ambulant vendors who are earning their livelihoods on a day-to-day basis. This list shall be submitted to the City Health Department for the facilitation of their vaccination schedule in nearby vaccination sites. “This program is aimed at protecting both the market vendors and their customers who they come into close contact with every day.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2022 17:50 UTC
Comelec unanimously junks PDP-Laban faction's bid to reopen COC filing
Comelec unanimously junks PDP-Laban faction's bid to reopen COC filingMembers of the Cusi wing of PDP-Laban clench their fists in the signature pose of President Rodrigo Duterte during their national convention on September 8, 2021. The Comelec has yet to release the decision on the petition but its spokesperson James Jimenez made the announcement. The Cusi faction said then that the Comelec is still working on pending petitions and cannot yet print official ballots even if the period for filing COCs and substitutions has already passed. This move by the Cusi faction of the PDP-Laban raised concerns that the elections might be delayed were the Comelec to grant its petition. Both also withdrew their candidacies in December, leaving the administration party with no official candidate for president.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2022 16:23 UTC
Usage of "there is/there are” anticipatory clauses
It's the dilemma over subject-verb agreement in "there is/there are" clauses that Forum member Sky presented in the Forum almost a decade ago. Those three sentences are using what's called in English grammar as the anticipatory "there" clause, which means a clause introduced by the expletive "there." Indeed, the problem with anticipatory "there" clauses is that they often put grammar and notion in irreconcilable conflict. So then, with all things considered, are the three anticipatory "there" sentences Sky presented grammatically correct and acceptable? Next week, jan. 20, 2022: Let's get the 'not me' vs. 'not I' usage straightVisit Jose Carillo's English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com.
Source:Manila Times
January 12, 2022 15:47 UTC