Product shortages and price increases on the cards amidst reduction in cargo flights – Carrie Lam
Carrie Lam said Hong Kong citizens will see the impact of reduced cargo capacity following tightened quarantine requirements on aircrew. Rising prices and products going out of stock -- Hong Kong citizens will see the impact of reduced cargo capacity following tightened quarantine requirements on aircrew, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said. In the first meeting of the Legislative Council's new term on Wednesday, Lam said the government won't go easy on rule breakers. Facing calls for authorities to tighten their grip and make Cathay accountable, Lam asked if the public genuinely wants to crush the city's aviation industry. A reduction in cargo flights will affect all citizens in Hong Kong, as it involves the import of fresh food, electronic products, and pharmaceuticals.
Source:The Standard
January 12, 2022 14:15 UTC
Patafa formally agrees to PSC mediation to resolve dispute vs Obiena
Patafa president Philip JuicoThe Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) has formally signed the mediation agreement to finally resolve its dispute with Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena. In a letter dated Jan. 11 addressed to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez, Patafa Board Member Datu Yusoph Mama wrote on behalf of the board to confirm their participation in the mediation process. Patafa’s letter to PSC chairman Butch RamirezRepresenting Patafa in the PSC mediation will be its president Philip Juico, Atty. PSC chairman Butch Ramirez has earlier demanded for all the parties involved in the ongoing dispute to allow the government sports agency to do its part in resolving the situation. “If EJ is listening, Patafa is listening, POC is listening… I know you have your own politics there.
Source:Manila Bulletin
January 12, 2022 13:32 UTC
PH told to drop plexiglass barriers
MANILA, Philippines — Instead of face shields and plexiglass barriers, the Philippines should rely more on protective masks and proper ventilation, and even going outdoors, a leading American aerosol scientist said. The government has made face shields voluntary but may consider their required use amid the surge in coronavirus cases being attributed to the spread of the Omicron variant. “So, in summary, the face shields are not useful at all,” Jimenez said, as he called for the distribution of more N95 masks to people who cannot afford them. He said taxi drivers should consider opening their windows to prevent any infection between them and their passengers. He also suggested that encouraging people to go outside would help prevent transmission indoors, especially in enclosed spaces.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 12, 2022 13:28 UTC
AP Top International News at 3:13 p.m. EST
Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, USUS hits NKorean officials with sanctions after missile test10 years later, Costa Concordia disaster vivid for survivorsWith more girls pregnant, Zimbabwe pushes a return to schoolAmid Djokovic backlash, Australia grapples with omicron waveNo Ukraine breakthrough, but NATO and Russia eye more talksUK's Johnson apologizes for attending party during lockdownDjokovic acknowledges error on Australian travel declarationSpanish doctors win lawsuit over lack of COVID-19 protection
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 12, 2022 13:13 UTC
Power down at Penny’s Bay
Electricity supply for some units at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre will be temporarily affected in the afternoon on Wednesday due to an urgent maintenance of the electricity system, the Department of Health announced. The maintenance will see electricity supply for around 417 units in Phase 1 of the facility temporarily suspended from 2pm to 5pm, electrical appliances in the units will not be able to function during the period. However, daily operation and services of the quarantine center will not be affected, the medical post situated in Phase 3 of the facility will operate as normal, according to a government statement. “The staff of Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre has informed the confinees concerned by WhatsApp messages and broadcast announcements of the relevant arrangements. Extra manpower has been arranged to respond to the needs of the confinees,” the statement wrote.
Source:The Standard
January 12, 2022 10:17 UTC
Suzuki PH rolls out sweet new deal for the Carry
To start the year right, Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) added more incentives to new customers of the Suzuki Carry. These new purchase mechanics are applicable to all new Suzuki Carry units purchased within the said time frame mentioned to all 73 dealerships nationwide. "Suzuki Philippines is eager to welcome new members of the Suzuki Family as we enter the new year," shared Keiichi Suzuki, vice president and general manager of Suzuki Automobile Division. With a starting price of P554,000, the Suzuki Carry can be converted and modified to suit any, and all business needs. For daily updates on Suzuki, please like Suzuki Auto Ph's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPh, follow them on twitter at https://twitter.com/SuzukiAutoPh and Instagram at @suzukiautoph.
Source:Manila Times
January 12, 2022 10:03 UTC
Shorter quarantine for fully vaccinated health workers for ‘extreme’ circumstances
ADVERTISEMENTThe IATF earlier approved a shortened isolation and quarantine period for fully vaccinated health workers infected but are asymptomatic, mild, or in moderate condition as well as those exposed to COVID-19, to five days instead of the previous seven-day period. Health-care workers have opposed the new policy, saying it puts their own and their patients’ health and safety at risk. Shorter incubation“The health experts in those hospitals [who are part of the] committees will be the ones to assess if the exposed health workers are fit to be brought back in circulation. Vega said the country’s healthcare workers were 93-percent fully vaccinated and were supposed to be protected from severe COVID-19 that could lead to hospitalization or death. That’s where our recommendation for shortened quarantine and isolation was coming from,” said pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Anna Ong-Lim.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 12, 2022 08:38 UTC
Suspected vertical transmission leads to partial evacuation of North Point's Maple Gardens
This came as a 32-year-old man living in unit 9B tested preliminary positive after displaying respiratory symptoms on Sunday and consulted the emergency room at Queen Mary Hospital on Tuesday evening. Earlier on Tuesday, a 48-year-old man working at Citic Securities and living in unit 6B of the building tested preliminarily positive for suspected Omicron infection. He said Maple's Phase III is undergoing construction at the external wall, and the man living in unit 9B had kept his windows closed because of that. As a precautionary measure, he said that 14 households living in unit B of the block should evacuate to a quarantine center. Yuen said this is the second local case of vertical transmission by Omicron cases, showing the variant is highly transmissible by air.
Source:The Standard
January 12, 2022 06:18 UTC
Manila mayor Moreno orders on-site booster vaccination for construction workers
The 47-year-old local chief executive issued the directive during a visit at the construction site of the 10-storey modern Manila Science High School along Taft Avenue. Moreno made the immediate decision for on-site booster shots after learning from project officials that all the workers, many of whom came from the provinces, had already completed their second vaccine doses. Moreno’s directive will not only benefit the workers at the P1.3-billion Manila Science High School project, but also all workers in the various city government projects under its own “Build, Build, Build” programme. Besides the Manila Science High School, two other modern city public schools are being constructed at the same time. Moreno said providing booster shots to all the workers in the various projects not only ensures undisrupted construction, but also ensures that workers enjoy continuous employment.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 12, 2022 06:02 UTC
Indonesia to lift coal export ban ahead of schedule
On Monday, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines urged Indonesia to lift the ban, which took effect on 1 January. Filipino energy secretary Alfonso Cusi appealed to his counterpart in Indonesia, energy and mineral resources minister Arifin Tasrif, to lift the ban, specifically to the Philippines. The Philippines sourced 2.3 million metric tons monthly from Indonesia to fuel its coal-fired power plants in 2021. Power generated from coal comprises about 60% of the country’s power demand. On the same day Indonesia and Japan signed a memorandum of cooperation on energy transition aiming to materialise Indonesia's energy transition programme, according to a report.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2022 04:25 UTC
Concepcion helps traders purchase molnupiravir
We want them to get access to this drug as many frontline workers of businesses have been infected recently. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the emergency use authorization for molnupiravir, an oral medicine said to reduce severe symptoms of Covid-19. He also said when the data coming from different Indian studies were reviewed, molnupiravir also helps reduce transmissibility of Covid-19. Meaning you lower your viral load more than 50 percent during the third day of the drug," Solante pointed out. Small business owners, who want to know more of how they can purchase molnupiravir from official suppliers, can message the official Facebook of Go Negosyo: https://www.facebook.com/gonegosyoofficial.
Source:Manila Times
January 12, 2022 03:57 UTC
Immigration reports 83 fugitive foreigners arrested in 2021
Immigration reports 83 fugitive foreigners arrested in 2021In 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 nabbed 83 foreign fugitives in the country in 2021, posting a higher number than 55 recorded arrests in 2020. BI Fugitive Search Unit chief Rendel Sy reported that South Koreans topped the list with 55 of them arrested in the country. Related Stories Immigration bureau reports 55 foreign fugitives arrested in 2020Sy said in a statement: "Many of those arrested were involved in fraud, economic crimes, cybercrimes and sexual offenses." Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente reiterated that despite the pandemic, there will be no letup in investigations and operations against illegal aliens hiding in the country.
Source:Philippine Star
January 12, 2022 03:14 UTC
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6ABC's Rick Williams to replace Jim Gardner on 'Action News'
Longtime 6ABC news anchor and reporter Rick Williams will replace Jim Gardner on the 11 p.m. edition of 'Action News' Read more6ABC is replacing one longtime news anchor with another. The station is turning to Rick Williams, who has worked as an anchor and reporter at 6ABC for more than 30 years, to replace beloved newscaster Jim Gardner on the 11 p.m. edition of Action News. Williams’ first 11 p.m. newscast will be Wednesday night, where he’ll be joined by sports anchor Ducis Rodgers and meteorologist Cecily Tynan. » READ MORE: 6ABC’s Jim Gardner is ready to deliver his final 11 p.m. newscast on ‘Action News’“It’s no small thing to be able to follow a news icon and, in many ways, a role model. Williams also reports for the 6ABC’s weekly “Crimefighters” series and previously co-anchored Action News Morning.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 12, 2022 02:57 UTC
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6ABC anchor Jim Gardner delivers his final 11 p.m. ‘Action News’ broadcast
Longtime 6ABC anchor Jim Gardner will deliver his final 11 p.m. newscast Tuesday night. Read more» READ MORE: Watch Jim Gardner's sign off from 'Action News at 11'The big story on Action News tonight is the end of an era in Philadelphia broadcasting — Jim Gardner will anchor his final 11 p.m. broadcast on 6ABC. It goes without saying Gardner is an institution in the Delaware Valley, and is just as iconic as the timeless Action News jingle. I think we have.”» READ MORE: 6ABC taps Rick Williams to replace Jim Gardner on 11 p.m. edition of ‘Action News’Fortunately, Gardner, 73, isn’t relinquishing his role entirely just yet. » READ MORE: Jim Gardner spent decades reporting the news.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 12, 2022 01:26 UTC
PSC: We can't risk lives of athletes
The National Capital Region and nearby provinces were placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15 due to the surge of Covid-19 cases. Contact sports are not allowed under Alert Level 3 except those conducted under a bubble setup. "We can resume practice in Philsports where there are eight venues and in Rizal (Memorial Sports Complex) where there are less than 12." The national athletes who train under a bubble setup like the Philippine fencing team in Ormoc, Leyte can also proceed to train, he added. "Most probably we can resume training in February if the IATF declares Alert Level 2.
Source:Manila Times
January 11, 2022 22:12 UTC