Alert Level 3 in 5 provinces, 9 cities from January 9
Alert Level 3 in 5 provinces, 9 cities from January 9Cops man a checkpoint on the border of Calumpit in Bulacan and Apalit in Pampanga on August 2, 2021. The following areas will be under Alert Level 3 from January 9 to 15:ProvincesBataanBatangasCagayanPampangaZambalesCitiesAngeles CityBaguio CityDagupan CityIloilo CityLapu-Lapu CityLucena CityNaga CityOlongapo CitySantiago CityBusinesses are allowed to operate at 30% indoor capacity and 50% outdoor capacity in areas under Alert Level 3. RELATED: A guide to the COVID-19 alert levels systemNograles, also the spokesman of the government's pandemic task force, said Lapu-Lapu City immediately needs beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients. Nograles said the healthcare utilization rate metric for determining alert level classifications would be refined to better reflect available healthcare workers. Other areas that are now under Alert Level 3 are Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna.
Source:Philippine Star
January 07, 2022 04:17 UTC
Iraqi women boxers fight gender taboos
GAINING GROUND Bushra al-Hajjar, a 35-year-old Iraqi boxing instructor, is pictured during a training session at the Islamic University in Najaf on Dec. 14, 2021. PHOTO BY QASSEM AL-KAABI/AFPNAJAF, Iraq: Iraqi boxer Bushra al-Hajjar jumps into the ring, gloves raised to eye level, and strikes out at her sparring partner. In Iraq's Shiite Muslim holy city of Najaf, the sight of a women's boxing hall is unusual but, like others here, the 35-year-old boxing instructor is fighting deeply-ingrained taboos. Iraqi boxing federation president Ali Taklif acknowledges that Iraqi women engaging in the sport is a "recent phenomenon", but says it is gaining ground. "There is a lot of demand from females wanting to join," he said, adding that Iraq now has some 20 women's boxing clubs.
Source:Manila Times
January 07, 2022 04:14 UTC
Hamilo Coast — refuge amidst nature
Communities like Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas, a mere 90-minute drive from Manila, cradled between mountain ridges and the sea, provided ideal locations close to nature. There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Hamilo Coast such as biking. We found out that Hamilo Coast was the perfect fit for our family." This is validated by people who now live and work in their Pico De Loro Cove homes in Hamilo Coast after work-from-home arrangements became the norm. Developed by SM Prime's Costa Del Hamilo, Inc., Hamilo Coast is considered the first premiere sustainable community in Nasugbu, combining nature and man-made excellence in residential properties and amenities.
Source:Manila Times
January 07, 2022 02:20 UTC
Djokovic appeals deportation
AFP PHOTOUPDATED 12:12AM JAN. 7, 2022MELBOURNE: Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic fought against deportation from Australia on Thursday after the government revoked his visa for failing to meet Covid vaccine-entry requirements. The vaccine-skeptic Serb was stopped by border officials on arrival to Australia late on Wednesday and denied entry into the country. Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Djokovic had failed to provide officials with evidence of double vaccination or an adequate medical exemption. Australian border officials questioned the sports star overnight and revoked his visa citing a failure to "provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements. "Djokovic's lawyers are now arguing against that decision in court, hoping to prevent the star's deportation.
Source:Manila Times
January 07, 2022 02:20 UTC
2022 COVID surge, med shortage see mirror image from 2020
Raul Ting, a doctor in Tuguegarao City, said because of the rise in COVID-19 cases, people, out of fear, will cling to anything that they believe will help them prevent or handle sickness. The MMC explained that the low cost of generic medicines is because the manufacturers of these are usually not the ones who developed, lab-tested, and marketed the medicine. Branded medicines are often more expensive. These are also made with the same standards for the branded medicines. The PHAP explained that patients can consult doctors and pharmacists for alternatives when some brands of paracetamol are not available.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 06, 2022 22:09 UTC
Controversial Harvard professor claims no contemporary evidence on ‘comfort women’
“Korean women were not programmatically and forcibly conscripted by Japanese soldiers in Korea into comfort station work,” Ramseyer said. Ramseyer also said that a famous 1996 UN report on comfort women relied on Yoshida’s book as well. Ramseyer also questioned the credibility of the testimonies of comfort women, saying their late-in-life testimonies sometimes had contradicted earlier accounts. “The comfort women issue is an unprecedented violation of human rights on women in armed conflict as well as a violation of universal human rights,” the official said, reiterating the government’s position. “At a time when the weekly rally demanding Japan’s apology to comfort women marked its 30th anniversary yesterday, the timing of his statement is questionable,” said Hosaka.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 06, 2022 21:05 UTC
Philippines bans child marriage
(Reuters)Child marriage became illegal in the Philippines on Thursday as a law banning the practice took effect in a country where one in six girls enters wedlock before the age of 18. "The state... views child marriage as a practice constituting child abuse because it debases, degrades, and demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of children," the law states. However, some portions of the legislation have been suspended for one year to allow for a transition period for Muslims and Indigenous communities in which child marriage is relatively common. "Child marriage is a harmful practice that can cause lasting impact throughout the lives of both girls and boys. Banning child marriage is unpopular in the southern areas populated by the Catholic nation's large Islamic minority, where a 1977 law allows marriage by Filipino Muslims at the age of puberty or the onset of first menstruation for girls.
Source:The Standard
January 06, 2022 17:09 UTC
New COVID-19 cases hit three-month high
New COVID-19 cases hit three-month highDevotees at National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help at Baclaran in Parañaque City show their vaccine cards prior to entering church premises on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Metro Manila mayors had agreed to restrict activities and movement of unvaccinated individuals as COVID-19 cases surge anew. MANILA, Philippines — New coronavirus infections in the Philippines hit a three-month high on Thursday, with the Department of Health reporting 17,220 new cases. This is the highest number of COVID-19 cases since September 27, 2021, when the country logged 18,449 cases. Related Stories DOH records additional 29 Omicron cases, 18 Delta variant casesAccording to the DOH, 99% of the reported cases happened in the last 14 days.
Source:Philippine Star
January 06, 2022 12:11 UTC
Stock Commentary: PSE prepping for 10 IPOs in 2022
PSE prepping for 10 IPOs in 2022The PSE has several reasons to push IPOs, not the least of which is the large listing fee that the exchange is able to charge. Philstar ran a 2022 preview piece about the Philippine Stock Exchange's [PSE 215.00 1.90%] ten 2022 IPOs, starting with the Haus Talk [HTI 1.50 pre-IPO] IPO on January 17th. Figaro Coffee Group [FCG 0.75 pre-IPO] goes next on January 24th, then Citicore REIT [CREIT 3.15 pre-IPO] follows on February 17th. MB BOTTOM-LINEThe PSE has several reasons to push IPOs, not the least of which is the large listing fee that the exchange is able to charge. 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 06, 2022 10:59 UTC
Isolation and innovation: two years of the COVID-19 pandemic
In the airIn the early months of the pandemic, the prevailing scientific advice was that frequent handwashing would help stop the spread of Covid-19. “If we end inequity, we end the pandemic,” he said in his New Year message. But they have been less effective at stopping the pandemic because they do not prevent people from spreading the virus. The WHO’s top Covid pandemic expert Maria Van Kerkhove stressed that vaccines must reach vulnerable people around the world, while public health measures like testing, isolation and masks will remain crucial. “Vaccines AND, not Vaccines ONLY will end the #COVID19 pandemic.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 06, 2022 10:59 UTC
Influencer loses nearly 100k followers over 'racist' tweets
Influencer loses nearly 100k followers over 'racist' tweetsMANILA, Philippines — British influencer Elle Darby apologized after her decade-old alleged racist and homophobic tweets resurfaced online. In her YouTube channel, Elle said she’s far from her old self 10 years ago. pic.twitter.com/SeBGpHiQZQ — Ella Thomas (@EllaThom1308) December 31, 2021Her alleged derogatory tweets included alleged racist remarks about Indian, Polish and Chinese people, as well as homophobic and "fatphobic" comments. "I've let down everybody; there is no more humiliating feeling than that," she said in her "I'm sorry" vlog. "I am so sorry to everyone who has been affected by my tweets and hurt by the words I used.
Source:Philippine Star
January 06, 2022 10:01 UTC
Duterte signs law prohibiting child marriage
Duterte signs law prohibiting child marriageMANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into a law a measure banning child marriage, a policy seen to protect children from abusive practices and unwanted responsibilities. 11596 or An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof was signed into law last December 10, documents released by Malacañang showed. According to the law, the state affirms that marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of capacitated parties, and child betrothal and marriage shall have no legal effect. Under the law, any person who causes, fixes, facilitates, or arranges a child marriage shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period or imprisonment of eight years and one day to ten years and a fine of not less than P40,000. Any person who performs or officiates a child marriage shall be slapped with the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period or imprisonment of ten years and one day to 12 years and a fine of not less than P50,000.
Source:Philippine Star
January 06, 2022 09:55 UTC
Taiwan to set up $200 million fund to invest in Lithuania amid dispute with China
VILNIUS — Taiwan said on Wednesday it would create a $200 million fund to invest in Lithuanian industries and boost bilateral trade as it tries to fend off diplomatic pressure on the Baltic state from China. The head of Taiwan’s representative office in Lithuania, Eric Huang, said the strategic investment fund would be funded by Taiwan’s national development fund and backed by its central bank. ADVERTISEMENTTaiwan has redirected 120 shipping containers from Lithuania blocked by China into its market, and will take “as much as possible” more, Huang said. Taiwan will also accelerate its approval process for Lithuanian dairy and grain exports into Taiwan and seek to link Lithuanian businesses into Taiwanese supply chains, he said. Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Tseng Hou-jen called the Chinese pressure on Lithuania “disproportionate.”“The U.S. and EU refer to Taiwan as Taiwan in their official documents, and China keeps quiet,” he said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 06, 2022 09:32 UTC
PNP records 22 granular lockdowns in NCR amid COVID-19 surge
The Omicron variant is spreading widely and infecting large numbers of people, including the vaccinated and those previously infected with the virus. While spikes in cases have been the norm for the past...
Source:Philippine Star
January 06, 2022 08:47 UTC
15 PSG personnel positive for COVID-19, none from Duterte's detail
15 PSG personnel positive for COVID-19, none from Duterte's detailPresident Rodrigo Roa Duterte joins the Presidential Security Group to celebrate its 122nd anniversary at the PSG compound on June 26, 2019. MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen personnel of the Presidential Security Group have caught COVID-19 but none of them are from President Rodrigo Duterte's security detail. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, PSG commander, said the infected personnel, who came from a holiday break, were fully vaccinated and did not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms. Cabangbang said the PSG Task Force COVID-19 is attending to the infected personnel in accordance with the protocols set by the government's pandemic task force and the health department. Investigations into alleged smuggling of COVID-19 vaccines went nowhere.
Source:Philippine Star
January 06, 2022 07:48 UTC