Peng denies making sex assault claim
China’s Peng Shuai reacts during her first round singles match against Japan’s Nao Hibino at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 21, 2020. In a post last month on China's Twitter-like Weibo platform, Peng had alleged that former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli — who is in his 70s — coerced her into sex during an on-off relationship spanning several years. In comments to Lianhe Zaobao, a Singaporean Chinese-language newspaper, Peng denied making the allegation. The incident sparked international concern about her safety, including from the United Nations, the White House and fellow tennis stars. In the Zaobao video, when asked about the Weibo statement, Peng did not deny the post but described it as a "private matter" that people had "many misunderstandings" about.
Source:Manila Times
December 21, 2021 04:17 UTC
3.3 million more donated COVID-19 vaccine doses arrive from US, France
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday morning received 3.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses donated by the United States (US) and France. The US and French government gave 1,623,960 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine and 1,697,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. The 3.3 million doses were transported via Emirates flight EK334 which landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 around 6 a.m. Tuesday. On Monday, the US government sent 1.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. The government has so far administered 100,907,667 vaccine doses and fully immunized 43.5 million individuals against COVID-19 as of December 19.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 21, 2021 02:35 UTC
UK says COVID surge ‘extremely difficult’ as Omicron grips Europe
Speaking after UK media reported Britain might impose new curbs after Christmas, Johnson said the situation was “extremely difficult” and hospitalizations were rising steeply in London. Many monoclonal drugs “will not work with Omicron,” she said of the infused treatment used to lessen disease severity of COVID-19 patients. Shopper numbers across Britain’s high streets fell 2.6% over the Dec. 18-19 weekend versus the previous weekend, researcher Springboard said. Israel added the United States to its “no-fly” list, citing concerns over the Omicron variant. U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said Omicron was “raging through the world” as he urged Americans to get booster shots.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 21, 2021 02:17 UTC
Math grad sees his name in the stars
The body, called "2021 JM6" for now, has been classified as a near-Earth asteroid by NASA and the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. "I have been promoting astronomy for years, and I am always wondering if I can have an asteroid named after me." After years of assessment, a minor planet, or an asteroid, will have a "permanent designation," a number issued by the Minor Planet Center. It took Sit up to a year to discover the asteroid in a process he found "difficult." He is hoping to be the second Hongkonger to have an asteroid named after him, with Stark Chan Yik-hei getting the honor in 2005, when he was just 16, with asteroid 20780.
Source:The Standard
December 21, 2021 01:12 UTC
Holiday gift suggestions for better health and wellness
Go for the best items that can help others make better, healthier choices. A healthy food basket. A healthy food basket would certainly be most welcome, particularly to those who want to stay on track with their health and nutrition goals. Companies like Amazing Graze offer many snack varieties and gift options to suit one's loved ones in their journey to healthy snacking. For better at-home fitness.
Source:Manila Times
December 20, 2021 22:08 UTC
Metro Manila mayors pool funds for 'Odette'-affected LGUs
Metro Manila mayors pool funds for 'Odette'-affected LGUsThis December 19, 2021 photo shows Fuente Osmeña circle in uptown Cebu City after Typhoon Odette caused widespread damage to areas of the Visayas and Mindanao last week. MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila's mayors unanimously agreed Monday to release P100 million to help local government units affected by Super Typhoon Odette (international name Rai), the Metro Manila Council said. "We are going to prioritize local government units stricken by Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 4 of Typhoon Odette,” said MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos. The MMC, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, over 181,000 families have been affected by Odette days before Christmas.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2021 19:44 UTC
Cathy Garcia-Molina's 'love letter to all generations'
Kaori Oinuma, Jeramiah Lisbo, Daniela Stranner and Anthony JenningsBelieve it or not, blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Molina has never had an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival. And now that she does via Star Cinema's "Love at First Stream," it doesn't matter why because she is bound to prove it is worth the wait. "This is a personal project and it's very close to my heart," intimated the highly respected film maker at Love at First Stream's grand virtual media conference. "This is my love letter to all generations because this film isn't only teenagers but also for parents like me." Topbilled by the day's rising stars Daniela Stranner, Anthony Jennings, Kaori Oinuma and Jeramiah Lisbo, Love at First Stream revolves around the new normal, where life is wildly digital.
Source:Manila Times
December 20, 2021 19:00 UTC
Petitioners ask Comelec to consider lack of court record that Marcos paid fine in tax case
Petitioners ask Comelec to consider lack of court record that Marcos paid fine in tax caseMANILA, Philippines — In their latest submission to the Commission on Elections, petitioners seeking the cancellation of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Certificate of Candidacy submitted a new certification stating that the court has no records of the respondent’s compliance or payment of fine in his tax case. The petitioners accused Marcos of making two material misrepresentations in his COC. Not having denied the material averments in the Petition, respondent Marcos Jr. is deemed to have admitted the same." Petitioners also secured a new certificate, this time from the Quezon City RTC Office of the Clerk of Court stating that it has "no record of any compliance/payment of fine" in the tax case. Part of the memo they submitted is a certification from the Quezon City Office of the Clerk of Court stating it has “no record of any compliance/payment of fine” in the tax case against Marcos.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2021 18:50 UTC
Preventive measures for better wellbeing
In this roundup, The Manila Times Lifestyle feature products and services that can help achieve better health and overall wellbeing in the coming year. 'Joyfulness is the best medicine' — expertsInspirational websites and even social media accounts have always regarded joyfulness as one ingredient to better life. Managing health entails learning of baseline health status, among others, which are better done in clinics or laboratories. Yes, even medical services are now one tap away. HomeLab PH services are available 24/7 even on holidays, with a dedicated customer service team ready to address customer concerns via hotline or email.
Source:Manila Times
December 20, 2021 17:43 UTC
‘Odette’ killed 14 people, destroyed 14,000 houses in Dinagat Islands – official
MANILA, Philippines — Dinagat Islands on Monday reported 14 fatalities and around 14,000 totally destroyed houses after Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) pummeled the province last week. At this point, our latest count is we have 14,000 or more totally damaged houses and right now, our casualties have already climbed to 14,” Dinagat Islands provincial information officer Jeff Crisostomo lamented on ANC’s Rundown. According to Crisostomo, all residents in Dinagat Islands are affected by the severe tropical storm, which also battered Siargao, Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan. As Dinagatnons reel from the calamity brought by Odette, Crisostomo called on the public to send them help. RELATED STORYSuper Typhoon Odette (Rai): Quick factsKGASubscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 20, 2021 14:46 UTC
Political prisoner ordered released in plea that also questioned revised GCTA rules
Political prisoner ordered released in plea that also questioned revised GCTA rulesThe controversy over the release of murderer-rapist Antonio Sanchez, who has since passed away, following the Good Conduct and Time Allowance law spawned marathon Senate hearings and prompted the revision of RA 10592's Implementing Rules and Regulation in 2019. In its revised rules, convicts of heinous crimes are held ineligible to benefit from the law. The court said this will depend on whether he is entitled to benefit from the GCTA law. "Thus, Mr. Itaas is entitled to the benefits of RA 10592," it said. “Under the two (2) convictions, Mr. Itaas has to serve a total of thirty-nine (39) years and six (6) months imprisonment.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2021 14:32 UTC
More Japanese firms inquire about Philippines investment prospects
More Japanese firms inquire about Philippines investment prospectsDuring the Global Biz Forum organized by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Trade Investment Center – Tokyo commercial counsellor Dita Angara-Mathay noted there has been an increase in investment-related inquiries from Japanese firms recently. MANILA, Philippines — Japanese firms are looking for opportunities in manufacturing, power, construction and food processing in the country. During the Global Biz Forum organized by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Trade Investment Center – Tokyo commercial counsellor Dita Angara-Mathay noted there has been an increase in investment-related inquiries from Japanese firms recently. She said the Philippines also expects its US GSP status to be renewed, which would also eliminate tariffs for some exports of firms that are located in the Philippines. He said there are about a thousand Japanese companies registered with the PEZA engaged in electronics, semiconductors, information technology and metal processing.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2021 11:33 UTC
Calabarzon, NCR, Central Luzon most vote-rich regions
Calabarzon, NCR, Central Luzon most vote-rich regionsIn the Commission on Elections (Comelec) data tweeted by its spokesman James Jimenez, Region 4-A or Calabarzon, comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, is still the region with the most number of registered voters with 9,193,096. MANILA, Philippines — Calabarzon, the National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Luzon remain the top three vote-rich regions in the 2022 general elections. This is followed by the NCR with 7,322,361 registered voters and Region 3 or Central Luzon with 7,289,791 registered voters. Their numbers are followed by Region 7 (Central Visayas) with 5,249,066 registered voters; Region 6 (Western Visayas) with 5,026,482 registered voters; Region 5 (Bicol) with 3,910,261 registered voters; Region 1 (Ilocos) with 3,546,764 registered voters; Region 11 (Davao) with 3,236,251 registered voters; Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) with 3,166,262 registered voters, and Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) with 3,060,485 registered voters. Following them are Region 12 (Soccsksargen) with 2,606,492 registered voters; Bangsamaro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with 2,385,359 registered voters; Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) with 2,312,798 registered voters; Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) with 2,298,930 registered voters; Region 4-B (Mimaropa) with 1,991,599 registered voters; Caraga region with 1,868,798 registered voters, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with 1,077,900 registered voters.
Source:Philippine Star
December 20, 2021 08:58 UTC
SM Supermalls opens first batch of SM StartUp Markets nationwide
SM Supermalls launched the first batch of MSME shops at the opening of the SM StartUp Markets on December 15, at the SM Megamall. During the launch, SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan announced that they will be opening eight shops under the SM StartUp Package in SM Megamall. By joining the SM StartUp Package, MSMEs are given the assistance in opening their first brick-and-mortar shops. On the other hand, shoppers are urged to support their favorite online MSMEs at the StartUp Markets which will be opened in the following locations:SM Megamall * SM North EDSA * SM Mall of Asia * SM Southmall * SM City Pampanga * SM City Clark * SM City Grand Central * SM City Santa Rosa * SM City Cebu * SM City Iloilo * SM City Bacolod * SM CDO Downtown Premier * SM Lanang Premier"This is a testament to our commitment to the country and to you, our MSMEs," Tan said in closing. To know more about the SM StartUp Market, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.
Source:Manila Times
December 20, 2021 05:37 UTC
Death toll in Philippines typhoon hits 208: national police
More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Rai slammed into the country on Thursday. (AFP)The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year has surged to 208, the national police said Monday, making it one of the deadliest storms to hit the country in recent years. At least 239 people were injured and 52 were missing after Typhoon Rai ravaged the southern and central regions of the archipelago, the police tally showed. More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Rai slammed into the country on Thursday as a super typhoon. The storm ripped off roofs, uprooted trees, toppled concrete power poles, smashed wooden houses to pieces and flooded villages -- sparking comparisons with Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
Source:The Standard
December 20, 2021 01:15 UTC