Marcos, Sara top PUBLiCUS election survey
FORMER senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio led the presidential and vice presidential survey held by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc."Over half of the respondents, at 51.9 percent, tagged Marcos as their preferred choice for president. His choice share increased by 2.6 percent from his 49.3 in the Pahayag Quarter 3 results," the pollster said in its Pahayag Quarter 4 survey. Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio was the vice presidential pick of 54.8 percent of the respondents. PUBLiCUS conducted a nationwide purposive sampling survey from December 6 to 10, 2021 among 1,500 respondents from a market research panel. It emphasized that its purposive sampling method would not yield a margin of error.
Source:Manila Times
December 13, 2021 13:04 UTC
Booster program may accelerate: David Hui
“Before the emergence of the Omicron variant, BioNTech takers can wait for more than six months to get a booster shot because their antibody level drops slowly,” Hui said on a radio program on Monday. Hui said overseas studies have shown that a third BioNTech shot can protect people from the new Omicron variant. Although some pharmaceutical companies are developing new vaccines that target the Omicron variant, Hui said Hongkongers should not wait for new vaccines. The latest Omicron variant was first detected in Botswana and South Africa in November, and it has now spread to more than 60 countries. The Covid booster program in Hong Kong opened to over 30s today, and all adults who had their second vaccine at least three months before can book a booster jab from Wednesday.
Source:The Standard
December 13, 2021 11:48 UTC
Police arrest 101 people in crackdown of prostitution dens disguised as massage parlors
Illegal immigrants and domestic workers are among sex workers recently arrested by the police in a crack down on 25 prostitution dens which disguise themselves as massage parlors. This included masterminds of a prostitution ring and sex workers. But many illegal premises resumed activities soon after the police crackdown, and tried to disguise themselves as massage parlors. Some of the arrested entered Hong Kong illegally via sea routes, while some claimed to be domestic helpers. As many of the sex workers entered HK illegally, their activities threaten anti-epidemic work by health authorities.
Source:The Standard
December 13, 2021 10:10 UTC
In Myanmar’s Chin state, a grassroots rebellion grows
That skirmish in mid-May was part of what seven people involved in the rebellion, including five fighters, said was a growing popular resistance to Myanmar’s military in Chin state. Myanmar’s military spokesperson and the Ministry of Information did not respond to requests for comment on the growing resistance in Chin or the armed forces’ deployments. Across Chin violence has escalated in the last four months as the Tatmadaw clashes with a rising number of rebel groups, according to analysis from the Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO). The U.S. State Department singled out events in Chin, and Thantlang in particular, in a statement last month urging the military to end the violence. The NUG wants to bring all armed resistance groups under a single command with the assistance of the CNF, said the Chin lawmaker and senior NUG leader.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 13, 2021 09:11 UTC
This little piggie has grown, but owner is keeping her as pet
SAO PAULO — Rosangela dos Santos Lara went to market and bought a little piggie as a pet, but then it grew and grew and grew. “I bought her thinking she would be a mini-pig, but she turned into a giant animal,” Rosangela said, while tickling Lilica, stretched out in front of the family sofa with cats and dogs clambering around her. People call me crazy, but I just love animals.”Selling Lilica for meat would give her family’s finances a major boost, but Rosangela isn’t interested. “Someone offered me 20,000 reais ($3,600) this week for her for slaughter, but she is not for sale.”Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy PolicyRead Next
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 13, 2021 08:18 UTC
Man died after possibly choking on instant noodles
A 58-year-old chronically-ill man died after possibly choking on instant noodles on Monday morning. The man, surnamed Poon, was having instant noodles at 6.26am when he collapsed at his home in Heng Fa Chuen. An accident and emergency specialist said to save a man who is choking on food, one should hug him from behind while pressing both fists on his abdomen to help him push out the food. In October, a seven-year-old girl died a week after she choked on jelly in school during recess. Related story: Girl, 7, who choked on jelly died after a week in hospital
Source:The Standard
December 13, 2021 07:46 UTC
BSP seen keeping rates on hold
BSP seen keeping rates on hold“I see the BSP sticking to its guns. Nicholas Mapa, senior economist at ING Bank, said interest rates are likely to be kept at record lows this week as the central bank BSP... From B1has already telegraphed a pause. “The brisk pace of activity shows that the economy is gradually coming back to life bodes well for the fourth quarter GDP and 2022. The BSP has also indicated it would like to keep holding its patient’s hand to make sure the recovery is sure footed. Monetary support kept families incomes intact while struggling firms were thrown a lifeline,” Mapa explained.
Source:Philippine Star
December 13, 2021 05:07 UTC
India's Harnaaz Sandhu wins Miss Universe 2021
India's Harnaaz Sandhu wins Miss Universe 2021Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu, is crowned Miss Universe during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Israel's southern Red Sea coastal city of Eilat on Dec. 13, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu bested 79 other candidates to emerge as the new Miss Universe 2021. She is now the third Miss Universe titleholder from India. Second runner-up is Miss Universe South Africa Lalela Lali Mswane, a 24-year-old vocalist and model. RELATED: LIVE updates: Miss Universe 2021'Everybody seems to be loving Philippines': Beatrice Luigi Gomez enters Top 5 of Miss Universe 2021, full list
Source:Philippine Star
December 13, 2021 04:44 UTC
‘Government must uphold rule of law in addressing pandemic’
‘Government must uphold rule of law in addressing pandemic’Speaking before the online “2021 Open Parliament Forum” last week, Sen. Richard Gordon said it is the duty of Congress, notably the Senate, to exercise its oversight function to ensure that public funds are judiciously spent and well accounted for. MANILA, Philippines — Government should uphold the rule of law in addressing the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic, especially in protecting the people against abuses, Sen. Richard Gordon said. He was referring to the ongoing investigation of the Blue Ribbon committee, which he chairs, into the P42-billion corruption scandal involving the Duterte administration’s procurement of pandemic supplies. Gordon said Congress should assert the principles of separation of powers and its power of checks and balances, especially against populist leaders. In the performance of its oversight function, Gordon said the Senate has encountered numerous problems in its current inquiry on government’s anomalous procurement deals of pandemic response medical supplies and equipment.
Source:Philippine Star
December 13, 2021 00:36 UTC
Moreno says not neglecting duties as Manila mayor to pursue presidential campaign
Moreno says not neglecting duties as Manila mayor to pursue presidential campaignMANILA, Philippines — Manila City mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Isko Moreno denied criticisms that he was neglecting his duties as the capital city's chief executive to prioritize his campaign for the presidency. Speaking to reporters in San Andres, the presidential aspirant maintained that his campaign sorties across the country dubbed the "Listening Tour" do not necessarily mean that he has forgotten his duties as Manila mayor. I'm also lucky to have my vice mayor. My vice mayor was battle-tested...She really knows the job of being the vice mayor,” Moreno said in mixed Filipino and English. Moreno, who proudly refers to himself as a middle-class candidate, earlier said that his net worth is at P70 million.
Source:Philippine Star
December 12, 2021 23:26 UTC
Sexy ads removed in OQ
ADS for a sex toy website that led to a US blackout of an Olympic curling qualifying tournament will be removed from the ice and replaced with the statement "#equalityforall." Erotic website EasyToys and the World Curling Federation said that they have reached a deal to return the livestream to the United States and Japan, where broadcasters decided that references to the company were too racy for the curling audience. The event in the Netherlands will determine the last remaining spots in the Beijing 2022 curling fields. "Curling also deserves that, as a sport that is one of the few mixed sports that is way ahead of its time. The tournament began Sunday with mixed doubles, but American fans were unable to watch their local livestream due to what the World Curling Federation said was "an ongoing sponsor rights issue."
Source:Manila Times
December 12, 2021 22:32 UTC
More than 80 dead in US tornadoes
TOTAL WRECK Emergency workers search through what is left of the Mayfield Consumer Products Candle Factory after it was destroyed by a tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. AFP PHOTOMAYFIELD, US: Dozens of devastating tornadoes roared through six US states overnight, leaving more than 80 people dead and dozens missing Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in what President Joe Biden said was likely to be "one of the largest" storm outbreaks in American history. Beshear said there were some 110 people working at the candle factory when the storm hit, causing the roof to collapse. "We are at the candle factory in Mayfield... One of the tornadoes hit the Amazon warehouse in the southern Illinois city of Edwardsville, with around 100 workers believed to have been trapped inside.
Source:Manila Times
December 12, 2021 22:16 UTC
Gangsters wreck havoc after new restaurant refuses to pay protection money
A new Chinese restaurant in Tuen Mun suffered losses of HK$370,000 after its operator refused to pay “protection fees” to gangsters. Police arrested six people with triad backgrounds aged between 18 and 53 for blackmailing, criminal intimidation and using forged documents. Auyeung Tak, chief inspector of New Territories North police regional anti triad unit, said three men asked the operator to pay a monthly protection fee of HK$20,000 on November 8. After the operator refused to pay, seven men dressed in black and wearing masks and gloves rushed into the restaurant, destroying property with metal rods and hammers. After investigations, police identified the seven men who entered the shop and arrested five of them last Friday and Saturday.
Source:The Standard
December 12, 2021 21:40 UTC
Afghan families go back to making carpets as economy unravels
That is why we started carpets again,” said Rauf, at 28 the eldest of the brothers who all live and work in Kabul. “Someone who knows how to weave carpets will never be without work,” says Muhammad Taghi, whose family has worked with Haji Abdul Qader for a decade. We make in our country these carpets that will be sold the world over as Afghan carpets,” Muhammad Taghi said. “Foreigners are not here to buy them,” complained Kabir Rauf, sitting idle in his Kabul market stand surrounded by hundreds of carpets. Air links to the Gulf have been restored, and, from there, his carpets can fly across the world.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 12, 2021 16:30 UTC