Loss of China events over Peng could go past 2022
"This is an organizational effort that is really addressing something that's about what's right and wrong." He said the move to put a halt to the tour's play in China, including Hong Kong, came with the backing of the WTA Board of Directors, players, tournaments and sponsors. It is the strongest public stand against China taken by a sports body — and one that could cost the WTA millions of dollars. We definitely would like to have our own discussion with Peng and be comfortable that she's truly safe and free and has not been censored, intimidated or anything like that," Simon told The AP. China typically hosts about 10 women's tennis tournaments each year, including the prestigious season-ending WTA Finals, which are scheduled to be held there for a decade.
Source:Manila Times
December 02, 2021 22:46 UTC
BuCor inmates to get at least 30K jabs from national vaccination program
BuCor inmates to get at least 30K jabs from national vaccination programThis photo posted on October 25 showed the Bureau of Corrections vaccination drive for inmates at the Minimum Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison. MANILA, Philippines — The national government has allotted at least 30,000 vaccines to Persons Deprived of Liberty in Bureau of Corrections facilities, as part of the National Vaccination Days program, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said. The national government mounted the three-day program, which started on November 30, to ramp up the country’s inoculation drive. It is also mulling another three-day vaccination program on December 15 to 17, amid fears of the Omicron coronavirus variant. The NTF against COVID-19 has also allowed local government units to extend their operations for the national vaccination drive until Friday to sustain the momentum in rolling out shots.
Source:Philippine Star
December 02, 2021 22:09 UTC
Gov’t fails to hit 9 million target in 3-day nat’l COVID-19 vax drive
MANILA, Philippines — The government fell short in achieving its goal of inoculating 9 million individuals during the three-day national COVID-19 vaccination drive from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. ADVERTISEMENTHealth Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje on Thursday reported that over 7.6 million individuals were vaccinated against COVID-19 during the drive. Despite not achieving its goal, which was already adjusted from the initial 15 million vaccination target, Cabotaje said the government is still “very happy” with its achievement. Cabotaje said local government units may extend the national vaccination drive until Friday to “maintain the enthusiasm of the public to get vaccinated.”She added that the government will push through with the second round of the national vaccination drive from Dec. 15 to 17. For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 02, 2021 21:20 UTC
New Delhi shuts schools, colleges again due to air pollution
NEW DELHI — India’s capital New Delhi has ordered the closure of schools and colleges until further notice from Friday after the Supreme Court criticized the city government for reopening educational institutions despite “very poor” air quality. The city government last week decided to reopen schools and colleges after closing them for nearly 15 days due to a spike in air pollution. ADVERTISEMENTOn Thursday, the Supreme Court, which is hearing a public petition over the government’s inability to cut air pollution, expressed its dismay over the government’s decision to reopen schools and colleges. The Delhi government has hired an extra 700 natural gas buses to encourage people to use public transport. New Delhi’s foul air is putting more children in hospital with breathing problems, raising concerns among parents.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 02, 2021 20:43 UTC
Duterte says he respects Go's decision to withdraw as presidential candidate
Duterte says he respects Go's decision to withdraw as presidential candidatePresident Rodrigo Duterte raises the hand of Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go after filing his certificate of candidacy for vice president at the Harbor Garden Tent of Sofitel Philippines in Pasay City on Oct. 2, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte respects the decision of his former aide Sen. Cristopher "Bong" Go to withdraw from the presidential race, saying he cannot do anything if that is what the senator's family wants. Duterte then claimed that Go's decision not to pursue his presidential bid has "made a lot of people sad than happy." Go said he and Duterte may support a presidential candidate that would continue the reforms that the present administration has started. Duterte-Carpio is running for vice president alongside former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Source:Philippine Star
December 02, 2021 18:44 UTC
Scientists go 'social' in communicating science webinar
Scientists and researchers got social and ‘magnetized’ during a recent webinar organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute as a pre-National Science and Technology Week offering on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOIN the latest edition of the Science Journo Ako webinar, titled "#ScienceJournoAko: Be social and get noticed. Surprisingly, although science information is readily available to the public in various forms, many people still find this daunting. She emphasized that scientists should consider sharing their studies on social media because it can encourage young Filipinos to become interested in science. The 2021 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) was held from November 22 to 28 through various virtual platforms.
Source:Manila Times
December 02, 2021 16:32 UTC
As political activities ramp up, DILG reminds bets of prohibition on rallies
As political activities ramp up, DILG reminds bets of prohibition on ralliesIn this undated photo, soldiers and health workers are seen guarding an anti-COVID-19 checkpoint in Maguindanao province. DILG said political rallies could become super-spreader events, especially with the threat posed by the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus. "Political rallies are still prohibited. He said it would be better for candidates to wait until then to hold their political rallies. We remind the candidates and the LGUs that political rallies are still prohibited," he said.
Source:Philippine Star
December 02, 2021 15:34 UTC
Greenlight for Matthew Cheung to teach in HKU
Matthew Cheung Kin-chung has been given the green light to teach at the University of Hong Kong after retiring from his job as Chief Secretary for Administration in June. A SAR advisory committee overseeing the post-office appointment for former politically appointed officials decided that the former Chief Secretary for Administration would not constitute a conflict of interest by taking up the teaching role. It also stated that Cheung’s new role would not arouse any well-founded negative public perception embarrassing the SAR government. Cheung had previously applied in November to the committee to attend a high-table dinner and a session about population and sustainable development as a guest speaker at the university, for which permission was also granted. The Advisory Committee said in considering each case, it has to consider the information provided by the former politically appointed official concerned, the assessments by relevant government bureau or offices, and the criteria for advice as stipulated in the guidance notes on post-office employment for politically appointed officials.
Source:The Standard
December 02, 2021 15:33 UTC
Thousands of students and teachers leave school amid emigration wave, poll finds
Around 4,500 students and 1,000 teachers left the city's secondary schools in the last academic year, a rare occurrence triggered by the emigration wave, an association of principals survey found. The poll conducted by the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools surveyed 140 secondary schools in the city, meaning each of the institutions suffered an average loss of 32 students and seven teachers. It quoted that principals were worried about a talent gap in schools, which would affect the teaching quality. Principals were also worried that teacher turnover and teachers leaving Hong Kong would pile up pressure on those remaining at schools. The association suggested cutting class sizes to allow teachers to deliver better instruction for students while maintaining their professional status and morale.
Source:The Standard
December 02, 2021 15:05 UTC
Lam Tin public estate locked down
A block at On Tin Estate in Lam Tin has been locked down after a 28-year-old female resident who returned from the United States tested preliminary positive for Covid-19. The woman departed for the United States on November 20. When she returned to Hong Kong on Wednesday, she tested preliminary positive upon arrival at the airport. The woman, fully vaccinated with the German-made BioNTech/Fosun vaccine, tested positive for the L452R mutant strain likely to be the Delta variant with a moderate viral count. She works at the 10th floor of Wheelock House, Central and last went to work on November 19.
Source:The Standard
December 02, 2021 12:28 UTC
Robredo campaign claims posters, tarps being taken down
Robredo campaign claims posters, tarps being taken downMANILA, Philippines — The office of Vice President Leni Robredo claimed that posters and tarpaulins in support of her presidential bid were taken down in the cities of Masbate and Zamboanga, even though they were placed on private property. The alleged taking down of tarps, posters and ribbons came before President Rodrigo Duterte came to Zamboanga City. The Youth for Leni chapter in Zamboanga City posted on Facebook that campaign materials for Robredo were taken down, including a tarpaulin erected on a private property near the airport. Youth for Leni – Zamboanga City said. Robredo’s spokesperson said these campaign materials were made and paid for volunteers as part of their “people’s campaign,” which the vice president is heavily banking on sans a massive campaign war chest and political machinery.
Source:Philippine Star
December 02, 2021 11:38 UTC
COVID-19 booster shots OK for all adults – FDA
MANILA, Philippines — All fully vaccinated Filipinos 18 years old and above are now eligible to receive COVID-19 booster shots, FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said on Wednesday. Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the country’s vaccine czar, said the booster shots for the general adult population might be given as early as Dec. 10. According to Galvez, the country was set to receive 217 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine this year, both procured and donated. The administration of booster shots for senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals began last Nov. 22. But just in case we will be unable to reach it, this record is already high,” she said, noting that only a million COVID-19 shots were usually administered daily.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 02, 2021 11:26 UTC
BuCor: Nuezca did not complain of anything before death
BuCor: Nuezca did not complain of anything before deathThis undated photo shows dismissed police officer M/Sgt. Jonel Nuezca, who was later convicted with murder for killing Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony. Autopsy may be out within the weekMANILA, Philippines — Murder convict Jonel Nuezca, a dismissed cop, did not complain of any ailments before he died inside the New Bilibid Prison earlier this week, spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said. Clarifying details, Chaclag said Nuezca reported dizziness and shortness of breath on Tuesday and had asked to be brought to the hospital. Nuezca was filmed shooting 52-year-old Sonia Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio at close range during an argument in the latter’s home on Dec. 20, 2020.
Source:Philippine Star
December 02, 2021 09:02 UTC
Vaccine indemnity fund pays out HK$10.4m over 87 side effect cases
An indemnity fund established to compensate those who suffer from complications following Covid-19 vaccination has granted a total of HK$10.42 million to 87 cases. The indemnity fund has received a total of 595 applications as of November 23, including 575 post-jab injury cases and 20 post-jab death cases. Of which, 227 cases were concluded as “consistent with causal association with immunization” or “indeterminate” and 150 cases were concluded as “inconsistent with causal association with immunization” or “unclassifiable”. The 87 whose applications were granted are post-jab injury cases that involve the vaccine recipients developing common side effects including Anaphylaxis, Bell’s Palsy, and Erythema Multiforme. Meanwhile, none among the 20 post-jab death cases have been granted compensation, as the expert committee decided 14 of the cases were irrelevant to vaccination, and three of them have incomplete applications.
Source:The Standard
December 02, 2021 08:09 UTC
BuCor confirms death of killer cop Nuezca
BuCor confirms death of killer cop NuezcaThis undated photo shows former police Jonel Nuezca who shot dead his neighbors Sonya Gregorio, 52, and her son Frank Anthony, 25, at point-blank range, an incident which was caught on video and has since gone viral on social media. BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag said Nuezca was walking outside his dormitory building at the New Bilibid Prison on Tuesday night when he collapsed. “Investigation ongoing to determine if there is foul play in the incident,” the BuCor spokesperson added. 'Killer cop'Last August, the Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 106 found Nuezca guilty beyond reasonable doubt of murder, on two counts. Nuezca was filmed shooting 52-year-old Sonia Gregorio and her son Frank Anthony Gregorio at close range during an argument in the latter’s home on Dec. 20, 2020.
Source:Philippine Star
December 02, 2021 06:19 UTC