‘Good progress’ over talks with China on border reopening, says Carrie Lam
The Hong Kong leader said the SAR is making “good progress” in talks with the mainland authorities over the reopening of borders. Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said Hong Kong officials will soon meet with mainland authorities a second time to discuss a formal reopening of the border. “The central government and the Hong Kong SAR fully understand that the top priority in Hong Kong is to gradually resume cross border travel between Hong Kong and the mainland for business purposes and other urgent needs,” said Lam. The Hong Kong leader reiterated that opening the border with China remained the priority over liberalizing travel with the rest of the world. “Hopefully by then, we have opened up the border with China and we might have conditions favorable to open up the border to other places.”
Source:The Standard
November 09, 2021 05:20 UTC
BI to increase airport manpower once country opens
BI to increase airport manpower once country opensIn a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that with the lower number of COVID-19 cases in the country, they anticipate that the country would soon open its borders to foreign tourists. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) gave assurance that it would increase the number of personnel manning international airports once the country opens its borders to foreign tourists. In a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that with the lower number of COVID-19 cases in the country, they anticipate that the country would soon open its borders to foreign tourists. While the current manpower of the BI would need to be increased should international travel return to normal, the bureau would implement a response plan to address the manpower needs at the international airports. The BI issued the statement after presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that the Philippines would reopen to international tourists in due time.
Source:Philippine Star
November 09, 2021 02:51 UTC
Senators reject 'no vaccine, no 4Ps subsidy' proposal
Senators reject 'no vaccine, no 4Ps subsidy' proposalThis June 22, 2021 photo shows individuals lining up at a mall in Manila to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. The Palace said it supports the DILG's proposal but also said the 4Ps Act would have to be amended to make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory for beneficiaries. Sen. Joel Villanueva said any proposal to write such a provision into the DSWD's budget for 2022 would be "dead on arrival in the Senate." Sen. Francis Pangilinan in his own statement statement released Sunday said the issue with the vaccine rollout seems to be the availability of the jabs and brand preference rather than the refusal of some to be inoculated. As of this writing, only 27% of the country's total population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Source:Philippine Star
November 09, 2021 02:22 UTC
Tight rules on border opening
But travelers will need to have a mainland mobile phone number so mainland authorities can trace them upon being identified as a confirmed case or close contact. Local authorities last Tuesday had an online meeting with mainland experts from the National Health Commission to further discuss details of the quarantine-free travel scheme. Infectious disease expert Ho Pak-leung from the University of Hong Kong said it is reasonable if the mainland wants to suspend the scheme with one untraceable source infection in Hong Kong. "Hong Kong is not capable of doing lockdowns involving an entire district. Hong Kong recorded zero Covid-19 cases on Monday, with five preliminary imported cases pending confirmation.
Source:The Standard
November 09, 2021 01:57 UTC
Students, teachers can get mental health support through new DepEd helpline
Students, teachers can get mental health support through new DepEd helplineThis undated file photo shows a student attending online classes. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education on Monday launched a helpline system that seeks to provide assistance to students and teachers experiencing mental distress amid the coronavirus pandemic. 072 instructing its offices to include and promote the helplines of groups providing mental support. These organizations include Circle of Hope Community Services, Inc., COVID-19 Mental Health Responders from Masters Psychological Services, as well as Hopeline PH and The 700 Club Asia, to name a few. "They may provide mental health and psychosocial support services, as well as wellness checks."
Source:Philippine Star
November 08, 2021 23:10 UTC
Pfizer's magic pill gives life to all but vaccine makers
An index tracking gaming stocks listed in Hong Kong also saw a 5.7 percent surge. The rise in gaming stocks also came after Macau released its updated budget for 2022, expecting gross gaming revenue to be 130 billion patacas (HK$126.54 billion). Among vaccine-related stocks, Wuxi Biologics Cayman (2269), which makes ingredients for AstraZeneca's vaccine, was the biggest loser as it slumped 8.6 percent. CanSino Biologics (6185), a Chinese Covid vaccine makers, plunged 17 percent and Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177) declined 1.6 percent. If successful, Pfizer's pill "may create uncertainties for earnings outlook and valuations of Chinese vaccine makers," said Daniel So of CMB International Securities.
Source:The Standard
November 08, 2021 22:49 UTC
MMC proposes lifting of face shield policy
THE Metro Manila Council (MMC) wants to do away with the mandatory wearing of face shields in Metro Manila except in critical areas like hospitals. The Department of the Interior and Local Government last week also recommended the scrapping of the face shield rule. The government requires the use of face shields in closed and crowded spaces. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Monday local government units have the authority to decide on face shield use as long as their areas are considered low-risk for Covid-19 infection. "We are the only country that requires wearing a face shield," Año said.
Source:Manila Times
November 08, 2021 22:09 UTC
Climate on track to devastate poor countries – study
"The ability of countries in the Global South to sustainably develop is seriously jeopardized," said lead author Marina Andrijevic from Humboldt University in Berlin. The countries covered by the report make up two key negotiating blocs at the UN climate talks, which run through Friday: the Least Developed Countries and Alliance of Small Island States. To date, rich governments have committed only modest sums to help poor countries adapt to climate impacts. "Africa has done the least to cause climate change yet this report shows it will face the most severe consequences. That is deeply unjust," said Mohamed Adow, director of Nairobi-based climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa.
Source:Manila Times
November 08, 2021 22:09 UTC
Temple
However, it is called St. John Lateran because it was built on property donated to the Church by the Laterani family, and because the monks from the monastery of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Divine served it. FIRST READING • Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12The angel brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the façade of the temple was toward the east; the water flowed down from the southern side of the temple, south of the altar. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his Body.
Source:Manila Bulletin
November 08, 2021 21:35 UTC
Hontiveros: Allow more jeepneys, buses out to avoid COVID-19 surge
The United States has seen a decline in cases and hospitalizations since the summer's delta surge — but the decline is declining. COVID-19 is still killing more than 1,000 people in the U.S. every day....
Source:Philippine Star
November 08, 2021 20:56 UTC
Indonesia reviewing Merck COVID-19 pill, up to 1 million doses targeted
JAKARTA — Indonesia is reviewing a COVID-19 experimental antiviral pill produced by Merck & Co Inc for domestic use, its food and drug agency (BPOM) chief said on Monday, ahead of a possible purchase of up to 1 million doses next month. Britain is the first country to have approved the pill, named molnupiravir, which Merck last month said halved the chance of hospitalization or death in patients at risk for severe illness. Penny K. Lukito, BPOM chief, told a parliamentary hearing the process for registering the drug was underway. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said Indonesia plans to purchase 600,000 to 1 million doses of the Merck pill in December. State-owned and private companies have been invited to apply for patent licensing to produce the pills at home, he said.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 08, 2021 20:14 UTC
The natural route for oral care
Switching to natural toothpaste is a good way to update dental care routine. Consumers should be more mindful about the oral care products they use. Switching to natural toothpaste, natural toothbrush and other complementary products is a good way to update dental care routine. Enter Splat, a pioneer in natural oral care in European and Asian countries, which is finally in the Philippines. The Russian brand provides natural and healthier oral care while saving the environment.
Source:Manila Times
November 08, 2021 20:01 UTC
How our family survived COVID-19
How our family survived COVID-19: Finding hope and strength in othersDeath is inevitable, it will eventually come. When that family member passes on, he or she succumbs to the disease alone. It’s sad enough that you’ll learn of deaths of friends, friends of friends, family of friends, but it’s so overwhelmingly tragic and emotionally heavy when it’s this close to home. As I mentioned, Kuya Kenn didn’t have a family member with him in the hospital. You, as a family member, can also feel that sense of loneliness and helplessness since you can only do so much for your loved ones who got sick.
Source:Philippine Star
November 08, 2021 19:08 UTC
2.8 million doses of Sputnik V arrive in the Philippines
The actor broke her silence on the backlash surrounding her fiancé with an odd sexual innuendo. Looks like Shailene Woodley is going to extreme lengths to defend fiancé Aaron Rodgers from criticism for...
Source:Philippine Star
November 08, 2021 14:37 UTC
Litterbug arrested for injuring officer in bid to escape fine
A man has been arrested in Mong Kok on Monday after he wounded an officer who was issuing him a fine for littering. The man was said to have assaulted the officer all of a sudden. He was later subdued and arrested by police officers who were called to the scene. Hong Kong has strict laws about maintaining environmental hygiene, including fixed penalty fines of HK$1,500 for littering. Those who obstruct public officers in performing duties to avoid penalties are also liable to a fine of HK$1,000 and to imprisonment for six months.
Source:The Standard
November 08, 2021 06:50 UTC