LOOK: South and Southeast Asian countries cope with a weekslong heat wave
South and Southeast Asian countries have been coping with a weekslong heat wave rendering record high temperatures that have posed a severe health risk. In the Philippines, India and Bangladesh, officials have told students to stay home and do their lessons remotely. Schoolchildren eat ice lollies sitting on a scooter on a hot summer day in Lucknow, India, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) A schoolgirl takes a drink on a hot summer day in Lucknow, India, Friday, May 3, 2024. A boy plays in the Arabian Sea on a hot summer day in Mumbai, India, Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Source:Manila Times
May 04, 2024 18:10 UTC
Chinese Embassy: 'China's desperation' editorial biased
I AM writing to express the Embassy of the People's Republic of China's deep dissatisfaction with the editorial titled "China's desperation" (May 2, 2024). We find it biased and lacking in accuracy regarding China's perspective on the maritime dispute and other issues. The portrayal of China's actions as "gaslighting" and "aggression" is not only misleading but also inflammatory, ultimately hindering efforts toward a peaceful resolution. It is essential to foster constructive dialogue and cooperation in addressing disputes rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric. Sincerely,AdvertisementChinese Embassy spokesman
Source:Manila Times
May 04, 2024 16:13 UTC
WATCH: Lady Tamaraws force 'do-or-die' vs Lady Bulldogs in UAAP 86 volleyball semis
The FEU Lady Tamaraws stun the twice-to-beat NU Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, to force a decider in their UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Final Four 'series' at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, May 4, 2024, FEU's bid to become the first no. 4 seed team to make the Finals in the women's division is still alive. Video by Niel Victor Masoy
Source:Manila Times
May 04, 2024 15:03 UTC
WATCH: Educators weigh in on Times Asia University Rankings
Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairman Prospero de Vera says that the universities that dropped their rankings should look at where they are at par with other Asian universities. De Vera issued the statement in a press briefing in response to the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings survey that was released this week. De Vera and University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez signed an online review class with UP and 15 State universities and colleges last Friday, May 3, 2024. Jimenez said that their relevance to Filipinos remain their most important metric aside from any other international ranking. Video by Red MendozaGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Source:Manila Times
May 04, 2024 14:11 UTC
WATCH: PH energy demand soars due to record-high heat
Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan says the Philippines' current power consumption officially surpasses the agency's projections for energy usage amid the record-breaking heat. He assured, however, that there was sufficient power supply despite the soaring demand for cooling and electricity. He said that the causes of power outages stemmed from hydropower plants coping with low water levels caused by El Niño, aside from regular repairs and maintenance of the other plants. Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Source:Manila Times
May 04, 2024 13:09 UTC
Electric car abandoned after crash in Sham Shui Po
Police are now searching for the owner of an electric car which was suspectedly abandoned by the driver after crashing through a 10-meter-long fence in Sham Shui Po. The incident occurred around 1.30 am on Saturday when the car was traveling along Tai Po Road from Sham Shui Po to Sha Tin. It lost control and rammed into the fencing on the left after it drove past a traffic light on Caldecott Road. Police later cordoned off Tai Po Road (Shatin-bound) and all vehicles reaching Caldecott Road were instructed to turn back. After a preliminary investigation, police believe the driver escaped from the scene immediately after the traffic incident.
Source:The Standard
May 04, 2024 12:44 UTC
Threats on journalists mount as regional tensions escalate
THE Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) said on Friday journalists in the country face ever-growing threats as geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific Region continue to rise. In a statement it issued in time for Press Freedom Day, Focap revealed it has recorded "a case of impersonation or spoofing and an uptick in messages to journalists from fake or suspicious email addresses, attempting to either extract information or skew the news agenda regarding coverage of the South China Sea," the group said. "At least one Focap member was alerted to two attempted hacks traced to a government."
Source:Manila Times
May 04, 2024 09:36 UTC
Hong Kong March retail sales down 7pc, snapping 15 months of growth
Sales decreased to HK$31.2 billion (US$3.99 billion), snapping 15 consecutive months of growth. Hong Kong visitor arrivals are increasing following the pandemic lockdown, helping to drive 2.7 percent growth in the local economy in the first quarter. In volume terms, retail sales decreased 8.6 percent year-on-year in March, compared with a 0.5 percent growth in February. For the first quarter of 2024, total retail sales decreased by 1.3 percent compared with the same period in 2023, while the volume of total retail sales fell 3.1 percent, according to provisional estimates. (US$1 = 7.8160 Hong Kong dollars)(Reuters)
Source:The Standard
May 04, 2024 09:14 UTC
With 10,000 jeepneys to be taken off the road, commuters fear undersupply of public transpo
With 10,000 jeepneys to be taken off the road, commuters fear undersupply of public transpoA woman cools off with a folding hand fan inside a passenger jeepney in Manila on April 25, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Mobility advocates urged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to ensure a steady supply of public transportation after thousands of jeepneys are expected to stop operations within the month. LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III earlier said that losing 10,000 jeepneys "wouldn't result in a transportion crisis," saying that commuters have trains, taxis, buses, motorcycle taxis and ride-hailing apps to choose from. The government's public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program earlier encouraged jeepney and UV Express operators to consolidate on on before April 30. If one were to fill up 10,000 jeepneys at a single moment, this would result to 160,000 passengers.
Source:Philippine Star
May 03, 2024 15:44 UTC
Philippines slides down 2 places in 2024 World Press Freedom Index
Philippines slides down 2 places in 2024 World Press Freedom IndexDemonstrators light candles at a rally calling for justice following the murder of a Philippine radio broadcaster, in Quezon City in suburban Manila on October 4, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has sunk two spots to place 134th out of 180 countries in this year's World Press Freedom Index, with media conditions continuing to fall below the standards of a free press even without a government openly hostile to journalists. This development reflects warnings by press freedom advocates that Marcos' milder approach to the media — a departure from Duterte's repeated verbal abuse to journalists — is only half the story. While the watchdog noted that fewer "violent attacks" have taken place under Marcos, "harassment by means of threats and 'red-tagging' persists." De Santos said that the Philippines' poorer performance in RSF's 2024 press freedom index should prompt the government to take action on the more worrying aspects of the media environment in the country.
Source:Philippine Star
May 03, 2024 14:54 UTC
Chinese envoy summoned over water cannon attack
(UPDATE) THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned a senior Chinese envoy on Thursday to protest a water cannon incident that damaged two Philippine vessels during a patrol in the South China Sea. China's coast guard had previously said it "expelled" the two Philippine ships from its waters near Huangyan Island, the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman, and Cmdr. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman, and Cmdr. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman, and Cmdr.
Source:Manila Times
May 03, 2024 04:26 UTC
Rich nations' hypocrisy accelerating global heating
KUALA LUMPUR: Rich nations' climate hypocrisy is accelerating global heating, pushing the planet closer to irreversible catastrophe, with its worst consequences borne by the poorest countries and peoples. While ostensibly aimed at reducing emissions, such measures burden developing countries more, further deepening world inequalities. Besides being ineffective, only a tiny fraction of global GHG emissions are subject to carbon taxes, often imposed using biased methods and assumptions. Government fossil fuel subsidies, e.g., to ensure support against Russia after it invaded Ukraine, have undermined the purpose of carbon pricing. However, there is much reason to be skeptical about the effectiveness of such initiatives for reducing GHG emissions.
Source:Manila Times
May 03, 2024 04:04 UTC
WATCH: South Korean tech firm ensures accuracy, reliability of system in 2025 elections
Ken Cho, vice president of Miru Systems Company Ltd. Overseas sales department, talks to Primetimes with Atty. Lia about the role of Miru systems in the 2025 national and local elections, calls as 'fake news' allegations about its manipulation of results and accusations of political alliances. He also said Miru devices were user-friendly, especially for persons with disabilities (PWDs). Cho assured the public that the tech firm was reliable and accurate. Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Source:Manila Times
May 03, 2024 01:42 UTC
Cool Smashers recover, trounce Angels to stay alive
Cool Smashers recover, trounce Angels to stay aliveJema Galanza was the heart that kept on beating for Creamline as she practically willed her team back to critical deficits in the last two sets en route to the win. Games Sunday(Smart Araneta Coliseum)4 p.m. – Creamline vs Chery Tiggo6 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Petro GazzMANILA, Philippines – Many were already predicting that Creamline’s dynastic reign is inevitably close to ending with the meteoric rise of rival franchises, including a vastly improved and deeply talented Petro Gazz. Jema Galanza was the heart that kept on beating for Creamline as she practically willed her team back to critical deficits in the last two sets en route to the win. But Creamline isn't about to give in on that and delivered the fight of its life with a comeback to remember. But the Angels never did.
Source:Philippine Star
May 03, 2024 01:30 UTC