Chinese envoy asks Australia to increase search for 39 aboard capsized fishing boat in Indian Ocean
China's Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian speaks to media at the Embassy of China in Canberra. (AP)A Chinese envoy asked Australian authorities Thursday to increase efforts to find survivors in an Indian Ocean search for 39 crew members missing from a capsized Chinese fishing boat. Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said the Australian authority had already sent four airplanes and three ships to the search area, which is in the center of the Indian Ocean. Australia was liaising with the Chinese Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, with three Chinese naval ships continuing the search. Transport Minister Catherine King, who is responsible for the search authority, was traveling overseas and was not available for comment, her office said.
Source:The Standard
May 18, 2023 17:02 UTC
‘Onion prices could spike anew to P500-P700/kilo’
‘Onion prices could spike anew to P500-P700/kilo’MANILA, Philippines — Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) warned yesterday that the retail price of onions could reach as high as P500 to P700 per kilo amid the abrupt spike in the cost of the bulbs. BPI spokesnan Diego Roxas confirmed So’s statement that the stocks of white onions are only good until July. “Our white onions will last until mid-July and for red onions, we expect enough supply until November or December,” Roxas said. “Let me tell you frankly, we have not issued any permit for onion importation for the last four months. “We cannot do anything about it if the institutional buyers used all the stocks of white onions,” he said.
Source:Philippine Star
May 18, 2023 14:33 UTC
Immigration: 9 trafficking victims rescued in Thailand, Malaysia repatriated
Immigration: 9 trafficking victims rescued in Thailand, Malaysia repatriatedTravelers line up at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on December 20, 2022. MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration on Thursday said nine human trafficking victims have been rescued from Malaysia and Thailand, and repatriated to the Philippines. The bureau said the two batches of repatriated workers arrived in Manila from Malaysia on May 9 and from Thailand on May 11. RELATED: Suspected traffickers behind cyber fraud hub in Clark face criminal rapsSex trafficking in MalaysiaMeanwhile, three other victims from Malaysia left the country via boat through Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi. Tansingco reiterated the bureau’s warning to the public to not fall prey to human trafficking schemes.
Source:Philippine Star
May 18, 2023 13:33 UTC
Death penalty vs law enforcers who disobeyed anti-agri smuggling law sought
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla has formally sought the passage of a measure seeking to impose capital punishment against personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other uniformed or law enforcement agencies found violating the anti-agricultural smuggling law. 2214, amending the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, which the senator announced just before a Senate hearing on alleged unabated agricultural smuggling was suspended on Thursday. READ: Robin Padilla lashes out inattentive customs execs at agri smuggling hearing“Bakit ko po ginawa ito? Assistant BOC Commissioner Vincent Maronilla explained that pending investigation, these erring customs personnel are relieved from their posts so they could not influence the probe. RELATED STORIESVillar says anti-agri smuggling law a ‘failure’Agriculture smuggling: An unending torture for PH farmersBill charging gov’t execs involved in agri smuggling with economic sabotage filedHouse bill wants tobacco smuggling classified as economic sabotagekgaYour subscription could not be saved.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
May 18, 2023 11:35 UTC
Consultation service halted as Kwun Tong health center catches fire
Healthcare services were temporarily suspended after a fire broke out at a health center in Kwun Tong on Thursday morning, leading to the evacuation of about 200 staff and patients. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the men's bathroom at the Yung Fung Shee Memorial Centre East Kowloon Health Centre located in Kwun Tong at 8 am today and was dense enough to affect the patients awaiting consultation in the lobby. Services were temporarily suspended during the fire, and no one was found injured during the incident. They said the fire delayed their service by about 45 minutes but have since resumed regular operation. The spokesperson added that no staff or patients have complained of feeling unwell.
Source:The Standard
May 18, 2023 04:57 UTC
Marcos eyes revival of Philsucor
Marcos eyes revival of PhilsucorPresident Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. graces the 72nd anniversary celebration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at its central office in Batasan Road, Quezon City on January 31, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is eyeing the revival of the Philippine Sugar Corp. (PHILSUCOR), a state-run firm that provided financing to facilities used in the manufacture and distribution of sugar and its by-products, which was abolished during the previous administration. PHILSUCOR was created in 1983 through Presidential Decree 1890 issued by the President’s late father and namesake Ferdinand Marcos. On Monday, Marcos approved the importation of as much as 150,000 MT of sugar to stabilize the price and increase the country’s stock. Importing an additional 100,000 MT to 150,000 MT of sugar is needed to prevent a shortfall, the SRA said.
Source:Philippine Star
May 17, 2023 23:33 UTC
SAF troopers eyed to fight drug trafficking
SAF troopers eyed to fight drug traffickingMANILA, Philippines — From fighting suspected rebels and terrorists, members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) could soon be battling illegal drug syndicates. PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said yesterday transferring SAF troopers to the police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) could be an option. “We will consider getting personnel from SAF, particularly those who… want to have some changes in their pattern of law enforcement life,” he said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the SAF’s 40th founding anniversary at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City, Acorda noted that “whenever there are questions or whenever there are trust issues, we always consider SAF.”However, Acorda clarified that transferring police commandos to the PDEG is not yet final as they don’t want to diminish the strength of the SAF, the PNP’s elite strike force trained in internal security, counterterrorism and rescue operations. The PDEG is embroiled in controversy after some of its personnel were accused of being “ninja cops” or police officers involved in the illegal drug trade.
Source:Philippine Star
May 17, 2023 23:23 UTC
Elderly man arrested for breaking pigeon’s wings in Tseung Kwan O
A 66-year-old man was arrested in Tseung Kwan O early Wednesday morning after he was caught red-handed by police breaking the wings of a feral pigeon. The arrest came as police earlier received a video from a citizen that showed a person brutally killing a feral pigeon in King Lam Estate. Officers immediately intercepted the man and examined the pigeon’s condition, only to find its wings broken. Police said the arrestee was a resident of King Lam Estate and was a retiree. Police have yet to confirm the arrestee’s motive and believed he was discontent about nuisance and hygiene issues caused by feral pigeons in the area.
Source:The Standard
May 17, 2023 20:32 UTC
3 arrested in Thailand for alleged murder of Chinese businessman
Police in Thailand’s southern province of Satun have apprehended two men and a teenage girl in connection with the death of a Chinese businessman at a resort in Trang province. The 40-year-old businessman, identified as Li Zhri Rui in his passports, reportedly owned several para wood processing plants in southern provinces. He was found dead, with several knife wounds, in the bathroom of a resort in Trang yesterday (Tuesday). Natdanai allegedly said they hatched a plot to take revenge on the businessman, with the teenage girl leaving a window of the resort room open, to allow him to slip in and attack the businessman with a pocket knife. After the fatal assault, the trio fled from Trang to their hometown in La-ngu district of Satun province in the victim’s Honda Accord.
Source:The Standard
May 17, 2023 20:12 UTC
Suzuki launches the new S-Presso AGS
Automatic Gear Shift (AGS) variant of the New S-Presso CONTRIBUTED PHOTOPROVING that it takes into heart its customers' sentiments and demands, Suzuki Philippines, the country's pioneer compact car distributor, officially launches the highly anticipated Automatic Gear Shift (AGS) variant of the New S-Presso. The New S-Presso AGS is the Japanese car manufacturer's SUV design compact hatchback that comes with bold design and vibrant colors which exude life and positive energy. "The New S-Presso AGS will address the demand of our customers who have been waiting for the automatic version for quite some time now. With the updated version, drivers can enjoy a more convenient, stronger performance and efficient drive from the S-Presso AGS backing up its signature look and style. For daily updates on Suzuki, please like Suzuki Auto PH's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPH, follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SuzukiAutoPH and Instagram at @suzukiautoph.
Source:Manila Times
May 17, 2023 18:27 UTC
Dealing with problematic pronoun usage – 1
It's just that some constructions involving personal pronouns have remained debatable or problematic despite the existing grammar rules for them. To most people, however, using the personal pronoun's objective form ("me," "them") comes much more naturally: "It is me." Using personal pronouns after "as...as." Next week, this column will take up just a few more troublesome aspects of personal pronoun usage before we wind up with the subject. Read this column and listen to its voice recording in The Manila Times: "Dealing with problematic pronoun usage – 1"Next, May 25, 2023: "Dealing with problematic pronoun usage- 2"Visit Jose Carillo's English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com.
Source:Manila Times
May 17, 2023 17:03 UTC
From collecting scrap to SEAG silver
"I'm tired," this was Inan's reply to The Manila Times when asked how her body has been after back-to-back competitions. I took a rest the next day and then after that, I competed right away, that's why my body seemed so tired." "I'm happy because we weren't expecting to win a silver. "This is special for me because I used to just scavenge, but now I'm a silver medalist. Financially, it helps my family too with my allowance," said Inan, who, under Republic Act 10699, is entitled to receive P150,000 for her silver medal finish.
Source:Manila Times
May 17, 2023 14:14 UTC
Bato blows top over 990 kilos shabu testimony
Bato blows top over 990 kilos shabu testimony(May 16, 2023)Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa clarifies that the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which he chairs, has the power to conduct an inquiry on the P6.7-billion shabu seized in Manila in October 2022 involving high-ranking police officers. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ronald dela Rosa blew his top after policemen gave conflicting testimonies during the continuation of the hearing over the 990 kilos of shabu allegedly seized from a police officer last October. “Most likely they (policemen) are lying with the syndicate or they are afraid that the syndicate will get back at them. Dela Rosa hinted that Mayo is not the only owner of the 990 kilos of shabu seized from his establishment as somebody higher than him was a part of their operations. Dela Rosa said the policemen were asking for a monetary reward for their informant even though they did not have an actual informant.
Source:Philippine Star
May 17, 2023 08:29 UTC
Worker dies after fall at Tsing Yi shipyard
A worker died on Wednesday after he was said to have lost his footing while working at a ship cradle of Hong Kong Shipyard in Tsing Yi. The incident happened around 9 am this morning, with the man’s colleagues immediately calling for help after the discovery. The worker was rushed to Yan Chai Hospital unconscious and later certified dead after resuscitation attempts.
Source:The Standard
May 17, 2023 08:11 UTC
Ride-hailing firms should take lead in emissions reductions
However, those pledges were almost immediately derailed by a sharp increase in reported GHG emissions by both companies. In both cases, the total emissions were almost entirely attributed to what are called Scope 3 emissions, or emissions that are from assets not directly owned or controlled by a company but are indirectly determined by the company's value chain. In response to media questions about its surging emissions, Grab has highlighted several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. Its latest ESG report claims that 39,000 metric tons of GHG emissions were eliminated by encouraging the use of zero-emission and low-emission vehicles, such as bicycles for deliveries and electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles for transport services. The company has also emphasized that its decarbonization strategy takes into account its business expansion goals, although it does seem the sharp increase in GHG emissions last year may have come as a surprise.
Source:Manila Times
May 17, 2023 05:04 UTC